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To evaluate the applicant experience with preference signaling during the 2022 Urology Residency Match.An anonymous electronic survey was emailed to all urology residency applicants who applied to Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School during the 2021-2022 application cycle. The survey collected information regarding applicant demographics, applicant characteristics, preference signal destinations, match outcomes, and attitude towards preference signaling.A total of 601 applicants applied to the 2022 Urology Residency Match, 283 of which applied to the urology residency program at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Of the 283 applicants, 53 (19%) responded to our survey. Rate of interview for preference signaled programs was 54.23%, with a significantly lower rate of interview for comparative, non-signaled programs (40.54%; P = .001). Of respondents, 14.29%, 26.19%, and 35.71% matched to their home program, a program they signaled, or a program where they completed an away rotation, respectively. 96% of applicants favored continuation of the preference signaling program.Our study suggests preference signaling in the 2022 Urology Match may have been an effective method of expressing interest in a program. Respondents of our survey overwhelmingly favor continuation of the program in future urology matches. However, it may not address the underlying, growing problem of the increasing application burden on applicants and programs alike. We encourage more comprehensive studies to further clarify the effects of preference signaling on the Urology Match.

Vimentin is a type III intermediate filament protein expressed in cells of mesenchymal origin. Vimentin has been thought to function mainly as a structural protein and roles of vimentin in other cellular processes have not been extensively studied. Our current study aims to reveal functions of vimentin in macrophage foam cell formation, the critical stage of atherosclerosis. We demonstrated that vimentin null (Vim–/–) mouse peritoneal macrophages take up less oxidized LDL (oxLDL) than vimentin wild type (Vim+/+) macrophages. Despite less uptake of oxLDL in Vim–/– macrophages, Vim+/+ and Vim–/– macrophages did not show difference in expression of CD36 known to mediate oxLDL uptake. However, CD36 localized in plasma membrane was 50% less in Vim–/– macrophages than in Vim+/+ macrophages. OxLDL/CD36 interaction induced protein kinase A (PKA)-mediated vimentin (Ser72) phosphorylation. Cd36–/– macrophages did not exhibit vimentin phosphorylation (Ser72) in response to oxLDL. Experiments using phospho-mimetic mutation of vimentin revealed that macrophages with aspartate-substituted vimentin (V72D) showed more oxLDL uptake and membrane CD36. LDL receptor null (Ldlr–/–) mice reconstituted with Vim–/– bone marrow fed a western diet for 15 weeks showed 43% less atherosclerotic lesion formation than Ldlr–/– mice with Vim+/+ bone marrow. In addition, Apoe–/–Vim–/– (double null) mice fed a western diet for 15 weeks also showed 57% less atherosclerotic lesion formation than Apoe–/– and Vim+/+mice. We concluded that oxLDL via CD36 induces PKA-mediated phosphorylation of vimentin (Ser72) and phosphorylated vimentin (Ser72) directs CD36 trafficking to plasma membrane in macrophages. This study reveals a function of vimentin in CD36 trafficking and macrophage foam cell formation and may guide to establish a new strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Background Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for prostate cancer detection without careful patient selection may lead to excessive resource utilization and costs. Objective To develop and validate a clinical tool for predicting the presence of high-risk lesions on mpMRI. Design, setting, and participants Four tertiary care centers were included in this retrospective and prospective study (BiRCH Study Collaborative). Statistical models were generated using 1269 biopsy-naive, prior negative biopsy, and active surveillance patients who underwent mpMRI. Using age, prostate-specific antigen, and prostate volume, a support vector machine model was developed for predicting the probability of harboring Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System 4 or 5 lesions. The accuracy of future predictions was then prospectively assessed in 214 consecutive patients. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Receiver operating characteristic, calibration, and decision curves were generated to assess model performance. Results and limitations For biopsy-naive and prior negative biopsy patients (n = 811), the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.730 on internal validation. Excellent calibration and high net clinical benefit were observed. On prospective external validation at two separate institutions (n = 88 and n = 126), the machine learning model discriminated with AUCs of 0.740 and 0.744, respectively. The final model was developed on the Microsoft Azure Machine Learning platform (birch.azurewebsites.net). This model requires a prostate volume measurement as input. Conclusions In patients who are naive to biopsy or those with a prior negative biopsy, BiRCH models can be used to select patients for mpMRI. Patient summary In this multicenter study, we developed and prospectively validated a calculator that can be used to predict prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results using patient age, prostate-specific antigen, and prostate volume as input. This tool can aid health care professionals and patients to make an informed decision regarding whether to get an MRI.

