Background: and Purpose Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are frequent in dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), yet their reported associations with white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) remain inconsistent. We examined item-level associations between WMHs and NPS across Alzheimer’s disease dementia (ADD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and amnestic MCI (aMCI). Methods: This multicenter retrospective study involved 523 patients: 276 with ADD, 67 with DLB, and 180 with aMCI. Three-dimensional T1-weighted and T2–fluid-attenuated inversion recovery magnetic resonance images were processed with BAAD (Brain Anatomical Analysis using Diffeomorphic Deformation) software to quantify WMH volume (WMHV) and gray matter volume (GMV), normalized to total intracranial volume (TIV). NPS were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Multiple regression analyses were performed within each group, adjusting for GMV/TIV, age, sex, years of education, Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes score, and institution. Results: In the aMCI group, higher WMHV/TIV was positively associated with depression, apathy, and disinhibition, and negatively with delusions. Subregional analyses revealed NPSspecific topographic patterns. No significant associations were detected in the ADD or DLB group. GMV/TIV was positively associated with delusions in the ADD group, but negatively associated with hallucinations in the DLB group. Conclusions Associations between WMHs and NPS were evident in the aMCI group but absent in the ADD and DLB groups, suggesting a stage-dependent effect. WMHs may contribute to NPS primarily in prodromal stages, whereas their influence may be overshadowed by neurodegenerative pathology in dementia. Clarifying the mechanisms underlying WMHs is critical for evaluating their potential as intervention targets.

This study aimed to assess the current state of knowledge regarding radiation and evaluate the effectiveness of a test-linked illustrated video lecture designed to enhance understanding. Radiation is used in various fields, including medicine, industry, and power generation; however, it poses potential health risks and accident hazards. Consequently, the dissemination and acquisition of accurate knowledge is socially significant. However, in Japan, opportunities to acquire foundational knowledge are limited and systematic education is not prevalent. To supplement this educational shortage, it is necessary to develop teaching materials that are easy for learners to understand and that promote understanding efficiently in a short time.　This study involved 94 first-year students from the Faculty of Pharmacy who viewed a 10 minute video on the basic properties of radiation, its effects on the human body, and its medical applications. Changes in knowledge were quantitatively assessed by comparing the comprehension test scores before and after viewing the video. The initial comprehension test scores (10 questions, each worth 10 points) averaged 42.6±15.4 and 39.3±17.9 points for male and female students, respectively, indicating a low level of comprehension with no significant gender differences. Conversely, in the retest following the video, both male and female students scored 85.6±13.7 and 85.2±18.6 points, respectively, demonstrating a high level of comprehension and a significant increase compared with the initial test (male: P<0.001, female: P<0.001）. These findings suggest that illustrated lectures can serve as an effective tool for enhancing comprehension irrespective of gender.

Clinical studies have shown that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans(A.actinomycetemcomitans)is associated with aggressive periodontitis and can potentially trigger or exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis(RA).However,the mechanism is poorly understood.Here,we show that systemic infection with A.actinomycetemcomitans triggers the progression of arthritis in mice anti-collagen antibody-induced arthritis(CAIA)model following IL-1β secretion and cell infiltration in paws in a manner that is dependent on caspase-11-mediated inflammasome activation in macrophages.The administration of polymyxin B(PMB),chloroquine,and anti-CD11b antibody suppressed inflammasome activation in macrophages and arthritis in mice,suggesting that the recognition of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)in the cytosol after bacterial degradation by lysosomes and invasion via CD11b are needed to trigger arthritis following inflammasome activation in macrophages.These data reveal that the inhibition of caspase-11-mediated inflammasome activation potentiates aggravation of RA induced by infection with A.actinomycetemcomitans.This work highlights how RA can be progressed by inflammasome activation as a result of periodontitis-associated bacterial infection and discusses the mechanism of inflammasome activation in response to infection with A.actinomycetemcomitans.

Objective：This study aimed to examine the effects of kilohertz-frequency alternating current (KFAC) on muscle performance and adverse event in patients with neuromuscular skeletal disorders.Methods：A literature search was conducted in PubMed, PEDro, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL until September 2017. The reviewer extracted data on subject characteristics, intervention, target muscle, and outcome measures in accordance with the Cochrane Handbook.Results：The literature search yielded 1295 studies, and 3 studies met the inclusion criteria (n＝32；mean age：45.3 years). KFAC stimulation combined with land-based exercise was likely more effective in increasing the quadriceps femoris muscle strength than exercise alone in patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, KFAC was not superior to low-frequency pulsed current in increasing pedaling work in patients with spinal cord injury. No severe adverse event relevant to KFAC was reported in all 3 studies. The quality of evidence was very low according to the GRADE approach.Conclusion：Additional KFAC may be more effective than exercise alone in improving the quadriceps femoris muscle strength in patients after TKA without any severe adverse event. Further studies to investigate the effects of KFAC are warranted to increase the confidence for the effects of KFAC treatment.