No abstract

Twenty-two new lignans and neolignans (1-22), together with 14 known analogues, have been isolated from an ethanolic extract of the stem (with skin removed) of Sinocalamus affinis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. On the basis of systematic NMR and circular dichroism (CD) data analysis, the validity of J7,8 and ΔδC8-C7 values to distinguish threo and erythro aryl glycerol units in different neolignans and the CD data [particularly the Rh2(OCOCF3)4-induced CD data (the E band)] to determine the absolute configurations at C-8 (C-7) of the aryl glycerol units are discussed. At a concentration of 10 μM, compounds 20 and 22 inhibited NO production in mouse peritoneal macrophages 84.2±5.9% and 71.7±1.0%, respectively. Compounds 19, 20, and 22 showed activity against serum deprivation induced PC12 cell damage by increasing the cell viability from 80.7±2.8% to 91.6±6.4%, 107.2±8.0%, and 97.6±8.5%, respectively.

The instrument displayed strong psychometric performance and cultural relevance, suggesting that the scale is a promising tool for examining body image and obesity among African Americans.

No abstract

Our goal was to investigate associations between the status of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and electrogastrogram (EGG) parameters, gastric emptying and symptoms in a large cohort of patients with gastroparesis. Forty-one patients with refractory gastroparesis who were referred for gastric electrical stimulation (GES) underwent full thickness gastric (antrum) biopsy during the surgery to place the GES device. The biopsy samples were stained with c-kit and scored for the presence of ICC based on criteria obtained from 10 controls. All patients underwent EGG recordings, a 4-h standardized scintigraphic gastric emptying study and symptom assessment prior to the surgery. Based on antral biopsy, 15 patients (36%) had almost no ICC (ICC- group) and 26 patients had adequate cell numbers (ICC+ group). EGG recordings in the ICC- group displayed significantly less normal slow waves than in the ICC+ group both in the fasting and fed states. Tachygastria in the ICC- group was significantly more than in the ICC+ group both in the fasting (32 +/- 8%vs 11 +/- 2%) and fed states (27 +/- 9%vs 12 +/- 2%). There was no statistical difference in gastric emptying, symptom severity of gastroparesis, aetiology, age and gender between the two groups. Severely depleted ICC occurs in up to 36% of gastroparetic patients and significantly correlates with an abnormal EGG. Severely depleted ICC does not correlate with the severity of gastroparesis as assessed by gastric emptying or symptom status but did result in a poorer symptomatic response to GES. These data suggest that the EGG may have a role for predicting ICC status during clinical evaluation of gastroparetic patients.

Journal of Lipid Research Volume 50, 20092389 taken up by cells. It is then rapidly phosphorylated to form 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-d-ribofuranosyl-5 ′ -monophosphate, which mimics the activating effects of AMP on AMPK ( 1 ). In contrast, the mechanism by which phenformin activates AMPK is still unclear ( 1 ). Once activated, AMPK plays a diverse role in cells by switching off energy-utilizing pathways and switching on energy-generating pathways ( 2, 3 ). Thus, AMPK promotes catabolic metabolism to enhance ATP synthesis and reduces anabolism to decrease ATP utilization. AMPK is also important in the normal development and functioning of the heart ( 4, 5 ).Recently it has been reported that activated AMPK is involved in attenuating stress-induced cell death ( 6 ). The activity of AMPK could be inhibited by (6-[4-(2-pi peridin-1-yl-ethoxy)-phenyl)]3-pyridin-4-yl -pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine, which is also known as Compound C ( 7 ). It was shown that this compound could antagonize AICAR by blocking the uptake of AICAR into cells ( 8 ). Moreover, Compound C was shown to prevent the inactivation of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) following incubation with either AICAR or metformin ( 1 ).The role of AMPK in apoptosis induction is unclear. It has been reported that cotreatment of AICAR with tertbutylhydroxyquinone (t-BHQ) resulted in the induction of apoptosis in H4IIE hepatocytes, as evidenced by changes in mitochondrial cytochrome c content, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, and caspase-3 activation ( 9 ). Application of Compound C has been shown to attenuate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) serves as a key sensor in monitoring energy supply in cells, and it is activated by an increase in the ratio of AMP/ATP. Compounds including aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR) and phenformin have been widely used to activate AMPK. AICAR is an adenosine analog that is easily Abbreviations: ACC, acetyl CoA carboxylase; AICAR, aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside; AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase; GFP, green fl uorescent protein; LASS/CerS, longevity assurance homologue/ceramide synthase; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction; siRNA, small interfering RNA; t-BHQ, tert-butylhydroxyquinone. This research was supported in part by National Institutes of Health Grant NS40932 (to Y-T.H.). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the offi cial views of the National Institutes of Health. Special acknowledgment is given for the National Institutes of Health

Background:The anti-cancer activity and mechanisms of isorhapontigenin (ISO) have never been explored. Results: ISO exhibited an anti-cancer activity accompanied by apoptotic induction and XIAP down-regulation through attenuation of SP1 expression. Conclusion: ISO is an active anti-cancer compound by inducing apoptosis via down-regulation of SP1/XIAP pathway. Significance: Current studies identify a new promising active compound for therapy of human cancers with XIAP overexpression.

Improving the recognition and treatment of obesity in primary care settings is a critical initiative. Rural populations suffer disproportionately with obesity, and better methods of delivering obesity care are needed for this population. Further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of a CCM approach for obesity care.