β-Glucosylglycerol (β-GG) and their derivatives have potential applications in food, cosmetics and the healthcare industry, including antitumor medications. In this study, β-GG and its unnatural glycosides were synthesized through the transglycosylation of two enzymes, Sulfolobus shibatae β-glycosidase (SSG) and Deinococcus geothermalis amylosucrase (DGAS). SSG catalyzed a transglycosylation reaction with glycerol as an acceptor and cellobiose as a donor to produce 56% of β-GGs [β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→1/3)-D-glycerol and β-D-glucopyranosyl- (1→2)-D-glycerol]. In the second transglycosylation reaction, β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 1/3)-Dglycerol was used as acceptor molecules of the DGAS reaction. As a result, 61% of α-Dglucopyranosyl-( 1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→1/3)-D-glycerol and 28% of α-D-maltopyranosyl- (1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→1/3)-D-glycerol were synthesized as unnatural glucosylglycerols. In conclusion, the combined enzymatic synthesis of the unnatural glycosides of β-GG was established. The synthesis of these unnatural glycosides may provide an opportunity to discover new applications in the biotechnological industry.

Introduction We assessed the institutional learning curve associated with adopting fusion biopsy using PI-RADS™ (Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System) Version 2 (v2) to detect clinically significant prostate cancer, defined as Gleason 7 or greater in men with prior negative biopsies, and identified patient and technical factors that predict success in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer. Methods A total of 113 consecutive patients with at least 1 prior negative biopsy and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging examination of the prostate with a PI-RADS 3 or greater index lesion underwent fusion biopsy at a single academic center previously naive to fusion biopsy technology. Outcomes include detection rates for Gleason 6 cancer, clinically significant prostate cancer and any cancer. Multiple logistic regression with model selection was used to select covariates having significant effects on the outcome. Results Prostate cancer was identified in 52% of patients with prior negative prostate biopsies. Among the patients diagnosed with prostate cancer 80% had clinically significant cancer. The clinically significant prostate cancer detection rates using fusion biopsy when a PI-RADS 3, 4 or 5 index lesion was present on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging were 6%, 46% and 66%, respectively. PI-RADS v2 score had a predictive accuracy (AUC) of 0.79 for clinically significant prostate cancer detection. Institutional experience over time, magnetic resonance imaging estimated prostate volume and PI-RADS v2 score were independent predictors of clinically significant prostate cancer using fusion biopsy. Conclusions Since fusion biopsy is a highly technique driven process, development of internal quality measures to assess the institutional learning curve and the quality of PI-RADS v2 scoring is critical with the adoption of this technology.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine our hypotheses that botulinum toxin A (BoTA) protect necrosis of perforator flap from perforator twisting. METHODS Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. Twelve International Units of BoTA versus 1.2 mL normal saline was injected subdermally 3 days before flap elevation. In each group, bilateral before deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps, 5 × 3 cm in size, were created. The right and left (180 and 360 degrees of perforator twisting) DIEP flaps were separated. At 1 and 3 days postoperatively, skin above the perforator of the DIEP flaps was harvested to examine the degrees of gene expressions. Final survival percentage of flap and histology were assessed at postoperative day 5. RESULTS The survival percentage of flap was significantly higher in the BoTA group than in the control group at both DIEP flaps after 180 and 360 degrees of perforator twisting at postoperative day 5 (95.23 ± 2.85% vs 91.00 ± 3.77%; P = 0.021 and 91.59 ± 2.87% vs 30.03 ± 6.91%; P < 0.001, respectively).Higher fibroblast density, enhanced epithelial necrosis, and inflammation were noted in the control group than in the BoTA group. In 180 degrees of perforator twisting group, BoTA may augment angiogenesis possibly via nuclear factor-κB-induced destabilization and the nuclear factor-κB/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α/vascular endothelial growth factor pathway, whereas in the 360 degrees of perforator twisting group, the mechanistic target of rapamycin/hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α/vascular endothelial growth factor pathway may participate in BoTA-induced effective angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that pretreatment with BoTA protects perforator flap caused by perforator at the pathological and molecular level using an experimental rat model.

A phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Adonis multiflora Nishikawa & Koki Ito. resulted in the isolation and identification of two new cardenolides—adonioside A (1) and adonioside B (6)—as well as four known cardenolides: tupichinolide (2) oleandrine (3), cryptostigmin II (4), and cymarin (5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of NMR, MS, and IR spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 1, 2, 5, and 6 showed significant cytotoxicity against six human cancer cell lines (HCT-116, HepG2, HeLa, SK-OV-3, and SK-MEL-5, and SK-BR-3).

A new pregnane hexaglycoside, named amurensioside L (1), was isolated from the whole plant of Adonis multiflora. Amurensioside L (1) emerged to be new pregnane hexaglycoside which we fully spectroscopically characterized. The chemical structure of compound 1 was established as 14β,20R-epoxy-3β-hydroxypregna-4,6-dien-18-oic acid-20-lactone 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-β-d-diginopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-β-d-cymaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-β-d-cymaropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-β-d-oleandropyranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-β-d-oleandropyranoside on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, high-resolution fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy.

Fruits of Rhus parviflora were extracted with 80% aqueous methanol (MeOH), and the concentrated extract was partitioned using ethyl acetate (EtOAc), n-butanol (n-BuOH), and H2O, successively. Purification of EtOAc fraction led to isolation of fifteen polyphenols of which structures were identified by spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR. Most compounds apart from compound 10 inhibited low density lipoprotein- oxidation within IC50 value of 10 µM. Among compounds, taxifolin (2), quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (13), agathisflavone (5) sulfuretin (4), and aureusidin (3) showed IC50 values 0.9, 0.8, 5.8, 2.9, and 2.4 µM which were of highly significant in comparison positive control butylated hydroxytoluene with IC50 value of 2.1 µM. The results indicate fruits of R. parviflora as a source of anti- hypercholesterolemic compounds.

It is known that common buckwheat sprouts contain several flavonoids, including orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin, rutin, and quercetrin, whereas tartary buckwheat sprouts contain only rutin. In this study, we evaluated flavonoids present in buckwheat sprouts and identified a previously unreported flavonoid. Simultaneous detection by HPLC was used to separate rutin and a compound that was not separated in previous studies. We used a novel HPLC elution gradient method to successfully separate rutin and the previously unidentified compound, for which we performed structural analysis. The identification of six flavonoids by HPLC was confirmed using HPLC–ESI–MS/MS analysis. The newly identified compound, [M + H]+ = 611.17, was identified by NMR as the rutin epimer quercetin-3-O-robinobioside. Unlike common buckwheat sprout, tartary buckwheat sprout contained rutin as a main flavonoid, whereas other flavonoids appeared only in trace amounts or were not detected. Quercetin-3-O-robinobioside was not detected in tartary buckwheat sprout.

