Reduction of circulating endothelial cells in peripheral blood of ALS patients.

Background: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) treatment is complicated by the various mechanisms underlying motor neuron degeneration. Recent studies showed that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) are compromised in an animal model of ALS due to endothelial cell degeneration. A later study demonstrated a loss of endothelium integrity in the spinal cords of ALS patients.

Pulmonary strongyloidiasis presenting as chronic bronchitis leading to interlobular septal fibrosis and cured by treatment.

Two patients presented with long-standing chronic bronchitis and exertional dyspnoea of 5 and 3 months' duration, respectively, and had interlobular septal fibrosis on chest high resolution CT. In the past both had lived in areas in which Strongyloides stercoralis was known to be endemic. Serological tests confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary strongyloidiasis, and both patients were treated with anti-helminthic medications, including albendazole and ivermectin.