Irish journal of medical science
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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represents a wide range of clinical manifestations, even if mild disease severity. It has been known that pulmonary function is affected by COVID-19 during infection and mid-to-long term. However, there is inadequate evidence about extrapulmonary features in post-COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Extrapulmonary features are adversely affected in a substantial proportion of post-COVID-19 patients who recovered from mild and moderate disease severity in the mid-term. Comprehensive assessment and appropriate intervention strategies should also be considered for non-severe post-COVID-19 patients.
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Solute carrier (SLC) 22 A1, A2, and A3 are polyspecific transporters transporting organic cations like histamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, MPP + , and toxins. The expression of SLC22A1-A3 in cancer is seldom investigated, and the function of SLC22A1-A3 in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is never elucidated. ⋯ SLC22A3 is an independent favorable prognostic biomarker of GBM. Patients with low SLC22A3 may be more high-risk and should receive more intensive post-operational supervision and treatments.
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Myocarditis is a concerning potential consequence of COVID-19 infection, attributed to ventricular dysfunction, cardiac fibrosis, ventricular arrhythmias, cardiogenic shock, and sudden cardiac death. Recently, the Israeli Health Ministry announced that a small number of cases of myocarditis may be linked to second dose of Pfizer's BioNTech-partnered COVID-19 vaccine. The long-term impact of COVID-19 myocarditis and coronary microthrombosis which has also been described and the best therapies for these complications remain unknown. ⋯ Follow-up assessment of cardiac function has been suggested for this cohort to detect and possibly prevent further cardiac events in the rehabilitation phase. Functional capacity has been shown to be a better determinant of long-term morbidity than diagnostic testing alone, but integrated approach is likely the way forward in clinical follow-up. Assessment of residual complications in the post-COVID-19 recovery phase may identify the population burden of long-term cardiac disease as a direct consequence of COVID-19.
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COVID-19 resulted in significant changes across medical wards and ICU in St James's Hospital Dublin. This included the implementation of ward-based medical teams (WBMT). The purpose of this study was to identify how these structural changes affected inter-professional collaboration, supervision and patient safety. ⋯ Implementation of WBMT may result in improved sense of collaboration, supervision and patient safety during COVID-19; however, the increased sense of solidarity and comradery felt during the initial surge make drawing these conclusions challenging.
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Despite the rise of non-invasive screening tests for fetal aneuploidy, invasive testing during pregnancy remains the definitive diagnostic tool for fetal genetic anomalies. Results are rapidly available with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, but cases have been reported whereby initial results were not confirmed after pregnancy termination and the fetal karyotype was ultimately normal. We sought to examine the potential discordance between PCR and karyotype for fetal aneuploidy. ⋯ PCR can be reliably used to determine aneuploidy of chromosomes 13, 18, and 21. However, in cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy, its performance is less reliable and warrants waiting for a complete karyotype. Given such discordance, we advise waiting for karyotype for all invasive tests performed in the presence of a normal ultrasound before advising a patient of a diploid QF-PCR result or potentially terminating a normal pregnancy.