Emotions are associated with the genesis of visually induced motion sickness in virtual reality

Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is a well-known side effect of virtual reality (VR) immersion, with symptoms including nausea, disorientation, and oculomotor discomfort. Previous studies have shown that pleasant music, odor, and taste can mitigate VIMS symptomatology, but the mechanism by which this occurs remains unclear. We predicted that positive emotions influence the VIMS-reducing effects. To investigate this, we conducted an experimental study with 68 subjects divided into two groups. The groups were exposed to either positive or neutral emotions before and during the VIMS-provoking stimulus. Otherwise, they performed exactly the same task of estimating the time-to-contact while confronted with a VIMS-provoking moving starfield stimulation. Emotions were induced by means of pre-tested videos and with International Affective Picture System (IAPS) images embedded in the starfield simulation. We monitored emotion induction before, during, and after the simulation, using the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM) valence and arousal scales. VIMS was assessed before and after exposure using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and during simulation using the Fast Motion Sickness Scale (FMS) and FMS-D for dizziness symptoms. VIMS symptomatology did not differ between groups, but valence and arousal were correlated with perceived VIMS symptoms. For instance, reported positive valence prior to VR exposure was found to be related to milder VIMS symptoms and, conversely, experienced symptoms during simulation were negatively related to subjects’ valence. This study sheds light on the complex and potentially bidirectional relationship of VIMS and emotions and provides starting points for further research on the use of positive emotions to prevent VIMS

Concurrent light chain amyloidosis and proximal tubulopathy: Insights into different aggregation behavior—A case report

Abstract Due to differences in the protein folding mechanisms, it is exceedingly rare for amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis and monoclonal gammopathy of renal significance (MGRS) to coexist. We herein report the first case of concurrent AL amyloidosis and a subclass of MGRS, light chain proximal tubulopathy (LCPT). The 53‐year‐old female was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma immunoglobulin G kappa and AL amyloidosis with deposits in fat and gastrointestinal tissue. The kidney biopsy did not show amyloid deposits but electron microscopy revealed the presence of LCPT with crystal formation in proximal tubular epithelial cells. This case illustrates the complex pathophysiology of protein deposition in monoclonal gammopathies