Herbal Medicine in Three Different Mediterranean Living Areas During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Polyphenolic-Rich Thyme-like Plants.

Despite herbal medicine being popular across the Mediterranean basin, there is no evidence in favor of COVID-19 infection. This study investigates the utilization and effects of medicinal plants in Italy, Lebanon, and Tunisia during COVID-19 and its effects on post-COVID-19 pandemics. We used a tailored, web-based "Google Form" questionnaire with the random sampling method.

Molecular engineering of 3-arylated tetrazo[1,2-]indazoles: divergent synthesis and structure-property relationships.

The synthetic scope of 3-arylated tetrazo[1,2-]indazoles is reported based on a Pd-catalyzed Liebeskind-Srogl cross-coupling reaction followed by an N-cyclisation process. The reactivity of the nitrogen atoms was used to further diversify these N-rich polyaromatic tetrazo[1,2-]indazoles in a panel of reactions (protonation, selective oxidation, metallations). Selective -C-H activation/functionalization on the heterocycle was also demonstrated with three transition metals (TM = Pd, Ir and Rh).

Genotype-phenotype associations in CRB1 bi-allelic patients: a novel mutation, a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: The goal of the study was to search for novel bi-allelic CRB1 mutations, and then to analyze the CRB1 literature at the genotypic and phenotypic levels.

Approach: We screened various variables such as the CRB1 mutation types, domains, exons, and genotypes and their relation with specific ocular phenotypes. An emphasis was given to the bi-allelic missense and nonsense mutations because of their high prevalence compared to other mutation types.

Systemic Treatment for Brain Metastasis and Leptomeningeal Disease in Breast Cancer Patients.

Purpose Of Review: Breast cancer with brain metastasis (BCBM) and leptomeningeal disease (LMD) are important clinical problems. Traditionally, patients with metastases to the brain and meninges were excluded from clinical trials; hence, robust, evidence-based treatment recommendations are lacking. In this review, we outline the systemic treatment options and ongoing clinical trials.

Impact of GSM-EMW exposure on the markers of oxidative stress in fetal rat liver.

The current study investigated the effects of 24 h/day prenatal exposure to global system for mobile communication electromagnetic fields (GSM-EMFs), 900 MHZ-induced electromagnetic radiation (EMR), on oxidative stress (OS) status, apoptotic, and inflammatory changes in liver of rats during their fetal development period. Fifty-two Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were equally divided into control and exposed groups. Whole embryos were removed at 7.

Tetrazo[1,2-b]indazoles: Straightforward Access to Nitrogen-Rich Polyaromatics from s-Tetrazines.

The straightforward access to a new class of aza-polyaromatics is reported. Starting from readily available fluorinated s-tetrazine, a cyclization process with azide leads to the formation of an unprecedented tetrazo[1,2-b]indazole or a bis-tetrazo[1,2-b]indazole (cis and trans conformers). Based on the new nitrogen core, further N-directed palladium-catalyzed ortho-C-H bond functionalization allows the introduction of halides or acetates.

Effects of continuous prenatal and postnatal global system for mobile communications electromagnetic waves (GSM-EMW) exposure on the oxidative stress biomarkers in female rat liver.

In light of the increased use of communication technologies, the harm caused by continuous exposure to emitted radiation on pregnancy and developing newborns is among the public concerns. Using Sprague-Dawley rats, our study investigates the effects of 24 h/day prenatal and postnatal 900 MHz radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) exposure of female rats on liver oxidative stress (OS) and other hepatic parameters at postnatal days (PND) 1, 9, and 21. Our results showed that RF-EMR exposure led to an increase in oxidative stress status as indicated by a significant elevation in MDA level at PND9 and PND21, a decrease in catalase (CAT) activity at all ages, a reduction (PND1 and PND9) in catalase amounts and mRNA expression, in addition to a decrease in GPx activity at PND21 in the exposed group.

Alkali halides as nucleophilic reagent sources for N-directed palladium-catalysed -C-H halogenation of -tetrazines and other heteroaromatics.

