The high-light-sensitivity mechanism and optogenetic properties of the bacteriorhodopsin-like channelrhodopsin GtCCR4.

Channelrhodopsins are microbial light-gated ion channels that can control the firing of neurons in response to light. Among several cation channelrhodopsins identified in Guillardia theta (GtCCRs), GtCCR4 has higher light sensitivity than typical channelrhodopsins. Furthermore, GtCCR4 shows superior properties as an optogenetic tool, such as minimal desensitization. Our structural analyses of GtCCR2 and GtCCR4 revealed that GtCCR4 has an outwardly bent transmembrane helix, resembling the conformation of activated G-protein-coupled receptors. Spectroscopic and electrophysiological comparisons suggested that this helix bend in GtCCR4 omits channel recovery time and contributes to high light sensitivity. An electrophysiological comparison of GtCCR4 and the well-characterized optogenetic tool ChRmine demonstrated that GtCCR4 has superior current continuity and action-potential spike generation with less invasiveness in neurons. We also identified highly active mutants of GtCCR4. These results shed light on the diverse structures and dynamics of microbial rhodopsins and demonstrate the strong optogenetic potential of GtCCR4.

SULTR2;1 Adjusts the Bolting Timing by Transporting Sulfate from Rosette Leaves to the Primary Stem.

Sulfur (S) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth and metabolism. SULTR2;1 is a low-affinity sulfate transporter facilitating the long-distance transport of sulfate in Arabidopsis. The physiological function of SULTR2;1 in the plant life cycle still needs to be determined. Therefore, we analyzed the sulfate transport, S-containing metabolite accumulation and plant growth using Arabidopsis SULTR2;1 disruption lines, sultr2;1-1 and sultr2;1-2, from seedling to mature growth stages to clarify the metabolic and physiological roles of SULTR2;1. We observed that sulfate distribution to the stems was affected in sultr2;1 mutants, resulting in decreased levels of sulfate, cysteine, glutathione (GSH) and total S in the stems, flowers and siliques; however, the GSH levels increased in the rosette leaves. This suggested the essential role of SULTR2;1 in sulfate transport from rosette leaves to the primary stem. In addition, sultr2;1 mutants unexpectedly bolted earlier than the wild-type without affecting the plant biomass. Correlation between GSH levels in rosette leaves and the bolting timing suggested that the rosette leaf GSH levels or limited sulfate transport to the early stem can trigger bolting. Overall, this study demonstrated the critical roles of SULTR2;1 in maintaining the S metabolite levels in the aerial part and transitioning from the vegetative to the reproductive growth phase.

Electrocardiographic Changes in Acute Kawasaki Disease in the Era of Immunoglobulin Therapy.

Kawasaki disease (KD), an acute, febrile, self-limiting, multisystem vasculitis of unknown etiology, often involves the cardiac complications of coronary artery aneurysm development, myocarditis, pericarditis, and valvulitis. However, there are insufficient epidemiological data on electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in acute KD in the IVIG era, and little is known about the association between ECG changes and the prognosis. The present study aimed to determine the type of ECG changes found in acute KD and to clarify the course of these changes as well as their relationship to disease severity. The present, retrospective, observational study analyzed 201 patients aged < 15 years with Kawasaki disease who received IVIG from April 2021 to March 2023. In the 156 eligible patients analyzed (male: 62.8%; median age on admission: 24 months), the most common abnormalities were T wave changes (n = 141; 90.4%) on any lead followed by T wave inversions (n = 63; 40.4%), tachycardia (n = 36; 23.1%), and a prolonged PR interval (n = 23; 14.7%). PR prolongation, abnormal Q wave, QTc prolongation, and ST changes were less common in the present cohort, and arrhythmia occurred less frequently than in previous studies. No significant association was found between T wave inversion and disease severity. T wave changes occurred frequently in the acute phase ECG in KD but were not associated with clinical features, such as unresponsiveness to IVIG therapy or coronary artery abnormalities.

