ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the skills in using inhalers among the asthmatic patients who visited the out-patient clinic and whether or not the nursing intervention could further improve the efficacy of the drug delivery device. Methods 321 asthmatic patients who had visited the clinic and prescribed inhalers from April to December 2009 were investigated of the basic status, former medication history and skills in using metered dose inhaler (MDI) and dry powder inhaler (DPI). Nursing intervention had been carried out and the results were analyzed. Results Subjects belonging to different educational level groups were significantly different in mastering skills using MDI and DPI after reading instructions. There also existed significant difference between MDI and DPI users. Among patients who had already used inhalers, there was significant difference between subjects who had received instruction from medical personnel and subjects who had only read paper directions. Nursing intervention could significantly improve the skills in handling the device. Conclusions Proper skills in using inhalers could not be possessed just by reading paper directions. Instructions or even multimedia presentation from medical personnel are vital for asthmatic patients to master the skills in using MDI and DPI.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the underlying mechanism of motor recovery of the hemiplegic lower extremity in stroke patients. Methods The brain activation pattern during sequential extension-flexion of the affect-ed knee of 7 stroke patients and 8 healthy subjects was observed by blood-oxygen- level-dependent fMRI (BOLD-fM-RI) and analyzed by microsoft SPM5. Results When executing unilateral knee flexion-extension, contralateral paracentral lobe and contralateral supplementary motor area and right temporal gyms and inferior parietal lobes of both sides were significantly activated in all the healthy subjects, while the ipsilateral parietal lobe BA7 and BA5 were sig-nificantly activated in 6 of the 7 stroke patients. Conclusions Sequential extension-flexion of the affected knee of stroke patients was probably dependent on the activation of BA7 and BA5 in the intact side. Compensatory activation of the intact hemisphere might be one of the main mechanisms for the paretic lower extremity motor recovery in stroke patients.
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Objective To discuss MRI appearance of the cerebral schistosomiasis and its clinical value through analyzing the MRI features and post surgery pathological findings. Methods MRI features of the cerebral schistosomiasis in 16,pathologically ( n =6) or clinically( n =10) proved cases were analyzed etrospectively,and compared with the post surgery pathological findings in 6 cases. Results Single masses were found in 11 cases (11/16),and multiple masses in 5 cases(5/16), amounting to 23 masses . fifteen masse(15/23) were located in right cerebral hemisphere,including frontal lobe ( n =2),frontoparietal lobe ( n =5) ,and occipitoparietal lobe ( n =8), while 8 masses (8/23) in left cerebral hemisphere,including frontal lobe ( n =1),frontoparietal lobe ( n =3), and occipitoparietal lobe ( n =4).The nodular masses were isointense with the gray mass like "island", and 12 cases (12/16) show the "gigantic hand" form of edma around them. After IV administration of Gd DTPA,15cases (15/16) revealed multiple closely spaced,intensely enhancing nodules,1 3 mm in diameter,distributed throughout the mass. Seven cases misdiagnosed by CT were revised by MRI. Conclusion The MRI appearance of the cerebral schistosomiasis is characteristic,and MRI is the most valuable tool to diagnose it without injury.
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Objective To study the changes in cortical activation of frontal lobes and temporal lobes between schizophrenic patients and comparison subjects during a verbal fluency task by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Methods Thirteen schizophrenic patients and 8 volunteers were studied during a verbal fluency task performance. fMRI of frontal lobes and temporal lobes was conducted at a GE 1.5 T Signa Horizon LX scanner while the subjects performed the task. Stimulus sequences were divided into six 30-second segments by using a task-activation paradigm that alternated between resting and stimulated states. Results Schizophrenic subjects demonstrated significantly less left frontal activation than comparison subjects during a word fluency task, and comparison subjects showed evidently more activation in left frontal lobes than in the right (P0.05). Conclusion These preliminary data suggest that fMRI has the sensitivity to detect the differences in activation between comparison subjects and schizophrenic patients during higher cortical functions.