Fatty Acids Profile of Wild and Cultivar Tunisian Peanut Oilseeds (A. hypogaea L.) at Different Developmental Stages

Eleven fatty acids were identified during maturity in the wild (AraA) and varieties peanut kernels (AraC and AraT). These fatty acids included C_16:0 (palmitic acid), C_18:0 (stearic acid), C_18:1 (oleic acid), C_18:2 (linoleic acid), C_19:0 (nonadecanoic acid), C_20:1 (gadoleic acid), C_20:0 (arachidic acid), C_22:1 (erucic acid), C_22:0 (behenic acid), C_23:0 (tricosanoic acid) and C_24:0 (linoceric acid). Two fatty acids C_19:0 and C_23:0 were not previously detected from peanut kernels. Furthermore, eight major fatty acids (C_16:0, C_18:0, C_18:1, C_18:2, C_20:0, C_20:1, C_22:0 and C_24:0) were quantified during maturity. Wild AraA was distinguished by its highest level of oleic (38.72%) and stearic (2.63%) acids contents and the lowest one of linoleic acid (19.40%) compared to the varieties. As for the O/L ratio, wild AraA presents a significantly higher (p < 0.05) (O/L = 2) than that of the AraC and AraT varieties with (O/L = 1.7 and 1.04) respectively. Correlation coefficients (r) between the eight major fatty acids revealed an inverse association between oleic and linoleic acids (r = -0.99, p < 0.001), while linoleic acid was positively correlated to palmitic acid (r = 0.97). These results aim to provide a detailed basis for quality improvement in the cultivated peanut with wild resources.

Understanding clinical practice and survival outcomes in patients with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer in a single centre in Quebec

Methods

A retrospective cohort study considered patients 18 or more years of age diagnosed between January 2007 and May 2018 with unresectable stage iii non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc) who received combined chemoradiation (crt). Survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method to determine median overall (os) and progression-free survival (pfs) and the associated 95% confidence intervals (cis). Cox regression analysis was performed to identify factors prognostic for survival, including age, sex, smoking status, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ecog ps), histology, treatment type, tumour size, and nodal status.

Results

Of 226 patients diagnosed with unresectable stage iii disease, 134 (59%) received combined crt. Mean age was 63 years; most patients were white, were current smokers, had an ecog ps of 0 or 1, and had nonsquamous histology. Median pfs was 7.03 months (95% ci: 5.6 months to 8.5 months), and os for the cohort was 18.7 months (95% ci: 12.4 months to 24.8 months). Of those patients, 78% would have been eligible for durvalumab consolidation therapy. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant os benefit (p = 0.010) for concurrent crt (ccrt) compared with sequential crt (scrt). Disease-specific survival remained significantly better in the ccrt group (p = 0.004). No difference in pfs was found between the ccrt and scrt groups. In addition, tumour size and nodal involvement were significant discriminating factors for survival (p < 0.05). In this patient cohort, 64% of patients progressed and received subsequent therapy. Based on multivariate analysis, tumour size and nodal station were the only factors predictive of survival in patients with unresectable stage iii nsclc treated with crt.

Conclusions

Combined crt has been the standard treatment for unresectable stage iii nsclc. In our study, a trend of better survival was seen for ccrt compared with scrt. Factors predictive of survival in patients with stage iii disease treated with crt were tumour size and nodal station. Most patients with stage iii disease would potentially be eligible for durvalumab maintenance therapy based on the eligibility criteria from the pacific trial. The use and effectiveness of novel treatments will have to be further studied in our real-world patient population and similar populations elsewhere.

Cytology cell blocks are suitable for immunohistochemical testing for PD-L1 in lung cancer

Background

PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing is usually carried out on tissue blocks from core needle biopsy or surgical resections. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of using cytology cell blocks for PD-L1 IHC assay.

Methods

A total of 1419 consecutive cases of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), including 371 cytology cell blocks, 809 small biopsies, and 239 surgical specimens, were included in the study. The cytology cell blocks were prepared with formalin only, methanol/alcohol only or both. PD-L1 expression was examined by staining with Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx kit. A Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) was categorized as <1%, 1%-49% and ≥50% tumor cells. A total of 100 viable tumor cells were required for adequacy.

Results

Of the cytology cell blocks, 92% of the specimens had an adequate number of tumor cells, not significantly different from small biopsies. The rate of TPS ≥50% differed between sample types and was observed in 42% of cytology cell blocks versus 36% of small biopsies (P = 0.04), and 29% of surgical resections (P = 0.001). The fixative methods did not affect the immunostaining, with overall PD-L1 high expression (TPS ≥50%) rates of 42% in formalin-fixed specimens versus 40% in specimens with combined fixation by methanol/alcohol and formalin (NS). The PD-L1 high expression rate was not associated with EGFR, ALK or KRAS molecular alterations. Higher stage (IV) was associated with higher PD-L1 TPS (P= 0.001).