Background: Rotational injuries are the most common and usually classified as per the Lauge Hansen classification; with the most common subgroup being the supination external rotation (SER) mechanism. Isolated fractures of the distal fibula (SE2) without associated ligamentous injury are usually treated with a splint or brace and the patient may be allowed to weight bear as tolerated. This study reports the functional outcomes following a stable, low energy, rotational ankle fracture supination external rotation (SER2) when compared to unstable SER4 fractures treated operatively. Materials and Methods: 64 patients who were diagnosed and treated nonoperatively for a stable SER2 ankle fracture were followed prospectively. In the comparison group, 93 operatively treated fibular fractures were extracted from a prospectively collected database and evaluated comparison. Baseline characteristics obtained by trained interviewers at the time of injury included: Patient demographics, short form-36, short musculoskeletal functional assessment (SMFA) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) questionnaires. Patients were followed at 3, 6 and 12 months postsurgery. Additional information obtained at each followup point included any complications or evidence on fracture healing. Data were analyzed by the Student′s t-test and theFisher′s Exact Test to compare demographic and functional outcomes between the two cohorts. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The average of patients′ age in the stable fracture cohort was 43 versus 45 in the SER4 group. Nearly 64% of the patient population was female when compared with 37% in the operative group. In the SER2 by 6 months all patients had returned to baseline functional status. There were 18 delayed unions (all healed by 6 months). Based on the functional outcome scores all patients had returned to preoperative level. In comparison, SE4 patients had less functional recovery at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05) based on the SMFA scores and at 3, 6 and 12 months based on the AOFAS (P < 0.001) scores. There was no difference in pain levels between the two groups at all time points. There were three nonunions in the SE4 group and six delayed unions. Conclusions: An SER2 ankle fracture is a relatively benign injury with functional limitations resolving by 3 months while the need for surgical fixation in SER ankle fractures appears to affect lower extremity function to a greater degree for a longer time period. Patients should be counseled as to these expected outcomes.

The root bark of Morus alba is commonly used as an alternative medicine due to its numerous health benefits in humans. However, the antidepressant effects of various active components from M. alba have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine whether sanggenon G, an active compound isolated from the root bark of M. alba, exhibited antidepressant-like activity in rats subjected to forced swim test (FST)-induced depression. Acute treatment of rats with sanggenon G (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) significantly reduced immobility time and increased swimming time without any significant change in climbing. Rats treated with sanggenon G also exhibited a decrease in the limbic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to the FST, as indicated by attenuation of the corticosterone response and decreased c-Fos immunoreactivity in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). In addition, the antidepressant-like effects of sanggenon G were significantly inhibited by WAY100635 (1 mg/kg, i.p.; a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) receptor antagonist), but not SCH23390 (0.05 mg/kg, i.p.; a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist). Our findings suggested that the antidepressant-like effects of sanggenon G were mediated by an interaction with the serotonergic system. Further studies are needed to evaluate the potential of sanggenon G as an alternative therapeutic approach for the treatment of depression.

뽕나무(Morus alba L.) 뿌리껍질을 실온에서 80% MeOH 수용액으로 추출하고 이 추출물을 EtOAC 분획, n-BuOH 분획, H2O 분획으로 나누었다. EtOAc 분획에 대하여 silica gel과 ODS column chromatography를 반복 실시하여 5종의 triterpenoid를 분리, 정제하였다. NMR, IR, 및 EI/MS 등을 해석하여, α-amyrin (1), α-acetyl amyrin (2), lupeol (3), betulinic acid (4) 그리고 glutinol (5)로 구조동정 하였다. 화합물 중 a-amyrin (1), lupeol (3) 그리고 glutinol (5)은 상백피로부터는 이번 실험에서 처음으로 분리되었다.

