Non-invasive brain stimulation enhances motor and cognitive performances during dual tasks in patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) induces progressive deficits in motor and cognitive functions as well as impaired dual-task performance requiring both motor and cognitive functions. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) on dual-task performance in patients with PD.

Methods: 11 studies met the following inclusion criteria: (a) patients with PD, (b) NIBS intervention, (c) comparison with the sham stimulation group, (d) motor and cognitive performance outcomes during dual tasks, and (e) randomized controlled trials with parallel or crossover designs.

Uniaxial/biaxial flexure strengths and elastic properties of resin-composite block materials for CAD/CAM.

Objective: Comparing strengths under different loading conditions provides useful information on the mechanical behaviour of restorative materials under multiaxial masticatory loading in the oral cavity. The aims of this study was to investigate the flexural strengths and the reliability of resin-composite blocks for CAD/CAM by uniaxial and biaxial flexure tests and to compare the elastic properties measured by different methods including digital image correlation (DIC).

Methods: Four resin-composite blocks for CAD/CAM, namely, VE (Vita Enamic), LU (Lava Ultimate), MD (Mazic Duro), and CS (Cerasmart), were investigated.

Anti-Biofouling Effect of PEG-Grafted Block Copolymer Synthesized by RAFT Polymerization.

Poly(glycidyl methadrylate-block-styrene) (PGMA-b-PS), a block copolymer consisting of glycidyl methacrylate and styrene, was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer living polymerization. The synthesized PGMA-b-PS was then grafted with low-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) via epoxy ring opening to give PGMA-g-PEG-b-PS, which was evaluated as an anti-biofouling coating material. As a preliminary test for the anti-biofouling effect, a protein adsorption experiment was performed on the synthesized block copolymer surface.

Urgent recanalization with stenting for severe intracranial atherosclerosis after transient ischemic attack or minor stroke.

Objective: Stenting of symptomatic intracranial stenosis has recently become an alternative treatment modality. However, urgent intracranial stenting in patients with intracranial stenosis following a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is open to dispute. We sought to assess the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of urgent intracranial stenting for severe stenosis (>70%) in TIA or minor stroke patients.

Safety and efficacy of transluminal balloon angioplasty using a compliant balloon for severe cerebral vasospasm after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Vasospasm of cerebral vessels remains a major source of morbidity and mortality after an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transluminal balloon angioplasty (TBA) for SAH-induced vasospasm.

Methods: Eleven patients with an angiographically confirmed significant vasospasm (>50% vessel narrowing and clinical deterioration) were studied.

Endovascular graft-stent placement for treatment of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas.

Detachable balloon-based endovascular fistula occlusion is a widely accepted treatment for traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas (CCF). However, more recently coils have been used to obliterate the lesion, especially in case detachable balloon is not available. We failed balloon-assisted coil embolization for CCF because of large fistulas and herniation of coil loops into the parent artery.

Reconstructive treatment using a stent graft for a dural arteriovenous fistula of the transverse sinus in the case of hypoplasia of the contralateral venous sinuses: technical case report.

Objective: Transvenous coil embolization for transverse sinus (TS) and sigmoid sinus dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVFs) is now recognized as one of the most effective treatment modalities. However, in the case of hypoplasia of the contralateral venous sinuses and internal jugular vein, complete occlusion of the ipsilateral sinus may cause fatal consequences. We describe a case of combined intravenous graft stent placement and transarterial coil embolization for DAVFs that involved the dominant right TS in a patient with hypoplasia of the contralateral venous sinuses.