Irish journal of medical science
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Investigating patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (uVTE) for occult malignancy can prove a diagnostic dilemma and imaging is often used extensively in this patient group. ⋯ CT imaging had a low yield for diagnosing malignancy. Extensive imaging strategies increase cost and radiation exposure without improving mortality. Clinical follow-up, history taking, and physical examination guiding appropriate investigations remain the best tool for unmasking occult malignancy in patients with uVTE.
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Diabetic neuropathy diagnosis involves invasive procedures like nerve biopsy and nerve conduction studies which are seldom available at rural health centers. The Ipswich Touch Test (IpTT) is one test that can be performed by the caregiver and it's simple to perform. ⋯ 10gm-SMWFis a better test to diagnose neuropathy than the IpTT; but in the absence of 10gm-SMWFs, the IpTT is an ideal alternative. IpTT can be performed in a bedside or chairside setting in the absence of a professional health care provider who can screen patients for neuropathy and alert the physician of an impending complication where amputation can be avoided.
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Review Meta Analysis
Effects of myo-inositol vs. metformin on hormonal and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS: a meta-analysis.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the most prevalent hormonal disorder in females. Over the years, metformin (MET) has become the first-line choice of treatment; however, due to its gastrointestinal side effects, a more recent drug, myo-inositol (MI), has been introduced. We aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effects of MET and MI on hormonal and metabolic parameters. ⋯ Our meta-analysis comparing hormonal and metabolic parameters between MET and MI did not show much significant difference, indicating both drugs are equally beneficial in improving metabolic and hormonal parameters in patients with PCOS.
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Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) regulates lipid accumulation, inflammation, endothelial injury, and atherosclerosis to participate in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to explore the value of serum HDAC4 change before and after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) risk in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. ⋯ Serum HDAC4 is decreased from baseline to D1, then elevated until D7, and its increased level correlates with lower MACE risk in ACS patients receiving PCI.
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Dihydrotestosterone is a more potent androgen derived from testosterone and androstenediones, but its measurement has not been routinely recommended in women with hirsutism, and there is limited information in this regard with equivocal findings. This study aimed to evaluate serum dihydrotestosterone level in patients with hirsutism compared to women without hirsutism. ⋯ Measuring dihydrotestosterone level is not considered in routine evaluation of hirsutism, but we think that this significant difference shows that elevated level of dihydrotestosterone hormone in women with hirsutism is an important factor.