Endoscopic findings do not predict per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) response.

INTRODUCTION: Gastroparesis is a life-altering diagnosis caused by the stomach's inability to function in the absence of a mechanical obstruction. The primary causes are idiopathic, diabetic, and postoperative. Our first-line treatment for medical refractory gastroparesis is the endoscopic per-oral pyloromyotomy (POP) procedure. Predicting clinical response cost effectively remains elusive. METHODS: All patients who underwent a POP procedure at our institution by a single surgical endoscopist from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. All endoscopic data were prospectively collected. The patients were followed by a survey including the Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI) and other relevant postoperative measures. The primary endpoint was clinical response defined as ≥ 1.0 decrease in the GCSI from preoperative to the time of survey. Secondary outcome was normalization of the gastric emptying study (GES). RESULTS: Our patient population is 85% female and has an average age of 44.8 years. The diagnosis of gastroparesis is 71% iatrogenic, 19% postoperative, and 10% diabetic. On endoscopy, 30% had bile in the stomach and 65% had any degree of pylorospasm. The primary outcome measure of clinical response was 39% at an average of 697 ± 151 days post-POP, but 66% of patients attested to an improvement in their symptoms. Of 68 postoperative gastric emptying studies 50% normalized at an average of 145 ± 98 days. Following univariate and multivariate analyses of preoperative data and endoscopic findings, there were no significant predictors of clinical response. A preoperative GCSI ≥ 2.6 trends toward significance (OR 6.87, p = 0.058). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic findings at the time of POP do not correlate with clinical response. The GCSI model currently used to measure clinical response may not accurately capture the full clinical picture. The long-term durability of endoscopic myotomy to treat medical refractory gastroparesis needs to be studied further to improve patient selection.

Quantifying the subjective: length-to-height ratio characterizes achalasia esophageal tortuosity.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal morphology in achalasia is thought to affect outcomes, with "end-stage" sigmoidal morphology faring poorly; however, evaluation of morphology's role in outcomes has been limited by lack of objective characterization. Hence, the goals of this study were twofold: characterize the variability of timed barium esophagram (TBE) interpretation and evaluate an objective classification of TBE tortuosity: length-to-height ratio (LHR). We hypothesized that the esophagus must elongate to become sigmoidal such that sigmoidal morphology would demonstrate a larger LHR. METHODS: Ninety pre-operative TBEs were selected from an institutional database. Esophageal morphology was categorized as straight, intermediate, or sigmoidal. Esophageal length was measured by a mid-lumen line from the aortic knob to the esophagogastric junction on TBE; height was measured vertically from the aortic knob to the level of the esophagogastric junction. The length divided by the height generated the LHR. Descriptive statistics and frequency of expert agreement were calculated. Median LHR was compared between consensus morphologies. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) determined the optimal LHR for sigmoidal vs non-sigmoidal characterization. RESULTS: From a total of 90 pre-operative TBEs, expert consensus morphology was reached in 56 (62.2%) cases. Pairs of experts agreed on morphology in 62-74% of TBEs, with all three experts agreeing on 46.7-48.9% of cases. Median LHR between expert consensus morphologies was 1.03, 1.09, and 1.24 for straight, intermediate, and sigmoidal morphologies, respectively (p < 0.001). ROC demonstrated that an LHR cutoff of 1.13 was 100% sensitive and 95% specific (AUC 0.99) for ruling out sigmoidal morphology. CONCLUSION: These findings confirm our anecdotal experience that subjective morphology interpretation is variable, even between experts at a high-volume center. LHR provides an objective method for classification, allowing us to overcome the limitations of inter-observer variability, thus paving the way for future study of the role of morphology in achalasia outcomes.

Primary single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) versus sleeve gastrectomy to SADI conversions: a comparison study of prevalence and safety.

