The immunohistochemical expression of c-Met is an independent predictor of survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Because the outcome of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains dismal, there is an urgent need for a better molecular characterization of this malignancy. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the prognostic impact of the expression of c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition (c-Met) a receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in expression growth, survival, motility/migration, and invasion in GMB patients managed according to the established diagnostic and therapeutic protocols.

METHODS

Between May 2003 and March 2011, a total of 69 patients (33 males and 36 females; mean age: 52.2 ± 12.9 years, age range: 23-81 years) referred to our Department for the surgical removal of GBM were evaluated immunohistochemically for c-Met expression. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) served as the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Compared with c-Met- subjects (n = 38), c-Met+ subjects (n = 31) had both a significantly lower OS (15.3 ± 2.3 vs. 22.6 ± 2.5 months, respectively, p < 0.01) and PFS (12.3 ± 2.1 vs. 19.1 ± 2.6 months, respectively, p < 0.05). After allowance for potential confounders, multivariate Cox regression analysis identified c-Met+ as an independent predictor of both OS (hazard ratio = 1.7; 95 % confidence interval = 1.2-1.9, p < 0.01) and PFS (hazard ratio = 1.6; 95 % confidence interval = 1.1-2.3, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that c-Met immunohistochemical expression is an independent predictor of outcomes in patients with GBM treated by standard of care.

A multi-institutional evaluation of carboplatin plus docetaxel regimen in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer

PURPOSE

Albeit the majority of gastric cancers occur at advanced age, little is known regarding the optimal systemic treatment of elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

METHODS

Patients with AGC who were ≥ 65 years old and were treated with carboplatin (area under the curve/AUC 5,on day 1, every 3 weeks) plus docetaxel (75 mg/m(2), on day 1, every 3 weeks) at 3 institutions were included in this retrospective analysis. The efficacy and the safety data of the regimen were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 30 patients were enrolled. They received 128 cycles of chemotherapy, with a median of 4 cycles (range 2-8). Complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) were observed in 2 (6.7%) and 10 patients (33.3%), respectively, amounting to an overall objective response rate (ORR) of 40%. Seven patients (23.3%) had disease stabilization (SD), and 11 (36.7%) showed disease progression (PD). The most common grade 3-4 toxicity was neutropenia occurring in 19 patients (63.3%). The mean progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.0 ± 0.5 months (95% CI: 5.0-7.4), and the mean overall survival (OS) 12.0 ± 1.0 months (95% CI: 9.2-12.1).

CONCLUSION

Carboplatin plus docetaxel seems to be an active and well-tolerated regimen, representing a valuable alternative to cisplatin- and/or fluoropyrimidine-containing regimens for the treatment of elderly patients with AGC.

Vibrational spectra, UV and NMR, first order hyperpolarizability and HOMO-LUMO analysis of 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine

The solid phase FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of 2-amino-4-chloro-6-methylpyrimidine (2A4Cl6MP) have been recorded in the regions 400-4000 and 50-4,000 cm(-1), respectively. The spectra have been interpreted interms of fundamentals modes, combination and overtone bands. The structure of the molecule has been optimized and the structural characteristics have been determined by density functional theory (B3LYP) method with 6-311++G(d,p) as basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated and were compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The infrared and Raman spectra have also been predicted from the calculated intensities. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra were recorded and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method. UV-Vis spectrum of the compound was recorded in the region 200-400 nm and the electronic properties HOMO and LUMO energies were measured by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. Nonlinear optical and thermodynamic properties were interpreted. All the calculated results were compared with the available experimental data of the title molecule.

Biological denitrification of drinking water using autotrophic organisms with H(2) in a fluidized-bed biofilm reactor

Biological denitrification of drinking water was studied in a fluidized sand bed reactor using a mixed culture. Hydrogen gas was used as the reaction partner. The reaction kinetics were calculated with a double Monod saturation function. The K(s) value for hydrogen was below 0.1% of saturation. No appreciable biofilm diffusion effects were detected. Reactor performance was a function of the culture's past history. Batch experiments always exhibited an accumulation of NO(2) (-), but continuous experiments with a sufficiently long residence time always resulted in complete nitrogen removal. Rates of up to 23 mg N/L h, 25 mg N/g DW h, and 7.9 mg H(2)/L h were achieved. Residence times of 4.5 h would be required for complete denitrification of water containing 25 mg NO(3) (-)-N/L or approximately 1 h for every 5 mg/L.

Synthesis, FT-IR, FT-Raman, dispersive Raman and NMR spectroscopic study of a host molecule which potential applications in sensor devices

The solid phase FT-IR, FT-Raman and dispersive Raman spectra of the host molecule which potential applications in sensor devices have been recorded in the region 400-4000 and 50-3500cm(-1), respectively. The spectra were interpreted in terms of fundamentals modes, combination and overtone bands. The structure of the molecule was optimized and the structural characteristics were determined by density functional theory (DFT) using B3LYP method with 6-31G(d) basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated for the studied molecule by DFT method, and compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. Finally the calculation results were applied to simulate infrared and Raman spectra of the compound. Obtained these spectra also showed good agreement with observed spectra. The dipole moment, linear polarizability and first hyperpolarizability values were also computed. The linear polarizability and first hyperpolarizability of the studied molecule indicate that the compound is a good candidate of nonlinear optical materials.

The spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV) and first order hyperpolarizability, HOMO and LUMO analysis of 3-aminobenzophenone by density functional method

In this work, experimental and theoretical study on the molecular structure and the vibrational spectra of 3-aminobenzophenone (3-ABP) is presented. The vibrational frequencies of the title compound were obtained theoretically by DFT/B3LYP calculations employing the standard 6-311++G(d,p) basis set for optimized geometry and were compared with Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR) in the region of 400-4000 cm(-1) and with Fourier Transform Raman spectrum in the region of 50-4000 cm(-1). Complete vibrational assignments, analysis and correlation of the fundamental modes for the title compound were carried out. The vibrational harmonic frequencies were scaled using scale factor, yielding a good agreement between the experimentally recorded and the theoretically calculated values.

The spectroscopic (FTIR, FT-Raman, NMR and UV), first-order hyperpolarizability and HOMO-LUMO analysis of methylboronic acid

The solid phase FTIR and FT-Raman spectra of methylboronic acid (MBA) have been recorded in the regions 400-4000 and 50-4000 cm(-1), respectively. The spectra were interpreted interms of fundamentals modes, combination and overtone bands. The structure of the molecule was optimized and the structural characteristics were determined by density functional theory (B3LYP) and HF method with 6-311++G(d,p) as basis set. The vibrational frequencies were calculated for most stable conformer and were compared with the experimental frequencies, which yield good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The infrared and Raman spectra were also predicted from the calculated intensities. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra were recorded and (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts of the molecule were calculated using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method. UV-visible spectrum of the compound was recorded in the region 200-400 nm and the electronic properties HOMO and LUMO energies were calculated by time-dependent TD-DFT approach. Mulliken charges of the MBA molecule was also calculated and interpreted. The geometric parameters, energies, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, Raman intensities and absorption wavelengths were compared with the available experimental data of the molecule.