Multi-target rational design and synthesis of novel diphenyl-tethered pyrazolopyrimidines targeting EGFR and topoisomerase II with potential DNA intercalation and apoptosis induction

Herein, we envisioned the design and synthesis of novel pyrazolopyrimidines (confirmed by elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR, and mass spectra) as multitarget-directed drug candidates acting as EGFR/TOPO II inhibitors, DNA intercalators, and apoptosis inducers. The target diphenyl-tethered pyrazolopyrimidines were synthesized starting from the reaction of phenyl hydrazine and ethoxymethylenemalononitrile to give aminopyrazole-carbonitrile 2. The latter hydrolysis with NaOH and subsequent reaction with 4-chlorobenzaldhyde afforded the corresponding pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-ol 4. Chlorination of 4 with POCl3 and sequential reaction with different amines afforded the target compounds in good yields (up to 73 %). The growth inhibition % of the new derivatives (6a-m) was investigated against different cancer and normal cells and the IC50 values of the most promising candidates were estimated for HNO97, MDA-MB-468, FaDu, and HeLa cancer cells. The frontier derivatives (6a, 6i, 6k, 6l, and 6m) were pursued for their EGFR inhibitory activity. Compound 6l decreased EGFR protein concentration by a 6.10-fold change, compared to imatinib as a reference standard. On the other side, compounds (6a, 6i, 6k, 6l, and 6m) underwent topoisomerase II (TOPO II) inhibitory assay. In particular, compounds 6a and 6l exhibited IC50s of 17.89 and 19.39 μM, respectively, surpassing etoposide with IC50 of 20.82 μM. Besides, the DNA fragmentation images described the great potential of both candidates 6a and 6l in inducing DNA degradation at lower concentrations compared to etoposide and doxorubicin. Moreover, compound 6l, with the most promising EGFR/TOPO II inhibition and DNA intercalation, was selected for further investigation for its apoptosis induction ability by measuring caspases 3, 7, 8, and 9, Bax, p53, MMP2, MMP9, and BCL-2 proteins. Additionally, molecular docking was used to explain the SAR results based on the differences in the molecular features of the investigated congeners and the target receptors' topology.

Design and synthesis of novel pyrazolopyrimidine candidates as promising EGFR-T790M inhibitors and apoptosis inducers

Aim: Our objective was to design and synthesize a new range of pyrazolopyrimidines while maintaining the key pharmacophoric features of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Materials & methods: Percentage inhibition in 14 human cancer cell lines and IC50 values were recorded. Compounds 6c, 7e and 7f were examined against both wild and mutant (T790M) EGFR subtypes. Apoptosis markers, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis assay and molecular docking were performed. Results: Compounds 6c, 7e and 7f demonstrated superior inhibitory potentials against wild and mutant (T790M) EGFR subtypes. A molecular docking study showed that compounds 6c and 7e had the best fit. Conclusion: The designed candidates demonstrated superior inhibitory potential as promising EGFR-T790M inhibitors that agrees with the proposed rationale.

Numerical analysis for tangent-hyperbolic micropolar nanofluid flow over an extending layer through a permeable medium

The principal purpose of the current investigation is to indicate the behavior of the tangent-hyperbolic micropolar nanofluid border sheet across an extending layer through a permeable medium. The model is influenced by a normal uniform magnetic field. Temperature and nanoparticle mass transmission is considered. Ohmic dissipation, heat resource, thermal radiation, and chemical impacts are also included. The results of the current work have applicable importance regarding boundary layers and stretching sheet issues like rotating metals, rubber sheets, glass fibers, and extruding polymer sheets. The innovation of the current work arises from merging the tangent-hyperbolic and micropolar fluids with nanoparticle dispersal which adds a new trend to those applications. Applying appropriate similarity transformations, the fundamental partial differential equations concerning speed, microrotation, heat, and nanoparticle concentration distributions are converted into ordinary differential equations, depending on several non-dimensional physical parameters. The fundamental equations are analyzed by using the Rung-Kutta with the Shooting technique, where the findings are represented in graphic and tabular forms. It is noticed that heat transmission improves through most parameters that appear in this work, except for the Prandtl number and the stretching parameter which play opposite dual roles in tin heat diffusion. Such an outcome can be useful in many applications that require simultaneous improvement of heat within the flow. A comparison of some values of friction with previous scientific studies is developed to validate the current mathematical model.

