Seed-induced Aβ deposits in the corpus callosum disrupt white matter integrity in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Neuropathologically, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) and subsequent formation of the so-called Aβ plaques. Along with neuronal loss, previous studies report white matter anomalies and corpus callosum (CC) atrophy in AD patients. Notably, perturbations in the white matter can be observed years before expected disease onset, suggesting that early stages of disease progression play a role in AD-associated loss of myelin integrity.

The Analysis of Teaching of Medical Schools (AToMS) survey: an analysis of 47,258 timetabled teaching events in 25 UK medical schools relating to timing, duration, teaching formats, teaching content, and problem-based learning.

Background: What subjects UK medical schools teach, what ways they teach subjects, and how much they teach those subjects is unclear. Whether teaching differences matter is a separate, important question. This study provides a detailed picture of timetabled undergraduate teaching activity at 25 UK medical schools, particularly in relation to problem-based learning (PBL).

Pneumothorax secondary to pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare impairment of pulmonary phosphate clearance that leads to gradual precipitation of intra-alveolar calcium phosphate microliths. There is often a striking difference between alarming clinical imaging and a relatively well patient. Pneumothorax in PAM often only respond to surgical intervention.

Colonic perforation by an intrathecal baclofen pump catheter causing delayed meningitis.

Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) delivery via an implanted pump is frequently used for the treatment of spasticity. This is an effective and safe neurosurgical and pharmacological intervention associated with an improvement in patient quality of life. There is, however, a risk of device-related infection.

Unusual placement of intrathecal baclofen pumps: report of two cases.

Intrathecal baclofen delivery via implantable pump represents an important modality for symptomatic relief in patients with chronic spasticity. Pumps are routinely implanted subcutaneously in the anterior abdominal wall. We describe two unusual cases where skin-related complications necessitated revision surgery in order to relocate the pump to alternative sites.

Assessment at UK medical schools varies substantially in volume, type and intensity and correlates with postgraduate attainment.

Background: In the United Kingdom (UK), medical schools are free to develop local systems and policies that govern student assessment and progression. Successful completion of an undergraduate medical degree results in the automatic award of a provisional licence to practice medicine by the General Medical Council (GMC). Such a licensing process relies heavily on the assumption that individual schools develop similarly rigorous assessment policies.