Bilateral Deep Brain Stimulation of the Ventral Intermediate Nucleus of the Thalamus Improves Objective Acoustic Measures of Essential Vocal Tremor.

Background And Objectives: Deep brain stimulation of the ventral intermediate nucleus of the thalamus (VIM-DBS) is an established treatment for medically refractory essential tremor. However, the effect of VIM-DBS on vocal tremor remains poorly understood, with results varying by method of vocal tremor assessment and stimulation laterality. This single-center study measures the effect of bilateral VIM-DBS on essential vocal tremor using blinded objective acoustic voice analysis.

Susceptibility-Weighted MRI Approximates Intraoperative Microelectrode Recording During Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus for Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN-DBS) for Parkinson's disease can be performed with intraoperative neurophysiological and radiographic guidance. Conventional T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequences, however, often fail to provide definitive borders of the STN. Novel magnetic resonance imaging sequences, such as susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), might better localize the STN borders and facilitate radiographic targeting.

Mechanical feedback and robustness of apical constrictions in Drosophila embryo ventral furrow formation.

Formation of the ventral furrow in the Drosophila embryo relies on the apical constriction of cells in the ventral region to produce bending forces that drive tissue invagination. In our recent paper we observed that apical constrictions during the initial phase of ventral furrow formation produce elongated patterns of cellular constriction chains prior to invagination and argued that these are indicative of tensile stress feedback. Here, we quantitatively analyze the constriction patterns preceding ventral furrow formation and find that they are consistent with the predictions of our active-granular-fluid model of a monolayer of mechanically coupled stress-sensitive constricting particles.

The effect of preoperative ibuprofen on tooth sensitivity caused by in-office bleaching.

This study determined the effect of Ibuprofen on tooth sensitivity from in-office bleaching with 38% hydrogen peroxide. A double-blind, randomized-controlled clinical trial was performed on healthy non-smoker patients who retain all anterior teeth (N=31). Patients with anterior restorations, calculus or heavy stain, and those who were taking medications or desensitizer products were excluded.