Esophageal Distensibility Defines Fibrostenotic Severity in Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background & Aims: Identification of fibrosis in pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) relies on symptom assessment and endoscopy. Symptoms are highly variable, and early fibrotic remodeling may go undetected on endoscopy yet contribute to esophageal dysfunction. We aimed to assess whether esophageal distensibility has utility in defining fibrostenotic severity in a cohort of pediatric patients with EoE with symptoms of esophageal dysfunction.

A Case of Syphilitic Hepatitis in an Adolescent.

The incidence of syphilis is rising among adolescents necessitating improved provider awareness and screening practices. We present a case of an adolescent with acute hepatitis ultimately diagnosed with secondary syphilitic hepatitis. Clinical presentation, laboratory abnormalities, and histologic features of syphilitic hepatitis are nonspecific, with diagnosis relying on clinical suspicion and targeted testing.

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: Dynamic relationship among gastrointestinal symptoms, immune response, and the autonomic nervous system.

Objective: To explore the relationship among gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, immune response, and autonomic nervous system (ANS) in food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) in relation to the current understanding of disease phenotype and pathogenesis.

Data Sources: Relevant studies related to FPIES, GI symptomatology, and ANS were reviewed. Literature search was performed using PubMed, with keyword combinations including but not limited to FPIES, allergic GI disorders, ANS, autonomic dysfunction, dysautonomia, GI, diarrhea, vomiting, neuroimmune, and clinical phenotyping tools.

AAV mediated GDNF secretion from retinal glia slows down retinal degeneration in a rat model of retinitis pigmentosa.

Mutations in over 80 identified genes can induce apoptosis in photoreceptors, resulting in blindness with a prevalence of 1 in 3,000 individuals. This broad genetic heterogeneity of disease impacting a wide range of photoreceptor functions renders the design of gene-specific therapies for photoreceptor degeneration impractical and necessitates the development of mutation-independent treatments to slow photoreceptor cell death. One promising strategy for photoreceptor neuroprotection is neurotrophin secretion from Müller cells, the primary retinal glia.