Irish journal of medical science
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University students have been uniquely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is currently little data upon the measures that medical students and newly qualified doctors have taken to help their mental well-being and mood during the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ Exercise can help to benefit the well-being of medical students and interim foundation doctors. It is hoped that higher education providers and employers recognise the importance of promoting physical activity for the well-being of their students and staff, respectively.
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Occasional smoking is defined as any smoking occurring on a less than daily basis. Social smoking, i.e. smoking primarily in social contexts, is a sub-group of occasional smoking. Data on occasional cigarette smoking and the subset of social smoking among third level students are limited. ⋯ Prevalence of self-reported occasional smoking among university students was higher than daily smoking. Most occasional smokers primarily smoked in social contexts. All current smokers reported that alcohol increased cigarette intake. Effective intervention campaigns tailored to determinants of occasional/social smoking are needed as part of induction to third level.
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Because of the uncertainty in the appropriate initial loop diuretic dose in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) is believed to be increased with the high dose of initial intravenous (IV) loop diuretic. ⋯ In patients with ADHF, the initial high dose of IV loop diuretics is associated with an increased risk of developing AKI.
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Endometrial injury or 'scratch' preceding an assisted reproductive therapy (ART) cycle has recently been shown not to improve livebirth rates among women undergoing ART. The objective of this study was to compare pregnancy outcomes in nulliparous women who underwent an accurately timed mid-luteal scratch biopsy prior to ART with those who did not. ⋯ Endometrial scratch is a simple, inexpensive and low-risk procedure. However, in this relatively small cohort study, no differences in rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy or live birth in women with primary infertility were determined between those who underwent a scratch and those who did not.
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Contact tracing remains a critical part of controlling COVID-19 spread. Many countries have developed novel software applications (Apps) in an effort to augment traditional contact tracing methods. ⋯ The Irish citizens surveyed expressed high levels of willingness to download a public health-backed App to augment contact tracing. Concerns raised regarding privacy and data security will be critical if the App is to achieve the large-scale adoption and ongoing use required for its effective operation.