Unusual cytotoxic sulfated cadinene-type sesquiterpene glycosides from cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum).

Two new sulfated cadinene-type sesquiterpene glycosides, 13-hydroxy-7-O-(60-O-sulfate-b-D-glucopyranosyl)-desoxyhemigossypol (1) and 13,15-dihydroxy-7-O-(60-O-sulfate-b-D-glucopyranosyl)-desoxyhemigossypol (2), have been isolated from whole cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum). Their structures, which possess an unusual 6-O-sulfate-glucopyranosyl moiety, were determined through the interpretation of 2D NMR spectral data and H/D exchange ESI-MS experiments. Compounds 1 and 2 were screened for their toxicity on Jurkat cells. Both compounds inhibited cellular proliferation with IC50 values of 8.1 and 4.2 mg, respectively

Dynamic origin of chirality transfer between chiral surface and achiral ligand in Au38 clusters

The transfer of chirality between nanomolecules is at the core of several applications in chiral technology such as sensing and catalysis. However, the origin of this phenomenon and how exactly nanoscale objects transfer chirality to molecules in their vicinity remain largely obscure. Here, we show that the transfer of chirality for the intrinsically chiral gold cluster Au38(SR)24 is site dependent; that is, it differs depending on the ligand-binding sites. This is closely related to the dynamic nature of the ligands on the cluster surface. Using a combination of NMR techniques and molecular dynamics simulations, we could assign the four symmetry- unique ligands on the cluster. The study reveals largely different conformational dynamics of the bound ligands, explaining the diverse diastereotopicities observed for the CH2 protons of the ligands. Although chirality is a structural property, our study reveals the importance of dynamics for the transfer of chirality

Chromatin Protamination and Catsper Expression in Spermatozoa Predict Clinical Outcomes after Assisted Reproduction Programs

Abstract Identification of parameters predicting assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) success is a major goal of research in reproduction. Quality of gametes is essential to achieve good quality embryos and increase the success of ARTs. We evaluated two sperm parameters, chromatin maturity and expression of the sperm specific calcium channel CATSPER, in relation to ART outcomes in 206 couples undergoing ARTs. Chromatin maturity was evaluated by Chromomycin A3 (CMA3) for protamination and Aniline Blue (AB) for histone persistence and CATSPER expression by a flow cytometric method. CMA3 positivity and CATSPER expression significantly predicted the attainment of good quality embryos with an OR of 6.6 and 14.3 respectively, whereas AB staining was correlated with fertilization rate. In the subgroup of couples with women ≤35 years, CATSPER also predicted achievement of clinical pregnancy (OR = 4.4). Including CMA3, CATSPER and other parameters affecting ART outcomes (female age, female factor and number of MII oocytes), a model that resulted able to predict good embryo quality with high accuracy was developed. CMA3 staining and CATSPER expression may be considered two applicable tools to predict ART success and useful for couple counseling. This is the first study demonstrating a role of CATSPER expression in embryo development after ARTs programs

Is panoramic radiography really a key examination before chemo-radiotherapy treatment for oropharyngeal cancer?

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of panoramic radiography (PAN) for the identification of infectious foci of the tooth and periradicular bone before definitive chemo-radiotherapy treatment for oropharyngeal cancer, using multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) imaging as the reference standard. Materials and methods: 50 patients with oropharyngeal cancer who had performed both pre-treatment MSCT and PAN were retrospectively evaluated. Pre-radiotherapy MSCT showed 65 deep caries, 37 root remnants, 143 stage III periodontal diseases, and 77 apical periodontitis, for a total of 322 infectious foci. The same number of healthy teeth (control group) was selected via MSCT to be analysed by PAN. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy for PAN images with respect to MSCT imaging were examined. Results: PAN showed sensitivity, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of 100% for deep caries, root remnants, and stage III periodontal disease, whereas there were 46.8%, 64.7%, and 72.1% apical periodontitis respectively. Conclusions: PAN did not show great diagnostic accuracy in the assessment of apical periodontitis, and therefore maxillofacial MSCT carried out before chemo-radiotherapy treatment should always be examined to identify dental and jaw diseases. Deep caries, root remnants, and stage III periodontal disease were perfectly detected on PAN

Nutritional characterization of Cicer arietinum L. cultivars with respect to morphological and agronomic parameters

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the grain legumes more interesting for its nutritional value and genetic improvement in order to resistance to Aschochyta rabiei, seeds weight and adaptation to mechanical harvesting. The aim of this research was the agronomic and qualitative characterization of 15 cultivars of chickpea. During the cultural cycle resistance and sensitiveness to Aschochyta rabiei were analyzed. At harvesting, grain yield and yields components were registered. Moreover, proximate composition, fatty acids content and saturated/unsaturated ratio of grain samples were determined. Cultivars with high 1000 seeds weight showed a more favourable oleic acid content and unsaturated/saturated ratio but those with smooth seeds had a higher content in linolenic acid. All cultivars showed high values of polyunsaturated fatty acids (42.9-56.2%), inferior of monounsaturated (29.5-36.1%) and low of saturated (10.0-22.9%). Black chickpea (2.9) had the lowest unsaturated/saturated ratio, while the highest was noticed for cv. Visir (7.46). Cultivars with small and smooth seeds showed a better proteins content. These results showed availability of seeds with favourable characteristics useful for different utilization. In particular, the cultivars with small and smooth seeds, usually not preferred by consumers, seem to be interesting for processing in nutritional foods and dietetics

Magnetic resonance imaging assessment of lipomatous soft-tissue tumors

Aim: To establish the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in distinguishing between benign and malignant lipomatous tumors; to evaluate the reproducibility of the MRI interpretation assessing the agreement between judgments of two radiologists with the same experience in soft-tissue sarcomas; to identify an association among MRI findings (size, depth, septa, nodules, signal homogeneity) and nature of the lesion. Materials and Methods: A total of 54 patients (28 men and 26 women), with a mean age of 56 (range=27-84) were included years. All subjects followed-up by the Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Group. The following MRI findings were judged in a blind study by two radiologists: Size, localization, septa, nodules and signal homogeneity. A diagnostic indication was then given from among lipoma, atypical lipomatous tumour (ALT) and liposarcoma. Accuracy in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions, and between lipoma and ALT (Fisher's exact test), inter-operator agreement (Cohen's kappa), association of MRI findings and malignancy of the lesion (Fisher's exact test and odds ratio) were evaluated. Results: The inter-operator agreement was complete (100%). The agreement between diagnostic hypothesis and histological diagnosis was statistically significant (p<0.05). Among the radiological findings taken into account, only septa and signal homogeneity were significantly associated with the malignancy of the lesion (p<0.05). Conclusion: MRI could be helpful in distinguishing lipomatous tumors, allowing biopsy to be avoided in some cases (negative predictive value=100%)