Hypertension in Ireland: public awareness and doctors choice of therapy

Background  

Hypertension is the commonest medical condition in Ireland.     

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.     

Splenic mass with remote trauma history: a management dilemma

Background  

Delayed presentation of splenic trauma is a well described entity.     

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

Background  

Chronic schizophrenia is challenging to manage in primary care.     

Differences between self-referred and physician-referred hospital admissions

Aim  

Compare self- and physician-referred hospital admissions.     

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.     

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.     

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

Background  

Hip fracture causes significant morbidity and mortality in older women.     

Adult Intussusception — Need for en-bloc resection

Background  

Adult intussusception is an uncommon surgical presentation.     

Cardiac rehabilitation in the Northwest

Aim  

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

Prevalence of anaemia in patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Background  

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

Self-perceived health status of Irish breast cancer survivors

Background  

There is a paucity of data on the health status of breast cancer survivors.     

Primary lymphoma of the bladder: a report of three cases

Background  

Primary lymphoma of the bladder is rare and its management is an evolving field.     

How effective is amniotomy as a means of induction of labour?

Background  

Amniotomy or artificial rupture of membranes is routinely used for induction of labour.     

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.     

Patients’ knowledge of perioperative care

Background  

Patient knowledge of perioperative care, particularly the role of the anaesthetist, appears limited.     

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

Background  

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

Study on norcantharidin-induced apoptosis in SMMC-7721 cells through mitochondrial pathways

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of norcantharidin (NCTD)-induced SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell apoptosis. Methods: SMMC-7721 cell growth inhibition was measured by the MTT method. Apoptosis was detected by Annexin Ⅴ/propidium iodide staining. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the level of cytochrome c, caspase-3, AIF, Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Results: NCTD inhibited SMMC-7721 cell growth in a time-and dose-dependent manner. The cells treated with NCTD showed the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. The activities of caspase-3, cytochrome c, AIF, and Bax were up-regulated after NCTD treatment at different doses. The expression of Bcl-2 was decreased after treatment with NCTD. Conclusions: NCTD could induce SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis. The activation of the mitochondrial pathway was involved in the process of NCTD-induced SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis.     

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.