Background The purpose of this study is to assess the institutional learning curve associated with adopting FB using PI-RADS Version 2 (v2) for detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), defined as Gleason ≥ 7 in men with prior negative biopsies and to identify patient and technical factors that predict success at detecting csPCa. Methods A total of 113 consecutive patients with at least one prior negative biopsy and a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) exam of the prostate with a PIRADS 3 or greater index lesion underwent FB at a single academic center previously naive to FB technology. Outcomes are detection rates for Gleason 6 cancer, csPCa, and any cancer. Multiple logistic regression with model selection was used to select covariates having significant effects on the outcome. Results Prostate cancers were identified in 52% of cases in patients with prior negative prostate biopsies. Among patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, 80% were clinically significant. The detection rates of csPCa using FB when a PIRADS 3, 4, or 5 index lesion was present on mpMRI were 6%, 46%, and 66%, respectively. PI-RADS v2 score had a predictive accuracy (AUC) of 0.79 for csPCa detection. Institutional experience over time, MRI-estimated prostate volume, and PI-RADS v2 score were independent predictors of csPCa using FB. Conclusions Since FB is a highly technique-driven process, development of internal quality measures to assess the institutional learning curve and the quality of PI-RADS v2 scoring is critical with adoption of this technology.

Cynanchum wilfordii has been traditionally used in eastern Asia for the treatment of various diseases such as gastrointestinal diseases and arteriosclerosis. Cynandione A (CA), an acetophenone, is one of major constituents from roots of C. wilfordii. In the present study, the anti-inflammatory activities of CA were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 macrophages and LPS-administered C57BL/6 N mice. CA significantly decreased LPS-induced production of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in a dose-dependent manner, while CA up to 200 μM did not exhibit cytotoxic activity. Our data also showed that CA significantly attenuated expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. CA inhibited phosphorylation of IκB-α and MAP kinases such as ERK and p38. Furthermore, we demonstrated that CA inhibited translocation of NF-κB to the nucleus, transcription of the NF-κB minimal promoter and NF-κB DNA binding activity. Administration of CA significantly decreased the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in LPS-injected mice and improved survival of septic mice with lethal endotoxemia. These results demonstrate that CA has effective inhibitory effects on production of inflammatory mediators via suppressing activation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting that CA may be used as a potential anti-inflammatory agent for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis has been associated with atypical femoral fractures. To date, there have been few reports in the literature regarding the preoperative and postoperative courses of patients who have sustained bisphosphonate-associated complete atypical femur fractures.The purposes of this study were to (1) characterize the preoperative course of patients who eventually presented with bisphosphonate-associated complete atypical femur fractures (duration of bisphosphonate treatment, pain history, risk of converting a nondisplaced fracture to a complete fracture); (2) evaluate the percentage of patients who achieved radiographic union of those fractures after treatment; and (3) determine the patients' recovery of function using the Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment.Thirty-three patients with 41 atypical, low-energy femur fractures associated with ≥ 5 years of bisphosphonate use were treated with intramedullary nailing between 2004 and 2011 at one center. The main outcome measurements were Short Musculoskeletal Functional Assessment for function and radiographic evaluation for fracture healing. Patients had been treated with bisphosphonates for an average of 8.8 years (range, 5-20 years) before presentation.Patients reported a mean of 6 months of pain before presentation (range, 1-8 months). Sixty-six percent of patients with surgically treated complete fractures became pain-free and 98% were radiographically healed by 12 months. Sixty-four percent of patients who underwent intramedullary nailing reported a functional return to baseline within 1 year. Patients who reported major functional limitations at latest followup listed pain and apprehension as the major causes of their limitation.Patients with surgically treated bisphosphonate-associated complete femur fractures achieved generally reliable although delayed fracture healing if malaligned, and nearly two-thirds of patients returned to self-reported baseline function within 1 year.Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Three phytosterols of rare occurrence, schleicheol 2 (1), -hydroxysitosterol (2), and -hydroxysitosterol (3), were isolated from the n-hexane fraction of rice (Oryza sativa) bran, for the first time. Some nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) assignments in the literatures are inaccurate. This study employed two-dimensional NMR experiments to identify exact peak assignments.

