Deterioration of Cough, Respiratory, and Vocal Cord Functions in Patients with Multiple System Atrophy.

The purpose of this study was to clarify changes in cough function in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Seventeen probable patients with MSA were studied. Peak cough flow (PCF), respiratory function (percentage of vital capacity, percentage of forced vital capacity, and percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in one second), respiratory muscle strength (percentage of maximal inspiratory mouth pressure and percentage of maximal expiratory mouth pressure), and maximum phonation time (MPT) were assessed.

Effects of Rehabilitative Intervention for Augmenting Cough Function in Patients with Multiple System Atrophy.

Objectives: One of the causes of death in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) is aspiration pneumonia caused by cough dysfunction. This study aimed to identify an effective approach to improve coughing and to explore the establishment of criteria for the use of gastrostomy based on cough and respiratory dysfunctions.

Methods: Eighteen probable MSA patients participated in the study.

Differential effects of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) on motor execution and motor adaptation process in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration.

Background: The cerebellum is known to play a crucial role in sensori-motor adaptation, which includes the prism adaptation. TRH has been widely used as a treatment for cerebellar ataxia in Japan, however effects of TRH on cerebellar adaptation process have not been studied. Here, we studied effects of TRH treatment on the prism adaptation task.

Prodromal headache in anti-NMDAR encephalitis: An epiphenomenon of NMDAR autoimmunity.

Objective: To investigate the nature of prodromal headache in anti-NMDA receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.

Methods: Retrospective review of the clinical information of 39 patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis admitted between January 1999 and September 2017. Five patients with an atypical presentation were excluded.

Practical issues in measuring autoantibodies to neuronal cell-surface antigens in autoimmune neurological disorders: 190 cases.

Objectives: To address practical issues in measuring autoantibodies to neuronal cell-surface antigens (NSAs) in various autoimmune neurological disorders (ANDs).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical information of 221 patients with clinically suspected ANDs who underwent antibody testing for NSAs between January 2007 and September 2017. 31 were excluded.

Pitfalls in clinical diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

Objectives: To report pitfalls in the clinical diagnosis of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical information of 221 patients with clinically suspected autoimmune neurological disorders who underwent testing for autoantibodies against neuronal cell-surface antigens between January 1, 2007 and September 10, 2017. Forty-one patients met the diagnostic criteria for probable anti-NMDAR encephalitis (probable criteria), but one was excluded because neither serum nor CSF was examined at the active stage.

Dasatinib-associated reversible demyelinating peripheral polyneuropathy in a case of chronic myeloid leukemia.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are essential for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Adverse effects of dasatinib have been reported; however, few reports have highlighted the association between dasatinib and demyelinating peripheral neuropathy (DPN). We report a patient with CML who developed acute onset of DPN associated with dasatinib therapy.

Cryptogenic NORSE: Its distinctive clinical features and response to immunotherapy.

Objective: To report the distinctive clinical features of cryptogenic new-onset refractory status epilepticus (C-NORSE) and the C-NORSE score based on initial clinical assessments.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 136 patients with clinically suspected autoimmune encephalitis who underwent testing for autoantibodies to neuronal surface antigens between January 1, 2007, and August 31, 2016. Eleven patients with C-NORSE were identified.

Association of Progressive Cerebellar Atrophy With Long-term Outcome in Patients With Anti-N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis.

Importance: Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is an immune-mediated disorder that occurs with IgG antibodies against the GluN1 subunit of NMDAR. Some patients develop reversible diffuse cerebral atrophy (DCA), but the long-term clinical significance of progressive brain and cerebellar atrophy is unknown.

Objective: To report the long-term clinical implications of DCA and cerebellar atrophy in anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Biphasic neurovascular changes in prolonged migraine aura in familial hemiplegic migraine type 2.

Objective: To report biphasic changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the acute phase of hemiplegic migraine with prolonged aura (HMPA), in which aura symptoms lasted longer than 24 h, in three patients with familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM) carrying a p.H916L mutation in ATP1A2 gene.

Methods: We assessed neurovascular changes with time in the affected cerebral hemisphere corresponding to aura symptoms during the acute phase of HMPA.

Prolonging hypothermic storage (4 C) of bovine embryos with fish antifreeze protein.

Embryos obtained via superovulation are necessary for mammalian artificial reproduction, and viability is a key determinant of success. Nonfreezing storage at 4 C is possible, but currently used storage solutions can maintain embryo viability for only 24-48 h. Here we found that 10 mg/ml antifreeze protein (AFP) dissolved in culture medium 199 with 20% (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 25 mM HEPES could keep bovine embryos alive for 10 days at 4 C.

[Clinical spectrum of anti-glycine receptor antibody-associated disease].

Anti-glycine receptor (anti-GlyR) antibodies were first reported in 2008 in a case of progressive encephalomyelitis with myoclonus and rigidity (PERM), which is a variant of stiff-person syndrome (SPS). After that, the antibodies have been studied extensively. At least 40 patients have been reported or presented until May 2013.