Search for nutritional and inflammatory marker ratios to predict neutropenia in FEC therapy for breast cancer: A retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Nutritional and inflammatory marker ratios are known to predict response to chemotherapy in breast cancer, but whether they predict adverse effects caused by chemotherapy remains unclear. We investigated whether nutritional and inflammatory marker ratios before starting FEC therapy (5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide) predict grade 4 neutropenia as a serious adverse effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 61 patients with breast cancer who started FEC therapy for the first time as preoperative or postoperative chemotherapy were studied. Relevant nutritional and inflammatory marker ratios were compared between patients who developed grade 4 neutropenia (n = 44) and those who did not (n = 17). RESULTS: In univariate analysis, occurrence of neutropenia was related significantly (p < 0.05) to pre-FEC-therapy white blood cell count, platelet count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and modified Glasgow prognostic score. Analysis using cutoff values obtained from receiver operating characteristic curves showed that LMR, NLR, and PLR predicted grade 4 neutropenia. However, multivariate logistic regression analysis identified no independent factor associated with grade 4 neutropenia. A post-hoc power analysis revealed an inadequate sample size. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory marker ratios, especially PLR, may predict grade 4 neutropenia caused by FEC therapy for breast cancer. Although multivariate analysis identified no independent predictive markers in this study due to inadequate sample size, further prospective large-scale research is needed to examine the usefulness of nutritional and inflammatory marker ratios for predicting adverse effects.

Effects of wearing surgical masks on fraction of inspired oxygen in spontaneously breathing patients: improving safety for frontline healthcare professionals under pandemic situations.

BACKGROUND: During pandemic situations, many guidelines recommend that surgical masks be worn by both healthcare professionals and infected patients in healthcare settings. The purpose of this study was to clarify the levels and changes of oxygen concentration over time while oxygen was administered over a surgical mask. METHODS: Patients scheduled to undergo general anesthesia (n = 99) were enrolled in this study. First, patients were administered oxygen at 6 L/min via an oxygen mask over a surgical mask for 5 min. The patients removed the surgical mask and then took a 3-min break; thereafter, the same amount of oxygen was administered for another 5 min via the oxygen mask. We measured the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2), the end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), and respiratory frequency every minute for 5 min, both while administering oxygen with and without a surgical mask. The FiO2 was measured at the beginning of inspiration and the EtCO2 was measured at the end of expiration. RESULTS: The FiO2 at 5 min was significantly lower when breathing with a surgical mask than that without it (mean difference: 0.08 [95% CI: 0.067-0.10]; p <  0.001). In contrast, the EtCO2 at 5 min was significantly higher when breathing with a surgical mask than that without it (mean difference: 11.9 mmHg [95% CI: 10.9-12.9]; p <  0.001). CONCLUSION: The FiO2 was lower when oxygen was administered over surgical masks than when patients did not wear surgical masks. Oxygen flow may need to be adjusted in moderately ill patients requiring oxygen administration.

Hyperammonemia with impaired consciousness caused by continuous 5-fluorouracil infusion for colorectal cancer: A case report.

A 66-year-old woman was diagnosed with stage IVb sigmoid colon cancer. Modified FOLFOX-6 (mFOLFOX-6; levofolinate‒fluorouracil‒oxaliplatin) plus panitumumab was selected as the chemotherapeutic regimen, but she was administered a regimen without oxaliplatin (L-OHP) or bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) because of her general condition and concern about adverse effects. The patient had impaired consciousness on day 3 of chemotherapy. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed no findings of hemorrhage, infarction, brain metastasis, and leukoencephalopathy. Except for high blood ammonia concentration (353 µg/dL), there were no other findings that could have caused her condition. Impaired consciousness due to hyperammonemia was diagnosed. We started an intravenous drip supplemented with branched chain amino acids for liver protection. Approximately 6 hours later, blood ammonia level improved to 88 µg/dL, which approached the reference value. Consciousness level improved over time, reaching a level of alertness on day 5 after starting chemotherapy. 5-FU was suspected to be the cause of impaired consciousness due to hyperammonemia, but the exact cause could not be identified because most of the previously reported cases were given L-OHP, bolus 5-FU, and other concomitant medications. In this case, since there were no other concomitant medications, it is highly probable that continuous infusion of 5-FU alone caused impaired consciousness due to hyperammonemia. This is an important case that indicates the need to monitor carefully for the occurrence of hyperammonemia when 5-FU is administered continuously; it also proposes future issues for investigation.