Three diarylheptanoids, bisdemethoxycurcumin (1), curcumin (2), and demethoxycurcumin (3), two diarylpentanoids, 3,3′-bis(7,7′-hydroxy-6,6′-methoxyphenyl)-penta-(3E,2′E)-3,2′-dien-1-one (4) and 3,3′-bis(7,7′-hydroxy-6-methoxyphenyl)-penta-(3E,2′E)-3,2′-dien-1-one (5), and a bisabolane sesquiterpene, xanthorrhizol (6), were isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma xanthorrhiza through repeated column chromatography. Silica gel (SiO2), octadecyl silica gel (ODS), and Sephadex LH-20 resins were used. Compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods, including nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and infrared spectroscopy. Compounds 1 (IC50: 8.21 μM), 2 (IC50: 10.01 μM), 3 (IC50: 4.86 μM), and 4 (IC50: 2.20 μM) inhibited nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the content of curcuminoids and xanthorrhizol in C. xanthorrhiza extract to be 0.46±0.08% (1), 10.69±0.18% (2), 2.35±0.06% (3), 0.18±0.05% (4), 0.03±0.01% (5), and 27.47±2.42% (6).

The extraction and solvent partition of cornstalks, and repeated column chromatography for EtOAc fraction yielded four phenolic compounds, methyl (Z)-p-coumarate (1), methyl (E)-p-coumarate (2), methyl ferulate (3), and 1,3-O-diferuloyl glycerol (4). The chemical structures were identified on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses including NMR, MS, and IR. All compounds were isolated for the first time from the cornstalks. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were evaluated for inhibition activity on NO production in lipopolysaccharide -induced RAW 264.7 cells, neuroprotective activity on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells, and hepatoprotective activity on t-BHP-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Compounds 2 and 4 showed inhibitory effects on NO production with the IC50 values of 19.29 and 5.62 μM, respectively, and compound 4 showed protective effect on glutamate-induced cell death and t-BHP-induced oxidative stress with EC50 values of 19.51 and 71.29 μM, respectively.

The stems of Zea mays L., otherwise known as cornstalks, were extracted with 80 % aqueous MeOH, and the concentrated extract was successively partitioned with ethyl acetate (EtOAc), normal butanol, and water. From the EtOAc fraction, a new lignan along with three known flavonoids, tricin (1), salcolin A (2), and salcolin B (3), were isolated. The chemical structure of the lignan was determined to be tetrahydro-4,6-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1H,3H-furo[3,4-c]furan-1-one (4) through spectroscopic data analyses including NMR, MS, and IR. All compounds were isolated for the first time from this plant. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against NO production in Lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells and their protective activity in glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cells. The compounds 1, 2 and 4 showed anti-inflammatory effects with IC50 values of 2.63, 14.65, and 18.91 μM, respectively, as well as neuroprotective effects with EC50 values of 25.14, 47.44, and >80 μM, respectively.

A putative α-amylase gene (accession number, CP000284) of Methylobacillus flagellatus KT ATCC51484 was cloned in Escherichia coli, and its gene product was expressed and characterized. The purified recombinant enzyme (MFAS) displayed a typical amylosucrase (ASase) activity by the demonstration of multiple activities of hydrolysis, isomerization, and polymerization although it was designated as an α-amylase. The optimal reaction temperature and pH for the sucrose hydrolysis activity of MFAS were determined to be 45 °C and pH 8.5, respectively. MFAS has relatively high thermostable characteristics compared with other ASases, as demonstrated by a half-life of 19.3 min at 50 °C. MFAS also showed polymerization activity using sucrose as a sole substrate. Glycerol was transglycosylated by the intermolecular transglycosylation activity of MFAS. Two major products were observed by thin-layer chromatography and isolated by paper chromatography and recycling HPLC. Using (1)H and (13)C NMR, their chemical structures were determined to be (2S)-1-O-α-D-glucosyl-glycerol or (2R)-1-O-α-D-glucosyl-glycerol and 2-O-α-D-glucosyl-glycerol, in which a glucose molecule is linked to glycerol via an α-glycosidic linkage.

