Dementia is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, often associated with metabolic and nutritional dysregulation. Evidence highlights the influence of nutritional factors on cognitive health, offering avenues for prevention and management. Epidemiological studies link Mediterranean and DASH diets with reduced cognitive decline risk, due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Deficiencies in nutrients like vitamin B₁₂, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids have been implicated in elevated homocysteine levels and neuroinflammation, contributing to dementia pathogenesis. Ketones represent a promising alternative brain energy source, potentially mitigating cognitive deficits. Short-chain fatty acids modulate inflammation, while proteins and amino acids are integral to neurotransmitter synthesis, influencing cognition. Supplementation trials show mixed results, but omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants demonstrate potential benefits in specific subpopulations. Nutrition plays a role in attenuating neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, while promoting neuroplasticity and synaptic integrity. Importantly, systemic factors contributing to dementia risk, such as lifestyle-related diseases and metabolic disorders, vary among individuals. Recent advancements in personalized nutritional therapy using artificial intelligence, such as the AICOG (AI Cognitive Outcome Generator) system, analyze health check-up data to identify individual dementia risks and provide tailored nutritional guidance. This innovative approach combines general dietary strategies like the MIND diet with customized interventions based on individual systemic factors, potentially offering superior efficacy in dementia prevention. Future research should emphasize longitudinal studies and personalized nutrition approaches, accounting for genetic, metabolic, and lifestyle factors. This review summarizes evidence on dietary patterns, nutrient deficiencies, and supplementation strategies in relation to dementia risk and progression.

Purpose: The number and proportion of natural killer (NK) cells has not been shown to directly correlate with NK cell activity. It has been suggested that the expression patterns of NK cell surface antigens may influence their activity, but there is no quantitative assessment of cell surface antigen expression patterns in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to identify expression patterns of NK cell surface antigens that correlate with NK cell activity and to quantitatively assess the correlation between antigen expression patterns and NK cell activity.

Methods: NK cell cytotoxicity assays and two-color flow cytometry were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes from 18 healthy individuals. The correlation between coexpression patterns of NK cell surface antigens (CD16/CD56, CD16/CD57) and NK cell cytotoxicity was quantitatively evaluated.

Results: Pearson's correlation coefficients for CD16+CD56+ and CD16+CD57+ were 0.78 and 0.68, while CD16-CD56- and CD16-CD57- were -0.63 and -0.49, respectively. NK cell activity was positively correlated with CD16+CD56+ (p < 0.001) and CD16+CD57+ (p = 0.002) expression, but negatively correlated with CD16-CD56- (p = 0.005) and CD16-CD57- (p = 0.040) expression.

Conclusions: Both CD16/CD56 and CD16/CD57 expressions influenced NK cell activity, but coexpression patterns of CD16/CD56 tended to be more sensitive than those of CD16/CD57 for predicting NK cell activity.

Background: Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic strategies. PTEN is a tumor suppressor that regulates cell proliferation and survival. The Midkine (MK) promoter, which is selectively active in cancer cells, offers a promising approach to gene therapy. This study investigated MK promoter-driven PTEN delivery using lentiviral vectors for selective bladder cancer treatment.

Methods: Lentiviral vectors expressing PTEN under the MK promoter (MKp-PTEN) or cytomegalovirus promoter (CMV-PTEN) were introduced into bladder cancer (5637, T24, and 253J) and non-malignant (PNT1A) cell lines. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay, and statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance.

Results: MKp-PTEN significantly inhibited the proliferation of bladder cancer cells, especially 253J and 5637 cells, with a stronger effect than CMV-PTEN. In non-malignant PNT1A cells, MKp-PTEN caused a minor, statistically insignificant reduction in viability compared with CMV-PTEN. These findings provide preliminary, proof-of-concept evidence that MK promoter-driven PTEN expression is a promising pre-clinical strategy for a tumor-specific therapy for bladder cancer.

With the rapid spread of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, adolescents have unprecedented access to instant, private health information, yet little is known about how they use these tools for physical and mental health or how they view associated risks. This study explored prevalence, motivations, and perceptions of AI use for health and mental health advice among high school students.

A cross-sectional questionnaire was completed by 146 students aged 14–18 at an international high school in Tokyo, Japan. Items assessed AI use, motivations, perceived helpfulness and accuracy, preferred sources of help for serious concerns, and qualitative reflections.

Most participants (76.6%) had used AI for health questions, and 11.6% were frequent users; key motivations included convenience (52.1%), curiosity (37.7%), and privacy (19.9%). About one-third reported using AI for both physical and mental health, with fewer using it for mental health alone. Helpfulness and accuracy were mixed: about one third found AI helpful, one fifth unhelpful, half neutral; one third rated responses moderately accurate, none very accurate. For serious health concerns, teens would primarily approach parents or guardians, followed by clinicians and friends, with only a small minority turning first to AI. Qualitative comments highlighted AI's accessibility and privacy but also concerns about misinformation and safety.

AI already functions as a common entry point for adolescent health information, yet trust in its accuracy and safety is limited. Improving accuracy, transparency, and digital health literacy will be essential before AI can be safely integrated into adolescent health support ecosystems.

Healthy centenarians are compelling exemplars of successful aging. For nearly five decades, the Okinawa Centenarian Study has documented biological, psychosocial, and cultural correlates of exceptional longevity in Okinawa, Japan-long recognized as a "Blue Zone." This commentary synthesizes historical context, the role of residential public health nurses, and findings from our "Ikigai" (life meaning) survey of 224 robust centenarians, alongside illustrative case vignettes. While Okinawa once led Japan and the world in life expectancy and low cardiovascular mortality, rapid westernization has coincided with a shift from robust, home-dwelling centenarians toward a higher proportion of dementia and bed-ridden status. We discuss "resilient longevity," compression of morbidity, and ikigai as advance (protective) factors, and highlight policy challenges in maintaining social cohesion, purpose, and healthy behaviors amid lifestyle transitions.