New Identified Anthocyanins from Sudanese Roselle: Potential Candidates for inhibition of Xanthine Oxidase

This study aims to identify anthocyanin pigments in Sudanese roselle and examine their inhibitory activity toward xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme via in silico docking approach. A number of four samples of Sudanese roselle (red and white) from different regions of Sudan were investigated by high sensitive technique, i.e. LC-MS to identify anthocyanins. Four anthocyanins were identified in all samples; delphinidin-3-glucoside (Dp-3-glu), cyanidin-3-sambubioside (Cy-3-sam), pelargonidin chloride (Pg Chloride), and petuinidin-3-glucoside (Pt-3-glu); in addition to one flavanol; gossypetin (Goss). The anthocyanins of the white samples are suggested to be presented in the yellowish or colorless pseudo base structures. The identified anthocyanins were tested against the inhibition toward xanthine oxidase via molecular docking. All anthocyanins were found to be excellent XO inhibitors superior to the most recent commercially used hyperuricemia drug; i.e. topiroxostat. The binding energies of the complexes (ligand-XO) are lower than the energy of the topiroxostat-XO complex. The binding energies order is: pt-3- dp-3-glu > cy-3-sam > goss > pg chloride. According to our investigation, roselle anthocyanins are considered as good potential future XO-inhibitors drugs; and promising candidates to treat several related diseases.

Whole-Body MRI for the Detection of Recurrence in Melanoma Patients at High Risk of Relapse

Introduction: No standard protocol for surveillance for melanoma patients is established. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (whole-body MRI) is a safe and sensitive technique that avoids exposure to X-rays and contrast agents. This prospective study explores the use of whole-body MRI for the early detection of recurrences. Material and Methods: Patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual (seventh edition; AJCC-7) stages IIIb/c or -IV melanoma who were disease-free following resection of macrometastases (cohort A), or obtained a durable complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) following systemic therapy (cohort B), were included. All patients underwent whole-body MRI, including T1, Short Tau Inversion Recovery, and diffusion-weighted imaging, every 4 months the first 3 years of follow-up and every 6 months in the following 2 years. A total body skin examination was performed every 6 months. Results: From November 2014 to November 2019, 111 patients were included (four screen failures, cohort A: 68 patients; cohort B: 39 patients). The median follow-up was 32 months. Twenty-six patients were diagnosed with suspected lesions. Of these, 15 patients were diagnosed with a recurrence on MRI. Eleven suspected lesions were considered to be of non-neoplastic origin. In addition, nine patients detected a solitary subcutaneous metastasis during self-examination, and two patients presented in between MRIs with recurrences. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were, respectively, 58%, 98%, 58%, 98%, and 98%. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of distant metastases was respectively 88% and 98%. No patient experienced a clinically meaningful (>grade 1) adverse event. Conclusions: Whole-body MRI for the surveillance of melanoma patients is a safe and sensitive technique sparing patients′ cumulative exposure to X-rays and contrast media.

Specific and Sensitive Detection of Neuroblastoma mRNA Markers by Multiplex RT-qPCR

mRNA RT-qPCR is shown to be a very sensitive technique to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with neuroblastoma. Multiple mRNA markers are known to detect heterogeneous neuroblastoma cells in bone marrow (BM) or blood from patients. However, the limited volumes of BM and blood available can hamper the detection of multiple markers. To make optimal use of these samples, we developed a multiplex RT-qPCR for the detection of MRD in neuroblastoma. GUSB and PHOX2B were tested as single markers. The adrenergic markers TH, GAP43, CHRNA3 and DBH and mesenchymal markers POSTN, PRRX1 and FMO3 were tested in multiplex. Using control blood and BM, we established new thresholds for positivity. Comparison of multiplex and singleplex RT-qPCR results from 21 blood and 24 BM samples from neuroblastoma patients demonstrated a comparable sensitivity. With this multiplex RT-qPCR, we are able to test seven different neuroblastoma mRNA markers, which overcomes tumor heterogeneity and improves sensitivity of MRD detection, even in those samples of low RNA quantity. With resources and time being saved, reduction in sample volume and consumables can assist in the introduction of MRD by RT-qPCR into clinical practice.

Search for neutrinoless double-beta decays in Ge-76 in the LEGEND experiment

The search for neutrinoless double-beta decay is the most sensitive technique to establish the Majorana nature of neutrinos. Two operating experiments that look for such decays in Ge-76, GERDA and MAJORANA DEMONSTRATOR have achieved the lowest backgrounds and the best energy resolution in the signal region. These are two of the most important detector characteristics for sensitive searches of this undiscovered decay. The Large Enriched Germanium Experiment for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay (LEGEND) Collaboration has been formed to pursue a tonne-scale Ge-76 experiment that integrates the best technologies from these two experiments and others in the field. The Collaboration is developing a phased experimental program that uses existing resources as appropriate to expedite physics results, with the ultimate discovery potential at a decay half-life beyond 1028 years.

New Sensitive Technique For Estimation Of Estrogen Receptors

Background: Estrogens play a key role in the human male reproductive system. Estrogen receptors (ERs: ERα and ERβ) was detected in germ cells from spermatogonia to spermatozoa. Objective: Tto evaluate the different estrogen receptors expressions on the sperm in infertile males using a new technique and apply that on infertile patient with varicocele. Materials and Methods: This study included 200 males, divided into two equal groups. Group1 included fertile males, and group II included infertile males tested according to presence of varicocele with different grades which were classified according to Dubin-Amelar clinical classification of varicocele (1970), 1 m pellet was examined for the expression of the ERα and ERβ using immunocytochemistry stain. The stained sperm was processed in Photoshop program. The estrogen receptors were visualized after magnification and increased resolution in addition using a yellow filter. Percentage of stained sperm with different location in relation to the unstained sperm was counted. Results: There was a strong expression of ER β on the sperm in fertile males while ERα expression very reduced in fertile males and almost absent in all infertile males. Also, there was a statistically significant decrease in both ERα and β expression in infertile males than fertile males and in varicocele. Conclusion: ER technical estimation using immunoassay was better than any other techniques assay because ER could be present, but not function due to dislocation and deposition into wrong position.

Luminescence sensing, DFT, extraction and monitoring of Cr3+ and Al3+via the application of first derivative fluorescence spectroscopy

Turn-on recognition of an anthracene-based Schiff base followed by the use of a sensitive technique for metal estimation without prior separation.

Solid-phase extraction followed by deep eutectic solvent based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and GC-MS detection of the estrogenic compounds in wastewater samples

SPE combined with deep eutectic solvent based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction has been developed as a sensitive technique for the ultra preconcentration of estrogenic compounds in wastewater samples prior to their analysis by GC-MS.