c ) Intelligent Synthetic Biology Center, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea Two new bisabolane sesquiterpenoids, 1 and 2, along with five known ones, 13-hydroxyxanthorrhizol (3), 12,13-epoxyxanthorrhizol (4), xanthorrhizol (5), b-curcumene (6), and b-bisabolol (7), were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. The chemical structures of the new compounds were determined to be (7R,10R)-10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxyxanthorrhizol 3-O-b-d- glucopyranoside (1) and (� )-curcuhydroquinone 2,5-di-O-b-d-glucopyranoside (2) on the basis of 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic analyses and optical-rotation characteristics. Compounds 2 and 3 decreased MMP-1 expression in UVB-treated human keratinocytes by ca. 8.9- and 7.6-fold at the mRNA level, and by ca. 9.2- and 6.6-fold at the protein level, respectively. The results indicate that the isolated compounds may have anti-aging effects through inhibition of MMP-1 expression in skin cells.

In order to identify antioxidant flavonoids from Lindera glauca Blume, we performed phytochemical analysis of L. glauca Blume heartwood and isolated eight flavonoids – lindeglaucol (1), lindeglaucone (2), cilicicone B (3), tamarixetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (4), procyanidin A2 (5), cinnamtannin B1 (6), cinnamtannin D1 (7), and procyanidin A1 (8) – through repeated column chromatography over silica gel (SiO2), octadecyl silica gel (ODS) and Sephadex LH-20. The chemical structures of compounds 1–8 were elucidated from spectroscopic data (NMR, IR and MS). The low-density lipoprotein oxidation inhibitory activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro by using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. Compounds 5–8 exhibited high inhibition activity, comparable to the positive control butyl hydroxyl toluene. Compounds 2 and 3 were slightly less active, while 1 and 4 expressed low activity.

Cynanchum wilfordii is one of most widely used medicinal plants in Oriental medicine for the treatment of various conditions. In the present study, we isolated cynandione A (CA) from an extract of Cynanchum wilfordii roots (CWE) and investigated the effects of CA on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV-2 microglial cells. CWE and CA significantly decreased LPS-induced nitric oxide production and the expression of iNOS in a concentration-dependent manner, while they (CWE up to 500 µg/mL and CA up to 80 µM) did not exhibit cytotoxic activity. Results from reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that CA significantly attenuated the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in LPS-stimulated BV-2 cells. Furthermore, CA inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor kappa B-alpha (IκB-α) and translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to the BV-2 cell nucleus, indicating that CWE and CA may have effective anti-inflammatory activities via NF-κB inactivation in stimulated microglial cells.

