SYNTHESIS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF NEW MANDELATE IONIC LIQUIDS.

Novel mandelate ionic liquids with quartenary ammonium cations were synthesized and characterized. The compounds exhibit antimicrobial activity and the most potent one is of similar efficacy against Gram+ bacteria as its counterpart chloride. On the other hand, the mandelates are much less active against Gram-bacteria and fungi. QSAR models suggest that, with respect to cation, their potency depends on lipophilicity. The synthesized ionic liquids are also quite cytotoxic against mammalian cells.

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome with Unusual Synchronous Malignancies: A Case Report.

Introduction: Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder brought on by pathogenic mutations in the TP53 tumor suppressor gene. LFS is characterized by a high lifetime risk of developing various cancers at a relatively young age. Case Presentation: We are presenting a 48-year-old male with a diagnosis of LFS that was confirmed by a genetic test triggered by the patient's son's diagnosis of LFS and leukemia. The patient's main symptoms were abdominal pain and weight loss. The patient was diagnosed with two synchronous primary tumors: first, a metastatic gastric invasive adenocarcinoma that is microsatellite instability (MSI) -high; and second, a low grade (G1) (non-function) well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. These cancers are not the usual type associated with LFS. After eight cycles of chemo-immunotherapy in the form of FOLFOX-Nivolumab, our radiological assessment showed significant response in the metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma and stable disease in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The patient remains on single agent Nivolumab and has had stable disease for the last 12 months. Conclusion: Gastric cancer and neuroendocrine tumors are not usually associated with LFS. This case illustrates a rare clinical presentation of multiple malignancies in LFS patients.

Application of the biospeckle method for monitoring bull's eye rot development and quality changes of apples subjected to various storage methods-preliminary studies.

In this study, the biospeckle technique was evaluated for monitoring of apple bull's eye rot development and product quality in general, during storage under various conditions and during subsequent shelf life. This non-destructive optical method is based on the analysis of laser light variations scattered from the sample. Apples of the cultivars 'Pinova' and 'Topaz', susceptible to bull's eye rot, were used in two independent experiments. In the first, apples were non-destructively monitored for five months during cold storage. After that time, 34% of 'Pinova' and 21% of 'Topaz' apples displayed visible surface lesions. The increase of biospeckle activity was observed during the development of fungal disease. In the second experiment various storage conditions were used and apples were tested during their shelf life by non-destructive and destructive methods. This study showed that biospeckle activity decreased during shelf life, irrespective of storage conditions.

HER2 overexpression and amplification is present in a subset of ovarian mucinous carcinomas and can be targeted with trastuzumab therapy.

BACKGROUND: The response rate of ovarian mucinous carcinomas to paclitaxel/carboplatin is low, prompting interest in targeted molecular therapies. We investigated HER2 expression and amplification, and the potential for trastuzumab therapy in this histologic subtype of ovarian cancer. METHODS: HER2 status was tested in 33 mucinous carcinomas and 16 mucinous borderline ovarian tumors (BOT)). Five cases with documented recurrence and with tissue from the recurrence available for testing were analyzed to determine whether HER2 amplification status changed over time. Three prospectively identified recurrent mucinous ovarian carcinomas were assessed for HER2 amplification and patients received trastuzumab therapy with conventional chemotherapy. RESULTS: Amplification of HER2 was observed in 6/33 (18.2%) mucinous carcinomas and 3/16 (18.8%) BOT. HER2 amplification in primary mucinous carcinomas was not associated with an increased likelihood of recurrence. The prospectively identified recurrent mucinous carcinomas showed overexpression and amplification of HER2; one patient's tumor responded dramatically to trastuzumab in combination with conventional chemotherapy, while another patient experienced an isolated central nervous system recurrence after trastuzumab therapy. CONCLUSION: HER2 amplification is relatively common in ovarian mucinous carcinomas (6/33, 18.2%), although not of prognostic significance. Trastuzumab therapy is a treatment option for patients with mucinous carcinoma when the tumor has HER2 amplification and overexpression.

Palliative Radiation Therapy for Symptom Control in an Advanced Case of Pseudomyxoma Peritonei.

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PP) is a rare clinical condition characterized by progressive mucinous ascites, which is typically caused by a mucin-producing neoplasm. Reports of radiation therapy (RT) in the management of PP are limited. We report a unique case of a 62-year-old woman with severe, end-stage, recurrent PP and a large, mucin-secreting mass protruding through her abdominal wall. Low-dose, hypofractionated palliative RT was administered for symptom control with the hope of improving her quality of life. We suggest that radiation therapy be considered in the comprehensive palliative management of patients with PP.

Effect of Cytochalasin B, Lantrunculin B, Colchicine, Cycloheximid, Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Ion Channel Inhibitors on Biospeckle Activity in Apple Tissue.

The biospeckle phenomenon is used for non-destructive monitoring the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables, but in the case of plant tissues there is a lack of experimentally confirmed information about the biological origin of the biospeckle activity (BA). As a main sources of BA, processes associated with the movement inside the cell, such as cytoplasmic streaming, organelle movement and intra- and extracellular transport mechanisms, are considered. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of metabolism inhibitors, connected with intracellular movement such as cytochalasin B, lantrunculin B, colchicine, cycloheximid, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and mixture of ion channel inhibitors, injected into apples, on BA. Two methods of BA analysis based on cross-correlation coefficient and Laser Speckle Contrast Analysis (LASCA) were used. DMSO, lantrunculin B and mixture of ion channel inhibitors have a significant effect on BA, and approximately 74 % of BA of apple tissue is potentially caused by biological processes. Results indicate that the functioning of actin microfilaments and ion channels significantly affect BA.

Duodenal epithelioid gastrointestinal stromal tumor with prominent granular cell features.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are a group of mesenchymal tumors arising from the wall of the gastrointestinal tract that are characterized by activating mutations in KIT or PDGFRA. Their proper recognition is important clinically because of their potential responsiveness to targeted therapies. We report a case of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor with a highly unusual epithelioid morphology that had an appearance reminiscent of a steroid producing neoplasm, such as an adrenal cortical neoplasm or, alternatively, a renal cell carcinoma variant. The recognition of the current tumor as a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor was prompted by its apparent location in the duodenal wall. Ancillary immunohistochemical and molecular sequence analyses were necessary to confirm the diagnosis as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The current case illustrates the importance of considering gastrointestinal stromal tumor in the differential diagnosis of any epithelioid tumors in the gastrointestinal tract or the abdominal-pelvic cavity.

Long-alkyl-chain quaternary ammonium lactate based ionic liquids.

A new group of quaternary ammonium lactate based ionic liquids have been prepared and characterized. Didecyldimethylammonium (DDA) and benzalkonium (BA) D,L- and L-lactates are air-stable, hydrophilic, surface-active salts. They are very effective antibacterial and antifungal agents, especially the DDA lactates, against Streptococcus mutants and Candida albicans. Their activities are comparable or more effective than the original benzalkonium chloride. In addition, they have been shown to be good insect-feeding deterrents. However, they are poor antifungal agents for wood preservation. The toxicity of the DDA and BA lactates has also been studied and the results are presented in this paper.