Irish journal of medical science
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Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common autoinflammatory disease characterized by short, repeated, and self-limiting attacks of fever and serositis. Subclinical inflammation can persist in the periods with no symptoms and result in amyloidosis even with colchicine treatment. Neopterin and calprotectin have been considered essential players in inflammation and immune response. ⋯ Calprotectin, neopterin, and RDW can be valuable marker candidates to be used in the follow-up of subclinical inflammation in FMF patients.
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Although there have been significant improvements in prenatal and neonatal care in recent years, twin pregnancies account for 17-20% of all preterm births and are associated with an increased risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity. ⋯ The time between cerclage placement and birth were considered as an important gain for twin pregnancies at the limit of viability. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of cervical cerclage in preventing premature birth and to determine the indications for cerclage.
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NT-proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a frequently utilized test in congestive cardiac failure. There is little data on its utility in unselected emergency medical admissions. ⋯ NT-proBNP is prognostic in emergency medical admissions. Downstream resource utilization differed following an NT-proBNP test; this may reflect different case complexity or the 'uncertainty' surrounding such admissions.
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Rituximab (RTX) is an important immunosuppressive agent used for many rheumatologic diseases. This study investigated the factors affecting mortality and mortality due to COVID-19 infection in patients receiving RTX. ⋯ As a result of the study, it was found that RTX treatment in particular increased the risk of death from COVID-19 infection. However, vaccination against COVID-19 has a very important place in this patient group. It is important that vaccination is administered at the full dose and adjusted according to the RTX treatment time, and that the dose and timing of RTX treatment are regulated.
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To investigate clinical outcomes in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after intracapsular implantation of a novel EyeMax Mono macular lens. ⋯ Extended macular vision lenses appear to have a comparable safety profile as standard IOLs in the short to medium term. It could be the preferred lens for improving and preserving visual acuity in moderate to advanced dry AMD patients.