Irish journal of medical science
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Appendectomy is the standard treatment of acute appendicitis. However, recent advancements have introduced medical treatment as a potential alternative. Within this context, it's important to recognize the rare occurrence of appendiceal tumors, often incidentally discovered during histopathological examination following appendectomy. Consequently, there's a concern about the possibility of overlooking appendiceal neoplasms, particularly in cases where conservative treatment for acute appendicitis is considered. ⋯ Although appendiceal neoplasms are relatively rare in proportion, they represent a significant numerical value due to the density of cases. Therefore, this information should be taken into consideration when evaluating treatment options for acute appendicitis.
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Diabetic foot disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Patients at high risk of developing diabetic foot disease can reduce their risk, however, by practicing appropriate foot self-care behaviours. Despite this fact, and often despite education regarding appropriate foot care, patients frequently engage in risky foot care practices which place them at risk of foot ulceration. ⋯ In this cohort of Irish patients with high-risk feet, foot care knowledge and practice varied widely. Participants frequently engaged in high-risk behaviours despite prior education. Improved strategies to impart diabetic foot care advice to patients with diabetes and high-risk feet are urgently required.
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There has been a noticeable change in Irish hospitals in the demographics of patients sustaining head injuries that now includes many older patients suffering head injuries from low impact trauma. ⋯ Older patients requiring hospital admission for head injuries have significantly different care needs to younger patients admitted with head injuries. A national pathway for older patients who sustain head injuries needs to be implemented to ensure they get timely access to the investigations and specialists required.
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Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a gynae-endocrine disorder, has a relatively high risk of differential expression of miRNA (DE-miRNA) in the disease progression. ⋯ Identified, hub genes are known to associate with the regulation of ovarian function such as oocyte development, and steroid synthesis via the wnt signalling pathway.
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Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of chronic disorders of the bone marrow characterised by the overproduction of clonal myeloid stem cells. The most common driver mutation found in MPNs is a point mutation on exon 14 of the JAK2 gene, JAK2V617F. Various studies have suggested that measuring the variable allele frequency (VAF) of JAK2V617F may provide useful insight regarding diagnosis, treatment, risks and outcomes in MPN patients. In particular, JAK2V617F has been associated with increased risk of thrombotic events, a leading cause of mortality in MPNs. ⋯ We have shown that a higher JAK2V617F VAF is associated with thrombotic events post MPN diagnosis. JAK2V617F VAF may therefore provide a valuable prognostic indicator for risk of thrombosis in MPNs.