BACKGROUND: Conversion from sleeve gastrectomy (SG) to single anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass (SADI) is becoming increasingly common, but data regarding safety is of these conversions is scarce. As such, the objective of this study was to compare the 30-day rate of serious complications and mortality of primary SADI (p-SADI-S) with SG to SADI (SG-SADI) conversions. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the MBSAQIP database. Patients undergoing p-SADI-S and SG-SADI were included. Data collection was limited to 2020 and 2021. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed between groups to determine if SG-SADI was an independent predictor of 30-day serious complications or mortality. RESULTS: A total of 783 patients were included in this study, 488 (62.3%) underwent p-SADI-S and 295 (37.6%) underwent SG-SADI. The mean body mass index (BMI) at the time of surgery was lower in the SG-SADI cohort (45.1 vs 51.4 kg/m2, p < 0.001). Indications for revision in the SG-SADI cohort included weight recurrence (50.8%), inadequate weight loss (41.0%), other (3.0%), GERD (2.7%), and persistent comorbidities (2.5%). SG-SADI had longer operative times (156.7 vs 142.1 min, p < 0.001) and was not associated with a higher rate of serious complications (5.7 vs 6.9%, p = 0.508) compared to p-SADI-S. p-SADI-S was associated with a higher rate of pneumonia (1.2 vs 0.0%, p < 0.001), and SG-SADI was not correlated with higher rates of reoperation (3.0 vs 3.2%, p = 0.861), readmission (5.4 vs 5.5%, p = 0.948) and death (0.0 vs 0.2%, p = 0.437). On multivariable analysis, SG-SADI was not independently predictive of serious complications (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.43 to 1.52, p = 0.514) when adjusting for age, sex, BMI, comorbidities, and operative time. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of SG-SADI is high, representing 37.6% of SADI-S procedures. Conversion from sleeve to SADI, is safe, and as opposed to other studies of revisional bariatric surgery, has similar 30-day complication rates to primary SADI-S.

Proteome Changes Reveal the Protective Roles of Exogenous Citric Acid in Alleviating Cu Toxicity in Brassica napus L.

Citric acid (CA), as an organic chelator, plays a vital role in alleviating copper (Cu) stress-mediated oxidative damage, wherein a number of molecular mechanisms alter in plants. However, it remains largely unknown how CA regulates differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) in response to Cu stress in Brassica napus L. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the proteome changes in the leaves of B. L. seedlings in response to CA-mediated alleviation of Cu stress. Exposure of 21-day-old seedlings to Cu (25 and 50 µM) and CA (1.0 mM) for 7 days exhibited a dramatic inhibition of overall growth and considerable increase in the enzymatic activities (POD, SOD, CAT). Using a label-free proteome approach, a total of 6345 proteins were identified in differentially treated leaves, from which 426 proteins were differentially expressed among the treatment groups. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathways analysis revealed that most of the differential abundance proteins were found to be involved in energy and carbohydrate metabolism, photosynthesis, protein metabolism, stress and defense, metal detoxification, and cell wall reorganization. Our results suggest that the downregulation of chlorophyll biosynthetic proteins involved in photosynthesis were consistent with reduced chlorophyll content. The increased abundance of proteins involved in stress and defense indicates that these DAPs might provide significant insights into the adaptation of Brassica seedlings to Cu stress. The abundances of key proteins were further verified by monitoring the mRNA expression level of the respective transcripts. Taken together, these findings provide a potential molecular mechanism towards Cu stress tolerance and open a new route in accelerating the phytoextraction of Cu through exogenous application of CA in B. napus.

Proteome characterization of copper stress responses in the roots of sorghum.

Copper (Cu) is a important micronutrient for plants, but it is extremely toxic to plants at high concentration and can inactivate and disturb protein structures. To explore the Cu stress-induced tolerance mechanism, the present study was conducted on the roots of sorghum seedlings exposed to 50 and 100 µM CuSO4 for 5 days. Accumulation of Cu increased in roots when the seedlings were treated with the highest concentration of Cu2+ ions (100 µM). Elevated Cu concentration provoked notable reduction of Fe, Zn, Ca, and Mn uptake in the roots of sorghum seedlings. In the proteome analysis, high-throughput two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF-TOF MS was performed to explore the molecular responses of Cu-induced sorghum seedling roots. In two-dimensional silver-stained gels, 422 protein spots were identified in the 2-D gel whereas twenty-one protein spots (≥1.5-fold) were used to analyze mass spectrometry from Cu-induced sorghum roots. Among the 21 differentially expressed proteins, 10 proteins were increased, while 11 proteins were decreased due to the intake of Cu ions by roots of sorghum. Abundance of most of the identified proteins from the roots that function in stress response and metabolism was remarkably enhanced, while proteins involved in transcription and regulation were severely reduced. Taken together, these results imply insights into a potential molecular mechanism towards Cu stress in C4 plant, sorghum.