Novel quantitative trait loci for low grain cadmium concentration in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Cadmium (Cd) is as an extremely toxic metal that can contaminate agricultural soils. To reduce the risk of Cd intake in food cereals, the development of cultivars with low grain Cd concentration (GCC) is an effective countermeasure. We analyzed quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for GCC in a doubled haploid (DH) common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) population derived from 'Chugoku 165' (low GCC) × 'Chukei 10-22' (high GCC). We found novel loci for low GCC on the short arm of chromosome 4B and on the long arm of chromosome 6B. These QTLs accounted for 9.4%-25.4% (4B) and 9.0%-17.8% (6B) of the phenotypic variance in the DH population. An association analysis with 43 cultivars identified 3 loci at these QTLs: QCdc.4B-kita, QCdc.6B-kita1, and QCdc.6B-kita2. In contrast to durum wheat and barley, no QTL was detected on the chromosomes of homeologous group 5 for heavy metal P1B-type ATPase 3. These results will contribute to marker-assisted selection for low GCC in breeding of common wheat.

Sudden onset of sleep caused by hypothalamic infarction: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypothalamic lesions, such as tumors and demyelinating diseases, reportedly cause abnormal sleepiness. However, stroke involving the hypothalamus has rarely been described. Here, we report a patient with infarction restricted to the hypothalamus who presented with sudden onset of sleep. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old woman with a history of migraine without aura presented with irresistible sleepiness and developed several episodes of sudden onset of sleep. Neurological examinations were unremarkable except for partial left Horner syndrome. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a high-intensity lesion restricted to the left hypothalamus on diffusion-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI images. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) orexin-A levels obtained on hospital day 3 after her sleepiness had resolved were normal (337 pg/mL; normal > 200 pg/mL). Serum anti-nuclear and anti-aquaporin 4 (AQP4) antibodies and CSF myelin basic protein and oligoclonal band were negative. A small hypothalamic infarction was suspected, and the patient was treated with intravenous edaravone and argatroban, as well as oral clopidogrel. Three months later, there had been no clinical relapse, and the hypothalamic lesion had almost disappeared on follow-up MRI. No new lesion suggestive of demyelinating disease or tumor was observed. CONCLUSION: Hypothalamic stroke should be considered a cause of sudden onset of sleep.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the "Fra" gene results in fractured starch granules in barley.

KEY MESSAGE: We report here that the mutation causing fractured starch granules in the barley line "Franubet" results from a point mutation in the barley gene corresponding to the rice FLO6 gene. The "fra" mutation in barley, which was originally isolated and characterized over 30 years ago, results in fractured starch granules and an opaque phenotype. This mutation has been used in breeding programs, since it appears to be useful in the production of pearled barley for human consumption. However, selection for this phenotype is difficult, since wild-type and heterozygous kernels cannot be distinguished phenotypically, and until now, the gene involved in this mutation has not been determined. Here, we used a map-based cloning approach using nanopore sequencing to obtain long reads from a BAC clone carrying markers on either side of the fra locus. By fine mapping followed by aligning RNA-seq reads to four genes within the mapped region, we were able to determine that the fra mutation is caused by the introduction of a stop codon in the barley homologue of the rice FLOURY ENDOSPERM 6 (FLO6) gene. This gene has a CBM48 domain that binds to starch, and may act through interactions with isoamylase1 (ISA1), assisting in the binding of ISA1 to starch granules. Perfect markers able to distinguish all genotypes were designed and tested in several large populations; in all cases, the markers were able to distinguish wild-type, heterozygous, and mutant genotypes.

[Hypoplastic acute promyelocytic leukemia with continuous hypocellular bone marrow after remission].

An 87-year old female presented with unsteady gait and occasional subcutaneous hematomas. Blood examination findings revealed pancytopenia and mild coagulopathy. Both the histopathological evaluation of bone marrow smears and bone marrow biopsy revealed a hypocellular bone marrow. However, APL cells were observed and PML-RARA fusion gene was detected. On the basis of these findings, the patient was diagnosed with hypoplastic acute promyelocytic leukemia. She received ATRA treatment and achieved complete remission (CR) 29 days from the commencement of therapy. After the first CR, she received two courses of ATO as a consolidation therapy. Following the latter treatments, she maintained CR, but a hypoplastic bone marrow was still observed. Hypoplastic AML is defined as AML with a low bone marrow cellularity. It is clinically important to distinguish it from aplastic anemia and hypoplastic MDS. It has been suggested that both cytogenetic and morphological diagnosis are imperative to the differential diagnosis of hypocellular bone marrow.

