Zhan Su, Yujie Xu, Shanshan Liu, Tianlan Li, Xianqi Feng
{"title":"Comment to: \"Treatment of a STAT5b::RARα positive case of APL in a patient not eligible for intensive chemotherapy\".","authors":"Zhan Su, Yujie Xu, Shanshan Liu, Tianlan Li, Xianqi Feng","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03958-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03958-9","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144018512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul C Ryan, Diarmuid D Sugrue, Clare O'Connell, Ahmed Salloum, Thomas H Lynch, Lisa Smyth, Imtiaz Ahmed, John Sullivan, Rustom P Manecksha, Peter E Lonergan, Louise C McLoughlin
{"title":"Improving the quality of transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) operative notes following the European Association of Urology guidelines.","authors":"Paul C Ryan, Diarmuid D Sugrue, Clare O'Connell, Ahmed Salloum, Thomas H Lynch, Lisa Smyth, Imtiaz Ahmed, John Sullivan, Rustom P Manecksha, Peter E Lonergan, Louise C McLoughlin","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03940-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03940-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) is the gold standard for diagnosing and risk-stratifying bladder cancer. Accurate and comprehensive operative documentation is critical for ensuring effective patient management. The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines provide a framework for TURBT documentation, including tumour characteristics, procedural details, and complications. However, adherence to these guidelines varies, necessitating quality improvement initiatives.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to assess the quality of TURBT operative notes at a single institution before and after implementing a standardised electronic TURBT template based on EAU guidelines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A closed-loop audit was conducted at an academic teaching hospital. Operative notes for 40 consecutive TURBT cases from December 2021 to September 2022 were evaluated against EAU documentation criteria. Following the introduction of a standardised electronic TURBT template, a second audit cycle of 40 cases from September 2022 to March 2023 was conducted. Key documentation elements, including tumour location, appearance, size, multifocality, procedural steps, resection completeness, and complications, were compared.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The introduction of the electronic template significantly improved documentation adherence, increasing overall compliance from 69 to 93%. Notable improvements were observed in tumour appearance (65 to 97.5%), tumour size (67.5 to 90%), completeness of resection (55 to 95%), and complication recording (2.5 to 75%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A structured electronic TURBT template enhances the quality and completeness of operative documentation, aligning with EAU guidelines. Standardised templates facilitate better communication, continuity of care, and quality improvement in TURBT procedures, ultimately contributing to improved patient management and outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143965124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrew Crimmins, Christopher Wilson, Michael Wilson, Alexander Lloyd, Nicholas Savva, Nicholas Fernandez, Peter Ward, Matthew Barrett
{"title":"How safe is kitesurfing? A review of orthopaedic kitesurfing injuries.","authors":"Andrew Crimmins, Christopher Wilson, Michael Wilson, Alexander Lloyd, Nicholas Savva, Nicholas Fernandez, Peter Ward, Matthew Barrett","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03956-x","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03956-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of injuries arising from kitesurfing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a systematic search of articles from the last 20 years relating to kitesurfing orthopaedic injuries. Two of the authors independently conducted a systematic search of Pubmed (Medline), Embase, NHS Library and Knowledge Hub, TRIP, and Google Scholar: ultimately, after exclusions, the report analysed 25 articles.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Kitesurfing is associated with a high incidence of lower limb injuries in which protective gear is uncommon. Furthermore, a lack of educational initiatives and specified strength training may compound this risk.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Notably, there is a lack of prospective evidence documenting traumatic injury. Addressing this gap is a potential next step, to enhance our understanding of injury patterns and preventative measures.</p><p><strong>What is already known: </strong>Common kitesurfing injuries include those to the foot, ankle, and knee, typically resulting from falls or collisions with the board or water. While the majority of injuries are relatively mild, more significant injuries such as ACL rupture, PCL rupture, and polytrauma have also been reported. What are the new findings: This systematic review confirmed that the majority of injuries occur below the knee (average 50%). Injuries of the chest (average 8.5%) and head (average 10.8%) also make up a significant proportion of injuries sustained. Although the majority of injuries in kitesurfing are minor, due to the high forces typically involved, there is the potential for catastrophic injury including; neurological, internal bleeding, polytrauma and death.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143990663","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The effect of mindfulness combined with exercise compared with a self-management guide on measures of nervous system sensitivity in individuals with chronic pain: a pilot randomised control trial.","authors":"Orla Deegan, Brona M Fullen, Catherine M Doody","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03947-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03947-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study described a sensory profile of participants with chronic pain (CP) in a previously reported feasibility RCT, in terms of quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures and the Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI).</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>The study aimed to explore the changes in QST measures and the CSI in this sample following participation in a mindfulness and physical activity intervention compared to an online self-management guide.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants were randomised into (i) a combined mindfulness and exercise online interactive group or (ii) an online self-management group. