Blueberries possess abundant anthocyanins, which benefit eye health. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective functional role of blueberry anthocyanin extract (BAE) and its predominant constituents, malvidin (Mv), malvidin-3-glucoside (Mv-3-glc), and malvidin-3-galactoside (Mv-3-gal), on high glucose- (HG-) induced injury in human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRCECs). The results showed that BAE, Mv, Mv-3-glc, and Mv-3-gal enhanced cell viability (P < 0.05 versus the HG group at 24 h); decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS, P < 0.01 versus the HG group both at 24 and 48 h); and increased the enzyme activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P < 0.05 versus the HG group both at 24 and 48 h). Mv could greatly inhibit HG-induced Nox4 expression both at 24 and 48 h (P < 0.05), while BAE and Mv-3-gal downregulated Nox4 only at 48 h (P < 0.05). Mv, Mv-3-glc, and Mv-3-gal also changed nitric oxide (NO) levels (P < 0.05). BAE and Mv-3-glc also influenced angiogenesis by decreasing the vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) level and inhibiting Akt pathway (P < 0.05). Moreover, Mv and Mv-3-glc inhibited HG-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1, P < 0.001) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) (P < 0.05). It indicated that blueberry anthocyanins protected HRCECs via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, which could be promising molecules for the development of nutraceuticals to prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

No abstract

The oriental fruit moth Grapholita ( = Cydia) molesta is a key fruit pest globally. Despite its economic importance, little is known about its population genetics in its putative native range that includes China. We used five polymorphic microsatellite loci and two mitochondrial gene sequences to characterize the population genetic diversity and genetic structure of G. molesta from nine sublocations in three regions of a major fruit growing area of China. Larval samples were collected throughout the season from peach, and in late season, after host switch by the moth to pome fruit, also from apple and pear. We found high numbers of microsatellite alleles and mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in all regions, together with a high number of private alleles and of haplotypes at all sublocations, providing strong evidence that the sampled area belongs to the origin of this species. Samples collected from peach at all sublocations were geographically structured, and a significant albeit weak pattern of isolation-by-distance was found among populations, likely reflecting the low flight capacity of this moth. Interestingly, populations sampled from apple and pear in the late season showed a structure differing from that of populations sampled from peach throughout the season, indicating a selective host switch of a certain part of the population only. The recently detected various olfactory genotypes in G. molesta may underly this selective host switch. These genetic data yield, for the first time, an understanding of population dynamics of G. molesta in its native range, and of a selective host switch from peach to pome fruit, which may have a broad applicability to other global fruit production areas for designing suitable pest management strategies.

Changes in cardiovascular physiology in Parkinson's disease (PD) are common and may occur prior to diagnostic parkinsonian motor signs. We investigated associations of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities, orthostasis, heart rate variability, and carotid stenosis with the risk of PD diagnosis in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a community‐based cohort of older adults. ECG abnormality, orthostasis (symptomatic or asymptomatic), heart rate variability (24‐hour Holter monitoring), and any carotid stenosis (≥1%) by ultrasound were modeled as primary predictors of incident PD diagnosis using multivariable logistic regression. Incident PD cases were identified by at least 1 of the following: self‐report, antiparkinsonian medication use, and ICD‐9. If unadjusted models were significant, they were adjusted or stratified by age, sex, and smoking status, and those in which predictors were still significant (P ≤ .05) were also adjusted for race, diabetes, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein, blood pressure, body mass index, physical activity, education level, stroke, and C‐reactive protein. Of 5888 participants, 154 incident PD cases were identified over 14 years of follow‐up. After adjusting models with all covariates, those with any ECG abnormality (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02–2.07; P = .04) or any carotid stenosis (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.40–4.09; P = .001) at baseline had a higher risk of incident PD diagnosis. Orthostasis and heart rate variability were not significant predictors. This exploratory study suggests that carotid stenosis and ECG abnormalities occur prior to motor signs in PD, thus serving as potential premotor features or risk factors for PD diagnosis. Replication is needed in a population with more thorough ascertainment of PD onset. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society

Overall, this meta-analysis finds no relation between n-3 PUFAs intake and risk of CRC. The observed subsite heterogeneity within colon cancer and the possible effect modification by latency time merit further studies.

No abstract

Background: Nonpharmacological interventions are the first recommendation for cancerrelated fatigue, according to current guidelines. There are many forms of nonpharmacological interventions for addressing cancer-related fatigue, but the preferred means remain controversial and are not stated in the guidelines. Therefore, we evaluated the comparative effects and ranks of all major nonpharmacological interventions, according to different assessment methods, in cancer patients with fatigue.Methods: Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Allied and Complementary Medicine Database were searched for randomized controlled trials on nonpharmacological treatments for cancer-related fatigue. We assessed the trials' methodological quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. A Bayesian network meta-analysis and a comparative effects ranking were performed with Aggregate Data Drug Information System software.Results: A total of 16,675 items were obtained from the databases, and 182 studies comprising 18,491 participants were included in the analysis. Based on the ranking probabilities, multimodal therapy and qigong ranked best with a Brief Fatigue Inventory; for a Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-fatigue scale, combined psychosocial therapies and bright white light therapy ranked best; for the Piper Fatigue Scale, resistance exercise and mindfulness-based stress reduction ranked best; for a multidimensional fatigue inventory, multimodal therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ranked best; for the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), acupuncture and CBT ranked best; and for the Profile of Mood States Fatigue Subscale, multimodal therapy, qigong, aerobic exercise, and CBT ranked best. Comprehensive analysis of the results indicated that multimodal therapy, CBT, and qigong might be the optimum selections for reducing cancer-related fatigue. Most of the included studies had low risk of methodological quality problems; however, 59 studies had low methodological quality.Linking Evidence to Action: Different interventions have their own sets of advantages for addressing cancer-related fatigue. These results can be utilized as evidence-based interventions for healthcare workers and patients to manage cancer-related fatigue.