Poor physical fitness is independently associated with mild cognitive impairment in elderly Koreans

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between physical fitness and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in elderly Koreans. This was a cross-sectional study that involved 134 men and 299 women aged 65 to 88 years. Six senior fitness tests were used as independent variables: 30 s chair stand for lower body strength, arm curl for upper body strength, chair-sit-and-reach for lower body flexibility, back scratch for upper body flexibility, 8-ft up-and-go for agility/dynamic balance, and 2-min walk for aerobic endurance. Global cognitive function was assessed using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Potential covariates such as age, education levels, blood lipids, and insulin resistance (IR) markers were also assessed. Compared to individuals without MMSE-based MCI, individuals with MMSE-based MCI had poor physical fitness based on the senior fitness test (SFT). There were significant positive trends observed for education level (p=0.001) and MMSE score (p<0.001) across incremental levels of physical fitness in this study population. Individuals with moderate (OR=0.341, p=0.006) and high (OR=0.271, p=0.007) physical fitness based on a composite score of the SFT measures were less likely to have MMSE-based MCI than individuals with low physical fitness (referent, OR=1). The strength of the association between moderate (OR=0.377, p=0.038) or high (OR=0.282, p=0.050) physical fitness and MMSE-based MCI was somewhat attenuated but remained statistically significant even after adjustment for the measured compounding factors. We found that poor physical fitness was independently associated with MMSE-based MCI in elderly Koreans.     

Morphological and genetic characterization of the sharpsnout seabream populations (Diplodus puntazzo,Sparidae) along a boundary area between the two Mediterranean basins

In order to test the potential ecological role of the Siculo-Tunisian Strait as a geographic barrier, the morphological and genetic variation of eight Tunisian samples of the sharpsnout seabream, Diplodus puntazzo, were studied, based on 23 truss network elements and 13 polymorphic allozyme loci. Significant morphological differences were observed between studied samples, especially between lagoon ones. Although genetic data did not support the detected morphometric variation, F-statistics indices (F_IS and F_ST) revealed a significant departure from panmixia with heterozygote deficiencies and slight genetic differentiation between samples. Genetic results suggested the existence of moderate and local genetic heterogeneity that can be explained by the chaotic genetic patchiness hypothesis. Morphological and genetic results showed that the Siculo-Tunisian Strait does not seem to act as a barrier limiting the connectivity between the natural populations of D. puntazzo, at least at the scale of the Tunisian coast. Thus, the phenotypic variation identified in this study appears to be environmentally induced through the exploitation of different ecological niches and hydrodynamic constraints.     

Molecular docking analysis of glycogen phosphorylase with inhibitors from Cissampelos pareira Linn.

Cissampelos pareira Linn. is a climbing herb known in Indian traditional medicine as laghupatha. It belongs to the Menispermaceae family. The enzyme glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is a promising target for the treatment of type-2 diabetes (T2DM). A variety of natural product inhibitors with both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical potential have been reported in the search for powerful, selective and drug-like GP inhibitors that could lead to hypoglycemic medicines. Therefore, it is of interest to document the molecular docking analysis data of glycogen phosphorylase with compounds from Cissampelos pareira Linn. We report the optimal binding features of 4 compounds namely Trans-N-feruloyltyramine, Coclaurine, Magnoflorine, and Curine with the target protein for further consideration in the context of T2DM.     

MTT assay based inhibition analysis of A2780 cells proliferation using Mollugo nudicaulis Lam. extract with CXCR4 and HER2 expression

It is of interest to document the inhibition of A2780 cell proliferation using Mollugo nudicaulis Lam.(M.nudicaulis) extract by MTT assay and by monitoring the CXCR4 and HER2 expression through RT-PCR analysis. Results shown that the n-hexane extract of M.nudicaulis have anticancer activity IC₅₀ values of 32.46±0.92 µg/mL on A2780 cell lines. It is further found that the CXCR4 and HER2 mRNA and protein expression were significantly reduced in M.nudicaulis treated A2780 cell lines. Thus, the n-hexane extract of M.nudicaulis is a natural source of bioactive compounds as potential anticancer agents.     

Copy number alterations and allelic ratio in relation to recurrence of rectal cancer

Background

In rectal cancer, total mesorectal excision surgery combined with preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy reduces local recurrence rates but does not improve overall patient survival, a result that may be due to the harmful side effects and/or co-morbidity of preoperative treatment. New biomarkers are needed to facilitate identification of rectal cancer patients at high risk for local recurrent disease. This would allow for preoperative (chemo)radiotherapy to be restricted to high-risk patients, thereby reducing overtreatment and allowing personalized treatment protocols. We analyzed genome-wide DNA copy number (CN) and allelic alterations in 112 tumors from preoperatively untreated rectal cancer patients. Sixty-six patients with local and/or distant recurrent disease were compared to matched controls without recurrence. Results were validated in a second cohort of tumors from 95 matched rectal cancer patients. Additionally, we performed a meta-analysis that included 42 studies reporting on CN alterations in colorectal cancer and compared results to our own data.

Results

The genomic profiles in our study were comparable to other rectal cancer studies. Results of the meta-analysis supported the hypothesis that colon cancer and rectal cancer may be distinct disease entities. In our discovery patient study cohort, allelic retention of chromosome 7 was significantly associated with local recurrent disease. Data from the validation cohort were supportive, albeit not statistically significant, of this finding.

Conclusions

We showed that retention of heterozygosity on chromosome 7 may be associated with local recurrence in rectal cancer. Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms and effect of retention of chromosome 7 on the development of local recurrent disease in rectal cancer.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-1550-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Range extension and conservation status of Cymbula nigra (Gastropoda: Patellidae) in the Tunisian shores

Cymbula nigra is the largest limpet in the Mediterranean. It has been listed since 1993, as an ‘endangered species’. Its historical range in the Mediterranean includes the southern Spanish, the Moroccan and the Algerian coasts. Recent observations have confirmed its proliferation in southern Spain and its progression along the European and North African Mediterranean coasts. Field surveys carried out along the Tunisian coasts during winter 2011 revealed the presence of this species in the Gulf of Tunis and the Cap Bon. The finding of C. nigra represents a range extension possibly enhanced by the current global warming, as it is a ‘warm‐water species’. The absence of records in previous surveys to the same sampling sites (2006–2007), together with the small sizes recorded in 2011, confirms the recent installation of the species. The limpet was recorded in areas spared of pollution, characterized by a predominant influence of the Atlantic current, and also showed a preference for steep cliffs exposed to strong waves. This is the first population study of this endangered gastropod outside of its original range of distribution. The determination of the ecological characteristics of newly colonized habitats might serve as a starting point for the establishment of appropriate recommendations for its conservation.     

FGF signalling through RAS/MAPK and PI3K pathways regulates cell movement and gene expression in the chicken primitive streak without affecting E-cadherin expression

Background  

FGF signalling regulates numerous aspects of early embryo development. During gastrulation in amniotes, epiblast cells undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the primitive streak to form the mesoderm and endoderm. In mice lacking FGFR1, epiblast cells in the primitive streak fail to downregulate E-cadherin and undergo EMT, and cell migration is inhibited. This study investigated how FGF signalling regulates cell movement and gene expression in the primitive streak of chicken embryos.