Chemical Constituents Isolated from Bletilla striata and Their Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide Production in RAW 264.7 Cells.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the MeOH extract of the tubers of Bletilla striata led to the isolation of two new C-methylated flavan-3-ols, bletillanols A (1) and B (2), along with ten known compounds (3 - 12). Their structures were determined by using extensive spectroscopic analysis including 1D-, 2D-NMR, and circular dichroism data. All of the isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory potential on the nitric oxide generation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.

Leaf proteome characterization in the context of physiological and morphological changes in response to copper stress in sorghum.

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient required for normal growth and development of plants; however, at elevated concentrations in soil, copper is also generally considered to be one of the most toxic metals to plant cells due to its inhibitory effects against many physiological and biochemical processes. In spite of its potential physiological and economical significance, molecular mechanisms under Cu stress has so far been grossly overlooked in sorghum. To explore the molecular alterations that occur in response to copper stress, the present study was performed in ten-day-old Cu-exposed leaves of sorghum seedlings. The growth characteristics were markedly inhibited, and ionic alterations were prominently observed in the leaves when the seedlings were exposed to different concentrations (0, 100, and 150 µM) of CuSO4. Using two-dimensional gels with silver staining, 643 differentially expressed protein spots (≥1.5-fold) were identified as either significantly increased or reduced in abundance. Of these spots, a total of 24 protein spots (≥1.5-fold) from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves were successfully analyzed by MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrometry. Of the 24 differentially expressed proteins from Cu-exposed sorghum leaves, 13 proteins were up-regulated, and 11 proteins were down-regulated. The abundance of most identified protein species, which function in carbohydrate metabolism, stress defense and protein translation, was significantly enhanced, while that of another protein species involved in energy metabolism, photosynthesis and growth and development were severely reduced. The resulting differences in protein expression patterns together with related morpho-physiological processes suggested that these results could help to elucidate plant adaptation to Cu stress and provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of Cu responses in C4 plants.

Anti-inflammatory effect of tricin 4'-O-(threo-ß-guaiacylglyceryl) ether, a novel flavonolignan compound isolated from Njavara on in RAW264.7 cells and in ear mice edema.

Although recent study has shown tricin 4'-O-(threo-ß-guaiacylglyceryl) ether (TTGE), an isolated compound from Njavara rice, to have the most potent anti-inflammatory effects, the action mechanism has not been fully understood. Here, we examined the effect of TTGE on the inflammation and elucidated the potential mechanism. We demonstrated that TTGE significantly inhibited LPS-induced NO and ROS generation in RAW264.7 cells, which was correlated with the down-regulating effect of TTGE on the iNOS and COX-2 expression via NF-κB and STAT3. TPA-induced ear edema was also efficiently inhibited by the TTGE treatment. TTGE blocked the induction of iNOS and COX-2 through the regulation of NF-κB and STAT3, which could explain the reduced TPA-induced edema symptoms. Moreover, the introduction of ERK inhibitor abrogated the anti-inflammatory effect of TTGE via the recovery of NF-κB and STAT3 signalings. Taken together, these results suggest that TTGE has anti-inflammatory properties through down-regulation of NF-κB and STAT3 pathways.

Breast-specific gamma imaging: correlations with mammographic and clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the correlations between breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) findings and mammographic and clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 56 breast cancers that had undergone BSGI between August 2010 and December 2012. We reviewed imaging findings (BSGI and mammography) with histopathologic findings, including tumor size, histologic type, nuclear grade, presence of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and presence of extensive intraductal component (EIC); and immunochemical features, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (ERBB2, formerly HER2), Ki67, and p53. We classified cancers into positive or negative groups on the basis of BSGI visibility and investigated the statistical differences in mammographic and histopathologic characteristics between the BSGI-positive and -negative groups. RESULTS: Among 56 malignancies, 48 (85.7%) were shown to be BSGI positive. Patients in the BSGI-positive group were statistically significantly older than those in the BSGI-negative group (p = 0.027). BSGI-positive cancers were statistically significantly larger than BSGI-negative cancers (p = 0.002). Cancers 1.0 cm or larger, unlike those of subcentimeter size, were statistically significantly more visible on BSGI (p = 0.004). The mammographic findings and mammographic densities did not statistically significantly differ between the BSGI-positive and -negative groups. Invasiveness of cancer showed no statistically significant difference on BSGI finding. Cancers with a DCIS component tended to be BSGI positive, but without statistical significance (p = 0.051). Visibility on BSGI was not statistically significantly associated with EIC, nuclear grade, ER, PR, ERBB2, Ki67, and p53. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of BSGI for breast cancer was 85.7%. Breast cancers in older patients, cancers larger than 1.0 cm, and cancers with the DCIS component tended to be visible on BSGI. BSGI was an equally sensitive tool to detect the breast cancer in women with fatty and dense breast.

