Pleomorphic undifferentiated aortic sarcoma presenting as persistent endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Sarcomas of the aorta are rare tumors with an unknown incidence and wide variety of clinical presentations. These malignant neoplasms are often manifested in an advanced state and with symptoms of nonmalignant vascular disease owing to a delay in diagnosis. We present the case of a 78-year-old man in whom workup was initially performed for a persistently enlarging abdominal aortic aneurysm after endovascular aortic repair but who was subsequently found to have a pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma of the aorta.

Gli1 activation and protection against hepatic encephalopathy is suppressed by circulating transforming growth factor β1 in mice.

Background & Aims: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neurologic disorder that develops during liver failure. Few studies exist investigating systemic-central signalling during HE outside of inflammatory signalling. The transcription factor Gli1, which can be modulated by hedgehog signalling or transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) signalling, has been shown to be protective in various neuropathies.

Neuronal CCL2 is upregulated during hepatic encephalopathy and contributes to microglia activation and neurological decline.

Background: Acute liver failure leads to systemic complications with one of the most dangerous being a decline in neurological function, termed hepatic encephalopathy. Neurological dysfunction is exacerbated by an increase of toxic metabolites in the brain that lead to neuroinflammation. Following various liver diseases, hepatic and circulating chemokines, such as chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), are elevated, though their effects on the brain following acute liver injury and subsequent hepatic encephalopathy are unknown.