The control of the reproductive cycle of the shrimp Penueus kerathurus, held in captivity from early juvenile stages without eyestalk ablation, was attempted in two sets of experimental conditions during two successive years. In the first set of experiments, light regime, sex ratio and presence of sand substratum were assessed in relation to ovarian maturation and successful mating. Examination of thelyca obtained from cast exoskeletons showed that 40–82% successful mating had taken place. A sex ratio of 2:l female/male gave a higher percentage of fertilized females than a ratio of 1:l. The induction to full ovarian development was observed for every treatment except the tank without sand substrate, where no mated females were observed. In the second set of experiments, the role of diet, in particular the role played by a polychaete Nereis diversicolor, was assessed as a nutritive stimulator to induce maturation and spawning. With the same purpose, a parallel experiment in smaller aquaria was also conducted to assess the relative importance of mussel, squid, ragworm and crab and four composite diets consisting of two or three of the said food organisms. Nereis worm seemed to have a determinant role on the induction of shrimp ovarian maturation and spawning. The possible role of its fatty acids on shrimp reproduction is discussed. The experimental results suggest the possibility for extended control of the reproductive cycle of P. kerathurus in a controlled environment provided that proper food is available.

IntroductionAnti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis is a treatable autoimmune disease of the CNS with prominent neuropsychiatric features that primarily affects young adults and children.ObjectiveTo present the diagnosis course of a case of anti-NMDAR encephalitis in a patient with previous diagnosis of Schizophrenia.MethodsAnalysis of the patient's clinical records and of a PubMed database review, using “anti-NMDAR encephalitis” as keywords.ResultsWe report a single case of a 33-year-old man diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia in 2009 that after 1 year of treatment abandoned follow-up. Six years later, the patient presented to the psychiatric emergency department with persistent headaches, abnormal behavior and loss of motor skill. He was admitted to the psychiatric ward with a presumptive diagnosis of “Catatonic Schizophrenia” and began to manifest fluctuating catatonic symptoms (captured in video). Neuroleptics and benzodiazepines were tried without success. There was a clinical deterioration with autonomic dysfunction, breathing instability and seizures. Complementary exams revealed: EEG with slow base activity; brain MRI with right temporal pole and right frontobasal lesions compatible with head trauma; CSF with pleocytosis; and positive anti-NMDAR antibodies. Occult neoplasm was excluded. Treatment with high-dose steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, followed by cyclophosphamide resulted in relevant clinical improvement.ConclusionsAs early detection of antibodies may allow for earlier treatment of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which is associated with better outcomes, we believe the present case underscores the importance of clinicians maintaining vigilance for neuropsychiatric symptoms that have not adequately responded to therapy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Anti-N-Mmethyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system with prominent neurologic and psychiatric features. Symptoms appear progressively and sometimes with an exclusively psychiatric initial presentation. The patient’s evaluation should be meticulous, and we should use all the diagnostic tests required for the exclusion of entities that can mimic this disease. We report the diagnostic investigation of a case of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis in a patient with a previous diagnosis of schizophrenia with poor response to antipsychotics. The aim of this case report is to highlight the importance of close surveillance for neuropsychiatric symptoms, especially catatonia, and to recognize autoimmune encephalitis in the differential diagnosis of psychotic disorders with neurological symptoms and resistance or intolerance to antipsychotics. A prompt diagnosis will contribute to a faster onset of therapy and an overall improvement in prognosis.

IntroductionCentro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa (C.H.P.L.), in Lisbon, Portugal, is the biggest psychiatric hospital in Portugal and one of the oldest still working. Along with acute inpatient clinics it has long duration inpatient units with 226 patients.Objectives/aimsCharacterize and improve the therapeutic approaches in patients committed to the long duration inpatient unit with long hospitalization times and the diagnose of schizophrenia.MethodsDuring the month of September 2015 all patients, committed before 2000 who fulfilled the diagnosis criteria ICD 10, F20.X (Schizophrenia) were characterized regarding age, gender, time of hospitalization and were evaluated using the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS).ResultsFrom the original sample (n = 226), 31 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 64.4 years (min 50–max 91) and the majority were male (67.7%; n = 21). The mean years of hospitalization were 28.7 years (min 15–max 60). The average total PANSS score was 99.8 (positive symptoms: 25.4; negative symptoms: 29.9; general symptoms: 44.4).ConclusionsAlthough in last decades many psychiatric hospitals were closed and community approaches to treatment of the mentally ill were the direction preconized by several international organizations, some patients still “live” in the hospital. Mostly, as we found in our study, have a severe, refractory disease, sometimes with behaviour changes that unable them to be discharged. With the continuous evolution of psychopharmacological drug treatment, this paradigm may change. Meanwhile other therapeutic approaches should be used to improve the disease symptoms.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

IntroductionHypergraphia is an extensive writing tendency sometimes coupled with hyperreliogiosity and atypical sexuality, completing a syndrome described by Waxman and Geschwind in 1975 during interictal phases of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Nevertheless, it may arise from any temporolimbic lesion, usually in the right hemisphere, in contrast to the schizophreniform psychosis more often seen in left-sided lesions.ObjectiveA review on the lateralizing significance of temporolimbic lesions, highlighting the (un)specificity of hypergraphia, after a case report concerning a patient with both hypergraphia and schizophreniform psychosis.MethodsAnalyse patient's clinical records and PubMed review, using hypergraphia, epilepsy and psychosis as keywords.ResultsWe report a 74-year-old male admitted due to aggressiveness. The patient had a traumatic brain injury in his 20s with secondary left temporal epilepsy. He lived in a psychiatric asylum, for almost 40 years, with the diagnosis of schizophrenia, showing fluctuant atypical sexual behavior. After being transinstitutionalized to community nursing-home he developed meningoencephalitis, leading to medication change and behavior relapse. He showed viscosity, circumstantiality, soliloquy, euthymic mood and normal cognition. He wrote profusely, e.g. lists of various categories and letters to eminent clerics and politics. His diary was scanned for illustrative purpose.ConclusionsHypergraphia is an uncommon but easy to find symptom that deserves the full attention of the clinician, especially in the differential diagnosis between schizophreniform psychosis and temporal epilepsy.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.