Elevated plasma p-tau231 is associated with reduced generalization and medial temporal lobe dynamic network flexibility among healthy older African Americans.

Background: Phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and amyloid beta (Aβ) in human plasma may provide an affordable and minimally invasive method to evaluate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. The medial temporal lobe (MTL) is susceptible to changes in structural integrity that are indicative of the disease progression. Among healthy adults, higher dynamic network flexibility within the MTL was shown to mediate better generalization of prior learning, a measure which has been demonstrated to predict cognitive decline and neural changes in preclinical AD longitudinally.

Black blood MRI sequences in the acute management of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

We present an illustrative case series in which high spatial resolution black blood (BB) MRI sequences were used as an adjunct in the acute management of intracranial aneurysms with diagnostic uncertainty regarding rupture status. Several acute management dilemmas are discussed including the surveillance of previously treated ruptured intracranial aneurysms, identifying culprit lesion(s) amongst multiple ruptured intracranial aneurysms, and risk stratifying incidental unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We present our experience which supports the evaluation of this vessel wall imaging technique in larger multi-centre observational studies.

The use of e-consent in surgery and application to neurosurgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The integration of novel electronic informed consent platforms in healthcare has undergone significant growth over the last decade. Adoption of uniform, accessible, and robust electronic online consenting applications is likely to enhance the informed consent process and improve the patient experience and has the potential to reduce medico-legal ramifications of inadequate consent. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the utility of novel electronic means of informed consent in surgical patients and discuss its application to neurosurgical cohorts.

Orbitozygomatic Transsylvian Resection of a Craniopharyngioma: A Step-by-Step Guide.

Adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma (ACP) is a rare sellar region tumor seen in 0.5-2 cases per million persons each year, presenting a bimodal distribution that peaks at 5-15 years in children and 45-60 years in adults. Arising from embryonic remnants of the Rathke pouch epithelium, ACPs are associated with calcifications in 90% of cases and grow cranially toward the floor of the diencephalon.

Two cases of SMA syndrome after neurosurgical injury to the frontal aslant tract.

Supplementary motor area (SMA) syndrome is characterised by transient disturbance in volitional movement and speech production which classically occurs after injury to the medial premotor area. We present two cases of SMA syndrome following isolated surgical injury to the frontal aslant tract (FAT) with the SMA intact. The first case occurred after resection of a left frontal operculum tumour.

Review of Iraq's nationwide attempts to transform medical school curricula over the last ten decades.

Background: The first medical college in Iraq was established in 1927, adopting a subject-based curriculum.

Aims: To provide a description of undergraduate medical education curricula in Iraq and how they developed since 1927.

Methods: We identified Iraqi medical schools and curricula from local and global directories.

Shortening Postoperative Stay after Parathyroidectomy - A District General Hospital Experience.

 Historically, concerns about complications following parathyroid surgery, such as airway compromise, bleeding and hypocalcemia, have precluded its consideration as a short-stay surgical procedure. Recent advancements in perioperative care have resulted in several publications demonstrating that parathyroidectomy can be safely performed as a short-stay procedure.  The aim of the present study was to describe the process of implementing a short-stay protocol focusing on preoperative patient education and postoperative calcium management for those undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP).

Functional herniated choroid plexus in brain parenchyma following VP shunt removal.

We report a 4-year-old male who presented with a blocked ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt inserted post excision of a WHO Grade 1 cerebellar pilocytic astrocytoma complicated post-operatively by pseudo meningocoele formation. Imaging revealed choroid plexus that had herniated along the shunt tract. Subsequent MRI showed development of cystic changes around the tract.

Local parastomal hernia repair with biological mesh is safe and effective.

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, morbidity and safety of local parastomal hernia repair using biological mesh.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed for parastomal hernia repairs. All patients who underwent local parastomal hernia repair with biological mesh between July 2006 and July 2015 were included in the study.

Outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy done with surgical energy versus done without surgical energy: a prospective-randomized control study.

Objective: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), a gold standard procedure can be done without energized dissection (ED). We did a randomized study for the outcomes of LC done with ED or without ED, i.e.

Patient profile and outcome of pilomatrixoma in district general hospital in United kingdom.

Introduction: A pilomatrixoma is a benign appendage tumour related to hair cells matrix. Most of the literature review about pilomatrixoma is in the form of case reports with fewer cohort studies. The objective of this cohort is to study the variable demographic characteristics, presentation and histopathology of this condition among a larger group of patients.

Green fluorescent protein reporter system with transcriptional sequence heterogeneity for monitoring the interferon response.

The interferon (IFN) response is initiated by a variety of triggers, including viruses and foreign RNA, and involves several receptors and intracellular mediators. Although there are common cis-acting consensus sequences in the promoters of many genes stimulated during the IFN response, they exhibit core and context heterogeneity that may lead to differential transcriptional activity. We have developed and validated a live cell-based enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter system employing more than a hundred constructs containing multiple viruses and IFN response elements derived from a variety of promoters involved in immunity to viruses.