Phytochemical studies on the leaves of Ailanthusaltissima (Simaroubaceae) have not been reported previously.Thus, the authors isolated and identified secondary metabolitesfrom A. altissima. Dried and powdered leaves were extracted with80% aqueous methanol, and the concentrated extract wassuccessively partitioned with ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water.Four flavonoids were isolated from the ethyl acetate fractionthrough repeated silica gel and octadecyl silica gel columnchromatography. Spectroscopic data including NMR, MS, and IRallowed for identification of the chemical structures as quercetin(1), afzelin (2), quercitrin (3), and isoquercitrin (4). This is the firstreport of the isolation of these compounds from A. altissima. Thefour isolated flavonoids 1–4 as well as solvent fractions (ethylacetate, n-butanol, and water), were evaluated for DPPH radicalscavenging activity.Keywords afzelin · Ailanthus altissima · DPPH assay · isoquercitrin · quercetin · quercitrinIntroductionAilanthus altissima Swingle (Simaroubaceae), also known as tree-of-heaven, is a deciduous tree distributed mainly in China,Mongolia, Japan, and Korea (Feo et al., 2005). The diameter of amature A. altissima tree is about 50 cm with stems grows up to30 m. The upper sides of the leaves of A. altissima are dark green,while the under side is dark red. Flowers of A. altissima appearbeginning from the end of June and the seeds is included in flowerinside of the propeller shape. A. altissima has been used inChinese traditional medicine as a bitter aromatic drug for thetreatment of colds and gastric diseases (Feo et al., 2003; 2005).Some compounds isolated from the root and bark of the planthave been reported to have insecticidal (Kraus et al., 1994),antimalarial (O’Neill et al., 1986; Bray et al., 1987), antitumor(Casinovi et al., 1983), antitubercular (Rahman et al., 1997),nervous depressant (Crespi-Perellino et al., 1988), antiproliferative(Hwang et al., 2002), anti-Epstein-Barr virus (Kubota et al., 1997),alleropathy (Heisey et al., 1990; 1996), anti-inflammatory (Jin etal., 2009), and antioxidant activities (Okunade et al., 2003; Lee etal., 2005; Tamura et al., 2006; Zhang et al., 2007; Rahman et al.,2009). There have been some reports on the isolation of secondarymetabolites from the cortex and roots of A. altissima. However,there are only a few studies that have evaluated the leaves of A.altissima with respect to their biological and phytochemicalproperties. In addition, DPPH assay performed with an alcoholextract of A. altissima leaves showed significant activity. Therefore,this study was initiated to identify the principal antioxidantcompounds from A. altissima leaves.Antioxidants are useful chemical materials for preventingoxidative deterioration of biomolecules and are widely applicableas ingredients of food supplements, cosmetics, and medicines.Many plants contain substantial amounts of antioxidants such asvitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, flavonoids and tannins that canbe utilized to scavenge excess free radicals from the human body.Indeed, many researchers have found efficient antioxidants in plants.

The purpose of this study was to describe pathologic features in patients with auricular keloids and estimate its influence on the recurrence of the keloid disease. This study was done in 38 patients reaching the pathologic diagnosis of auricular keloids from March 2012 to February 2014. All patients were female. The average age was 24.06 ± 5.03 (18-47) and patients 21 to 23 showed the highest prevalence (38.2%). The gross morphology of auricular keloids based on our previously introduced classification was pedunculated type (25 patients, 65.8%) and sessile type (13 patients, 34.2%). A detailed case history was taken for every patient with special reference to clinical parameters, such as patient age, gross morphology, and various pathologic parameters, such as margin involvement, keloidal collagen area, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration in upper dermis, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration in keloid, presence of epidermal cyst, presence of foamy histiocytes, foreign body reaction, and superficial dermal involvement. Patient demographics and pathologic characteristics were evaluated as possible risk factors for keloid recurrence. Recurrence was defined as any elevation of the scar or extension beyond the original surgical field.Of these patients, 86.8% had successful treatment of their auricular keloids, whereas 13.2% had recurrences. Based on a current study, there was no significant correlation between the clinicopathologic findings and keloid recurrence.

뽕나무(Morus alba L.) 뿌리껍질을 실온에서 80% MeOH 수용액으로 추출하고 이 추출물을 EtOAC, n-BuOH, 그리고 H2O 분획으로 나누었다. EtOAc 및 n-BuOH 분획에 대하여 silica gel, ODS 및 Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography를 반복 실시하여 4종의 phenolic 화합물을 분리, 정제하였다. NMR, IR, 및 EI/MS 등을 해석하여, norartocarpanone (1), 2``,4``,7- trihydroxy-(2S)-flavanone (2), methyl-β-resorcylate (3), 그리고 (Z)-oxyresveratrol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4)로 각각 구조동정 하였다. 화합물 (Z)-oxyresveratrol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) 는 상백피로부터는 이번 실험에서 처음으로 분리되었다.