A general palladium-catalysed selective C-H halogenation reaction is reported, which was successfully achieved for a large variety of functionalized aromatic rings incorporating diverse N-directing groups. By using simple alkali halides of MX type as the nucleophilic reagent source (M = Li, Na, K, Cs and X = I, Br and Cl), and phenyliodanediacetate oxidant, clean C-H-iodination, bromination and chlorination reactions were performed. This general protocol of selective -monohalogenation, which complements but contrasts with the classical methods using electrophilic reagents, is achievable in a short time (30 min) with microwave irradiation assistance.

Repressive effect of Rhus coriaria L. fruit extracts on microglial cells-mediated inflammatory and oxidative stress responses.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Rhus coriaria L. represents a herbal shrub that is used widely in traditional medicine in the Middle East region to treat different diseases including inflammation-related disorders. R.

Antitumor Activity of Ethanolic Extract from aerial Parts: Effects on Cell Viability and Proliferation, Apoptosis Induction, STAT3, and NF-kB Signaling.

Thyme-like plants including . are widely used as food and folk medicinal remedies in the Mediterranean area. This study aimed to explore the in vitro antitumor potential of polyphenol-enriched extracts from aerial parts of .

Protective effects of extracts from Ephedra foeminea Forssk fruits against oxidative injury in human endothelial cells.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Ephedra foeminea is a member of the Ephedraceae family which is widespread in the eastern Mediterranean area. In Lebanon, Ephedra is a popular remedy in traditional medicine to prevent and/or counteract many stress oxidative-related diseases like inflammation and bacterial infections.

Aim Of The Study: Oxidative stress leads to endothelial cell dysfunction, and is a major factor contributing to etiology of atherosclerosis and related diseases.

Bridge-Clamp Bis(tetrazine)s with [N] π-Stacking Interactions and Azido-s-Aryl Tetrazines: Two Classes of Doubly Clickable Tetrazines.

Click chemistry at a tetrazine core is useful for bioorthogonal labeling and crosslinking. Introduced here are two new classes of doubly clickable s-aryl tetrazines synthesized by Cu-catalyzed cross-coupling. Homocoupling of o-brominated s-aryl tetrazines leads to bis(tetrazine)s structurally characterized by tetrazine cores arranged face-to-face.

Sphingomyelin Synthase 1 (SMS1) Downregulation Is Associated With Sphingolipid Reprogramming and a Worse Prognosis in Melanoma.

Sphingolipid (SL) metabolism alterations have been frequently reported in cancer including in melanoma, a bad-prognosis skin cancer. In normal cells, synthesized ceramide is mainly converted to sphingomyelin (SM), the most abundant SL, by sphingomyelin synthase 1 (SMS1) and, albeit to a lesser extent, SMS2, encoded by the and genes, respectively. Alternatively, ceramide can be converted to glucosylceramide (GlcCer) by the GlcCer synthase (GCS), encoded by the gene.

Antisteatotic and antioxidant activities of Thymbra spicata L. extracts in hepatic and endothelial cells as in vitro models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Thymbra spicata, a member of the Lamiaceae family, is native to eastern Mediterranean area. Leaves of this plant are rich in phenolic compounds and are a popular remedy of traditional medicine in Lebanon to prevent and/or counteract hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

Aim Of The Study: To evaluate the antisteatotic and antioxidant activities of extracts from leaves of Thymbra spicata L.

Patient With 2 Hematologic Malignancies Presenting as Neurolymphomatosis.

Peripheral nervous system damage from hematologic malignancies is related to neoplastic cells infiltration of peripheral nerves or to monoclonal antibody production cross-reacting with peripheral nerves' antigens. Neurolymphomatosis (NL), a rare manifestation of hematologic malignancies, occurs when malignant cells invade the peripheral nerves leading to various manifestations. Here, we report a case of NL with 2 hematologic malignancies in a 79-year-old woman presenting with lower extremity pain/weakness.

Extracellular vesicles released by mesenchymal-like prostate carcinoma cells modulate EMT state of recipient epithelial-like carcinoma cells through regulation of AR signaling.

