Walnut Oil Reduces Aβ Levels and Increases Neurite Length in a Cellular Model of Early Alzheimer Disease

(1) Background: Mitochondria are the cells’ main source of energy. Mitochondrial dysfunction represents a key hallmark of aging and is linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Maintaining mitochondrial function might contribute to healthy aging and the prevention of AD. The Mediterranean diet, including walnuts, seems to prevent age-related neurodegeneration. Walnuts are a rich source of α-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential n3-fatty acid and the precursor for n3-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n3-PUFA), which might potentially improve mitochondrial function. (2) Methods: We tested whether a lipophilic walnut extract (WE) affects mitochondrial function and other parameters in human SH-SY5Y cells transfected with the neuronal amyloid precursor protein (APP695). Walnut lipids were extracted using a Soxhlet Extraction System and analyzed using GC/MS and HPLC/FD. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations were quantified under basal conditions in cell culture, as well as after rotenone-induced stress. Neurite outgrowth was investigated, as well as membrane integrity, cellular reactive oxygen species, cellular peroxidase activity, and citrate synthase activity. Beta-amyloid (Aβ) was quantified using homogenous time-resolved fluorescence. (3) Results: The main constituents of WE are linoleic acid, oleic acid, α-linolenic acid, and γ- and δ-tocopherol. Basal ATP levels following rotenone treatment, as well as citrate synthase activity, were increased after WE treatment. WE significantly increased cellular reactive oxygen species but lowered peroxidase activity. Membrane integrity was not affected. Furthermore, WE treatment reduced Aβ_1–40 and stimulated neurite growth. (4) Conclusions: WE might increase ATP production after induction of mitochondrial biogenesis. Decreased Aβ_1–40 formation and enhanced ATP levels might enhance neurite growth, making WE a potential agent to enhance neuronal function and to prevent the development of AD. In this sense, WE could be a promising agent for the prevention of AD.     

Risky alcohol use among reproductive-age men, not women, in Mae La refugee camp, Thailand, 2009

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Globally, alcohol use contributes to close to 4% of all deaths and is a leading cause of ill health and premature death among men of reproductive age. Problem alcohol use is an unaddressed public health issue among populations displaced by conflict. Assessing the magnitude of the problem and identifying affected groups and risk behaviours is difficult in mobile and unstable populations. METHODS: From 15--28 December 2009 we conducted a simple rapid screening test of risky alcohol use using the single item modified Short Assessment Screening Questionnaire (mSASQ) by all women currently enrolled in the antenatal care clinic in Mae La refugee camp, a long standing displaced setting on the Thai Burma border. Women self- reported and gave a secondary report of their male partners. Gender differences in alcohol use were further explored in semi-structured interviews with camp residents on attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs regarding alcohol and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Of 636 women screened in the antenatal clinic, almost none (0.2%, 95CI 0.0-0.9%) reported risky alcohol use prior to pregnancy, whereas around a quarter (24.4%, 95CI 21.2-27.9%) reported risky alcohol use by their male partners. Interviews with 97 camp residents described strong social controls against women's alcohol use and men's drinking to intoxication, despite a dominant perception that the social context of life in displacement promoted alcohol use and that controls are loosening. CONCLUSIONS: As a stigmatised behaviour, alcohol use is difficult to assess, particularly in the context of highly mobile adult male populations: the simple assessment methods here show that it is feasible to obtain adequate data for the purposes of intervention design. The data suggest that risky drinking is common and normalised among men, but that the population may have been partially protected from rapid rises in problem alcohol use observed in nation-wide data from Thailand. The changing social context contains vulnerabilities that might promote problem alcohol use: further investigation, ongoing monitoring, and development of targeted interventions are warranted.     

APC promoter methylation and protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose We investigated the impact of promoter methylation on APC protein expression in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methods 50 patients [HCC (n=19), liver metastasis (n=19), cholangiocellular cancer (n=7), and benign liver tumors (n=5)] were studied for methylation using Methylight analysis. APC mutation was investigated by protein truncation test and direct sequencing of genomic DNA. The protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Results The APC promoter was hypermethylated in 81.8% of non-cancerous liver tissue samples. All HCC samples and ten patients with liver metastasis (52.6%) exhibited APC promoter methylation. The degree of methylation was significantly higher in samples from HCC compared to the non-cancerous liver tissue samples (63.1% vs. 24.98%; p=0.001). The level of APC protein expression was significantly reduced in HCC samples compared to that of the corresponding non-tumor liver tissue (p<0.05). Conclusions Promoter methylation of the APC gene seems to be of significance in hepatocarcinogenesis and results in reduced protein expression in HCC. Interestingly, APC promoter methylation is also present in the vast majority of non-cancerous liver tissue whose (patho)physiological function remains unresolved.     

Impact of Physical Activities on Frailty in Community-Dwelling Older Women

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine whether increased physical activities (PA) affect frailty for old women, 75 years and older (OO), compared to 60–74 years old (YO). Methods: This cross-sectional study measured 19 frailty indicators (muscle strength and endurance, balance, gait characteristics, and function), using 46 community-dwelling women. PA were divided into three levels by caloric expenditure per week (<2,000 kcal/week, 2,000–3,999 kcal/week, >4,000 kcal/week). Results: As PA level increased, a gap (=difference) between OO and YO narrowed for step length and function, but for quadriceps strength and endurance, a gap widened. Conclusions: Frailty progresses with aging but older women who engage in a high level of physical activity (>4,000 kcal/week) can increase mobility and functional capacity, but not for muscle strength and endurance. Starting regular resistance training activities early in the aging process is critical to improve or maintain muscle quality to offset age-related frailty.     

EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WORD PROCESSING AND VERBAL SHORT-TERM MEMORY: EVIDENCE FROM ASSOCIATIONS AND DISSOCIATIONS

Abstract

A theory of the cognitive organisation of lexical processing, verbal short-term memory, and verbal learning is presented along with a summary of data that bear on this issue. We conceive of verbal STM as the outcome of processing that invokes both a specialised short-term memory and the lexical system. On this model, performance of verbal STM tasks depends on the integrity of lexical knowledge, access to that knowledge, and processes that encode serial order information.