Differences between self-referred and physician-referred hospital admissions

Aim  

Compare self- and physician-referred hospital admissions.     

Adult Intussusception — Need for en-bloc resection

Background  

Adult intussusception is an uncommon surgical presentation.     

Hypertension in Ireland: public awareness and doctors choice of therapy

Background  

Hypertension is the commonest medical condition in Ireland.     

Ease of access is a principal factor in the frequency of paracetamol overdose

Background  

In Ireland, 30% of non-fatal overdoses involve paracetamol.     

Schizophrenia in general practice: a national survey of general practitioners in Ireland

Background  

Chronic schizophrenia is challenging to manage in primary care.     

Realgar-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cell line Siha via cytochrome c release and caspase-3 and caspase-9 activation

Objective:To explore the molecular mechanism of realgar-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells.Methods:The cervical cancer cell line Siha was used to determine the cell viability and apoptosis after treatment with realgar using MTT assay and flow cytometry.The activities of caspase-3,-8,and-9 were detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer technology and colorimetric assay,while the levels of Bcl-2,cytochrome c,and Bax were detected by Western blot method.Results:Induction of apoptosis by realgar was detected in Siha cell line in a dose-dependent manner.The apoptosis was accompanied by a significant increase in cytochrome c release and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 but not caspase-8.Further,the realgar-induced apoptosis was inhibited by a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor,a caspase-3 inhibitor,and a caspase-9 inhibitor but not by a caspase-8 inhibitor.Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions were not changed by realgar.Conclusion:The induction of apoptosis by realgar is mediated through a cytochrome c-dependent pathway,which sequentially activates caspase-9 and caspase-3.     

Splenic mass with remote trauma history: a management dilemma

Background  

Delayed presentation of splenic trauma is a well described entity.     

Predictors of first hip fracture and mortality post fracture in older women

Background  

Hip fracture causes significant morbidity and mortality in older women.     

Urology out-patient non-attenders: are we wasting our time?

Background  

Out-patient non-attendance leads to inefficiency and patient morbidity.     

Prevalence of anaemia in patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Background  

Anaemia is an increasingly recognised entity in patients with diabetes mellitus.     

Inhaled nitric oxide in combination with volume resuscitation refines a porcine model of endotoxic shock

Background  

Existing porcine models of endotoxic shock poorly represent the human situation.     

Percutaneous vertebroplasty — initial clinical experience in osteoporotic and myelomatous compression fractures

Background  

To review the clinical impact of vertebroplasty in osteoporotic and myelomatous compression fractures     

Surgery for oesophageal cancer at Galway University Hospital 1993–2008

Background  

Surgical volume and outcome remain controversial in the management of oesophageal cancer.     

Perception of the risks of smoking in the general population and among general practitioners in Ireland

Background  

Data on perception of smoking risk amongst the Irish population are sparse.     

Clinical observation on the acupuncture treatment in patients with urinary retention after radical hysterectomy

Objective:To observe the acupuncture therapy effect on the urinary retention after radical hysterectomy.Methods:Eighty cases of urinary retention after radical hysterectomy were randomly assigned to the treatment group and control group according to the random number table method,40 cases in each group. From the 15th day post operation,the patients in the two groups started to be treated and 7 days as a course with 5 days treatment and 2 days interval.The treatment group applied acupuncture with modalities of common needling on Zusanli（ST36） bilaterally,electroacupuncture on Sanyinjiao（SP6）,Shuidao（ST28）,and Scalp Reproduction Area bilaterally,moxibustion on Shenque（CV8）.The control group applied acupoint injection with vitamin B₁₂,and Sanyinjiao and Zusanli were selected.Take turns on both sides.The courses for the recovery of bladder function and residual urine volume for those who had voluntary micturition more than 200 mL after the first and second course of treatment were compared between the two groups.Results:Within 1 course and 2 courses of treatment,the patients with bladder function recovery in the treatment group were 21（21/40） and 36 （36/40）,and those in the control group were 12（12/40） and 29（29/40）,both with a significant difference（P<0.05）. After the first course and second course,residual urine volume for those who had voluntary micturition more than 200 mL in the treatment group was 91.7±17.5 mL and 93.5±15.5 mL,in the control group 102.4±13.7 mL and 102.5±15.7 mL,both with a significant difference（P<0.05）.Conclusions:Combination of acupuncture modalities was better than acupoint injection for the recovery of bladder function in urinary retention after radical hysterectomy.It would shorten the course of treatment and get a better recovery,decrease urinary retention cases of refractoriness,and extending the treatment could raise the healing rate of urinary retention.     

Cardiac rehabilitation service provision in Ireland: the Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation survey

Background  

The first national survey of cardiac rehabilitation services was conducted.     

Defining small bowel strictures

Background  

Strictures of the intestine can be difficult to detect despite current radiological techniques.     

Small bowel volvulus secondary to a mesenteric lipoma; a case report and review of the literature

Background  

Small bowel volvulus is rare in adults and often has a precipitating factor.     

Applications for fees waivers on medical and psychiatric grounds at an Irish third-level college

Background  

Physical and mental illness present substantial challenges to college students and authorities.     

Cardiac rehabilitation in the Northwest

Aim  

To audit the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) service in the Northwest.