Development of novel 1,2,4-triazole containing compounds with anticancer and potent anti-CB1 activity

There is still an unmet need for novel and improved anti-cancer compounds. Nitrogen atoms have heterocyclic ring moieties, which have been shown to have powerful anticancer properties in both natural and synthetic derivatives. Due to their dipole character, hydrogen bonding capacity, rigidity and solubility, 1,2,4-triazoles are particularly effective pharmacophores, interacting with biological receptors with high affinity. Thus, novel 1,2,4-triazole-containing molecular derivatives were synthesized using green chemistry methods, microwave irradiation and ultrasonication, and these methods' operational simplicity and maximum greener synthetic efficiency with green chemistry metrics calculations will be attractive for academic and industrial research and tested against three distinct human cancer cell lines including PANC1 (pancreatic cancer), DU145 (prostate cancer), MCF7 (breast cancer) and one fibroblast cell line (HDF). Here, we showed that compounds 5e and 5f were similar to CB1 antagonists in structure, binding affinity and poses. In addition, compounds 5e-g decreased the viability of pancreatic and prostate cancer cells, albeit with cytotoxicity to HDF cells. The IC50 values for PANC1 cells were between 5.9 and 7.3 µM for compounds 5e-g. Cell cycle analysis showed that the effect of compounds 5e-g in cancer cell growth was largely due to cell cycle arrest at S-phase. In sum, novel 1,2,4-triazole-containing compounds with anticancer and potent anti-CB1 activity have been developed.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Efficacy and safety of cold snare resection in preventive screening colonoscopy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

 Removal of polyps during colonoscopy effectively prevents the development of colorectal cancer. So far, snare resection with high frequency current with or without prior submucosal saline injection is the method of choice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcome of cold snare resection during routine endoscopy.

METHODS

 In this prospective study, 522 patients undergoing outpatient colonoscopy were included. Cold snare resection for diminutive (< 6 mm), small (6 - 9 mm), and larger polyps (> 9 - 15 mm) was performed using a dedicated cold snare device (Exacto ^® ) without prior submucosal injection. Outcome parameters included bleeding rate, perforation rate, procedure time, histologic evaluation of polyp margins, and success rates. The data were compared to a group of patients undergoing hot snare resection.

RESULTS

 Overall, 1233 polyps were removed using cold snare resection with an overall success rate of 99.4 %. All failures of cold snare resection occurred in the cecum (8/82, failure rate 9.8 %). In the remaining colon, the success rate was 100 %. Immediate post-polypectomy bleeding occurred in 0.49 % of all patients and was most frequently seen in polyps larger than 9 mm. The procedure time was significantly shorter using cold snare resection compared with hot snare resection (27.6 min vs. 35.7 min, P  < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

 Cold snare resection can be performed safely in outpatients for removal of small polyps in screening colonoscopy. It does not require prior saline injection and reduces procedure time without an increased risk of bleeding.

Mosquitocidal Potential of Native Bacillus thuringiensis Strain SY49-1 against Disease Vector, Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes are regarded as troublesome organisms worldwide due to their parasitic and pathogenic aspect causing malaria, yellow fever, dengue, West Nile and filariasis. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) products have effectively been used for decades in controlling the mosquito mediated diseases and also decreasing the chemical input into the environment. In the present study, biocontrol potential of previously characterized Bt SY49-1 strain was investigated on Culex pipiens larvae. Fourth instars of C. pipiens were subjected to spore/δendotoxins (50, 100, 250 and 500 µg mL^-1) of Bt SY49-1 strain, carrying cry genes active against Lepidoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Nematodes. The spore/δ-endotoxin mixture caused 100% mortality on the larvae at the dose of 500 µg mL^-1. PCR results indicated that Bt SY49-1 harbors Lepidopter-Dipter specific cry2A gene as well as Lepidopter specific cry1Ab, cry1Aa/Ad, cry1C, cry9A, cry9C, Lepidopter-Dipter-Coleopter specific cry1B, and Nematode specific cry5 gene. Results indicated the potential usage of Bt SY49-1 in preventing the breeding of C. pipiens and the spread of diseases resulting therefrom.