A novel compensating wheat-Thinopyrum elongatum Robertsonian translocation line with a positive effect on flour quality.

Wheat flours are used to produce bread, pasta, breakfast cereals, and biscuits; the various properties of these end-products are attributed to the gluten content, produced as seed storage proteins in the wheat endosperm. Thus, genes encoding gluten protein are major targets of wheat breeders aiming to improve the various properties of wheat flour. Here, we describe a novel compensating wheat-Thinopyrum elongatum Robertsonian translocation (T1AS.1EL) line involving the short arm of wheat chromosome 1A (1AS) and the long arm of Th. elongatum chromosome 1E (1EL); we developed this line through centric breakage-fusion. Compared to the common wheat cultivars Chinese Spring and Norin 61, we detected two additional 1EL-derived high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) in the T1AS.1EL plants. Based on the results of an SDS-sedimentation volume to estimate the gluten strength of T1AS.1EL-derived flour, we predict that T1AS.1EL-derived flour is better suited to bread-making than Chinese Spring- and Norin 61-derived flour and that this is because of its greater gluten diversity. Also, we were able to assign 33 of 121 wheat PCR-based Landmark Unique Gene markers to chromosome 1E of Th. elongatum. These markers can now be used for further chromosome engineering of the Th. elongatum segment of T1AS.1EL.

Analysis of the cooperative ATPase cycle of the AAA+ chaperone ClpB from Thermus thermophilus by using ordered heterohexamers with an alternating subunit arrangement.

The ClpB/Hsp104 chaperone solubilizes and reactivates protein aggregates in cooperation with DnaK/Hsp70 and its cofactors. The ClpB/Hsp104 protomer has two AAA+ modules, AAA-1 and AAA-2, and forms a homohexamer. In the hexamer, these modules form a two-tiered ring in which each tier consists of homotypic AAA+ modules. By ATP binding and its hydrolysis at these AAA+ modules, ClpB/Hsp104 exerts the mechanical power required for protein disaggregation. Although ATPase cycle of this chaperone has been studied by several groups, an integrated understanding of this cycle has not been obtained because of the complexity of the mechanism and differences between species. To improve our understanding of the ATPase cycle, we prepared many ordered heterohexamers of ClpB from Thermus thermophilus, in which two subunits having different mutations were cross-linked to each other and arranged alternately and measured their nucleotide binding, ATP hydrolysis, and disaggregation abilities. The results indicated that the ATPase cycle of ClpB proceeded as follows: (i) the 12 AAA+ modules randomly bound ATP, (ii) the binding of four or more ATP to one AAA+ ring was sensed by a conserved Arg residue and converted another AAA+ ring into the ATPase-active form, and (iii) ATP hydrolysis occurred cooperatively in each ring. We also found that cooperative ATP hydrolysis in at least one ring was needed for the disaggregation activity of ClpB.

Effects of Cadmium Treatment on the Uptake and Translocation of Sulfate in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic and non-essential element for plants, whereas phytochelatins and glutathione are low-molecular-weight sulfur compounds that function as chelators and play important roles in detoxification. Cadmium exposure is known to induce the expression of sulfur-assimilating enzymes and sulfate uptake by roots. However, the molecular mechanism underlying Cd-induced changes remains largely unknown. Accordingly, we analyzed the effects of Cd treatment on the uptake and translocation of sulfate and accumulation of thiols in Arabidopsis thaliana Both wild type (WT) and null mutant (sel1-10 and sel1-18) plants of the sulfate transporter SULTR1;2 exhibited growth inhibition when treated with CdCl2 However, the mutant plants exhibited a lower growth rate and lower Cd accumulation. Cadmium treatment also upregulated the transcription of SULTR1;2 and sulfate uptake activity in WT plants, but not in mutant plants. In addition, the sulfate, phytochelatin and total sulfur contents were preferentially accumulated in the shoots of both WT and mutant plants treated with CdCl2, and sulfur K-edge XANES spectra suggested that sulfate was the main compound responsible for the increased sulfur content in the shoots of CdCl2-treated plants. Our results demonstrate that Cd-induced sulfate uptake depends on SULTR1;2 activity, and that CdCl2 treatment greatly shifts the distribution of sulfate to shoots, increases the sulfate concentration of xylem sap and upregulates the expression of SULTRs involved in root-to-shoot sulfate transport. Therefore, we conclude that root-to-shoot sulfate transport is stimulated by Cd and suggest that the uptake and translocation of sulfate in CdCl2-treated plants are enhanced by demand-driven regulatory networks.