Extracellular vesicles released from cancer cells may play an important role in cancer progression by shuttling oncogenic information into recipient cells. However, our knowledge is still fragmentary and there remain numerous questions regarding the mechanisms at play and the functional consequences of these interactions. We have recently established a mesenchymal-like prostate cancer cell line (22Rv1/CR-1; Mes-PCa).

Rapid identification and validation of novel targeted approaches for Glioblastoma: A combined ex vivo-in vivo pharmaco-omic model.

Tumor heterogeneity is a major factor in glioblastoma's poor response to therapy and seemingly inevitable recurrence. Only two glioblastoma drugs have received Food and Drug Administration approval since 1998, highlighting the urgent need for new therapies. Profiling "omics" analyses have helped characterize glioblastoma molecularly and have thus identified multiple molecular targets for precision medicine.

Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry Method to Study Sphingolipid Metabolism Changes in Response to CD95L.

Sphingolipids are sphingoid base-containing lipids, among which some metabolites behave as bioactive molecules in various biological processes, including cell death. Whereas ceramide is now viewed as an anti-oncometabolite, leading to cancer cell death, CD95L-induced apoptosis is associated with sphingolipid changes, which likely contribute to caspase-dependent signaling pathway activation. Here, we describe Liquid Chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry method (LC-HRMS) to analyze sphingolipid metabolism changes triggered by CD95L.

Method to Measure Sphingomyelin Synthase Activity Changes in Response to CD95L.

Sphingomyelin synthases 1 and 2 convert the anti-oncometabolite ceramide to sphingomyelin, the most abundant sphingolipid in plasma membrane. CD95L-induced ceramide increase is associated with the caspase-dependent inhibition of sphingomyelin synthesis, which enhances the mitochondrial route to apoptosis. Knocking down sphingomyelin synthase 1 or inhibiting sphingomyelin synthesis facilitates ceramide accumulation, cytochrome c release from mitochondria, and caspase-9 activation in cancer cell upon CD95L treatment.

Combination of arsenic and interferon-α inhibits expression of KSHV latent transcripts and synergistically improves survival of mice with primary effusion lymphomas.

Background: Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiologic agent of primary effusion lymphomas (PEL). PEL cell lines infected with KSHV, but negative for Epstein-Barr virus have a tumorigenic potential in non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice and result in efficient engraftment and formation of malignant ascites with notable abdominal distension, consistent with the clinical manifestations of PEL in humans.

Methodology/principal Findings: Using this preclinical mouse model, we demonstrate that the combination of arsenic trioxide and interferon-alpha (IFN) inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis and downregulates the latent viral transcripts LANA-1, v-FLIP and v-Cyc in PEL cells derived from malignant ascites.

Chemical composition, in vitro cytotoxicity and anti-free radical properties of six extracts from Lebanese Trigonella berythea Boiss.

This study represents an original work aimed to recognize the main constitution of Trigonella berythea. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of leaves and stems of T. berythea have been estimated.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of a Lebanese plant Euphorbia macroclada schyzoceras.

Objective: To determine the chemical composition, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the crude extracts from leaves and stems of a Lebanese plant Euphorbia macroclada schyzoceras (E. macroclada), and to evaluate their antioxidant potential using DPPH, H2O2, and chelating of ferrous ions tests.

Methods: Quantification of the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the crude extracts from leaves and stems and the antioxidant activities were evaluated using spectrophotometric analyses.

Circulating miR-150 and miR-342 in plasma are novel potential biomarkers for acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (19-22-nt) single-stranded noncoding RNA molecules whose deregulation of expression can contribute to human disease including the multistep processes of carcinogenesis in human. Circulating miRNAs are emerging biomarkers in many diseases and cancers such as type 2 diabetes, pulmonary disease, colorectal cancer, and gastric cancer among others; however, defining a plasma miRNA signature in acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) that could serve as a biomarker for diagnosis or in the follow-up has not been done yet.

Methods: TaqMan miRNA microarray was performed to identify deregulated miRNAs in the plasma of AML patients.

Elastic stable intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures in children.

Purpose: Tibial fractures in the skeletally immature patient are usually treated without surgery. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is commonly used for other diaphyseal fracture locations. Its advantages are minimally invasive surgery with a short hospitalisation duration, primary bone union and early weight bearing.