The sky compass network in the brain of the desert locust.

Many arthropods and vertebrates use celestial signals such as the position of the sun during the day or stars at night as compass cues for spatial orientation. The neural network underlying sky compass coding in the brain has been studied in great detail in the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria. These insects perform long-range migrations in Northern Africa and the Middle East following seasonal changes in rainfall. Highly specialized photoreceptors in a dorsal rim area of their compound eyes are sensitive to the polarization of the sky, generated by scattered sunlight. These signals are combined with direct information on the sun position in the optic lobe and anterior optic tubercle and converge from both eyes in a midline crossing brain structure, the central complex. Here, head direction coding is achieved by a compass-like arrangement of columns signaling solar azimuth through a 360° range of space by combining direct brightness cues from the sun with polarization cues matching the polarization pattern of the sky. Other directional cues derived from wind direction and internal self-rotation input are likely integrated. Signals are transmitted as coherent steering commands to descending neurons for directional control of locomotion and flight.

Sleep disordered breathing and haemoglobin A1c levels within or over normal range and ageing or sex differences: the Nagahama study.

Recently an association between blood glucose dysregulation and sleep disruption was suggested. The association between sleep disordered breathing, most of which is due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in the general population, and diabetic severity, as well as the impact of antidiabetic treatment, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate these associations as well as age and sex differences. This cross-sectional study evaluated 7,680 community participants as the main cohort (population-based cohort). OSA was assessed by the 3% oxygen desaturation index from pulse oximetry, which was corrected for sleep duration obtained by wrist actigraphy. For arguing the limitations for using pulse oximetry, 597 hospitalised patients, who were assessed by the apnea-hypopnea index from attended polysomnography, were also evaluated as the validation cohort (hospital-based cohort). Moderate-to-severe OSA was more prevalent as haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels increased (<5.6%/5.6%-<6.5%/6.5%-<7.5%/≥7.5%, respectively) in both cohorts (p < 0.001), but only in those without antidiabetic treatment. The HbA1c level was an independent factor for moderate-to-severe OSA (population-based cohort, odds ratio [OR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.45; hospital-based cohort, OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.22-2.33, per 1% increase). These associations were more prominent in the middle-aged (aged <60 years) than in the elderly (aged ≥60 years) and in women than in men in both cohorts. The prevalence of moderate-to-severe OSA in patients with antidiabetic treatment in the hospital-based cohort was ≥75% regardless of HbA1c levels. In conclusion, an association between the prevalence of OSA and HbA1c level even within or over the normal range was found only in patients without antidiabetic treatment and was more prominent in the middle-aged and in women.

Receptive field structures for two celestial compass cues at the input stage of the central complex in the locust brain.

Successful navigation depends on an animal's ability to perceive its spatial orientation relative to visual surroundings. Heading direction in insects is represented in the central complex (CX), a navigation center in the brain, to generate steering commands. In insects that navigate relative to sky compass signals, CX neurons are tuned to celestial cues indicating the location of the sun. The desert locust CX contains a compass-like representation of two related celestial cues: the direction of unpolarized direct sunlight and the pattern of polarized light, which depends on the sun position. Whether congruent tuning to these two compass cues emerges within the CX network or is inherited from CX input neurons is unclear. To address this question, we intracellularly recorded from GABA-immunoreactive TL neurons, which are input elements to the locust CX (corresponding to R neurons in Drosophila), while applying visual stimuli simulating unpolarized sunlight and polarized light across the hemisphere above the animal. We show that TL neurons have large receptive fields for both types of stimuli. However, faithful integration of polarization angles across the dorsal hemisphere, or matched-filter ability to encode particular sun positions, was found in only two out of 22 recordings. Those two neurons also showed a good match in sun position coding through polarized and unpolarized light signaling, whereas 20 neurons showed substantial mismatch in signaling of the two compass cues. The data, therefore, suggest that considerable refinement of azimuth coding based on sky compass signals occurs at the synapses from TL neurons to postsynaptic CX compass neurons.

Prospective associations of sleep apnea, periodic limb movements, and plasma fibrinogen level.

