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The recent discovery of lymphatic vessels in the meningeal layers calls into question the known mechanisms of fluid and macromolecule homeostasis and immunoregulation within the central nervous system. These meningeal lymphatic vessels and their potential role in the pathophysiology of neurological disease have become a rapidly expanding area of research, with the hopes that they may provide a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of many devastating conditions. This article reviews the current state of knowledge surrounding the anatomical structure of the vessels, their functions in fluid and solute transport and immune surveillance, as well as their studied developmental biology, relationship with the novel hypothesized "glymphatic" system, and implications in neurodegenerative disease in animal models. Furthermore, this review summarizes findings from the human studies conducted thus far regarding the presence, anatomy, and drainage patterns of meningeal lymphatic vessels and discusses, from a clinical perspective, advancements in both imaging technologies and interventional methodologies used to access ultrafine peripheral lymphatic vessels. © The Author(s) 2019.Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors have emerged as the safe vehicles of choice for long-term gene transfer in mammalian nervous system. Afuresertib Recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated localized gene transfer in adult nervous system following direct inoculation, that is, intracerebral or intrathecal, is well documented. However, recombinant adeno-associated virus delivery in defined neuronal populations in adult animals using less-invasive methods as well as avoiding ectopic gene expression following systemic inoculation remain challenging. Harnessing the capability of some recombinant adeno-associated virus serotypes for retrograde transduction may potentially address such limitations (Note The term retrograde transduction in this manuscript refers to the uptake of injected recombinant adeno-associated virus particles at nerve terminals, retrograde transport, and subsequent transduction of nerve cell soma). In some studies, recombinant adeno-associated virus serotypes 2/6, 2/8, and 2/9 have been shroot ganglia on the injected side, indicating that the intramuscular recombinant adeno-associated virus delivery is useful for achieving gene transfer in local neuroanatomical tracts. We also observed sparse recombinant adeno-associated virus viral delivery or eGFP transduction in lumbar spinal cord and a noticeable lack thereof in brain. Therefore, further improvements in recombinant adeno-associated virus design are warranted to achieve efficient widespread retrograde transduction following intramuscular and possibly other peripheral routes of delivery. © The Author(s) 2019.Background The objectives of this study were to characterize (1) epidemiology of brain metastases at the time of primary cancer diagnosis, (2) incidence and trends of synchronous brain metastases from 2010 to 2015, and (3) overall survival (OS) of patients with synchronous brain metastases. Methods A total of 42 047 patients with synchronous brain metastases from 2010 to 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Descriptive analysis was utilized to analyze demographics and incidence. The Kaplan-Meier method and a Cox proportional hazards model were utilized to evaluate potential prognostic factors for OS. Results The majority of patients were diagnosed from age older than 50 (91.9%). Common primary sites included lung (80%), melanoma (3.8%), breast (3.7%), and kidney/renal pelvis (3.0%). Among pediatric patients, common primaries included kidney/renal pelvis and melanomas. The incidence was roughly 7.3 persons/100 000. Synchronous brain metastases were associated with significantly poorer OS compared to extracranial metastases alone (hazard ratio [HR] =1.56; 95% CI 1.54-1.58; P less then .001). Among patients with brain metastases, male gender (HR = 1.60 vs 1.52), age older than 65 years (HR = 1.60 vs 1.46), synchronous liver, bone, or lung metastases (HR = 1.61 vs 1.49), and earlier year of diagnosis (HR = 0.98 for each year following 2010) were associated with significantly poorer OS. Conclusions The vast majority of brain metastases are from lung primaries. Synchronous brain metastases are associated with poorer OS compared to extracranial metastases alone. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press, the Society for Neuro-Oncology and the European Association of Neuro-Oncology.Graphical Abstract. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.Background The term goiter is used to describe any abnormal growth of the thyroid gland, which can be diffuse or nodular, and can be associated with normal, diminished, or increased thyroid function. Multinodular goiter is a common disease whose prevalence increases at age 50. Clinical manifestations can be due to thyroid function impairment or related to size and location of the gland with compressive symptoms. Intrathoracic location is less frequent, can be mistaken with pulmonary lesions and usually implies a difficult surgical approach. Case presentation A 66-year-old woman with a history of subtotal thyroidectomy presented with 7-month dyspnea, dry cough. There was no evidence of neck masses, or jugular engorgement. Physical examination was normal. Chest x-ray showed an 11 cm mass in the upper right hemithorax. Computed tomography (CT)-scan, showed calcifications, and compression of the superior vena cava without infiltration, the right subclavian vein and left displacement of the trachea. Distinction between intrapulmonary or mediastinal location was not clear. Biopsy showed thyroid origin, and bilateral thoracotomy was performed with confirmation of a giant multinodular goiter. Conclusions Intrathoracic goiter should undergo surgical or ablative management if compressive symptoms of the airway and cervical or thoracic vessels are present. The large size of the tumor along with the presentation after thyroidectomy and the seeming location in the right upper lobe made this particular case striking. Specially in the elderly, multidisciplinary perioperative management is key for a successful recovery. © The Author(s) 2020.