Irish journal of medical science
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Homeless people have excessively high morbidity and mortality rates, yet they face barriers accessing primary care. A mobile health clinic, staffed by GP registrars, was developed to provide services to homeless people, particularly rough sleepers and sex workers. ⋯ A GP Registrar-run Mobile Health Clinic achieved its aims of improving access to primary care for rough sleepers and sex workers, and challenging stereotypes of GP Registrars.
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The presence of a structural cardiac defect in the setting of dextrocardia is extremely rare. Graspable models allow enhanced appreciation of aberrant structures and vascular relations, particularly in rare and complex cases. This is the first case report of the use of a replica of a patients' anatomy to plan the surgical strategy in the setting of dextrocardia. ⋯ The ongoing advances in medical image procurement and 3D processing software and printing technology will continue to enhance preoperative planning and thereby improve patient care. We demonstrate the pivotal role played by such technologies in advancing spatial comprehension of complex aberrant anatomy.
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In the last decades, the studies performed on the field of endothelial dysfunction confirmed the fact that the starting point of this pathology is the inflammation. Several inflammatory biomarkers had been discovered and studied, ones showing systemic inflammation, and others being more specific biomarkers and showing the local inflammation. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a new inflammatory biomarker, from the same family as high-selectivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), but it is a more specific biomarker, due to its local production: the endothelial cells and not the liver like in the case of hs-CRP. ⋯ Candesartan decreases PTX3 and hs-CRP plasma levels more powerful than other classes of antihypertensive drugs (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics), so we may assume that candesartan has a more potent action in reversing endothelial dysfunction and that it offers a higher vascular protection than other classes of antihypertensive drugs. We are suggesting that this new biochemical marker, PTX3, might be better and more specific marker for endothelial dysfunction, than hs-CRP.
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The clinical manifestations of neurosarcoidosis are highly variable and it should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in any neurological presentation. ⋯ This series highlights the diverse nature of neurosarcoidosis. Early introduction of aggressive therapy with corticosteroids and steroid-sparing agents appears to improve clinical outcome.
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To evaluate the efficacy of orbital radiotherapy (OR) for the treatment of thyroid eye disease (TED). ⋯ This study suggests that OR might be effective in reducing 7-CAS and ocular motility disturbances. No significant improvement in proptosis or eyelid retraction should be expected from this treatment. OR might be considered a suitable alternative treatment in TED for patients who cannot tolerate steroids.