PURPOSE: Our previous cross-sectional study showed that periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) were frequently found in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and that both OSA and PLMS were associated with higher plasma fibrinogen levels. We explored the longitudinal relationships among these factors. METHODS: Plasma fibrinogen levels were measured in 333 consecutive patients who underwent polysomnography to diagnose OSA. Patients who initiated continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) underwent follow-up polysomnography after 3 months of CPAP use. They were categorized into groups with good or poor adherence (% days with ≥ 4 h/night of CPAP use ≥ 70% or < 70%, respectively). Changes in sleep parameters and plasma fibrinogen levels during the treatment period were compared between these groups. RESULTS: The cross-sectional analysis of all reviewed 333 patients indicated that fibrinogen levels were associated with the severities of OSA and PLMS. The 60 patients (27 good and 33 poor adherence) who underwent follow-up polysomnography were included in the longitudinal analysis. The median (interquartile range) periodic limb movement index did not change significantly from CPAP titration to the 3-month follow-up (good adherence: 10.5 (0-23.8) to 10.8 (0-70.2) events/h, p = 0.21; poor adherence: 1.2 (0-14.3) to 0.8 (0-15.7) events/h, p = 0.67). However, the plasma fibrinogen level significantly decreased only in the good adherence group (good adherence: baseline 275 ± 46 to follow-up 255 ± 47 mg/dl, p < 0.01; poor adherence: 277 ± 52 to 284 ± 70 mg/dl, p = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: These results did not support a longitudinal association between PLMS and OSA. However, good adherence to CPAP could reduce plasma fibrinogen levels, thus ameliorating elevations in plasma fibrinogen as a risk factor for future cardiovascular events.

Separate But Interactive Parallel Olfactory Processing Streams Governed by Different Types of GABAergic Feedback Neurons in the Mushroom Body of a Basal Insect.

The basic organization of the olfactory system has been the subject of extensive studies in vertebrates and invertebrates. In many animals, GABA-ergic neurons inhibit spike activities of higher-order olfactory neurons and help sparsening of their odor representations. In the cockroach, two different types of GABA-immunoreactive interneurons (calyceal giants [CGs]) mainly project to the base and lip regions of the calyces (input areas) of the mushroom body (MB), a second-order olfactory center. The base and lip regions receive axon terminals of two different types of projection neurons, which receive synapses from different classes of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), and receive dendrites of different classes of Kenyon cells, MB intrinsic neurons. We performed intracellular recordings from pairs of CGs and MB output neurons (MBONs) of male American cockroaches, the latter receiving synapses from Kenyon cells, and we found that a CG receives excitatory synapses from an MBON and that odor responses of the MBON are changed by current injection into the CG. Such feedback effects, however, were often weak or absent in pairs of neurons that belong to different streams, suggesting parallel organization of the recurrent pathways, although interactions between different streams were also evident. Cross-covariance analysis of the spike activities of CGs and MBONs suggested that odor stimulation produces synchronized spike activities in MBONs and then in CGs. We suggest that there are separate but interactive parallel streams to process odors detected by different OSNs throughout the olfactory processing system in cockroaches.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Organizational principles of the olfactory system have been the subject of extensive studies. In cockroaches, signals from olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) in two different classes of sensilla are sent to two different classes of projection neurons, which terminate in different areas of the mushroom body (MB), each area having dendrites of different classes of MB intrinsic neurons (Kenyon cells) and terminations of different classes of GABAergic neurons. Physiological and morphological assessments derived from simultaneous intracellular recordings/stainings from GABAergic neurons and MB output neurons suggested that GABAergic neurons play feedback roles and that odors detected by OSNs are processed in separate but interactive processing streams throughout the central olfactory system.

Sleep disordered breathing and metabolic comorbidities across sex and menopausal status in East Asians: the Nagahama Study.

It is well known that the prevalence of sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is increased in patients with obesity or metabolic comorbidities. However, the way in which the prevalence of SDB increases in relation to comorbidities according to the severity of obesity remains unclear.This cross-sectional study evaluated 7713 community participants using nocturnal oximetry ≥2 nights. SDB was assessed by the 3% oxygen desaturation index corrected for sleep duration obtained by wrist actigraphy (acti-ODI3%). SDB severity was defined by acti-ODI3%. Obesity was defined as body mass index ≥25 kg·m-2The prevalence of SDB was 41.0% (95% CI 39.9-42.1%), 46.9% (45.8-48.0%), 10.1% (9.5-10.8%) and 2.0% (1.7-2.3%) in normal, mild, moderate and severe SDB, respectively, with notable sex differences evident (males>post-menopausal females>premenopausal females). Comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome were independently associated with the prevalence of moderate-to-severe SDB, and coincidence of any one of these with obesity was associated with a higher probability of moderate-to-severe SDB (hypertension OR 8.2, 95% CI 6.6-10.2; diabetes OR 7.8, 95% CI 5.6-10.9; metabolic syndrome OR 6.7, 95% CI 5.2-8.6). Dyslipidaemia in addition to obesity was not additively associated with the prevalence of moderate-to-severe SDB. The number of antihypertensive drugs was associated with SDB (p for trend <0.001). Proportion of a high cumulative percentage of sleep time with oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry <90% increased, even among moderate-to-severe SDB with increases in obesity.Metabolic comorbidities contribute to SDB regardless of the degree of obesity. We should recognise the extremely high prevalence of moderate-to-severe SDB in patients with obesity and metabolic comorbidities.

