Distinguishing features of Lycium L. species (family Solanaceae) distributed in Egypt based on their anatomical, metabolic, molecular, and ecological characteristics.

Among the 70-80 species of the genus Lycium (family Solanaceae) disjunctly distributed around the world, only three are frequently distributed in different locations in Egypt. Due to the morphological similarities between these three species, there is a need for alternative tools to distinguish them. Thus, the objective of this study was to revise the taxonomic features of Lycium europaeum L., Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult., and Lycium schweinfurthii var. aschersonii (Dammer) Feinbrun in consideration of their anatomical, metabolic, molecular, and ecological characteristics. In addition to analysis of their anatomical and ecological features, DNA barcoding was performed for molecular characterization through internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. Furthermore, metabolic profiling of the studied species was conducted based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The observed anatomical features of the adaxial and abaxial epidermal layers, type of mesophyll, crystals, number of palisade and spongy layers, and the vascular system showed variations between the studied species. Beyond this, the anatomy of the leaves showed an isobilateral structure in the studied species, without distinct differences. Species were molecularly identified in terms of ITS sequences and SCoT markers. The ITS sequences were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers ON149839.1, OP597546.1, and ON521125.1 for L. europaeum L., L. shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii, respectively. The sequences showed variations in GC content between the studied species; this was 63.6% in L. europaeum, 61.53% in L. shawii, and 63.55% in L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii. A total of 62 amplified fragments, including 44 polymorphic fragments with a ratio of 70.97%, were obtained in the SCoT analysis, as well as unique amplicons in L. europaeum L., shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii of 5, 11, and 4 fragments, respectively. Through GC-MS profiling, 38 compounds were identified with clear fluctuations in the extracts of each species. Of these, 23 were distinguishing chemicals that could help in chemical identification of the extracts of the studied species. The present study succeeds in identifying alternative clear and diverse characteristics that can be used to distinguish between L. europaeum, L. shawii, and L. schweinfurthii var. aschersonii.

Choroidal Melanoma: A Mini Review.

Choroidal melanoma is a rare malignant tumour, yet it is the most common primary intra-ocular neoplasm and second on the list of top ten most malignant melanoma sites in the body. Clinical presentation can be non-specific and includes photopsia, floaters, progressive visual field loss, and blurry vision. The tumour is quite often diagnosed clinically during fundus examination; however, the most valued diagnostic tests are A- and B-scan ultrasonography (US). Several factors affect prognosis, including the patient's age, tumour size, histological features, and presence of metastases. Still, with primary treatment and tight surveillance, around 50% of choroidal melanoma patients metastasise.

Genetic Stability, Phenolic, Flavonoid, Ferulic Acid Contents, and Antioxidant Activity of Micropropagated Lycium schweinfurthii Plants.

Lycium schweinfurthii is a Mediterranean wild shrub rich in plant secondary metabolites. In vitro propagation of this plant may support the production of valuable dietary supplements for humanity, introduction of it to the world market, and opportunities for further studies. The presented study aimed to introduce an efficient and reproducible protocol for in vitro micropropagation of L. schweinfurthii and assess the genetic stability of micropropagated plants (MiPs) as well as to estimate phenolic, flavonoid, ferulic acid contents, and the antioxidant activity in leaves of micropropagated plants. Two DNA-based techniques, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and one biochemical technique, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), were used to assess the genetic stability in MiPs. Spectrophotometric analysis was performed to estimate total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity of MiPs leaves, while ferulic acid content was estimated using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Sufficient shoot proliferation was achieved at MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with 0.4 mg L-1 kinetin and rooted successfully on half-strength MS medium fortified with 0.4 mg L-1 Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The Jaccard's similarity coefficients detected in MiPs reached 52%, 55%, and 82% in the RAPD, ISSR, and SDS-PAGE analyses, respectively. In the dried leaves of MiPs, the phenolic, flavonoid, and ferulic acid contents of 11.53 mg gallic acid equivalent, 12.99 mg catechin equivalent, and 45.52 mg were estimated per gram, respectively. However, an IC50 of 0.43, and 1.99 mg mL-1 of MiP dried leaves' methanolic extract was required to scavenge half of the DPPH, and ABTS free radicals, respectively. The study presented a successful protocol for in vitro propagation of a valued promising plant source of phenolic compounds.