Effect of Apolipoprotein E isoforms on the Abundance and Function of P-glycoprotein in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells.

Background: Individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) often require many medications; however, these medications are dosed using regimens recommended for individuals without AD. This is despite reduced abundance and function of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in AD, which can impact brain exposure of drugs. The fundamental mechanisms leading to reduced P-gp abundance in sporadic AD remain unknown; however, it is known that the apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene has the strongest genetic link to sporadic AD development, and apoE isoforms can differentially alter BBB function.

Acceptability and feasibility of using avatar-based virtual world software as an adjunct to clinical interventions, training, and reflective practice in a medium secure setting: A qualitative interview study.

Background: Relationships are at the core of recovery, particularly in secure services where patients have usually had difficulties with authority figures and can have mentalisation deficits. Early indications are that avatar-based virtual world software may help facilitate communication and emotional expression.

Aims: To establish the feasibility of using avatar-based virtual world software in a medium secure hospital, adjunctive to standard staff-patient interactions during clinical interventions and staff activities including reflective practice and training; to explore patient, staff participant and facilitator experiences using it.

Quality of Online Information on Multiple Myeloma Available for Laypersons.

Online information can increase patients' competence and engagement. However, there are concerns regarding invalid information. Overall, 300 websites and 50 YouTube videos on multiple myeloma (MM) were evaluated.

Natural-gradient learning for spiking neurons.

In many normative theories of synaptic plasticity, weight updates implicitly depend on the chosen parametrization of the weights. This problem relates, for example, to neuronal morphology: synapses which are functionally equivalent in terms of their impact on somatic firing can differ substantially in spine size due to their different positions along the dendritic tree. Classical theories based on Euclidean-gradient descent can easily lead to inconsistencies due to such parametrization dependence.

Accuracy and Reliability of Internet Resources for Information on Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance-What Information Is out There for Our Patients?

Background: Online information gathering can increase patients' engagement in decision-making. The quality of online resources available for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) was evaluated.

Methods: 900 websites from Google, Bing, Yahoo, and 150 YouTube videos were assessed.