Irish journal of medical science
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Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is a distinct, managed form of cell death. It is fundamentally different from necrosis. It is a genetically controlled, energy-dependent method of cellular deletion without inflammation. In the cardiovascular system, apoptosis occurs as a primary and secondary event in disease pathogenesis. This review addresses our current understanding of the initiation, propagation and significance of apoptosis in the cardiovascular system, as well as assessing therapeutic potentials arising therefrom. ⋯ and conclusions Apoptotic cell death is a key element in the pathogenesis and progression of ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury, cardiac failure, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, endothelial dysfunction and the clinical syndromes which these situations produce. Our increased understanding of the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease offers potential to develop new therapeutic strategies.
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There is a paucity of data on the health status of breast cancer survivors. ⋯ The self-perceived health status of breast cancer survivors merits further research in the Irish context. Inclusion of the SF-36 questionnaire as an outcome measure is recommended.
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Volatile anaesthetic agents influence neutrophil function, and potentially, the inflammatory response to surgery. ⋯ Human neutrophil apoptosis is inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro by isoflurane in clinical concentrations.
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The longterm outlook after Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication in peptic ulcer disease is unclear. ⋯ Despite a low H. pylori recurrence rate, longterm dyspeptic symptoms were common in peptic ulcer patients after H. pylori eradication. The symptoms are mainly reflux in type and require anti-secretory therapy in only a minority of patients.