Profiling of mitochondrial proteome in wheat roots.

Mitochondria are important organelles for cellular respiration within the eukaryotic cell and have many important functions including vitamin synthesis, amino acid metabolism and photorespiration. To investigate the mitochondrial proteome of the roots of wheat seedlings, a systematic and targeted analysis were carried out on the mitochondrial proteome from 15 day-old wheat seedling root material. Mitochondria were isolated by Percoll gradient centrifugation; and extracted proteins were disassociated and analyzed by Tricine SDS-PAGE couple to LTQ-FTICR mass spectrometry. From the isolated the sample, 184 proteins were identified which is composed of 140 proteins as mitochondria and 44 proteins as other subcellular proteins that are predicted by the freeware sub-cellular predictor. The identified proteins in mitochondria were functionally classified into 12 classes using the ProtFun 2.2 servers based on biological processes. Proteins were shown to be involved in amino acid biosynthesis (17.1%), biosynthesis of cofactors (6.4%), cell envelope (11.4%), central intermediary metabolism (10%), energy metabolism (20%), fatty acid metabolism (0.7%), purines and pyrimidines (5.7%), regulatory functions (0.7%), replication and transcription (1.4%), translation (22.1%), transport and binding (1.4%), and unknown (2.8%). These results indicate that many of the protein components present and functions of identifying proteins are common to other profiles of mitochondrial proteins performed to date. These results are provided the extensive and noble clues, to our knowledge, of mitochondrial proteins from wheat roots.

Near infrared ray annealing effects on the properties of Al-doped ZnO thin films prepared by spin-coating method.

In this research, we will present Al doped ZnO thin films for transparent conducting oxide applications. Aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films have been deposited on the glass substrates by sol-gel spin-coating method using zinc acetate dehydrate (Zn(CH3COO)2 2H2O) and aluminum chloride hexahydrate (AlCl3 x 6H2O) as cation sources. In this study, we investigated the effects of near infrared ray (NIR) annealing on the structural, optical and electrical characteristics of the AZO thin films. The experimental results showed that AZO thin films have a hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure and had a good transmittance higher than 85% within the visible wavelength region. It was also found that the additional energy of NIR helps to improve the electrical properties of Al doped ZnO transparent conducting oxides.

Efficient Plant Regeneration System from Leaf Explant Cultures of Daphne genkwa via Somatic Embryogenesis.

This study aimed to establish an efficient plant regeneration system from leaf-derived embryogenic structure cultures of Daphne genkwa. To induce embryogenic structures, fully expanded leaf explants of D. genkwa were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 mg·L-1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), respectively. After 8 weeks of incubation, the highest frequency of embryogenic structure formation reached 100% when the leaf explants were cultivated on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 to 1 mg·L-1 2,4-D. At higher concentrations of 2,4-D (over 2 mg·L-1 2,4-D), the frequency of embryogenic structure formation significantly declined. Similar to 2,4-D, indole butyric acid (IBA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) treatments were also able to form embryogenic structures. However, the frequency of embryogenic structure formation was lower than that of 2,4-D. In particular, the yellow embryonic structure (YES) and white embryonic structure (WES) were simultaneously developed from the leaf explants of D. genkwa on culture medium containing 2,4-D, IBA, and NAA, respectively. Embryogenic calluses (ECs) were formed from the YES after subsequent rounds of subculture on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg·L-1 2,4-D. To regenerate whole plants, the embryogenic callus (EC) and the two embryogenic structures (YES and WES) were transferred onto MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg·L-1 6-benzyl aminopurine (BA). The YES had the highest plant regeneration potential via somatic embryo and shoot development compared to the EC and WES. To our knowledge, this is the first successful report of a plant regeneration system via the somatic embryogenesis of D. genkwa. Thus, the embryogenic structures and plant regeneration system of D. genkwa could be applied to mass proliferation and genetic modification for pharmaceutical metabolite production in D. genkwa.

