We implemented a multimodal approach to examine associations between structural and neurochemical changes that could signify neurodegenerative processes related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Fifty-nine older adults (60–85 years; 22 MCI) underwent whole-brain structural 3T MRI (T1W, T2W, DTI) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H-MRS). The regions of interest (ROIs) for ¹H-MRS measurements were the dorsal posterior cingulate cortex, left hippocampal cortex, left medial temporal cortex, left primary sensorimotor cortex, and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. The findings revealed that subjects in the MCI group showed moderate to strong positive associations between the total N-acetylaspartate to total creatine and the total N-acetylaspartate to myo-inositol ratios in the hippocampus and dorsal posterior cingulate cortex and fractional anisotropy (FA) of WM tracts crossing these regions—specifically, the left temporal tapetum, right corona radiata, and right posterior cingulate gyri. In addition, negative associations between the myo-inositol to total creatine ratio and FA of the left temporal tapetum and right posterior cingulate gyri were observed. These observations suggest that the biochemical integrity of the hippocampus and cingulate cortex is associated with a microstructural organization of ipsilateral WM tracts originating in the hippocampus. Specifically, elevated myo-inositol might be an underlying mechanism for decreased connectivity between the hippocampus and the prefrontal/cingulate cortex in MCI.

Background: Mycetoma is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria or fungi which typically affects the skin, deep tissues, and bones. This case involves bone mycetoma in an immunocompetent patient, marking the first known instance of actinomycetoma caused by Gordonia rubripertincta. Case Report: A 25-year-old male presented with severe pain and deformity in his left foot, symptoms that began five years prior after stepping on a wire. Initial surgery provided temporary relief, but symptoms worsened over time. Doxycycline treatment was ineffective. Skin biopsies were performed. The patient was diagnosed with actinomycetoma, with Gordonia rubripertincta identified in culture. Although initial improvement was observed with amoxicillin–clavulanate treatment, the condition later worsened, requiring long-term penicillin therapy and eventual surgical excision. Despite treatment, symptoms persisted, leading to a bone biopsy that showed no microorganism growth. A six-week course of ampicillin–sulbactam and ciprofloxacin, along with offloading, decreased pain and stabilized radiological findings. Conclusion: Gordonia infections mean there is no universally established treatment protocol. This case underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with mycetoma, particularly in non-tropical regions.

Objectives: While longitudinal studies have linked parietal lobe structure and muscle mass, no resistance exercise studies have evaluated whether interventions can have a positive impact on parietal lobe structure. Therefore, we investigated the effects of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) and blood-flow restriction training (BFRT) on cortical thickness and white matter integrity in the parietal region, as well as in other regions, in an exploratory manner. Methods: A total of 63 older men were assigned to BFRT, HIRT or control groups for 12 weeks of intervention. A total of 48 participants completed brain and thigh magnetic resonance imaging before and after intervention. Cortical thickness was assessed using FreeSurfer, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were calculated using ExploreDTI, thigh muscle anatomical cross-sectional area was measured from MRI. Results: A significant difference in cortical thickness was observed only in HIRT group in the left parietal cortex—inferior parietal, supramarginal and posterior cingulate. Exploratory analyses revealed cortical thickness changes in other left-hemisphere regions, including the temporal (bankssts, inferior temporal), frontal (medial orbitofrontal, precentral, rostral middle frontal), and occipital (lateral occipital) cortices. In contrast, the BFRT group showed significant FA value change in parietal region – in left inferior parietal, left precuneus and right superior parietal. Exploratory analyses showed FA value change in additional regions in the BFRT group, including the left frontal (caudal middle frontal and superior frontal), left temporal (fusiform), right occipital (lateral occipital), and in the HIRT group, in the left frontal region (pars opercularis). Conclusions: HIRT and BFRT were associated with beneficial brain structural changes, although through distinct neurobiological mechanisms, with HIRT primarily influencing cortical thickness and BFRT predominantly affecting white matter microstructure.