A high-resolution physical map integrating an anchored chromosome with the BAC physical maps of wheat chromosome 6B.

BACKGROUND: A complete genome sequence is an essential tool for the genetic improvement of wheat. Because the wheat genome is large, highly repetitive and complex due to its allohexaploid nature, the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC) chose a strategy that involves constructing bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based physical maps of individual chromosomes and performing BAC-by-BAC sequencing. Here, we report the construction of a physical map of chromosome 6B with the goal of revealing the structural features of the third largest chromosome in wheat. RESULTS: We assembled 689 informative BAC contigs (hereafter reffered to as contigs) representing 91% of the entire physical length of wheat chromosome 6B. The contigs were integrated into a radiation hybrid (RH) map of chromosome 6B, with one linkage group consisting of 448 loci with 653 markers. The order and direction of 480 contigs, corresponding to 87% of the total length of 6B, were determined. We also characterized the contigs that contained a part of the nucleolus organizer region or centromere based on their positions on the RH map and the assembled BAC clone sequences. Analysis of the virtual gene order along 6B using the information collected for the integrated map revealed the presence of several chromosomal rearrangements, indicating evolutionary events that occurred on chromosome 6B. CONCLUSIONS: We constructed a reliable physical map of chromosome 6B, enabling us to analyze its genomic structure and evolutionary progression. More importantly, the physical map should provide a high-quality and map-based reference sequence that will serve as a resource for wheat chromosome 6B.

Homoeologous relationship of rye chromosome arms as detected with wheat PLUG markers.

Based on the similarity in gene structure between rice and wheat, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based landmark unique gene (PLUG) system enabled us to design primer sets that amplify wheat genic sequences including introns. From the previously reported wheat PLUG markers, we chose 144 markers that are distributed on different chromosomes and in known chromosomal regions (bins) to obtain rye-specific PCR-based markers. We conducted PCR with the 144 primer sets and the template of the Imperial rye genomic DNA and found that 131 (91.0%) primer sets successfully amplified PCR products. Of the 131 PLUG markers, 110 (76.4%) markers showed rye-specific PCR amplification with or without restriction enzyme digestion. We assigned 79 of the 110 markers to seven rye chromosomes (1R to 7R) using seven wheat-rye (cv. Imperial) chromosome addition and substitution lines: 12 to 1R, 8 to 2R, 11 to 3R, 8 to 4R, 16 to 5R, 12 to 6R, and 12 to 7R. Furthermore, we located their positions on the short or long (L) chromosome arm, using 13 Imperial rye telosomic lines of common wheat (except for 3RL). Referring to the chromosome bin locations of the 79 PLUG markers in wheat, we deduced the syntenic relationships between rye and wheat chromosomes. We also discussed chromosomal rearrangements in the rye genome with reference to the cytologically visible chromosomal gaps.

Co-occurrence of multiple cerebral infarctions due to hypercoagulability associated with malignancy and meningeal carcinomatosis as the initial manifestation of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Meningeal carcinomatosis and hypercoagulability associated with malignancy are typical late stage complications in cancer patients. The co-occurrence of meningeal carcinomatosis and cerebral infarction related to hypercoagulability associated with malignancy in an individual as the initial manifestation of malignancy has not been previously reported. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report the case of an 80-year-old patient who presented with meningeal carcinomatosis and hypercoagulability related to malignancy as the initial manifestation of occult gastric cancer. The patient displayed consciousness disturbance, mild left facial paralysis, and bilateral positive Babinski's sign. Using brain magnetic resonance imaging, the patient was diagnosed as having acute multiple cerebral infarctions. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology showed adenocarcinoma and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy disclosed scirrhous gastric cancer. The patient presented with headache, fever, and meningeal irritation with a subacute course. Tuberculous or fungal meningitis was initially suspected; however, cytological evidence of adenocarcinoma in the CSF led to the diagnosis of meningeal carcinomatosis. CONCLUSION: The comorbidity of hypercoagulability associated with malignancy and meningeal carcinomatosis should be considered in a patient presenting with multiple cerebral infarctions, progressive disturbance of consciousness, fever, and meningeal irritation.