Silver nanoparticles induced testicular damage targeting NQO1 and APE1 dysregulation, apoptosis via Bax/Bcl-2 pathway, fibrosis via TGF-β/α-SMA upregulation in rats

In medicine, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are employed often. They do, however, have negative impacts, particularly on the reproductive organs. This research aimed to assess AgNP impact on the testis and the possible intracellular mechanisms to induce testicular deteriorations in rats at various concentrations and different time intervals. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 40) were allocated into four equal groups: the control one, and three other groups injected intra-peritoneally with AgNP solution 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg b.w. respectively for 15 and 30 days. Our findings revealed that AgNPs reduced body and testicular weights, estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) hormone levels, and sperm parameters while elevating the nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels with inhibition of reduced glutathione contents in testicular tissue. Interestingly, AgNPs significantly upregulated the testicular inducible nitric oxide synthase, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X, transforming growth factor, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression levels. However, apurinic/apyrimidinic endo deoxyribonuclease 1 (APE1), NAD (P) H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), and Bcl-2 expression levels were all downregulated indicating exhaustion of body antioxidant and repairing defense mechanisms in testicles in comparison with the control rats. Various histological alterations were also detected which dramatically increased in rats sacrificed after 30 days such as loss of the lining cells of seminiferous tubules with no spermatozoa and tubular irregularities associated with thickening of their basement membranes. Immunolabeling implicated in the apoptotic pathway revealed a negative expression of Bcl-2 and marked immunoreactivity for caspase-3 after 30 days of AgNP treatment in comparison to the control rats. To our knowledge, there have been no previous publications on the role of the α-SMA, APE1, and NQO1 genes in the molecular pathogenesis of AgNP testicular cytotoxicity following AgNP acute and chronic exposure.

Discovery of new 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives as anticancer agents targeting EGFRWT and EGFRT790M

New 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives were designed and synthesised to act as epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs). The synthesised derivatives were assessed for their in vitro anti-proliferative activities against A549 and HCT-116 cancer cells. Compounds 8, 10, 12a, and 12b showed potent anti-proliferative activities. Compound 12b was the most promising member with IC₅₀ values of 8.21 and 19.56 µM against A549 and HCT-116, respectively. Compounds 8, 10, 12a, and 12b were evaluated for their kinase inhibitory activities against wild EGFR (EGFR^WT). Compound 12b was the most potent member showing an IC₅₀ value of 0.016 µM. In addition, compound 12b showed noticeable activity against mutant EGFR (EGFR^T790M) (IC₅₀ = 0.236 µM). Flow cytometric analyses revealed that compound 12b is a good apoptotic inducer and can arrest the cell cycle at S and G2/M phases. Furthermore, it produced an 8.8-fold increase in BAX/Bcl-2 ratio. Molecular docking studies were carried out against EGFR^WT and EGFR^T790M.

Silver nanoparticles induced hepatoxicity via the apoptotic/antiapoptotic pathway with activation of TGFβ-1 and α-SMA triggered liver fibrosis in Sprague Dawley rats

