The influence of tongue strength on children's performance in computer games reliant on lingual force generation

Oral motor exercises, for recovering tongue strength, can be integrated with computer games to increase motivation, especially for treatments in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of tongue strength on motor performance in computer games reliant on lingual force generation. An observational study was carried out at a speech-language pathology outpatient university clinic. Twenty participants (10 with normal tongue strength and 10 with reduced tongue strength) aged 8-13 years used an intra-oral joystick controlled by the tongue to play six computer games during which they had to reach targets that appeared on the screen. Motor performance was measured by the number of attempts to score and the time during which the target force was maintained. Tongue motor performance was compared between groups and across directions of tongue movement, resistance force levels, order of target appearance, continuous force application time on the target, age and sex. Children with normal tongue strength had a lower number of attempts to score (P = .014) and maintained the target force for longer periods (P = .002) than those with reduced tongue strength. The performance was better for both groups (a) in the downward direction compared with the performance in other directions, (b) in games with the lowest resistive force level (0.5 N) compared to those with other levels of resistive force and (c) in the second and third rounds compared with the first round. There were no gender-related differences in performance. Older participants performed better than younger participants. Tongue strength, direction of movement, force to reach the target, time of continuous force application, order of target appearance and age influenced tongue motor performance.     

What information do patients recall from the third molar surgical consultation?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of a professionally prepared educational video on third molar extraction enhances comprehension and retention of general and informed consent information. A prospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing consultation followed by extraction of third molars in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, University of Illinois at Chicago was completed. At the initial consultation, the subjects viewed an educational video and received specific verbal individual information about their case. A written examination (group 1) was then completed; a subgroup of the subjects (group 2) was selected randomly to complete the same examination at the next visit prior to the procedure. The primary predictor variable was utilization of the video. The primary outcome variable was comprehension of information regarding third molars, assessed by examination scores. The secondary outcome variable was retention of the information, assessed by repeat examination scores. One hundred adults (34 male, 66 female; group 1) completed the examination at least once; 54 (19 male, 35 female) completed both examinations (group 2). Correct responses ranged from 64% to 100% in group 1 and from 37% to 100% in group 2. In group 2, all questions answered incorrectly at the first visit were answered correctly at the second visit, without any additional information being provided. Patient comprehension and retention of pertinent pre-surgical information is poor, despite use of an educational video to supplement the usual verbal consultation. These results confirm those of prior studies and may have medico-legal implications regarding the informed consent process for third molar surgery.     

Do No Harm: A Multifactorial Approach to Preventing Emergency Department Falls—A Quality Improvement Project

IntroductionPatient falls in the emergency department are a unique patient safety issue because of the often challenging nature of the environment. As there are a variety of potential causative factors for patient falls in the emergency department, this project employed a multifactorial approach to prevent patient falls in a Level 1 trauma center emergency department (adult only) in an urban tertiary care teaching hospital.MethodsThis project was a single-unit quality improvement intervention that compared postintervention monthly unit-level data to historic monthly rates on the same unit. The intervention was multifaceted with patient-level, nurse-level, and unit-level interventions employed. A task force was convened to review and identify specific departmental gaps related to fall prevention, complete a retrospective review of departmental patient falls to determine causative factors, and implement interventions to reduce ED falls. A comprehensive program consisting of an ED-specific fall risk assessment tool, remote video monitoring (RVM), stretcher alarms, and a robust patient safety culture, among other interventions, was implemented. Patient falls and falls with injuries were tracked as an outcome measure.ResultsAfter data driven analysis of causation, selection of key interventions, staff education, and sustained focus for 2 years, the department experienced a 27% decrease in falls and a 66% decrease in falls with injuries.DiscussionA multifactorial approach was an effective strategy to decrease patient falls in the emergency department.     

Batrachotoxin blocks saltatory organelle movement in electrically excitable neuroblastoma cells

Batrachotoxin has been reported to inhibit fast axonal transport. We have examined the effect of batrachotoxin on saltatory organelle movements in N115 neuroblastoma cells (a model of fast axonal transport) using time-lapse video intensification microscopy. Batrachotoxin (0.1–1.0 μM) inhibits saltatory organelle movement. Contrary to previously published hypotheses, this inhibition of intra-axonal movement depends upon the action of batrachotoxin on action potential Na⁺ channels. Evidence for this conclusion is: (1) the range of concentrations of batrachotoxin which inhibit saltatory organelle movement is consistent with the dose-response curve for the activation of action potential Na⁺ channels by batrachotoxin in N18 neuroblastoma cells¹⁰; (2) tetrodotoxin, which blocks action potential Na⁺ channels, prevents the inhibition of organelle movements by batrachotoxin; (3) batrachotoxin has no effect on saltatory movement in cells, including some neuroblastoma cell lines, which lack action potential Na⁺ channels; and (4) in Na⁺-free or low Na⁺ media, batrachotoxin does not block organelle movement. We suggest that changes in internal ion concentrations which follow the influx of Na⁺ are responsible for the inhibition of fast axonal transport by batrachotoxin.     

肾穿刺活检术前患者应用视频化健康教育的效果评价

目的 探讨视频化健康教育模式在肾穿刺活检术前的应用效果。 方法 选取2017年5月～12月我科行肾穿刺活检的慢性肾脏疾病患者240例,按入院先后顺序将患者分为对照组和试验组,5～8月120例为对照组,9～12月120例为试验组,对照组患者采用常规肾穿刺活检术前健康教育模式,试验组患者采用融入视频的健康教育模式进行肾穿刺活检术前健康教育,分别比较两组患者知识掌握程度、适应性训练准确率、对健康教育的满意度和护士宣教平均耗时之间的差异。 结果 两组患者肾穿刺活检知识掌握程度、适应性训练准确率和对健康教育的满意度比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);护士术前宣教平均耗时比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论 肾穿刺活检术前对患者采用视频化健康教育模式有利于提高健康教育效果和患者对护理工作的满意度,且不额外增加护士的工作耗时,值得在临床中推广应用。     

Video reveals self-stimulation in infancy

The medical literature on early childhood masturbation is sparse. Only 12 patients who presented with infantile self-stimulation under the age of 1 y are described. During the last 2 y, five girls under 1 y of age presented at our department with self-stimulating behaviour. The diagnosis of this behaviour was difficult, but could be made by watching a video of the attacks. Infantile self-stimulation is often misdiagnosed and unnecessary investigations and useless treatments are often prescribed. Video recording can be of great help to put forward the correct diagnosis. Masturbation is not so uncommon and treatment consists mostly in reassuring the parents. It can, however, be associated with behavioural problems. Few data are available on the clinical outcome of childhood masturbation, but most children seem to develop normally. Conclusion: Infantile self-stimulation should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of "strange episodes or attacks".     

基于PDA的嵌入式ECG监护分析仪

目的为了方便快捷地实时监测心律失常,设计一种基于PDA的嵌入式ECG监护分析仪。方法仪器功能包括低功耗MSP430系列单片机控制心电信号的采集、放大、滤波、转换和在PDA上实时显示、存储和分析,并实现心电数据的远程传输。对仪器工作原理进行分析,把监护分析仪总体结构划分为子模块,并具体介绍各子模块的功能与实现。结果与结论与医院现有的三导全自动心电图机、Holter动态心电图机进行对照,本监护分析仪携带方便、操作简单、接收的心电信号无失真,连续工作时间大于20h等。各高频干扰信号对ECG信号无影响;软件可对心电信号进行实时显示,可连续记录15h的原始心电数据。