Objective To investigate the correlation of the lesion pattern of internal border zone infarction (IBZI) with atherosclerosis and outcome.Methods Eighty-one patients with IBZI were retrospectively divided into a simple IBZI group and a mixed IBZI group (combined with other infarct patterns) according to diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI).The clinical characteristics were compared between the 2 groups.And then,the mixed IBZI group was further divided into 3 subgroups:IBZI + pial infarct (PI),IBZI + perforating artery infarct (PAI),and IBZI + PI + PAI.They were compared with the simple IBZI group respectively.Results There were no significant differences in the dinical characteristics,such as age,hypertension,and the numbers of patients with stent implantation between the simple IBZI group and the mixed IBZI group.The proportions of severe stenosis and occlusion of internal carotid artery (ICA) and/or middle cerebral artery (MCA) (P =0.009) and MCA lesions (P =0.032) in the mixed IBZI group were significantly higher.Among the patients with MCA lesions,the severe stenosis in the simple IBZI group was significantly more than that in the mixed IBZI group (P =0.042),while the occlusive lesions in the mixed IBZI group were significantly more than those in the simple IBZI group (P =0.022).The short-term (within 7 days) exacerbation (P =0.039) and poor outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale＞ 3) in the mixed IBZI group (P=0.030) were significantly higher than those in the simple IBZI group.The subgroup analysis showed that the proportions of the short-term exacerbation (P =0.001 ) and poor outcome in patients at 90 days (P =0.010) in the IBZI + PI +PAI subgroup were significantly higher than those in the simple IBZI group.Conclusions The IBZI patients combined with other infarct patterns often exist severe cerebrovascular stenosis and occlusion,and their clinical outcome was poorer.For patients with MCA lesions,the mixed IBZI occurred more in patients with MCA occlusion,and the simple IBZI occurred more in patients with severe MCA stenosis.

Objective To investigate the dyadic coping experience of patients undergoing cancer surgery and their spouses.Methods Sixteen cancer patients who were initially diagnosed with cancer and underwent cancer surgery in a general hospital in Henan province as well as and their spouses were selected as the study subjects by objective sampling method.All the patients and their spouses were included in the postoperative follow-up for dyadic coping experiences though a 3 months interview.The acquired data were summarised and analysed by Colaizzi's phenomenological method to identify relevant themes.Results A total of eight themes were identified,including three themes over the phase of confirmed diagnosis,strong stress response,coping with stress alone and consistent attitude towards seeking medical treatment;two themes over the perioperative phase,lack of coping ability and change in relationship;and three themes over the phase of home recovery,lack of disease information,poor communication skills and post-trauma growth of both patient and spouse.Conclusions The dyadic coping experience of patients who undergo cancer surgery and their spouses varies with the stages across the treatment.Therefore,medical staff should offer targeted nursing care according to the dyadic coping experience at different stages,hence to improve the physical and mental health of the cancer patients and their spouses.