Herein, an overview of the evolution of electrochemical C–H annulations with alkynes for the construction of heterocycles is provided, with a topical focus on the underlying mechanism manifolds.

This paper describes the development and implementation of feature selection for content based image retrieval. We are working on CBIR system with new efficient technique. In this system, we use multi feature extraction such as colour, texture and shape. The three techniques are used for feature extraction such as colour moment, gray level co- occurrence matrix and edge histogram descriptor. To reduce curse of dimensionality and find best optimal features from feature set using feature selection based on genetic algorithm. These features are divided into similar image classes using clustering for fast retrieval and improve the execution time. Clustering technique is done by k-means algorithm. The experimental result shows feature selection using GA reduces the time for retrieval and also increases the retrieval precision, thus it gives better and faster results as compared to normal image retrieval system. The result also shows precision and recall of proposed approach compared to previous approach for each image class. The CBIR system is more efficient and better performs using feature selection based on Genetic Algorithm.

Background/Objectives: Oxidative stress is a well-established driver of neuronal dysfunction and a shared pathological mechanism across neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacological activation of the Nrf2/ARE pathway is a validated strategy to counteract oxidative damage, as demonstrated by the clinical approval of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and monomethyl fumarate (MMF) for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. These electrophilic compounds activate Nrf2 via covalent Keap1 modification. Cynara scolymus L. structurally related electrophilic metabolites; however, their contribution to Nrf2 activation remains undefined. This study aimed to identify and characterize the constituents responsible for Nrf2 activation and benchmark their potency against DMF and MMF. Methods: Bioactivity-guided fractionation combining Soxhlet extraction, Nrf2/ARE luciferase reporter screening, semi-preparative HPLC, and spectroscopic identification was employed. Functional validation included extracellular thiol quantification, H₂O₂ cytoprotection assays, and western blot analysis of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Results: The dichloromethane extract exhibited the highest Nrf2-inducing activity (54.4 - fold). Fractionation yielded five guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones (1-5), four of which were active. The α-methylene-γ-lactone moiety was essential for activity. Aguerin B (3) exhibited the highest activity (39.14 ± 11.13-fold), while TBA analysis identified cynaropicrin (2) as the dominant extract-level contributor (62.9% of total activity). Notably, aguerin B and cynaropicrin (2) induced greater activation than DMF and MMF in Nrf2/ARE reporter assay. Downstream pathway activation was confirmed by concentration- and time-dependent HO-1 upregulation, elevated extracellular glutathione and CysGly levels, and significant protection against H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity without intrinsic toxicity. Conclusions: Guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones are the primary mediators of Nrf2 activation in C. scolymus. Cynaropicrin (2) exhibited superior in vitro potency over fumarates, supporting its relevance for further pharmacological investigation.

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) transcription factor is a master regulator of cytoprotective antioxidant gene expression; nevertheless, the ability of electrolyzed water formulations and their metal salt combinations to modulate this pathway remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to investigate whether ASEA Redox Signaling Molecules Supplement (ARS) activates the Nrf2 pathway and whether selected metal salts enhance this effect. Nrf2 activation was quantified in AREc32 luciferase reporter cells; cytotoxicity was assessed via Alamar Blue assay. Extracellular glutathione (GSH) and related thiols were quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection. Western blot analysis of HepG2 cells was performed to assess the expression of Nrf2-regulated cytoprotective proteins, including HO-1 and GCLC. ARS alone induced modest Nrf2 activation (1.78 ± 0.51-fold). Combination treatment with gold(III) chloride trihydrate (HAuCl₄.3H₂O) significantly enhanced activation (7.43 ± 1.15-fold), whereas the salt alone exhibited negligible activity. Zinc and copper salts exhibited moderate activation. Notably, ARS combined with gold(III) chloride trihydrate significantly elevated extracellular GSH (2.46 ± 2.73-fold) and upregulated HO-1 protein expression. Collectively, these data demonstrate that electrolyzed water formulations activate the Nrf2-ARE pathway in vitro, with marked potentiation by specific metal salts, particularly gold chloride trihydrate, implicating synergistic modulation of cellular antioxidant signaling.