Irish journal of medical science
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Medical procedures in the field of electrocardiology belong to a large group of cardiological procedures. Performing them involves exposure to ionizing radiation. In this study, five medical procedures in the field of electrocardiology performed in three medical facilities were analyzed in terms of patients' exposure to ionizing radiation. ⋯ This is reflected, for example, in the high coefficient of variation for doses in RF ablation. The type of X-ray machine used during the procedure also influences the dose values. Although the exposure of patients undergoing electrocardiological procedures to ionizing radiation is much lower than in the case of cardiac vascular procedures, it may reach a similar level, especially in the case of implantation of devices regulating the correct functioning of the heart.
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Worldwide, the incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus, is increasing. This increase has yet to be demonstrated in an Irish cohort. ⋯ In our institution, the number of patients with OPSCC is increasing due to an escalation in cases associated with HPV. Population-level interventions such as vaccination programs may alter the current increase in the incidence of these tumours.
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Methotrexate (MTX) is used in clinical practice as a medical treatment option in patients with early pregnancy complications like ectopic pregnancy. ⋯ The efficacy of medical treatment with systemic MTX for confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancy in our hospital is in line with national and international standards. Careful consideration should be given to treating caesarean scar pregnancy and persistent pregnancy of unknown location with systemic MTX. Systemic MTX use guided by clinicians specialised in early pregnancy complications and safe medication practices may improve treatment success and reduce adverse events.
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To quantify the volume and nature of radiological imaging performed for e-scooter related trauma presentations in a tertiary referral centre and to identify common radiological pattern of injuries. ⋯ E-scooter-related injuries represent a new and emerging high-energy trauma patient. These patients demonstrate injury patterns similar to other high-energy trauma such as road traffic accidents. Although the most common injuries are musculoskeletal upper limb injuries typical of FOOSH, a large proportion of these require advanced diagnostic imaging (CT, MRI) which were commonly positive for significant injuries.
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Preeclampsia (PE) poses a substantial risk to prenatal and maternal health. Folic acid (FA) and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) play roles in DNA methylation and genomic integrity maintenance, with MTHFR polymorphisms potentially impacting PE occurrence. Human microRNA 149 (miR-149) remains underexplored in PE despite its involvement in folate metabolism. This study seeks to evaluate serum miR-149 levels with the MTHFR C677T polymorphism for diagnosing PE. ⋯ Merging miR-149 and MTHFR polymorphism assessment improves discrimination between healthy and PE groups, offering valuable insights into PE pathogenesis and potential diagnostic strategies.