Individual aggregates of amyloid beta induce temporary calcium influx through the cell membrane of neuronal cells.

Local delivery of amyloid beta oligomers from the tip of a nanopipette, controlled over the cell surface, has been used to deliver physiological picomolar oligomer concentrations to primary astrocytes or neurons. Calcium influx was observed when as few as 2000 oligomers were delivered to the cell surface. When the dosing of oligomers was stopped the intracellular calcium returned to basal levels or below.

Junior doctors need training in sickness certification.

Background: A recent report highlights the need for clear standards of practice regarding working-age health. Despite this, little is known about training or performance of sickness certification by junior doctors in secondary care.

Aims: To see what sickness certification training had been received by practising hospital postgraduate trainees and establish how confident and knowledgeable they were in this area.

Gene regulation in Aspergillus: From genetics to genomics.

A fundamental aspect of any organism's success is the ability to monitor and respond effectively to its environment, a process which is largely achieved through the appropriate regulation of gene expression. There are few better examples than fungi, which inhabit diverse and often hostile environments, ranging from leaf litter to the human body. Regulation can occur at many levels, and as we investigate specific genes in detail, the paradigm is one of increasing complexity.