Antimicrobial activity and physico-chemical properties of some alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides

A series of alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides have been synthesized with n-alkyl chain lengths of C1 leads to C18. Octanol/water partition coefficients were determined and the antimicrobial activity assessed as the minimum growth inhibitory concentrations towards twelve strains of micro-organisms, representative of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts and fungi. The data were subjected to a numerical analysis. Antimicrobial activity of the compounds was found to be a parabolic function of their lipophilicity and maximized with n-alkyl chain lengths of between C12 and C16. The data fit to quadratic functions estimated for low (C1-C7) and high (C8-C16) alkyl chain length compounds was better than for a single quadratic describing the activity of the complete series (C1-C18). These maximized at log P values corresponding to alkyl-chain lengths of approximately C7 and C14 respectively, and were suggestive of low and high affinity binding sites upon the cell surface. The data analysis allowed the chain lengths of compounds with optimal activity towards the various groups of organisms to be determined. Generally yeasts and fungi were most sensitive towards C12, Gram-positive bacteria towards C14, and the Gram-negative bacteria towards C16. Gram-negative cells were the most resistant towards all the compounds and Gram-positive cells the least.     

Comparative effects of trichothecene mycotoxins on bovine platelet function: Acetyl T-2 toxin,a more potent inhibitor than T-2 toxin

The effects of the trichothecene mycotoxins (acetyl T-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, HT-2 toxin, palmityl T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), deoxynivalenol (DON), and T-2 tetraol) on bovine platelet function were examined in homologous plasma stimulated with platelet activating factor (PAF). The mycotoxins inhibited platelet function with the following order of potency: acetyl T-2 toxin > palmityl T-2 toxin = DAS > HT-2 toxin = T-2 toxin. While T-2 tetraol was completely ineffective as an inhibitor, DON exhibited minimal inhibitory activity at concentrations above 10×10^?4M. The stability of the platelet aggregates formed was significantly reduced in all mycotoxin treated platelets compared to that of the untreated PAF controls. It is suggested that the increased sensitivity of PAF stimulated bovine platelets to the more lipophilic mycotoxins may be related to their more efficient partitioning into the platelet membrane compared to the more hydrophilic compounds.     

An extensive review on antifungal approaches in the treatment of mucormycosis

During the period of COVID-19, the occurrences of mucormycosis in immunocompromised patients have increased significantly. Mucormycosis (black fungus) is a rare and rapidly progressing fungal infection associated with high mortality and morbidity in India as well as globally. The causative agents for this infection are collectively called mucoromycetes which are the members of the order Mucorales. The diagnosis of the infection needs to be performed as soon as the occurrence of clinical symptoms which differs with types of Mucorales infection. Imaging techniques magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan, culture testing, and microscopy are the approaches for the diagnosis. After the diagnosis of the infection is confirmed, rapid action is needed for the treatment in the form of antifungal therapy or surgery depending upon the severity of the infection. Delaying in treatment declines the chances of survival. In antifungal therapy, there are two approaches first-line therapy (monotherapy) and combination therapy. Amphotericin B ( 1 ) and isavuconazole ( 2 ) are the drugs of choice for first-line therapy in the treatment of mucormycosis. Salvage therapy with posaconazole ( 3 ) and deferasirox ( 4 ) is another approach for patients who are not responsible for any other therapy. Adjunctive therapy is also used in the treatment of mucormycosis along with first-line therapy, which involves hyperbaric oxygen and cytokine therapy. There are some drugs like VT-1161 ( 5 ) and APX001A ( 6 ), Colistin, SCH 42427, and PC1244 that are under clinical trials. Despite all these approaches, none can be 100% successful in giving results. Therefore, new medications with favorable or little side effects are required for the treatment of mucormycosis.     

Monoclonal antibodies to rabbit liver cytochrome P-448

Cytochrome P-448 (mol wt 55,000 Daltons) from rabbit liver was purified to a specific content of 16.6 nmol/mg. Mice were immunised with this preparation, their spleens removed and dissociated lymphocytes hybridised with myeloma cells. Four monoclonal antibodies against cytochrome P-448 were raised and partially characterised. All four antibodies interacted with cytochrome P-448 in intact microsomal fractions and selectively immunoadsorbed cytochrome P-448 from solubilised microsomal preparations. One of the antibodies inhibited benzo[a] pyrene hydroxylase activity in a reconstituted system, one had no effect on activity and two increased activity. The possible applications of such antibodies are discussed.     

