Multicenter Prospective Study in HER2-Positive Early Breast Cancer for Detecting Minimal Residual Disease by Circulating Tumor DNA Analysis With Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy: HARMONY Study.

Background: Biomarkers to predict the recurrence risk are required to optimize perioperative treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with human epidermal growth factor 2-positive (HER2-positive) early breast cancer is decided by pathological responses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). However, whether pathological responses are appropriate biomarkers is unclear.

3-T MR-guided focused ultrasound thalamotomy for tremor in patients with a cardiac pacemaker: case series and review of the literature.

MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) has proven its efficacy and safety for the treatment of essential tremor (ET) and/or Parkinson's disease (PD). However, having a cardiac pacemaker has been considered an exclusion criterion for the use of MRgFUS. Only 2 patients with a cardiac pacemaker treated with MRgFUS have been previously reported, both treated using 1.

Magnetic Resonance-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)-Thalamotomy for Essential Tremor: Lesion Location and Clinical Outcomes.

Background: Factors predicting clinical outcomes after MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS)-thalamotomy in patients with essential tremor (ET) are not well known.

Objective: To examine the clinical outcomes and their relationship with patients' baseline demographic and clinical features and lesion characteristics at 6-month follow-up in ET patients.

Methods: A total of 127 patients were prospectively evaluated at 1 (n = 122), 3 (n = 102), and 6 months (n = 78) after MRgFUS-thalamotomy.

Metals and Metalloid Concentrations in Fish, Its Spatial Distribution in PPC, Philippines and the Attributable Risks.

Fish is an important source of protein in human meals around the world. However, the fish that we are eating may be contaminated with toxicants such as metals and metalloids (MMs), which may pose health risks to consumers. Information on MMs content in fishes and their potential spatial distribution scenarios would provide knowledge to the community to create strategies and protect human health.

Quantitative Assessment and Spatial Analysis of Metals and Metalloids in Soil Using the Geo-Accumulation Index in the Capital Town of Romblon Province, Philippines.

The municipality of Romblon in the Philippines is an island known for its marble industry. The subsurface of the Philippines is known for its limestone. The production of marble into slab, tiles, and novelty items requires heavy equipment to cut rocks and boulders.

Sleep apnea syndrome and patent foramen ovale: a dangerous association in ischemic stroke?

Background: The coexistence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) might be related to the pathogenesis of cryptogenic stroke (CS). We aimed to determine the prevalence of SAS in patients with cryptogenic stroke and PFO.

Methods: This is a prospective case-control study in which we included ischemic stroke patients consecutively admitted to our hospital's Acute Stroke Unit.

Note: Effective anvil size for transverse delamination test of rare-earth-Ba₂Cu₃Oy coated conductor tapes.

In coated conductor (CC) tapes used in magnet and coil applications, delamination due to excessive transverse tensile stresses is still one of the major issues that need considerations. Recently, several methods in evaluating the delamination strength of CC tapes are being used. In the case of anvil test, size of the anvils will be an important factor considering its applications (i.

Experimental measurement of characteristic I(c) (ε, θ, B) response in GdBa2Cu3Oδ coated conductor tapes under low magnetic field at 77 K.

The continued development in the design technology of practical superconducting devices adopting high temperature superconductors tapes has led to a deeper understanding of their electromechanical behaviors. Rare-earth-barium-copper-oxide coated conductor (CC) tapes exhibit anisotropy of transport property (Ic) under magnetic field and its intrinsic strain effect is much significant depending on the orientation to the tape surface and the magnetic field intensity applied. Different experimental systems have already been developed to measure the relation of Ic with mechanical strain ε, magnetic field intensity B, and its angle of orientation, θ.

How predictors and patterns of stroke recurrence after a TIA differ during the first year of follow-up.

The highest risk of subsequent stroke after a TIA occurs within the first week after the index event. However, the risk of stroke recurrence (SR) remains high during the first year of follow-up. We studied the temporal pattern and predictors of SR (at 7 days and from 7 days to 1-year follow-up).

Predictive value of brain and vascular imaging including intracranial vessels in transient ischaemic attack patients: external validation of the ABCD3-I score.

