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A ‘Comment’ feature in each Greycoat journal focuses on a current clinical issue and highlights the invited opinion of a specialist.
In
the latest issues:
>>>British
Journal of Intensive Care –
Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are relatively recently
discovered molecules which play a key role in
cell regulation. In recognition of the growing
interest in miRNAs, Professor Michael
Rennie describes how understanding
the way in which miRNAs affect protein synthesis
and their relationship to diseases, including
immune responses, could lead to new treatments,
such as the development of an anti-miRNA drug.
>>>
International Journal of Intensive Care
– In the midst of one of the coldest Northern
Hemisphere winters for many years, Dr
Dennis Edwards reviews severe hypothermia.
Systematically describing symptoms as body temperature
falls and recommending monitoring techniques,
he finishes with a look at the complications
associated with re-warming, concluding that
the temptation to rapidly restore normal core
temperature should be resisted.
>>>
Cardiology International – ‘What
does the plaque look like before a myocardial
infarction occurs?’ ask Drs Pedro
Lemos and Roberto Kalil Filho
in their review of techniques developed to assess
the ‘vulnerability’ of atherosclerotic
plaque. They question the validity of the concept
of vulnerable plaque and immediate clinical
benefits of the diagnostic methods, but recognise
potential applications for the management of
coronary atherosclerosis.
>>>International
Journal of Respiratory Care – ‘One drug
or two? … or three?' asks Dr Peter Black
in his endeavour to tackle the perennial
question ‘Preventing exacerbations of COPD –
what shall we do?'. He looks at combined therapies
and the potential for prophylactic action, along
with an acknowledgement that the patient's quality
of life is an important factor.
>>>Ophthalmology
International – The continuing tough economic
conditions have got Dr Peter Francis
thinking about the prospects for medical research
in 2009. Rather than taking a pessimistic view
he asks, ‘Could it be that investing now
in healthcare and research might provide part
of the stimulus to recovery?’ With benefits
including supporting local business and retaining
skilled staff, the answer has to be ‘Yes’.
>>>
Anaesthesia International – Myths and
misconceptions about ‘normal saline' and ‘balanced
salt' solutions are put under the spotlight
by Professor Michael James who
asks, ‘What is normal about normal saline?'.
He confirms that chloride loading may impair
renal function and interfere with coagulation,
and warns against the widely held belief that
‘abnormal saline' is harmless.
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