Metabolic Discrimination between Adventitious Roots and Standard Medicinal Part of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. Using FT-IR Spectroscopy.

This study aims to examine the metabolic discrimination between in vitro grown adventitious roots and the standard medicinal parts of Atractylodes macrocephala. To achieve this goal, firstly, in vitro culture conditions of adventitious roots such as indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) concentrations, types of media, inorganic salt strength of culture medium, and elicitor types and concentrations were optimized. The optimal culture conditions for proliferation of adventitious roots was found to consist of Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 5 mg L-1 IBA. Whole cell extracts from adventitious roots and the standard medicinal parts of A. macrocephala were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) from FT-IR spectral data showed that adventitious roots and standard medicinal parts were clearly distinguished in the PCA and PLS-DA score plot. Furthermore, the overall metabolite pattern from adventitious roots was changed depending on the dose-dependent manner of chemicals. These results suggest that FT-IR spectroscopy can be applied as an alternative tool for the screening of higher metabolic root lines and for discriminating metabolic similarity between in vitro grown adventitious roots and the standard medicinal parts. In addition, the adventitious roots proliferation system established in this study can be directly applied as an alternative means for the commercial production of A. macrocephala.

Optimization of nafion ionomer content using synthesized Pt/carbon nanofibers catalyst in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.

In this study, carbon nanofiber (CNF) was used as a support in which 47.5 wt% Pt/CNFs catalyst was prepared by a modified polyol method. The platinum particle size and dispersion on the CNFs are approximately 2-4 nm as determined by X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The specific surface area was approximated as 55.90 m2/g by BET analysis. Electrodes were prepared by the spray method and have a size of 5 cm2. A commercial catalyst (TKK, 46 wt% Pt/C) was used as the anode and the cathode was Pt/CNFs. Different amounts of Nafion ionomer (Aldrich, 5 wt% solution, in the range of 0-20 wt%) were coated on a membrane (Dupont, Nafion 212) with 0.4 mg/cm2 of Pt catalyst at the cathode side. The resulting polarization, ohmic and mass transfer resistances changed significantly based on the Nafion ionomer content. Optimum Nafion ionomer content in the 47.5 wt% Pt/CNFs was 5 wt%. The well-dispersed Nafion ionomer was observed on the catalyst surface area using SEM-EDAX analysis. A sufficient triple-phase boundary was formed by a small amount of Nation ionomer due to the BET surface area of the Pt/CNFs.

Diagnostic value of peritumoral minimum apparent diffusion coefficient for differentiation of glioblastoma multiforme from solitary metastatic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: In glioblastoma multiforme, the peritumoral region may be infiltrated with malignant cells in addition to vasogenic edema, whereas in a metastatic deposit, the peritumoral areas comprise predominantly vasogenic edema. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can be used to differentiate glioblastoma from solitary metastasis on the basis of cellularity levels in the enhancing tumor and in the peritumoral region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients underwent conventional MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) before undergoing treatment. The minimum ADC was measured in the enhancing tumor, peritumoral region, and contralateral normal white matter. To determine whether there was a statistical difference between metastasis and glioblastoma, we analyzed patient age and sex, minimum ADC value, and ADC ratio of the two groups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the cutoff value of the minimum ADC that had the best combination of sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing between glioblastoma and metastasis. RESULTS: The mean minimum ADC values and mean ADC ratios in the peritumoral regions of glioblastomas were significantly higher than those in metastases. However, the mean minimum ADC values and mean ADC ratios in enhancing tumors showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. According to ROC curve analysis, a cutoff value of 1.302 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s for the minimum peritumoral ADC value generated the best combination of sensitivity (82.9%) and specificity (78.9%) for distinguishing between glioblastoma and metastasis. CONCLUSION: Although the characteristics of solitary metastasis and glioblastoma multiforme may be similar on conventional MRI, DWI can offer diagnostic information to distinguish between the tumors.

Quinic acid esters from Erycibe obtusifolia with antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory activities.