Despite the extraordinary use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in medicinal purposes and the food industry, there is rising worry about potential hazards to human health and the environment. The existing study aims to assess the hepatotoxic effects of different dosages of AgNPs by evaluating hematobiochemical parameters, oxidative stress, liver morphological alterations, immunohistochemical staining, and gene expression to clarify the mechanism of AgNPs' hepatic toxic potential. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into control and three AgNPs intraperitoneally treated groups 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg b.w. daily for 15 and 30 days. AgNP exposure reduced body weight, caused haematological abnormalities, and enhanced hepatic oxidative and nitrosative stress with depletion of the hepatic GSH level. Serum hepatic injury biomarkers with pathological hepatic lesions where cholangiopathy emerges as the main hepatic alteration in a dosage- and duration-dependent manner were also elevated. Furthermore, immunohistochemical labelling of apoptotic markers demonstrated that Bcl-2 was significantly downregulated while caspase-3 was significantly upregulated. In conclusion, the hepatotoxic impact of AgNPs may be regulated by two mechanisms, implying the apoptotic/antiapoptotic pathway via raising BAX and inhibiting Bcl-2 expression levels in a dose-dependent manner. The TGF-β1 and α-SMA pathway which triggered fibrosis with incorporation of iNOS which consequently activates the inflammatory process were also elevated. To our knowledge, there has been no prior report on the experimental administration of AgNPs in three different dosages for short and long durations in rats with the assessment of Bcl-2, BAX, iNOS, TGF-β1, and α-SMA gene expressions.

Pharmacophore-linked pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines as EGFR-TK inhibitors: Synthesis, anticancer evaluation, pharmacokinetics, and in silico mechanistic studies

Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) with small inhibitor molecules has been validated as a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer therapy. Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine is a versatile scaffold that has been exploited for developing potential anticancer agents. On the basis of fragment-based drug discovery, considering the essential pharmacophoric features of potent EGFR tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors, herein, we report the design and synthesis of new hybrid molecules of the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold linked with diverse pharmacophoric fragments with reported anticancer potential. These fragments include hydrazone, indoline-2-one, phthalimide, thiourea, oxadiazole, pyrazole, and dihydropyrazole. The synthesized molecules were evaluated for their anticancer activity against the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. The obtained results revealed comparable antitumor activity with that of the reference drugs doxorubicin and toceranib. Docking studies were performed along with EGFR-TK and ADMET profiling studies. The results of the docking studies showed the ability of the designed compounds to interact with key residues of the EGFR-TK through a number of covalent and noncovalent interactions. The obtained activity of compound 25 (IC50  = 2.89 µM) suggested that it may serve as a lead for further optimization and drug development.

Exploring the Clinicopathological Parameters Affecting the Outcome in Egyptian Patients with Multiple Myeloma

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma-cell neoplasm in which the interplay of several clinical, pathological and genetic parameters affects the patient's prognosis and response to treatment and survival.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the different clinicopathological parameters of MM patients in correlation with response to therapy, progressionfree survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed on 60 MM patients diagnosed at NCI, Cairo University from January 2005 to December 2008. The patients were evaluated for different clinicopathological parameters which were correlated to their response to treatment, OS and PFS.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were followed up for a median period of 21 months wherein about 90% received 1st line treatment: 34 VAD, 17 MP and 3 dexamethasone. Six patients (10%) were referred for BSC. CR was achieved by 15%, 11.7% achieved good PR, 6.7% achieved PR, 22.1% have stable disease, 35% experienced disease progression. ECOG PS-I patients have 39 months median survival compared to 12 months for patients with PS ECOG-II (P 0.005). Patients with multiple skeletal lesions (≥3) have median OS of 19 months (P 0.03). Patients who presented with plasmacytoma have better OS than those without (38 months versus 14 months) (P<0.05). Patients <60 years old have a better median OS compared to patients <60 years (37 months versus 12 months) (P 0.001). OS was 39 months in female patients versus 14 months in male patients (P0.025). Median OS was 9 months for patients with comorbidities versus 27 months for those without (P0.01), 39 months for patients with non-detected paraproteinuria versus 18 months for those with paraproteinuria (P 0.045), 18 months for stage II disease versus 12 months for stage III disease (P0.001), 12 months for patients with elevated serum LDH versus 39 months for those with normal levels (P 0.001), 27 months for patients with normal serum creatinine level versus 13 months for those with elevated levels (>1.4 mg/dl) (P 0.005), 27 months for patients with normal serum calcium levels versus 10 months for those with hypercalcemia (P 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Besides FISH-guided molecular cytogenetic classification of myeloma abnormality, a specific risk-stratification model based upon the patient's age, sex, performance status, lytic bone lesions, plasma cells labeling index, serum creatinine, calcium, LDH, B2M and paraproteins in serum and urine, can depict the response to treatment, OS and PFS of patients with MM.

