The lateral accessory lobe (LAL) and the ventral protocerebrum (VPC) are a pair of symmetrical neural structures in the insect brain. The LAL-VPC is regarded as the major target of olfactory responding neurons as well as the control center for olfactory-evoked sequential zigzag turns. Previous studies of the silkworm moth Bombyx mori showed that these turns are controlled by long-lasting anti-phasic activities of the flip-flopping descending neurons with dendrites in the LAL-VPC. To elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying the generation of this alternating activity between the LAL-VPC units of both hemispheres, we first analyzed the detailed neural architecture of the LAL-VPC and identified five subregions. We then investigated the morphology and physiological responses of the LAL-VPC neurons by intracellular recording and staining and morphologically identified three types of bilateral neurons and three types of unilateral neurons. Bilateral neurons showed either brief or cyclic long-lasting responses. At least some neurons of the latter type produced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Unilateral neurons linking the LAL and VPC, in contrast, showed long-lasting or quick alternating activity. Timing analysis of the activity onset of each neural type suggests that quick reciprocal neural transmission between unilateral neurons would be responsible for the generation of long-lasting activity in one LAL-VPC unit, which lasts for up to a few seconds. Reciprocal inhibition and excitation by the bilateral neurons with long-lasting activities would mediate the alternating long-lasting activity between both LAL-VPC units, which might last for up to 20 seconds.

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We report a case of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)-positive ileal extraosseous plasmacytoma containing plasmablastic lymphoma components with CD20-positive lymph node involvement. A 34-year-old healthy Japanese male developed intussusception due to an ileal plasmacytoma. The lesion was positive for EBV-encoded small nuclear RNA in in situ hybridization, with the surrounding lymph nodes showing the expression of CD20. Tumor cells in the ileal and lymph node lesions contained high-grade malignant features compatible with plasmablastic lymphoma. Because his abdominal lymph nodes recurred 6 months after resection, he received six cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone), and had a complete remission. Although his case was complicated by acute promyelocytic leukemia, he has so far survived, recurrence-free, for more than 7.5 years after chemotherapy for extraosseous plasmacytoma.

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare, hemorrhagic autoimmune disease, whose pathogenesis involves reduced coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) activity related to the appearance of inhibitors against FVIII. Common etiological factors include autoimmune diseases, malignancy, and pregnancy. We report two cases of AHA in solid cancer. The first case is a 63-year-old man who developed peritoneal and intestinal bleeding after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. He was diagnosed with AHA, and was treated with prednisone, followed by cyclophosphamide. In the second case, a 68-year-old man developed a subcutaneous hemorrhage. He was diagnosed with AHA in hepatocellular carcinoma on CT imaging, and treated with rituximab alone. Hemostasis was achieved for both patients without bypassing agents as the amount of inhibitors was reduced and eradicated. However, both patients died within 1 year due to cancer progression. Successful treatment for AHA in solid cancer can be difficult because treatment of the underlying malignancy is also required.