AbstractA new quinic acid derivative, 3-O-syringoylquinic acid methyl ester (1), along with eight known quinic acid derivatives (2-9), three coumarins (10-12), one phenylpropanoid (13), three feruloyltyramine derivatives (14-16), one lignan (17) and two isoflavones (18-19) were isolated from an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the roots and stems of Erycibe obtusifolia. The structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods such as 1D and 2D-NMR, including HR-ESI-MS spectrometry. All of these compounds were investigated for their 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and inhibitory effects on mushroom tyrosinase. Compounds 2-9, quinic acid derivatives with caffeoyl moiety, showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity. Moreover, compounds 2 and 5-10 showed weak mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory effects.

Tunable resistivity of correlated VO2(A) and VO2(B) via tungsten doping.

Applications of correlated vanadium dioxides VO2(A) and VO2(B) in electrical devices are limited due to the lack of effective methods for tuning their fundamental properties. We find that the resistivity of VO2(A) and VO2(B) is widely tunable by doping them with tungsten ions. When x < 0.1 in V1-xWxO2(A), the resistivity decreases drastically by four orders of magnitude with increasing x, while that of V1-xWxO2(B) shows the opposite behaviour. Using spectroscopic ellipsometry and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, we propose that correlation effects are modulated by either chemical-strain-induced redistribution of V-V distances or electron-doping-induced band filling in V1-xWxO2(A), while electron scattering induced by disorder plays a more dominant role in V1-xWxO2(B). The tunable resistivity makes correlated VO2(A) and VO2(B) appealing for next-generation electronic devices.

Neurite outgrowth effect of 4-O-methylhonokiol by induction of neurotrophic factors through ERK activation.

Compounds isolated from Magnolia officinalis such as magnolol, honokiol and obovatol exhibit several pharmacological effects on CNS including depressant, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects, as well as neuroprotective effects against chemical and heat damages. Recently, honokiol was found to have a neurotrophic effect in fetal rat cortical neurons. In the present study, we show that 4-O-methylhonokiol, a novel compound from Magnolia officinalis, promotes neurite outgrowth in a concentration- dependent manner in rat embryonic neuronal cells. In parallel with the neurite outgrowth activity, the expression of neurite outgrowth marker proteins is also increased by treatment with 4-O-methylhonokiol. We also found that 4-O-methylhonokiol promotes the release of NGF and BDNF into cell culture medium. In addition, lower concentration of 4-O-methylhonokiol (1 and 2 lM) further enhanced neurite outgrowth and expression of neurite outgrowth marker proteins in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml) or BDNF (10 ng/ml). Subsequently, we found that 4-O-methylhonokiol activates ERK in a concentration- dependent manner. However, the neurite outgrowth activity and the NGF and BDNF release induced by 4-O-methylhonokiol are suppressed by an ERK-specific inhibitor. These results suggest that 4-O-methylhonokiol has the ability to induce neurite outgrowth via the increase of neurotrophic factor levels through ERK activation.

Inhibitory effect of proanthocyanidin on ultraviolet B irradiation-induced melanogenesis.

Repetitive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces various adverse effects, including skin thickening, wrinkle formation, inflammation, and pigmentation. Various natural and synthetic compounds were studied to determine whether they might prevent UV induction of these adverse effects. In particular, naturally occurring antioxidants were used for regulating skin damage induced by UV radiation since several antioxidants were found to inhibit photoaging through prevention of collagen synthesis via inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and/or decrease of melanin synthesis. The L values in pigmented skin were lower at 4 wk (52.97 +/- 2.09) than at the start of this study (0 wk, 62.89 +/- 0.56) in the control. In the proanthocyanidin mixture group, the L value was increased (56.83 +/- 1.71) similar to the control (52.97 +/- 2.09). Proanthocyanidin also suppressed the expression levels of tyrosinase by 20-40%, and blocked the expression of MITF, TRP-1, and TRP-2, which are factors implicated in the control of melanogenesis. Taken together, these data indicate that proanthocyanidin may be useful to attenuate UVB-induced melanogenesis.

A new furofuran lignan from Isodon japonicus.

A new sesamin type furofuran lignan, (-)-sesamin-2,2'-diol (1), along with two known flavonoids (2 and 3) and three phenolic compounds (4-6) were isolated from the aerial parts of Isodon japonicus. The structures of these compounds were determined by analysis of spectroscopic data (1D-, 2D-NMR, HRMS and CD) and by comparison of the data with those of related metabolites.