Aberrant CD137 ligand expression induced by GATA6 overexpression promotes tumor progression in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

CD137 and its ligand, CD137L, are expressed on activated T cells and antigen-presenting cells, respectively. Recent studies have shown that CD137L and CD137 are aberrantly expressed by tumor cells, especially in some hematopoietic malignancies, and interactions between these molecules on tumor cells promote tumor growth. In this study, we investigated the roles of CD137L and CD137 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), represented by mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome. Flow cytometric analysis showed that primary Sézary cells and CTCL cell lines (Hut78, MyLa, HH, SeAx, and MJ) aberrantly expressed CD137L. CD137L expression by tumor cells in CTCL was also confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Anti-CD137L-neutralizing antibody inhibited proliferation, survival, CXCR4-mediated migration, and in vivo growth in CTCL cell lines through inhibition of phosphorylation of AKT, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK. Moreover, suppression of CD137L signaling decreased antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and phosphorylated Bad. We also explored the transcription factor regulating CD137L expression. Because GATA6 has been proposed as an oncogene in many types of tumors with aberrant CD137L expression, we examined GATA6 expression and the involvement of GATA6 in CD137L expression in CTCL. DNA hypomethylation and histone acetylation induced GATA6 overexpression in CTCL cells. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter assay, and knockdown by short hairpin RNA showed that GATA6 directly upregulated CD137L expression. Inhibition of GATA6 resulted in decreased survival and in vivo growth in CTCL cells. Collectively, our findings prompt a novel therapeutic approach to CTCL based on the discovery that the GATA6/CD137L axis plays an important role in the tumorigenesis of CTCL.

Discrimination of psychrotolerant Bacillus cereus group based on MALDI-TOF MS analysis of ribosomal subunit proteins.

Psychrotolerant species of the Bacillus cereus group, Bacillus mycoides and Bacillus weihenstephanensis, can grow at ≥ 7 °C and are significant concerns for the food industry due to their ability to cause spoilage of refrigerated food. In addition to that, some strains of B. weihenstephanensis can produce emetic toxin, namely cereulide, which is known to cause vomiting. Therefore, rapid and simple methods to discriminate psychrotolerant B. cereus group species are crucial. Here, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and the S10-spc-alpha operon gene encoded ribosomal protein mass spectrum (S10-GERMS) method were used to discriminate psychrotolerant species of the B. cereus group based on a set of four ribosomal subunit proteins (S10, S16, S20 and L30). A total of 36 strains of B. cereus group were cultured on LB agar, and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. The four biomarkers successfully discriminated 12 strains of psychrotolerant species from mesophilic species of the B. cereus group. Furthermore, the four biomarkers also classified some Bacillus thuringiensis strains. MALDI-TOF MS analysis using the S10-GERMS method allowed simple and rapid discrimination of psychrotolerant species of the B. cereus group from other mesophilic species. This method has a possibility to enable manufacturers and distributors of refrigerated foods to control psychrotolerant species of the B. cereus group effectively.

CXCL17 Attenuates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Skin Inflammation by Recruiting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Regulatory T Cells.