Combination of high-flow nasal oxygen and ketamine/dexmedetomidine sedation for diagnostic catheterization in a child with pulmonary arterial hypertension: a case report.

Pulmonary hypertension is associated with significant risk of perioperative life-threatening events. We present a case of a 12-year-old child with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension who successfully underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization under ketamine and dexmedetomidine sedation with the support of high-flow nasal oxygen. Ketamine and dexmedetomidine are reported to have minimal effect on pulmonary vasculature in children with pulmonary hypertension and can be safely used in this population along with its lack of respiratory depression. Positive pressure generated by high-flow nasal oxygen improves upper airway patency, prevents micro-atelectasis, and is shown to improve the effectiveness of ventilation and oxygenation in patients under sedation breathing spontaneously. The presented strategy may contribute to enhancing the safety and effectiveness of procedural sedation for children with life-threatening pulmonary hypertension.

SNap Bond, a Crucial Hydrogen Bond Between Ser in Helix 3 and Asn in Helix 4, Regulates the Structural Dynamics of Heliorhodopsin.

Heliorhodopsin (HeR) is a new rhodopsin family discovered in 2018 through functional metagenomic analysis. Similar to microbial rhodopsins, HeR has an all-trans retinal chromophore, and its photoisomerization to the 13-cis form triggers a relatively slow photocycle with sequential intermediate states (K, M, and O intermediates). The O intermediate has a relatively long lifetime and is a putative active state for transferring signals or regulating enzymatic reactions. Although the first discovered HeR, 48C12, was found in bacteria and the second HeR (TaHeR) was found in archaea, their key amino acid residues and molecular architectures have been recognized to be well conserved. Nevertheless, the rise and decay kinetics of the O intermediate are faster in 48C12 than in TaHeR. Here, using a new infrared spectroscopic technique with quantum cascade lasers, we clarified that the hydrogen bond between transmembrane helices (TM) 3 and 4 is essential for the altered O kinetics (Ser112 and Asn138 in 48C12). Interconverting mutants of 48C12 and TaHeR clearly revealed that the hydrogen bond is important for regulating the dynamics of the O intermediate. Overall, our study sheds light on the importance of the hydrogen bond between TM3 and TM4 in heliorhodopsins, similar to the DC gate in channelrhodopsins.

Isolated body lateropulsion in a patient with pontine infarction.

A 72-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and hypertension was admitted to our hospital with lightheadedness. The patient showed lateropulsion to the right side, but his neurological findings were otherwise normal. Brain magnetic resonance images showed a fresh ischemic infarct in the left dorsal part of the lower pons. Body lateropulsion is characterized by an irresistible falling to one side and has been reported in lesions in several brain regions. However, it has rarely been reported in pontine lesions. We suggest that physicians should be aware that pontine lesions can cause isolated body lateropulsion without other neurological deficits.

Recurrent aseptic meningitis in association with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Kikuchi Fujimoto disease (KFD), or histiocytic necrotising lymphadenitis, is a benign and self-limiting condition characterised by primarily affecting the cervical lymph nodes. Recurrent aseptic meningitis in association with KFD is extremely rare and remains a diagnostic challenge. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a 28-year-old man who presented 7 episodes of aseptic meningitis associated with KFD over the course of 7 years. Histopathological findings of enlarged lymph nodes led to the diagnosis of KFD. The patient's headache and lymphadenopathy spontaneously resolved without any sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of KFD should be considered when enlarged cervical lymph nodes are observed in patients with recurrent aseptic meningitis. A long-term prognosis remains uncertain, and careful follow-up is preferred.