Background And Purpose: Recently, brain and vascular imaging have been added to clinical variables to identify patients with transient ischaemic attack (TIA) with a high risk of stroke recurrence. The aim of our study was to externally validate the ABCD3-I score and the same score taking into account intracranial circulation.

Methods: We analyzed data from 1137 patients with TIA from the PROMAPA study who underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) within 7 days of symptom onset.

Recurrent transient ischaemic attack and early risk of stroke: data from the PROMAPA study.

Background: Many guidelines recommend urgent intervention for patients with two or more transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) within 7 days (multiple TIAs) to reduce the early risk of stroke.

Objective: To determine whether all patients with multiple TIAs have the same high early risk of stroke.

Methods: Between April 2008 and December 2009, we included 1255 consecutive patients with a TIA from 30 Spanish stroke centres (PROMAPA study).

[The application of telemedicine for stroke in the Balearic Islands: the Balearic Telestroke project].

Introduction: Currently, clinical benefits of stroke units and thrombolysis in ischaemic stroke are evidence-based. However, inequities in coverage and in treatment provided to these patients still persist due to geographical differences in residence, technological capacity and organization among health care systems. Telestroke is considered to be an effective tool for reducing inequities in coverage and health outcomes of stroke patients.

Bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is rapidly becoming the preferred surgical choice for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). We report initial results in 15 patients after 12 months and in nine patients evaluated between 30 and 36 months postoperatively. Our experience confirms the robust antiparkinsonian effect of DBS of the STN in advanced PD.

[Surgery of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson's disease].

Introduction And Development: The subthalamic nucleus (STN) plays a crucial part in the pathophysiology of Parkinsonism. Its inactivation improves all the main signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Surgery of the STN in patients with the disease is effective and the benefit/risk relationship very favorable.

Stereotactic targeting of the globus pallidus internus in Parkinson's disease: imaging versus electrophysiological mapping.

Objective: The reintroduction of pallidotomy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) has generated various opinions regarding the ideal anatomic or physiological location of the target within the globus pallidus. The role of microelectrode recording guidance in pallidotomy for the treatment of advanced PD is presently under debate. The purpose of this study was twofold.

[Pathophysiological bases, clinical results and indications for surgical treatment in Parkinson disease].

We review the present status of surgery for Parkinson's disease. Surgical options for Parkinson's disease are rapidly spanding. The main objectives of surgical techniques are to restore the dopaminergic deficit in the striatum (transplantation) and to normalize the neuronal activity of the subthalamic-pallidal circuit (pallidotomy and deep brain stimulation).

[Pallidotomy in the treatment of complicated Parkinson's disease: clinical results at two years and analysis of prognostic factors].

Background: There is a renewed interest in pallidotomy as a treatment for complicated Parkinson's disease (PD).

Aim: To present the clinical results as well as the analysis of prognostic factors obtained in 28 patients with PD and motor complications submitted to pallidotomy and followed by one year (n = 28) and 2 years (n = 12).

Results: The total motor score (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS]) in the off state improved by 33 and 23% at one and two years, respectively (p < 0.

[Stereotactic surgery in Parkinson's disease].

Stereotactic surgery for Parkinson's disease (PD) has regained interest due to the recently described hyperactivity of the subthalamic-pallidal pathway. Many patients suffering from complications associated with the chronic use of levodopa may benefit from surgical treatments. There are different surgical targets and techniques (ablative and deep brain stimulation).

Pallidotomy in Parkinson's disease increases supplementary motor area and prefrontal activation during performance of volitional movements an H2(15)O PET study.

Supplementary motor area and right dorsal prefrontal cortex activation in Parkinson's disease is selectively impaired during volitional limb movements. Since posteroventral pallidotomy improves motor performance in Parkinson's disease patients 'off' medication (i.e.

Surgical treatment of Parkinson's disease.

At present, there are three major surgical approaches to Parkinson's disease (PD): (1) Ablative surgery (i.e. pallidotomy, thalamotomy); (2) deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamus, internal globus pallidus (GPi) and subthalamic nucleus (STN); and (3) grafting fetal mesencephalic cells into the striatum.