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT), temporal summation (TS), conditioned pain modulation (CPM) measures, and the CSI were completed with participants at baseline and post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Baseline (n = 33) and post-intervention (n = 22) measurements were completed. High mean CSI scores (54.69, SD 23.85) were noted at baseline in participants, indicating the presence of central sensitisation [n = 33; 70% (n = 23) score > 40]. Mean baseline scores for TS were high (2.64, SD 1.60), indicating the presence of pain facilitation, and variable results were observed for baseline PPT and CPM measures. The combined intervention was not found to be superior to a self-management guide in this cohort in terms of changes in PPT, TS, and CPM measures and the CSI.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>High baseline CSI and TS scores were identified in the cohort at baseline, with no notable trends identifiable with regard to changes in QST scores or the CSI post-intervention. Further studies are recommended with larger sample sizes in order to understand changes in QST measures following participation in interventions of this nature.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143990715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Margaret Gallagher, Siobhan Sheehy, Michelle Connaughton, Philip Hickey, Jo-Hanna Ivers
{"title":"People experiencing homelessness requiring psychiatric review in prison, a study of a male and female remand prison over 1 year period.","authors":"Margaret Gallagher, Siobhan Sheehy, Michelle Connaughton, Philip Hickey, Jo-Hanna Ivers","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03938-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03938-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There are high numbers of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in Ireland. PEH experience barriers to accessing mental health care and are overrepresented in prison populations, particularly in remand prisons. To date, there has been limited research conducted on this population, and their specific needs.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>In this study, we explored homelessness in those referred to prison psychiatry teams in Dublin's remand prisons, and profiled the clinical characteristics of the population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Participants included all persons referred to prison inreach psychiatry teams in one male and one female remand prison over one year between 01/07/22 and 30/06/2023. We examined key aspects of psychiatric service provision including population characteristics, psychiatric and medical history, referral outcomes, alternative pathways and complex health needs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 89 PEH were referred to prison mental health services during the study period. High rates of active psychotic illness were found in the cohort, with 68% psychotic at the time of the assessment, and 56% having a diagnosis of serious mental illness. More than half the cohort reported current use of substances and 42% current use of alcohol. Over one-third of referrals were made for those with a history of mental illness, with no current symptoms. Only one-fifth of the cohort were discharged to the prison GP following their initial assessment, the remainder requiring ongoing input from prison inreach or community psychiatric services. Significant vulnerabilities were found within 25% including intellectual disability, and membership of ethnic minorities.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There are high rates of mental illness and co-morbid vulnerabilities found in the population. Appropriately addressing the needs of this population will require an integrated, multisystem approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015744","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Influence of COVID- 19 pandemic on impact factors of top biomedical journals.","authors":"Raju Vaishya, Anoop Misra, Rahul Singla, Sudhir Shekhawat, Abhishek Vaish, Filippo Migliorini","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03954-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03954-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The number of active journals in scholarly publishing has steadily risen. The journal impact factor (JIF) is the most widely used metric for assessing the impact and prestige of a scientific journal. The COVID- 19 pandemic triggered a significant shift in the global academic landscape, particularly in biomedical research.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To systematically investigate the impact of COVID- 19 on the impact factor of top biomedical journals to address the existing knowledge gap on this matter.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between 2019 and 2023, the impact factor of the top 20 biomedical journals listed in the 2023 Journal Citation Report (JCR) was analysed using a descriptive-analytical approach. Data on JIFs and publications, including COVID- 19-related articles, were collected from Clarivate's Web of Science and PubMed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>JIFs of the top 20 biomedical journals increased significantly (83.4%) from 2019 to 2021, coinciding with a surge in COVID- 19 publications. This trend stabilised in 2022 but declined by 15.1% in 2023. The number of publications related to COVID- 19 peaked in 2021 (57.3%) and decreased by 12.5% in 2022 and 29.0% in 2023.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study unveils a significant impact of COVID- 19 on the impact factor of top biomedical journals. The increase in JIFs during the pandemic aligns with the surge in COVID- 19 research, but the subsequent decline suggests a potential shift in research focus or knowledge saturation. The study underscores the limitations of JIF as a sole metric for evaluating journal quality and highlights the importance of alternative metrics.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143983929","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
W J Mullally, A Hassan, N Keegan, C O'Leary, L McSorley, T Mahgoub, S O'Reilly, J Walshe, M J Kennedy, L Coate, M O'Connor, M Keane, C M Kelly, K Duffy, C G Murphy, M Milewski, S Molloy, K Egan, V Murphy, O S Breathnach, L Grogan, B T Hennessy, P G Morris