Nano Mg(1-x)Ni(x)Al₂O₄ spinel pigments for advanced applications

Nano Mg(1-x)Ni(x)Al2O4 spinel pigments were synthesized via polymeric combustion technique upon heat treatment at 210 °C. Citric acid in the presence of ethylene glycol polymer, with mass ratio of 60:40, was successfully used as a host network for the synthesis process. The obtained spinel was calcined at different temperatures; 300-1200°C and investigated by thermal analysis (TG-DTG/DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV-Vis and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) using CIE-Lab/parameters methods have been used for color measurements. The addition of colored pigment on different types of glazes was studied. The results revealed that NiMgAl2O4 spinel beside MgNiO phases were crystallized with particle sizes of 9-21 nm at 600 °C and 52-180 nm at 1200 °C. All prepared samples exhibited green to pale green colors due to the inclusion of Ni(2+) inside the spinel structure. The pale green color intensity increased with increasing calcination temperature. The prepared pigment was suitable to convert commercial and opaque glazes to color product to be used in different applications.

Spondylothoracic dysplasia with diaphragmatic defect: a case report with literature review

Spondylothoracic dysplasia (Jarcho-Levin syndrome) is a syndrome of unknown etiology. We describe a new case with diaphragmatic eventration. Literature review for cases of Jarcho-Levin syndrome with diaphragmatic defects, which were six cases, revealed that renal affection increased when diaphragmatic defects associate the syndrome with pulmonary hypoplasia. Thus, the subgroup of spondylothoracic dysplasia with diaphragmatic defect is a more severe subgroup of the syndrome rather than the other forms of this syndrome. Relating the described anomalies in this case and that of the literature cases to the known embryological basis may point to a pivotal developmental link between lung, kidney and diaphragm, possibly the posterior mesenchyme.

Long-term evaluation of modified lateral anorectal myomectomy for low-segment Hirschsprung disease

OBJECTIVES

To provide a simple myomectomy technique for low-segment Hirschsprung disease and evaluate the efficacy of the new modification.

DESIGN

Case series of 19 patients followed up for 12 to 56 months (mean, 39.1 months).

SETTING

Tanta University Hospital, Tanta, Egypt.

PARTICIPANTS

Nineteen patients aged 4 months to 10 years complaining of chronic constipation, with radiological and clinical data suggestive of low-segment Hirschsprung disease proven by histological examination.

INTERVENTION

Modified lateral anorectal myomectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical and radiological improvement measured by postoperative barium enema, bowel habits, and patient's relief of symptoms.

RESULTS

Seventeen of 19 patients improved clinically and 13 showed radiological improvement 3 years postoperatively. There was poor response in 2 patients, who were subjected to further Soave procedures.

CONCLUSION

Modified lateral anorectal myomectomy is an effective and technically simple procedure in patients suspected of having low-segment Hirschsprung disease.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic sphincterotomy: experience in the Sudan

Over a 5 year period 626 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) examinations were attempted in Khartoum, Sudan. The relevant duct was successfully cannulated and visualized in 94% of cases of biliary tract disease and in 73% of cases of pancreatic disease. This was due to the large number of cases with advanced pancreatic cancer. The commonest abnormal finding was stones in the biliary tree in 214 cases (35% of all cases). Cholangiocarcinoma was seen in 18 cases, pancreatic cancer in 64 cases, chronic pancreatitis in 48 cases and periampullary carcinoma in 20 cases. ERCP was considered normal in 100 cases. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) was performed in 48 cases; 44 had common duct stones. ERCP and EST are feasible and useful procedures in a developing country. However they are expensive and should be carried out in referral centres.