Somatic embryogenesis and in vitro plant regeneration of Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst., a potential medicinal water hyssop plant

Bacopa monnieri (Linn.) Wettst. commonly known as waterhyssop, Brahmi plant, traditionally used for memory enhancement, nerve tonic, epilepsy, central nervous system (CNS), antidepressant, anxiety, blood pressure and antioxidant activities. Due to pharmaceutical demands its lost natural habitat. At this juncture we describe a resourceful protocol for micropropagation of water hyssop plant. Surface sterilized leaf and nodal explants were inoculated on basal MS semi-solid medium added with PGRs; auxins, cytokinins. Highest calli formation from leaf explants was obtained on NAA (2.5 mg⁻¹) and showed (94.22%) accompanied via 2,4-D showed (2.5 mg⁻¹; 82.43%), maximum calli formation in nodal explants was obtained on 2,4-D showed (2.5 mg⁻¹; 71.14%) followed by NAA (2.5 mg⁻¹) showed (62.15%), in internodes explants uppermost calli formation was obtained from 2,4-D showed (2.5 mg⁻¹; 65.21%) followed by NAA (2.5 mg⁻¹) showed (52.14%). The maximum somatic embryogenic callus, calli induction and formation (84%) was observed on 2,4-D + KIN (2.0 + 1.5 mg⁻¹) amended solid medium. Uppermost shoot formation was observed in combination of IAA + BAP (1.0 + 1.0 mg⁻¹) showed (78.54%) shoot formation followed by IBA (2.0 mg⁻¹) alone showed (75.37%). The maximum shoot elongation was noticed from NAA + BAP (3.0 + 3.0 mg⁻¹) with 21.21 cm followed by NAA (2.0 mg⁻¹) showed (15.22 cm) although, chief root formation was obtained from IBA (2.0 mg⁻¹) with 83.75% root formation along higher number of roots (47.43%) per shoot. Followed by IAA (2.0 mg⁻¹) showed root induction (73.43%) and no of roots (38.54%) per shoot. In hardening under pot condition plants survivability (100%) was observed under glass house conditions, the present in vitro PTC techniques is extremely significant to gratifying its natural conservation.     

Prognostic factors and survival in metastatic breast cancer: A single institution experience

Background

The current retrospective study aims to identify some determinants of survival in metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

The study concerned 332 patients with synchronous (SM) or metachronous (MM) metastatic breast cancer treated between January 2000 and December 2007. Statistical comparison between subgroups of patients concerning survival was carried out employing log-rank test for the invariable analysis and Cox model for the multivariable analysis. Factors included: age group (≤50 years vs. >50; ≤70 years vs. >70; ≤35 years vs. >35), menopausal status, presentation of metastatic disease (SM vs. MM), disease free interval (DFI) (≤24 months vs. >24 months; ≤60 months vs. >60 months), performance status at diagnosis of metastatic disease (PS) (0–1 vs. >1), hormone receptors (HR), number of metastatic sites (1 site vs. >1), nature of the metastatic site (visceral vs. non visceral), first line therapy, surgery of the primary tumor (SPT), locoregional radiotherapy (LRRT) and use or not of bisphosphonates.

Results

Overall survival at 5 years was 12%. Positive prognostic factors in univariate analysis were: age ≤ 70 years, hormono-dependence of the tumor, good PS (PS 0–1), less than two metastatic sites, no visceral metastases, DFI ≥ 24 months, SPT or LRRT. In multivariate analysis, favorable independent prognostic factors included: good PS (PS 0–1), absence of visceral metastases (liver, lung, brain) and age ≤ 70 years.

Conclusion

Many of the prognostic factors in metastatic breast cancer found in our study are known in the literature but some of them, like the application of locoregional treatment (radiotherapy or surgery) and the use of bisphosphonates, need to be further investigated in randomized clinical trials.     

Discovery Analysis of TCGA Data Reveals Association between Germline Genotype and Survival in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Background

Ovarian cancer remains a significant public health burden, with the highest mortality rate of all the gynecological cancers. This is attributable to the late stage at which the majority of ovarian cancers are diagnosed, coupled with the low and variable response of advanced tumors to standard chemotherapies. To date, clinically useful predictors of treatment response remain lacking. Identifying the genetic determinants of ovarian cancer survival and treatment response is crucial to the development of prognostic biomarkers and personalized therapies that may improve outcomes for the late-stage patients who comprise the majority of cases.