CXCL17 is expressed in a variety of cancers and promotes tumor progression by recruiting myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). MDSCs suppress tumor immunity by attracting regulatory T cells (Tregs) into tumor sites through CCL5. In this study, we examined the role of CXCL17 in skin disorders. CXCL17 mRNA levels in psoriasis skin, but not in lesional skin of atopic dermatitis or cutaneous T cell lymphoma, were significantly higher than those in normal skin. CXCL17 was mainly expressed in the epidermis, and IFN-γ dose-dependently increased CXCL17 expression by human keratinocytes in vitro. As CXCL17 mRNA expression was increased by treatment with imiquimod (IMQ), we examined the effects of CXCL17 in IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Injection of recombinant CXCL17 into the ear before and during IMQ application decreased ear thickness, inflammatory cytokine expression, and the number of infiltrating cells compared with PBS injection. Flow cytometric analysis and immunofluorescent staining revealed that the numbers of MDSCs, which are CD11b+Gr-1+, and that of Tregs, which are CD4+CD25+, were higher in the ear of the CXCL17-injected mice than in PBS-injected mice. MDSCs, but not Tregs, showed chemotaxis to CXCL17 in vitro. When mice were injected with anti-CCL5 Ab or anti-CCL4 Ab simultaneously with recombinant CXCL17, ear thickness and cytokine expression increased to a similar level of mice treated with PBS and control IgG, suggesting that these chemokines were important for anti-inflammatory effects. Taken together, CXCL17 attenuates IMQ-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation by recruiting MDSCs and Tregs, which may be important for regulating excessive inflammation in psoriasis skin.

Expression of CCR3 and CCR4 Suggests a Poor Prognosis in Mycosis Fungoides and Sézary Syndrome.

Tumor cells in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma express limited numbers of chemokine receptors. We investigated the expression patterns of CXCR3, CCR3, CCR4 and CCR10 in mycosis fungoides, Sézary syndrome, lym-phomatoid papulosis and anaplastic large cell lymphoma in 121 skin biopsy samples. CXCR3 was expressed in 86% of mycosis fungoides cases but in no anaplastic large cell lymphoma cases. CCR3 was expressed in 73% of cases of CD30+ lymphoproliferative disorders such as lymphomatoid papulosis and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome patients with high CCR3 or CCR4 expression had a poorer survival prognosis than mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome patients whose tumor cells did not express these receptors. CCR10 was expressed in 50% of mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome cases and in 13% of cases with CD30+ lym-phoproliferative disorders. These results suggest that differential patterns of CXCR3, CCR3, CCR4 and CCR10 expression are useful for the diagnosis of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Moreover, expression of CCR3 or CCR4 suggests a poor prognosis in mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome.

Validity of spectral analysis based on heart rate variability from 1-minute or less ECG recordings.

BACKGROUND: To broaden the utility of heart rate variability (HRV) in clinical medicine and mass screening, results based on shorter electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings require validation with those based on standard 5-minute recordings. We investigated the association between HRV variables obtained from 5-minute ECGs with those obtained from ECGs shorter than 5 minutes. METHODS: Twenty-two participants aged 20-69 years underwent 5-minute resting ECG recordings in the supine position with natural breathing. Spectral analysis using MemCalc method was performed to calculate high-frequency (HF, which required at least 10 seconds) and low-frequency (LF, which required at least 30 seconds) components. Participants were not strictly preconditioned as in previous experimental studies in order to simulate a setting similar to that of a general health checkup. Associations of each variable between the 5-minute ECG recordings and those for shorter recordings were examined by Pearson's correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: HF and LF components were log-transformed based on their distributions. Correlation coefficients between 5-minute data and shorter recordings in the supine position with natural breathing ranged from 0.80 to 0.91 (HF by 10-second recording, 0.80; LF by 30-second recording, 0.83, respectively). Bland-Altman plots showed that gaps between the values from both methods slightly increased as the HF and LF component values increased. CONCLUSIONS: Although slight proportional errors were possible, values from standard 5-minute and shorter recordings in the supine position were strongly correlated. Our findings suggest that shorter ECG data without strict preconditioning can be reliably used for spectral analysis.

Increased Interleukin-19 Expression in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma and Atopic Dermatitis.

Interleukin-19 (IL-19), a pro-inflammatory cytokine known to stimulate the production of T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, is induced by IL-17A and highly expressed in the lesional skin of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (AD). This aim of this study was to investigate whether IL-19 is involved in cutaneous T-cell lym-phoma (CTCL) and AD. IL-19 levels were significantly higher in the sera of patients with AD and those with advanced-stage CTCL than in normal controls, correlating significantly with clinical disease markers. IL-19 mRNA levels in lesional skin of both diseases were significantly elevated. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that IL-19 was expressed in the epidermis of AD skin and CTCL skin. In vitro, IL-17A and IL-4 increased IL-19 mRNA expression in human keratinocytes. Thus, IL-19 was increased in the sera and skin of AD and CTCL. These results suggest that IL-19 is important for bridging Th17 to Th2 in these diseases.

