Irish journal of medical science
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We aim to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ocular oncology in Ireland, comparing uveal melanoma trends in 2019 to 2020. ⋯ More advanced disease is suggested by the increased mean basal diameter and tumour thickness, extra-scleral extension and longer duration of brachytherapy. Time from diagnosis to treatment was not delayed in 2020.
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This letter to the editor points out weaknesses in the editorial policies of some academic journals regarding the use of ChatGPT-generated content. Editorial policies should provide more specific details on which parts of an academic paper are allowed to use ChatGPT-generated content. If authors use ChatGPT-generated content in the conclusion or results section, it may harm the academic paper's originality and, therefore, should not be accepted.
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Postgraduate General Practice (GP) training is structured around a formal curriculum set out by the training body. It also includes a "hidden curriculum" of experiential workplace learning in a heterogenous learning environment [1]. There is no formal national annual survey of GP trainees and their views in Ireland. ⋯ The current research findings were broadly positive and supportive of the good work being done in GP training and by trainers in Ireland today. Further research will be needed to validate the study instrument and to further refine some aspects of its configuration. The implementation of such a survey on a regular basis may have merit as part of the quality assurance process in GP education alongside existing feedback structures [2].
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Slow gait speed (GS) is a marker of functional decline and overall poor health status and could be considered as possible sarcopenia. Early detection with modified treatable causes is likely to lessen adverse health outcomes in older adults. ⋯ Slow gait speed was frequent among older patients in an outpatient setting indicating of a high prevalence of patients with poor physical performance and impending frailty. Increasing age, presence of CVA, and cognitive decline were associated with slow GS. Interventions concentrating on the amendable factors might help to reduce unfavorable health consequences.
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Patients with advanced prostate cancer have a poor prognosis, and well-tolerated new treatment strategies are required to improve survival outcomes. Apalutamide is a novel androgen signalling inhibitor developed to be used in combination with continuous androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for the treatment of patients with advanced prostate cancer. Based on evidence from two phase 3 pivotal clinical trials in non-metastatic castration-resistant (nmCRPC; SPARTAN) and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC; TITAN), ADT plus apalutamide significantly extends overall survival compared with the standard of care. ⋯ Real-world experience with apalutamide supports the efficacy and safety findings reported by the SPARTAN and TITAN clinical trials.