Singap Med J
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Comparative Study
Early experiences with diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance tractography in stroke patients.
Recent advances in magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging technique enable evaluation of the anisotropy of white matter tracts in-vivo, as well as the integrity of fibre tracts and their orientation. We describe our initial experiences with diffusion tensor imaging and MR tractography techniques to evaluate the structural degeneration of white matter tracts following stroke. ⋯ Diffusion tensor imaging and MR tractography provide a novel and useful method to directly visualise changes in the white matter tracts in stroke. This can potentially allow clinical-imaging correlation with prognostic potential.
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Comparative Study
The contribution of a comprehensive stroke unit to the outcome of Chinese stroke patients.
There are significant differences in stroke patterns and risk factors for cerebrovascular disease between Chinese subjects and Caucasians. The outcome of stroke unit care in a Chinese population has not been described in the medical literature. The present study aims to evaluate the outcome of stroke unit care in Chinese subjects. ⋯ Chinese subjects receiving comprehensive stroke unit care are associated with less mortality and shorter length of hospital stay than those having conventional care in general medical wards.
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Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) is a hypersensitivity syndrome. It presents with severe cutaneous eruption, fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatitis, haematological abnormalities with eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytes and may also involve other organs. ⋯ DRESS has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality compared to other adverse drug reactions. Sulphasalazine hypersensitivity is rarely reported and we wish to highlight a case of sulfasalazine-induced DRESS presenting as leukocytoclastic vasculitis, hepatitis and haematological abnormalities in a 49-year-old Indian woman.
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We conducted a study to assess the impact of an asthma education programme (AEP) on knowledge of asthma and medication, compliance to treatment and inhaler technique, emergency department visits and hospital re-admissions. ⋯ This study demonstrated the effectiveness of an AEP in patients hospitalised for asthma exacerbation.
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Biography Historical Article
Florence Nightingale (1820-1910): founder of modern nursing.