{"title":"CTRIAL-IE (ICORG) 15-34: The impact of the 21 gene breast recurrence score® assay on chemotherapy prescribing in oestrogen receptor positive, lymph node positive early stage breast cancer in Ireland.","authors":"W J Mullally, A Hassan, N Keegan, C O'Leary, L McSorley, T Mahgoub, S O'Reilly, J Walshe, M J Kennedy, L Coate, M O'Connor, M Keane, C M Kelly, K Duffy, C G Murphy, M Milewski, S Molloy, K Egan, V Murphy, O S Breathnach, L Grogan, B T Hennessy, P G Morris","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03922-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03922-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The 21-gene Breast Recurrence Score® (Oncotype DX®) assay has improved the selection of patients for chemotherapy in early breast cancer. Internationally, this test is used in lymph node positive disease, but at the time this study was conducted, it was not reimbursed for this indication in Ireland.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>Determine how access to the Recurrence Score® testing reduces chemotherapy use and quantifies the impact on oncologists' treatment recommendations.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between March and September 2017, 75 patients were enrolled in a prospective study across ten hospitals. Eligible patients had oestrogen/progesterone receptor positive and HER2 negative breast cancer with 1-3 involved lymph nodes. Following informed consent, demographics were collected and questionnaires completed by a consultant medical oncologist before and after the recurrence score testing, which examined expectations of tumour chemosensitivity, strength of chemotherapy recommendation, and planned treatment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Recurrence Scores® were available on 74/75 patients. Overall, access to this test led to a 27% reduction in the recommendation for chemotherapy from 68 (92%) to 48 (65%) patients. This was most notable in patients with one (46 versus 34 patients) and two (13 versus seven patients) involved lymph nodes representing a 26% and 46% reduction, respectively. The reduction in chemotherapy use was marked in women aged 50-70 years with one lymph node involved (28 versus 18 patients)-a 36% reduction.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Consistent with our hypothesis, broader access to the Recurrence Score® led to a reduction in the use of chemotherapy in Ireland and has subsequently become standard of care.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143983050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"miR-92a-3p and miR-182-3p as potential biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus and its correlation with pregnancy outcomes.","authors":"Xiaoshuang Du, Qi Li, Zhenlan Wu, Lin Xue","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03953-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03953-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses a significant threat to the health of both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy, potentially resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), including preterm labor and obstructed labor.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the expression of serum microRNA (miR)-92a-3p and miR-182-3p in GDM and their clinical significance, providing ideas for clinical diagnosis and management.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 80 patients with GDM served as the GDM group, and 80 healthy pregnant females served as controls. Quantitative real-time PCR was utilized to examine the relative expression of miR-92a-3p and miR-182-3p. Logistic regression modeling and ROC curves were utilized to evaluate the clinical significance of serum miR-92a-3p and miR-182-3p in GDM.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>miR-92a-3p and miR-182-3p was upregulated in GDM patients. The expression of miR-92a-3p and miR-182-3p were positively correlated with 1 h OGTT, 2 h OGTT, and HOMA-IR. The ROC curves demonstrated that the areas under the curve (AUCs) of miR-92a-3p, miR-182-3p, and the combination of the two in the diagnosis of GDM were 0.890, 0.813, and 0.921, respectively. Elevated levels of serum miR-92a-3p and miR-182-3p were linked to APOs. The AUCs of miR-92a-3p, miR-182-3p, and the combination of the two for predicting APOs were 0.795, 0.775, and 0.845, respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>miR-92a-3p and miR-182-3p exhibited diagnostic value for GDM and were correlated with APOs in patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144001101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Combination therapy with vitamin E and ertugliflozin in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized clinical trial.","authors":"Adil Khaliq, Haroon Badshah, Yasar Shah","doi":"10.1007/s11845-025-03945-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-025-03945-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common comorbidity in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with shared pathophysiological mechanisms, including insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammation.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study evaluates the effects of vitamin E and ertugliflozin, individually and in combination, alongside standard pioglitazone therapy, on hepatic and metabolic parameters in patients with NAFLD and T2DM.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 24-week, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial on 173 patients with NAFLD and T2DM was assigned into four groups: vitamin E (n = 42), pioglitazone (n = 43), ertugliflozin (n = 44), and vitamin E + ertugliflozin (n = 44) combination therapy. The primary outcome was to monitor changes in liver steatosis assessed via ultrasound. Secondary outcomes included evaluation of liver enzymes, glycemic control, fibrosis markers, and lipid profiles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Combination therapy of vitamin E + ertugliflozin showed the highest decrease in liver fat content, with 11 participants achieving successful Grade 0 (p < 0.001). Significant improvements were also observed in glycemic control, HbA1c, triglycerides, and liver enzymes. Ertugliflozin monotherapy showed significant efficacy in improving liver enzymes, glycemic parameters, and fibrosis markers. Pioglitazone improved the initial stage of NAFLD but had a limited impact on advanced fibrosis. Ertugliflozin, in combination with vitamin E, decreases oxidative stress; however, vitamin E by itself has no impact on the metabolic and fibrosis index.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The ertugliflozin and vitamin E combination is a very effective treatment for patients with NAFLD and T2DM. It improves hepatic steatosis and metabolic indicators. Exploration is required for combination therapy in order to assess the prolonged efficacy and safety of the treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":14507,"journal":{"name":"Irish Journal of Medical Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143811464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}