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Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK), a valuable traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been widely used in clinical practice for treating patients with disorders of the digestive system. AMK has shown noteworthy promoting effect on improving gastrointestinal function and immunity, which might represent a promising candidate for the treatment of intestinal mucosa injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of AMK on intestinal mucosal restitution and the underlying mechanisms via intestinal epithelial (IEC-6) cell migration model.', 'A cell migration model of IEC-6 cells was induced by a single-edge razor blade along the diameter of the cell layers in six-well polystyrene plates. After wounding, the cells were grown in control cultures and in cultures containing spermidine (5μM, SPD, reference drug), alpha-difluoromethylornithine (2.5mM, DFMO, polyamine inhibitor), AMK (50, 100, and 200mg/L), DFMO plus SPD and DFMO plus AMK for 12h. The polyamines content was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with pre-column derivatization. The Rho mRNAs expression levels were assessed by Q-RT-PCR. The Rho and non-muscle myosin II proteins expression levels were analyzed by Western blot. The formation and distribution of non-muscle myosin II stress fibers were monitored with immunostaining techniques using specific antibodies and observed by confocal microscopy. Cell migration assay was carried out using inverted microscope and the Image-Pro Plus software. All of these indexes were used to evaluate the effectiveness of AMK.', '(1) Treatment with AMK caused significant increases in cellular polyamines content and Rho mRNAs and proteins expression levels, as compared to control group. Furthermore, AMK exposure increased non-muscle myosin II protein expression levels and formation of non-muscle myosin II stress fibers, and resulted in an acceleration of cell migration in IEC-6 cells. (2) Depletion of cellular polyamines by DFMO resulted in a decrease of cellular polyamines levels, Rho mRNAs and proteins expression, non-muscle myosin II protein formation and distribution, thereby inhibiting IEC-6 cell migration. AMK not only reversed the inhibitory effects of DFMO on the polyamines content, Rho mRNAs and proteins expression, non-muscle myosin II protein formation and distribution, but also restored cell migration to control levels.
Does atractylodes macrocephala Koidz stimulate intestinal epithelial cell migration through a polyamine dependent mechanism?

Stilbenes are plant secondary metabolites that have shown promising and varied biological activities. Stilbenes are presently actively studied for the exploitation of this primary raw material resource, involving the concept of biorefining. Methods for the rapid discovery of new and known stilbene structures from various plant sources are thus keenly sought.', 'To establish a simple and rapid technique of off-line HPLC with a diode-array detector (DAD) and NMR for the unambiguous structural elucidation of stilbene structures in the root bark of Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) Karst.].', 'The stilbene containing fraction was extracted from the plant bark with an ethanol:water mixture (95:5, v/v) preceded by defatting of hydrophobic compounds with n-hexane using the accelerated solvent extraction technique. A portion of the ethanol-water soluble extract was hydrolysed with β-glucosidase to prepare stilbene aglycones. The extracts were further purified and enriched using a polymeric adsorbent. Stilbene-enriched extracts were directly characterised by off-line HPLC/DAD-NMR in conjunction with HPLC/DAD and HPLC/DAD with electrospray ionisation MS(n).', 'Trans-isorhapontin and trans-astringin were identified as the major, and trans-piceid as a minor, stilbene glucosides of the bark of roots of Picea abies. Not only stilbene glucosides but also the corresponding stilbene aglycones, such as trans-resveratrol, trans-piceatannol and trans-isorhapontigenin, were rapidly identified from the hydrolysed extract. The acquired heteronuclear single-quantum coherence and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation spectra were used to assign the complete carbon NMR chemical shifts of trans-isorhapontin and trans-astringin without the need of acquiring a (13)C-NMR spectrum.
Do rapid chemical characterisation of stilbenes in the root bark of Norway spruce by off-line HPLC/DAD-NMR?

Acromegaly has important effects on quality of life (QOL). This is the first study to measure QOL in acromegalic patients after endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETSS).', "We prospectively collected the RAND-36, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and Pituitary QOL validated questionnaires and patients' demographics, clinical presentation, endocrine laboratory results, radiological studies, development of complications and remission rates from 20 consecutive acromegalic patients who had undergone endoscopic transphenoidal surgery.", 'The eleven females and nine males had an average age of 42 years; 90 percent had macroadenomas and 70% had cavernous sinus invasion on their preoperative imaging. Ninety percent had improved symptoms post-operatively and 80% stated that treatment improved their QOL. Biochemically, 35% were cured, 35% had discordant results and 30% were not cured, while pan-hypopituitarism occurred in 4 patients. Physical health subscales and pituitary-related symptoms were similar to norms. "Social," "emotional health," and "energy levels" were significantly lower than norms. Seventy percent stated that their relationship with their physician "very much so" affected their quality of life. Pan hypopituitarism and adjuvant therapy were the most significant predictors of lower QOL subscale scores.

Does endoscopic transphenoidal surgery for acromegaly improve quality of life?