Articles: ninos.
-
Growing evidence demonstrates that a number of clinical disorders may be related to genetic defects in telomeres replication and extensions. Overall, these syndromes are referred to as telomeropathies or telomeres disorders or syndromes; they are increasingly being identified. In adulthood, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common symptom of telomeropathy. ⋯ In a cohort of patients addressed to lung transplantation, authors were able to demonstrate that subclinical bone marrow and liver abnormalities can be seen in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and short telomeres, in some cases in the absence of clinically significant abnormalities in peripheral blood count and liver function tests. This observation sustains the rationale for further studies aimed to validate telomere length testing as a useful parameter as part of the evaluation for transplant candidacy. A deeper clarification of the complex link between IPF and short telomeres and telomeropathies is required for a new ILD classification, aimed to a fullpersonalized approach to the disease.
-
A helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) is a specialist flying emergency service where on-board medical personnel have both the knowledge and equipment to perform complicated medical procedures. The paucity of literature describing the types of patients flown by HEMS in South Africa (SA) and their clinical outcome poses a challenge for current aeromedical services, as there is no baseline information on which to base flight criteria, staffing and policy documents. This has the potential to hamper the advancement of HEMS in SA. ⋯ The study findings provided valuable information that may have an impact on the current staffing and authorisation criteria of SA HEMS operations.
-
It is important for centres participating in transplantation in South Africa (SA) to audit their outcomes. Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC), Johannesburg, SA, opened a transplant unit in 2004. The first 10 years of kidney and pancreas transplantation were reviewed to determine outcomes in respect of recipient and graft survival. ⋯ Outcomes of the first 10 years of kidney and pancreas transplantation at WDGMC compare favourably with local and international survival data.