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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Future general practice funding is much debated but public opinion has not previously been reported. ⋯ There is dissatisfaction with existing GP fees and support for a scheme entitling free primary care. The amount of money people are willing to pay exceeds their current annual expenditure on GP services.
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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.