Clin Med
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A look at 50 years of personal photography, from Brownie Box to Canon digital single-lens reflex cameras, recording life, people, microscope slides and orchids in their habitats and in the studio to digitising old paintings, photos and herbarium specimens. Notes on photographic techniques and the use of ring flash, with comments on long-term conservation of digital images.
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Plain radiographs remain useful in the acute setting. Barium studies continue to be the mainstay investigation of the GI tract but are gradually being superseded by newer techniques for example CTC and small bowel MRI. Further studies are underway to establish the clinical utility of MR and clarify its place in the repertoire of GI imaging studies.
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This one-day conference brought together around 100 doctors from a wide range of specialties and at different stages of their careers to examine areas that are of increasing importance to the profession as a whole. Information gathered and imparted to institutions such as the postgraduate deaneries, royal colleges and specialist societies will add to the impetus for cultural and organisational changes so that the real potential of doctors working less than full time is not lost to the economy, NHS or patients.
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A survey of 445 doctors in Yorkshire was conducted to ascertain their knowledge and awareness of alcohol units. Only 58% had some knowledge, and general practitioners scored better (69%) than hospital doctors (45%). ⋯ Junior doctors who often deal with alcohol-related problems in their day-to-day hospital work had a poor knowledge. There needs to be a greater emphasis on alcohol and alcohol-related problems (including how to calculate alcohol units) in undergraduate and postgraduate curricula to improve doctors' knowledge and awareness of this important subject.
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The primary antibody deficiency syndromes are a rare group of immunodeficiencies where diagnostic delay remains common due to limited awareness of the existence and heterogeneity of their presenting features. Referral for specialist assessment leads to earlier diagnosis and appropriate therapy to prevent or limit structural organ and tissue damage. Greater education of healthcare professionals is required to ensure prompt recognition and referral to specialists with expertise in the care of primary immunodeficiencies, especially since study of these rare conditions is a minor part of undergraduate and general postgraduate training. Greater awareness would lead to reduced morbidity, improved quality of life and survival outcomes in this patient group.