Irish journal of medical science
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Ascertain whether a demographic analysis of the archives of an annual national meeting head and neck section could reflect contemporary issues in our specialty and compare the results with available analysis from other ORL-HNS meetings. ⋯ This review of presentations at a surgical meeting provides an insight into contemporary issues involving our specialty and lays down markers or challenges for organisers and presenters alike. Presentations on H&N Malignancy have become almost exclusively ORL-HNS, while Thyroid presentations are becoming more valorised to General Surgery and Facial Plastics with our colleagues in Plastic Surgery and Maxillofacial. Our publication rate of 27% is similar to other ORL-HNS meetings. Approximately 10% are published over 5 years after the meeting but presenters should endeavour to publish earlier as others may usurp publication in up to 40% of presentations.
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We aimed to explore long-term results of oral antiviral agents in treatment-naïve "HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB)" and determine the factors affecting the complete virological response. ⋯ CVR was achieved at similar rates with all four antiviral agents, while younger age (≤ 40) and low baseline viral load were the main factors for virological response. However, drug resistance and virological breakthrough in the LAM group and side effects in the LdT group were detected during the long-term follow-up. Moreover, HBsAg seroclearance was achieved at very low rates with oral antiviral agents.
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Observational Study
Efficacy and feasibility of awake proning in patients with COVID-19-related acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: an observational, prospective study.
Most of COVID-19 patients present with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Proning is one of the management options proven to improve oxygenation and reduce mortality in non-COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome. As a response to COVID-19 pandemic surge, a dedicated COVID-19 respiratory ward for the management of mild to moderate ARDS patients who require oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation (NIV), or high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was established. We adopted a policy of early awake proning in such patients. ⋯ Awake proning was feasible, tolerable, and effective in improving oxygenation in patients with COVID-19-related pneumonia and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure in this prospective study.
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In December 2019, a novel coronavirus strain, COVID-19, was identified in Wuhan, China. The first case was reported in the Republic of Ireland that month. Since then, along with many other countries worldwide, Ireland has imposed intermittent strict lockdowns to mitigate the spread of the virus. ⋯ Lockdown was associated with improved glycaemic control in young adult diabetic patients, and also with an increase in body weight. Changes in lifestyle factors associated with lockdown may explain this finding.
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Although the bioactive peptides associated with the apelinergic system are known to be associated with heart failure and ischemic heart disease, there are no data on their association with acromegaly. ⋯ Serum Elabela level can be used as an early and objective indicator of early cardiovascular involvement in patients with acromegaly. Further research is needed to clarify the role of serum Elabela levels on cardiovascular system in acromegaly patients.