Methods

To identify constitutional genetic variations contributing to ovarian cancer mortality, we systematically investigated associations between germline polymorphisms and ovarian cancer survival using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA). Using stage-stratified Cox proportional hazards regression, we examined 650,000 SNP loci for association with survival. We additionally examined whether the association of significant SNPs with survival was modified by somatic alterations.

Results

Germline polymorphisms at rs4934282 (AGAP11/C10orf116) and rs1857623 (DNAH14) were associated with stage-adjusted survival ( = 1.12e-07 and 1.80e-07, FDR  = 1.2e-04 and 2.4e-04, respectively). A third SNP, rs4869 (C10orf116), was additionally identified as significant in the exome sequencing data; it is in near-perfect LD with rs4934282. The associations with survival remained significant when somatic alterations.

Conclusions

Discovery analysis of TCGA data reveals germline genetic variations that may play a role in ovarian cancer survival even among late-stage cases. The significant loci are located near genes previously reported as having a possible relationship to platinum and taxol response. Because the variant alleles at the significant loci are common (frequencies for rs4934282 A/C alleles = 0.54/0.46, respectively; rs1857623 A/G alleles = 0.55/0.45, respectively) and germline variants can be assayed noninvasively, our findings provide potential targets for further exploration as prognostic biomarkers and individualized therapies.     

Saikosaponin-d,a novel SERCA inhibitor,induces autophagic cell death in apoptosis-defective cells

Autophagy is an important cellular process that controls cells in a normal homeostatic state by recycling nutrients to maintain cellular energy levels for cell survival via the turnover of proteins and damaged organelles. However, persistent activation of autophagy can lead to excessive depletion of cellular organelles and essential proteins, leading to caspase-independent autophagic cell death. As such, inducing cell death through this autophagic mechanism could be an alternative approach to the treatment of cancers. Recently, we have identified a novel autophagic inducer, saikosaponin-d (Ssd), from a medicinal plant that induces autophagy in various types of cancer cells through the formation of autophagosomes as measured by GFP-LC3 puncta formation. By computational virtual docking analysis, biochemical assays and advanced live-cell imaging techniques, Ssd was shown to increase cytosolic calcium level via direct inhibition of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase pump, leading to autophagy induction through the activation of the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase–AMP-activated protein kinase–mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. In addition, Ssd treatment causes the disruption of calcium homeostasis, which induces endoplasmic reticulum stress as well as the unfolded protein responses pathway. Ssd also proved to be a potent cytotoxic agent in apoptosis-defective or apoptosis-resistant mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, which either lack caspases 3, 7 or 8 or had the Bax-Bak double knockout. These results provide a detailed understanding of the mechanism of action of Ssd, as a novel autophagic inducer, which has the potential of being developed into an anti-cancer agent for targeting apoptosis-resistant cancer cells.     

Genetic variations of NOD2 and MD2 genes in hepatitis B virus infection

Objectives: Nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD-2) have crucial roles in the innate immune system. NOD2 is a member of the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), while MD-2 is a co-receptor for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which comprises another group of PRRs. Genetic variations in the NOD2 and MD-2 genes may be susceptibility factors to viral pathogens including hepatitis B virus (HBV). We investigated whether polymorphisms at NOD2 (rs2066845 and rs2066844) or at MD-2 (rs6472812 and rs11466004) were associated with susceptibility to HBV infection and advancement to related liver complications in a Saudi Arabian population. Methods: A total of 786 HBV-infected patients and 600 healthy uninfected controls were analyzed in the present study. HBV-infected patients were categorized into three groups based on the clinical stage of the infection: inactive HBV carriers, active HBV carriers, and patients with liver cirrhosis + hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Results: All four SNPs were significantly associated with susceptibility to HBV infection although none of the SNPs tested in NOD2 and MD-2 were significantly associated with persistence of HBV infection. We found that HBV-infected patients that were homozygous CC for rs2066845 in the NOD2 gene were at a significantly increased risk of progression to HBV-related liver complications (Odds Ratio = 7.443 and P = 0.044). Furthermore, haplotype analysis found that the rs2066844-rs2066845 C-G and T-G haplotypes at the NOD2 gene and four rs6472812-rs11466004 haplotypes (G-C, G-T, A-C, and A-T) at the MD-2 gene were significantly associated with HBV infection in the affected cohort compared to those found in our control group. Conclusion: We found that the single nucleotide polymorphisms rs2066844 and rs2066845 at NOD2 and rs6472812 and rs11466004 at MD-2 were associated with susceptibility to HBV infection in a Saudi population.