Role of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Follow up Brain Tumors after Treatment

Background: 1 H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is an analytical method that enables the identification and quantification of metabolites in samples. It differs from conventional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in that spectra provide physiological and chemical information instead of anatomy. MRS imaging allows a valuable insights into brain tumors characteristics, grads, and progression then follow up during treatments. Typically in MRS a single spectrum is acquired by averaging enough spectra over a long acquisition time. Averaging is necessary because of the complex spectral structures and relatively low concentrations of many brain metabolites, which result in a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in MRS of a living brain. Objective: In this paper, acquiring and analyzing multivoxel MRS data are reviewed by calculating the areas under different peaks then compared with that obtained directly from 1H-MRS machine. 1H-MRS measurements of amounts of Choline (Cho), creatine (Cr) and Nacetylaspartate (NAA) relative to Cho, NAA and Cr in healthy brain tissue of a normal control brain tissue, and in the tissue of tumor of patient who had taken radiation therapy sessions. Results: The obtained results show a good agreement between the data obtained directly from MRS machine and that calculated from their spectra. This method is now used for to insure that these obtained spectra are calibrated with that obtained directly from MRS machine. So these may reflect the small changes in metabolites during treatment and follow up. Conclusion: The MRS data are seen to provide unique information that when combined with high-quality anatomical MR images has implications for defining tumor type and grade, directing biopsy or surgical resection, planning focal radiation or biological therapies, and understanding the mechanisms of success and failure of new treatments

Postharvest exogenous melatonin treatment of strawberry reduces postharvest spoilage but affects components of the aroma profile

BACKGROUND: Strawberries are perishable fruits that decay quickly after harvest, but are valued for their distinctive taste and aroma. Melatonin is involved in plant resistance against stress, plant senescence and fruit ripening, and was shown to delay post-harvest spoilage of strawberries. OBJECTIVE: The effects of melatonin postharvest treatment on shelf-life and volatile organic compound profile were assessed in strawberry fruits cv “Luca”. METHODS: Strawberry fruit were treated with 100 μM melatonin and stored at 4°C for 12 days to assess whether melatonin treatment could delay spoilage without adversely affecting aroma. RESULTS: Melatonin treatment delayed fruit deterioration by reducing weight loss and incidence of decay as well as maintaining total soluble solids, titratable acidity, anthocyanin, and taste. Melatonin treatment also significantly reduced CO2 production compared to control fruits. The relative abundance of the majority of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was not affected, however abundance of two VOCs that are important components of strawberry aroma were affected by melatonin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Post-harvest treatment of strawberries with 100 μM melatonin improved strawberry quality and conserved bioactive compounds after 12 d of storage. However, components of the aroma profile were altered in a way which may affect consumer perception of quality

Studies on the inhibition of carbon steel corrosion in hydrochloric acid solution by expired Carvedilol drug

An expired pharmaceutical product, Carvedilol, was studied as save drug to prevent carbon steel (CS) corrosion in acidic environments by using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) techniques. The inhibition efficiency increased with increasing drug dose and decreased with increasing temperature, reaching a maximum value of 98.94% at 25°C and 1.6 × 10−4 M. Polarization data showed that the drug is of a mixed type. The inhibition of CS corrosion by Carvedilol can be attributed to the adsorption ability of drug molecules onto the reactive sites of the metal surface. The adsorption process follows the Langmuir isotherm via physical adsorption. The surface morphologies of CS were examined by atomic force spectroscopy (AFM). The results obtained from different techniques are in good agreement

Future perspectives in epigenetic inheritance.

Although a growing body of experimental evidence supports the relevance of epigenetic inheritance to mammalian physiology (including humans), the underlying molecular mechanisms are still unknown. The aim of this chapter is to provide a short overview of the best-characterized molecular mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and then continue and focus on yet to be explored, perspective mechanisms. The chapter concludes with an overview of the potential relevance epigenetic inheritance poses to human health and well-being