Irish journal of medical science
-
SARS-CoV-2, causing the lethal disease COVid-19, is a public health emergency in the 2020 global pandemic. The outbreak and fast spreading of SARS-CoV-2 have a high morbidity and mortality specifically in elder patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and organ transplanted patients with immunosuppressive therapy. Preliminary results support different treatments such as chloroquine and convalescent plasma infusion in severe cases, with good outcome. ⋯ The data available today regarding the beneficial protective effect of vitamin D is unclear and with conflicting results. Large randomized control trials are necessary to test this hypothesis. In this review, we will explain the cross talk between the active vitamin D and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and summarize the data from the literature.
-
This study aimed to determine the absolute and relative test-retest reliability of the functional reach test (FRT) and the handgrip strength test (HGST) in older adults using nursing homes. ⋯ Findings show that the FRT and the HGST are reliable, have acceptable measurement error, and may be used for research and clinical purposes to assess functional balance and strength of the hands in older adults using nursing homes.
-
Predicting morbidity and mortality in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is of extreme importance to make precise decisions for better outcomes. ⋯ ACR is a good predictor of PICU outcomes and is comparable to PIM 2 for mortality prediction.
-
To investigate the usefulness of salusin-α and salusin-β as biomarkers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to determine whether diabetes severity and obesity have an effect on the salusin levels in diabetic patients. ⋯ We demonstrated that the serum salusin-α level was decreased whereas the salusin-β level was increased in patients with T2DM compared to healthy subjects, and this was more pronounced as T2DM-deteriorated. We also showed that obesity had no effect on salusin levels among diabetics. This study may provide a basis for the availability of salusin-targeted therapies, especially in uncontrolled T2DM.
-
To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on trauma referrals to a National Neurosurgical Centre during the first wave of COVID-19 in Ireland. ⋯ COVID-19 has had a significant impact on both the volume and mechanism of trauma referrals to the National Neurosurgical Centre in Ireland, with falls below 2 m the most common mechanism of trauma referral across both years. The workload remains substantial and a fully resourced neurosurgical department is essential in any future COVID-19 waves.