Placental Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Together Regulate Tumour Progression via Increased Vasculature in Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma.

Angiogenesis is regarded as an essential step in supporting tumour growth and metastasis. In haematological malignancies, including cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), angiogenesis is increased and serum levels of some pro-angiogenic markers are elevated. The aim of this study was to investigate expression levels of placental growth factor (PlGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in lesional skin and sera in patients with CTCL, and to assess the association of these factors with development of CTCL. A further aim was to investigate the effect of PlGF on lymphoma cell growth in vivo using a tumour inoculation model. Expression of PlGF and VEGF-A were significantly elevated in CTCL skin. Tumour cells expressed PlGF in some cases. Serum PlGF levels were increased in patients with advanced CTCL and correlated with disease markers. Moreover, PlGF enhanced lymphoma cell growth in vivo through increasing tumour vasculature. These findings suggest that angiogenesis plays a role in the progression of CTCL and raises the possibility of using inhibitors of PlGF in CTCL therapy.

Effects of a pretarget distractor on saccade reaction times across space and time in monkeys and humans.

Previous studies have shown that the influence of a behaviorally irrelevant distractor on saccade reaction times (SRTs) varies depending on the temporal and spatial relationship between the distractor and the saccade target. We measured distractor influence on SRTs to a subsequently presented target, varying the spatial location and the timing between the distractor and the target. The distractor appeared at one of four equally eccentric locations, followed by a target (either 50 ms or 200 ms after) at one of 136 different locations encompassing an area of 20° square. We extensively tested two humans and two monkeys on this task to determine interspecies similarities and differences, since monkey neurophysiology is often used to interpret human behavioral findings. Results were similar across species; for the short interval (50 ms), SRTs were shortest to a target presented close to or at the distractor location and increased primarily as a function of the distance from the distractor. There was also an effect of distractor-target direction and visual field. For the long interval (200 ms) the results were inverted; SRTs were longest for short distances between the distractor and target and decreased as a function of distance from distractor. Both SRT patterns were well captured by a two-dimensional dynamic field model with short-distance excitation and long-distance inhibition, based upon known functional connectivity found in the superior colliculus that includes wide-spread excitation and inhibition. Based on these findings, we posit that the different time-dependent patterns of distractor-related SRTs can emerge from the same underlying neuronal mechanisms common to both species.

Vaccine Hesitancy and COVID-19 Risk Behaviors Associated with Social Media Use in Japan.

We examined the associations between the use of different types of media and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, as well as risk behaviors of COVID-19 infection, in Japan in late 2021. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted using rapid online surveys of residents in Iwate Prefecture from February 5 to 7, 2021, and from October 1 to 3, 2021. Each individual's risk of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 infection was calculated using a quantitative assessment tool (the microCOVID). Intention to get vaccinated for COVID-19 was assessed by self-report. Usage of five types of media for obtaining COVID-related information was assessed: (1) newspapers, (2) television or radio, (3) internet or news apps, (4) social network services (SNS) (excluding LINE, a popular messaging app), and (5) other. Reliance on SNS did not show significant associations with either intention to get vaccinated or engaging in risky behavior for acquiring COVID-19. Although users of the internet or news apps were marginally significantly less likely to engage in high-risk behavior, significant associations between vaccine hesitancy and the usage of the internet or news apps were found in the middle age and elderly groups (OR [95% confidence interval (CI)] in middle age: 1.55 [1.07-2.23]; in elderly; 9.24 [3.28-26.02]). The differential associations between different types of media use and COVID-19 prevention behaviors may assist in preparing for future pandemic outbreaks. One implication for public health risk communication is audience segmentation, such as emphasizing vaccine safety and effectiveness for older audiences.

[A case of Hashimoto's encephalopathy with acute onset of psychiatric symptoms and diffuse deep white matter lesions on brain MRI].

A 51-year-old man developed acute disturbances in consciousness and psychiatric symptoms one month prior to admission. He was referred and admitted to the Department of Psychiatry of our hospital and transferred to the neurology department because diffuse white matter lesions were found on his brain during MRI. 123I-IMP-SPECT showed extensive cerebral hypoperfusion mainly in the frontal lobes. Anti-Tg, anti-TPO, and anti-NAE antibodies were positive. These findings led to a diagnosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy. The patient responded to steroid pulse therapy, high-dose steroid therapy, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, showing improvement in symptoms and imaging findings. Hashimoto's encephalopathy often presents with MRI findings similar to those of limbic encephalitis, when the patient presents with acute consciousness disturbance and psychiatric symptoms. However, this case showed diffuse white matter lesions, which may be clinically important for the differential diagnosis.

