Assessing the impact of health literacy on education retention of stroke patients.

Introduction: Inadequate health literacy is a pervasive problem with major implications for reduced health status and health disparities. Despite the role of focused education in both primary and secondary prevention of stroke, the effect of health literacy on stroke education retention has not been reported. We examined the relationship of health literacy to the retention of knowledge after recommended stroke education.

Existence of ipsilateral hemiparesis in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke: two case reports and review of the literature.

Supratentorial stroke presenting as contralateral hemiparesis is predominantly related to contralateral projection of the corticospinal tract. While most corticospinal fibers decussate at the level of the medulla, some tracts continue descending as ipsilateral ventral corticospinal fibers. In this systematic review of the literature and 2 case reports specifically seen in our institute, we describe the presence of ipsilateral hemiparesis in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients.

Eosinophil activities modulate the immune/inflammatory character of allergic respiratory responses in mice.

Background: The importance and specific role(s) of eosinophils in modulating the immune/inflammatory phenotype of allergic pulmonary disease remain to be defined. Established animal models assessing the role(s) of eosinophils as contributors and/or causative agents of disease have relied on congenitally deficient mice where the developmental consequences of eosinophil depletion are unknown.

Methods: We developed a novel conditional eosinophil-deficient strain of mice (iPHIL) through a gene knock-in strategy inserting the human diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor (DTR) into the endogenous eosinophil peroxidase genomic locus.

Combined thalamic ptosis and astasia.

Isolated cases of astasia or ptosis have each been reported in ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes involving the thalamus. We report a 70-year-old man with a medical history of hypertension who presented with left ptosis and gait disturbance despite intact motor strength in the legs and normal sensory function. MRI of the brain showed an evolving subacute infarction confined to the anteromedial-medial part of the left thalamus with no other areas of recent infarction identified.

Cogan syndrome: an analysis of reported neurological manifestations.

Background: Patients with Cogan syndrome typically present with nonsyphilitic interstitial keratitis and acute onset of sensorineural hearing loss. Neurological manifestations have been reported, but various frequencies and mechanisms have been proposed.

Review Summary: We critically reviewed the English literature of Cogan syndrome to determine the nature, frequency, and most likely mechanisms of its neurological manifestations.

Analysis of a physician tool for evaluating dysphagia on an inpatient stroke unit: the modified Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability.

Background: Although many dysphagia screening protocols have been introduced in recent years, no validated, physician-administered dysphagia screening tool exists for acute stroke that can be performed at the bedside. Based on the psychometrically validated Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA), we developed the Modified MASA (MMASA) as a physician-administered screening tool for dysphagia in acute stroke.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to complete initial validation of this new screening tool for dysphagia in acute ischemic stroke.

Hypertriglyceridemia and ischemic stroke.

There are no conclusive data regarding the association between dyslipidemia and the risk of ischemic stroke (IS). Clinical investigations have primarily focused on the association between elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol as stroke risk factors. Much less scientific attention has been aimed at elevated levels of triglycerides.

Dysphagia and nutritional status at the time of hospital admission for ischemic stroke.

Background: Dysphagia and poor nutritional status occur frequently after stroke; however, potential associations between them are unknown. We evaluated potential associations between dysphagia and poor nutritional status in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Potential associations between these outcomes and more global stroke severity measures were also assessed.

Pseudohypoparathyroidism and cerebrovascular disease with dural calcification.

A 53-year-old woman is reported with recurrent cerebrovascular disease, pseudohypoparathyroidism and dural calcification without basal ganglia calcification. She had typical clinical and laboratory features of pseudohypoparathyroidism and a family history of the condition. One case has been reported previously with pseudohypoparathyroidism and Parkinson's disease without basal ganglia calcification.