Irish journal of medical science
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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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The Norton scale, a marker of patient frailty used to predict the risk of pressure ulcers, but the predictive value of the Norton scale for in-hospital mortality after adjustment for a wide range of demographic, and abnormal admission laboratory test results shown in themselves to have a high predictive value for in-hospital mortality is unclear. ⋯ The Norton scale and presence of a urinary catheter are important predictors of in-hospital mortality in acutely hospitalized adults in internal medicine departments.
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Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) participates in the autoimmune disease pathology by regulating T helper (Th) cell differentiation, NF-κB pathway, toll-like receptor 4, etc. This study intended to investigate the association of serum PCSK9 with disease activity, Th cells, and treatment response in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. ⋯ Serum PCSK9 is positively associated with disease activity and Th17 cells, while its short-term decline reflects desirable treatment response in AS patients.
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The significance of ring-fencing orthopaedic beds and protected elective sites has recently been highlighted by the British Orthopaedic Association and the Royal College of Surgeons. During the pandemic, many such elective setups were established. This study aimed to compare the functioning and efficiency of an orthopaedic protected elective surgical unit (PESU) instituted during the pandemic with the pre-pandemic elective service at our hospital. ⋯ A total of 192 cases were listed on PESU during the studied period whereas this number was 339 for PPW. However, more than half of those listed for a surgery on PPW were cancelled and only 162 cases were performed. PESU had a significantly better conversion rate with only 12.5% being cancelled. Forty-nine percent (87 out of 177) of the cases cancelled on PPW were due to a 'bed unavailability'. A further 17% (30/177) and 16% (28/177) were cancelled due to 'emergency case prioritisation' and 'patient deemed unfit', respectively. In contrast, only 3 out of the 24 patients cancelled on PESU were due to bed unavailability. Single-surgeon total hip replacement showed similar demographic features for the 25 patients on PESU and 37 patients on PPW. The patients on PESU also demonstrated a decrease in length of hospital stay with an average of 3 days.