Case report: A case of anti-recoverin antibody-positive encephalitis exhibiting Cotard and Capgras delusions that was successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy.

Recoverin is a neuron-specific calcium-binding protein that is mainly located in the retina and pineal gland. Few reports have described patients with anti-recoverin antibody-positive encephalitis, and no cases of psychosis associated with this encephalitis have been reported. We report a patient with anti-recoverin antibody-positive encephalitis with Cotard and Capgras delusions who was successfully treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The patient was a 25-year-old woman. She exhibited disorientation, executive function deficits, tremors in the upper limbs, generalized athetoid-like involuntary movements, hallucinations, incontinence, and fever, which led to her admission to our hospital. Upon admission, she complained of Cotard delusions. Various diagnostic tests, including cerebrospinal fluid analysis, antibody screening, and brain imaging, were unremarkable, except for positivity for serum anti-recoverin antibodies, non-specific general slowing on electroencephalography and decreased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the frontal and occipital lobes, and increased rCBF in the basal ganglia and pons on single-photon emission computed tomography. She was eventually diagnosed with encephalitis positive for anti-recoverin antibodies and treated with immunoglobulins and steroids. Her neurological symptoms improved temporarily, but three months later, psychiatric symptoms, i.e., suicidal thoughts and Cotard and Capgras delusions, were exaggerated. After ECT, her condition significantly improved. In conclusion, the present report suggests that pineal gland dysfunction due to anti-recoverin antibody or its cross-reactivity with neuron-specific calcium-binding proteins may contribute to the neuropsychiatric symptoms observed in anti-recoverin antibody-positive encephalitis and that ECT can be a viable treatment option if immunotherapy proves ineffective. Additionally, decreased rCBF in the prefrontal cortex may be associated with the clinical features of Capgras and Cotard delusions.

Sleep Restfulness in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Undergoing Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Therapy.

Objective Sleep restfulness is closely associated with mortality. Thus, it is an important sleep-related symptom in the general population. However, it is rarely evaluated in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) syndrome. The present study examined the importance of sleep restfulness in patients with OSA receiving continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Materials and Methods We administered sleep-related questionnaires, which included items such as subjective sleep duration and sleep restfulness, to 775 patients with OSA receiving CPAP therapy. Sleep restfulness was rated using a 5-point Likert-type scale, with the score of 5 indicating restfulness. Good adherence to CPAP therapy was defined as the use of CPAP therapy for at least 4 h per night in 70% of nights. Results We excluded 105 patients with lacking data. Thus, 670 patients were finally examined. In total, 29 (4.3%), 124 (18.5%), 139 (20.8%), 235 (35.1%), and 143 (14.3%) patients answered restless (1), somewhat restless (2), neither (3), somewhat restful (4), and restful (5) respectively. A total of 467 (69.7%) patients had good adherence to CPAP therapy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sleep restfulness was independently and positively associated with subjective sleep duration (≥ 7 hours) and good adherence to CPAP therapy. Conclusion Sleep restfulness was associated with subjective sleep duration and good adherence to CPAP therapy in patients with OSA. Favorable outcomes are significantly correlated with good adherence to CPAP therapy. Thus, sleep restfulness can be an indicator of a subtype that has favorable outcomes in patients after CPAP therapy.

Paraneoplastic Cerebellar Degeneration Accompanied by Seropositivity for Anti-GAD65, Anti-SOX-1 and Anti-VGCC Antibodies Due to Small-cell Lung Cancer.

Paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD) is a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome that is rarely accompanied by seropositivity with a combination of multiple antibodies. We herein report a 50-year-old man with PCD accompanied by small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). This patient was seropositive for anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase 65, anti-SRY-related HMG-box gene 1 and anti-voltage-gated calcium channel antibodies. After chemoradiation therapy without immunotherapy, cerebellar ataxia of the trunk and limbs markedly improved, along with a notable amelioration of SCLC. This case suggests that tumor therapy should be started immediately and that a panel of anti-neuronal antibodies should be evaluated when PCD with SCLC is suspected.