Gastrointestinal Immunity and Alpha-Synuclein.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is equipped with robust immune defenses which protect the organism from infection. Enteric nerves are front and center in this defensive network, even in the most primitive organisms. Neuropeptides exhibit potent antimicrobial activity in the vicinity of the nerve and attract the innate and adaptive immune systems to help confine the invading agent.

The differential diagnosis of pilocytic astrocytoma with atypical features and malignant glioma: an analysis of 16 cases with emphasis on distinguishing molecular features.

Rare pilocytic astrocytomas (PA) have atypical histologic and clinicoradiologic features that raise the differential diagnosis of glioblastoma. Whether ancillary studies can supplement histopathologic examination in placing these cases accurately on the spectrum of WHO Grade I PA to higher-grade glioma is not always clear, partly because these cases are not common. Here, ten PAs with atypical clinicoradiologic and histologic features and six pediatric glioblastoma multiforme (pGBMs) were analyzed for BRAF V600E, IDH1, IDH2, and TP53 mutations.

Papillary tumor of the pineal region: ultrastructural study of a case.

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is a recently classified neuroepithelial tumor for which there has been little comprehensive ultrastructural study. Here, we describe the radiographic, intraoperative, histologic, immunohistochemical, and in-depth ultrastructural findings in a case of PTPR. This study corroborates that PTPR has concomitant ependymal, neuroendocrine, and secretory features, and details novel ultrastructural as well as immunohistochemical features that further this argument.

Chordoma in the lateral medullary cistern in a patient with tuberous sclerosis: A case report and review of the literature.

Background: Chordomas are rare intracranial tumors. There are several reported cases of these tumors arising in patients with tuberous sclerosis (TSC), a neurocutaneous disorder inherited in autosomal dominant fashion that predisposes patients to hamartomatous and neoplastic lesions.

Case Description: A 38-year-old man with the diagnosis of TSC presented with the complaint of dizziness and near syncope.

Involvement of skeletal muscle in dialysis-associated systemic fibrosis (nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy).

Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), a newly recognized scleroderma-like disease, was originally described as a purely cutaneous disorder. More widespread involvement, including fibrosis of pulmonary and cardiac tissues, has been documented only recently, and it has been suggested that a more appropriate designation is dialysis-associated systemic fibrosis. We report five cases of this novel disorder, spanning a spectrum of primarily skin to primarily muscle involvement.

Hagfish intestinal antimicrobial peptides are ancient cathelicidins.

Three potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides (HFIAP-1, -2, and -3) isolated from intestinal tissues of Myxine glutinosa (Atlantic hagfish) are identified as ancient members of the cathelicidin family of antimicrobial peptides, hitherto known only from mammals. In situ hybridization reveals that HFIAPs are produced in nests of myeloid cells within the loose connective tissue of the gut wall, a tissue reminiscent of both gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and vertebrate spleen. We suggest that this tissue organization provides local defense of the hagfish gastrointestinal tract via innate immunity and possibly served as the architectural plan upon which the adaptive immune system evolved.