Conclusion

Our results show that when the TPS ≥50% is used as the end point, PD-L1 IHC performs well with cytology cell blocks. Cell blocks should be considered as a valuable resource for PD-L1 testing in advanced NSCLC. The clinical significance of higher PD-L1 IHC scores in cytology specimens needs to be evaluated prospectively.

The metastatic site does not influence PD-L1 expression in advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

PD-L1 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing with Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) ≥50% and ≥1% is required to be eligible for first- and second-line Pembrolizumab treatment for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) respectively. Stage IV NSCLC often presents with metastasis to multiple distant sites which are easily accessible for biopsy. Knowing whether PD-L1 IHC TPS can be indifferently measured from different metastatic site is therefore an important clinical question. In this study, we evaluated PD-L1 expression in NSCLC from varied distant metastatic sites.

METHODS

A total of 580 NSCLC specimens of distant metastases were retrieved for study, including 35 paired samples from two different metastatic sites. The metastatic sites included brain, bone, remote lymph nodes, serous membranes (pleura, pericardium and peritoneum), extra-thoracic solid organs and skin/soft tissues. The samples were cytology cell blocks, small biopsies or surgical resections. IHC was performed using Dako PD-L1 IHC 22C3 pharmDx. A total of 100 viable tumor cells was required for adequacy. TPS ≥ 50% and 1-49% were defined as high and low PD-L1 expression respectively.

RESULTS

PD-L1 TPS scores were not significantly different across a range of distant metastatic sites nor between metastases in paired samples.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that the PD-L1 TPS scoring is similar across different metastatic sites and any site biopsied will yield necessary information for guiding clinical management.

Does the presence of emphysema increase the risk of radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer patients?

Introduction

Radiotherapy (rt) plays an important role in the treatment of lung cancer. One of the most common comorbidities in patients with lung cancer is pulmonary emphysema. The literature offers conflicting data about whether emphysema increases the occurrence and severity of radiation pneumonitis (rp). As a result, whether high doses of rt (with curative intent) should be avoided in patients with emphysema is still unclear.

Objective

We measured the documented incidence of rp in patients with and without emphysema who received curative radiation treatment.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study considered patients in the lung cancer clinical database of the Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Centre. Data from the database has been used previously for research studies, including a recent publication about emphysema grading, based on the percentage of lung occupied by emphysema on computed tomography (ct) imaging.

Results

Using previously published methods, chest ct imaging for 498 patients with lung cancer was scored for the presence of emphysema. The analysis considered 114 patients who received at least 30 Gy radiation. Of those 114 patients, 64 (56%) had emphysema, with approximately 23% having severe or very severe disease. The incidence of rp was 34.4% in patients with emphysema (n = 22) and 32.0% in patients with no emphysema (n = 16, p = 0.48). No difference in the incidence of rp was evident between patients with various grades of emphysema (p = 0.96). Similarly, no difference in the incidence of rp was evident between the two treatment protocols-that is, definitive rt 17 (37%) and combined chemotherapy-rt 21 (31%, p = 0.5).

Conclusions

In our cohort, the presence of emphysema on chest ct imaging was not associated with an increased risk of rp. That finding suggests that patients with lung cancer and emphysema should be offered rt when clinically indicated. However, further prospective studies will be needed for confirmation.

Lung cancer care trajectory at a Canadian centre: an evaluation of how wait times affect clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers in Canada, with approximately 28,400 new cases diagnosed each year. Although timely care can contribute substantially to quality of life for patients, it remains unclear whether it also improves patient outcomes. In this work, we used a set of quality indicators that aim to describe the quality of care in lung cancer patients. We assessed adherence with existing guidelines for timeliness of lung cancer care and concordance with existing standards of treatment, and we examined the association between timeliness of care and lung cancer survival.

METHODS

Patients with lung cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2015 were identified from the Pulmonary Division Lung Cancer Registry at our centre.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that the interdisciplinary pulmonary oncology service successfully treated most of its patients within the recommended wait times. However, there is still work to be done to decrease variation in wait time. Our results demonstrate a significant association between wait time and survival, supporting the need for clinicians to optimize the patient care trajectory.

INTERPRETATION

It would be helpful for Canadian clinicians treating patients with lung cancer to have wait time guidelines for all treatment modalities, together with standard definitions for all time intervals. Any reductions in wait times should be balanced against the need for thorough investigation before initiating treatment. We believe that our unique model of care leads to an acceleration of diagnostic steps. Avoiding any delay associated with referral to a medical oncologist for treatment could be an acceptable strategy with respect to reducing wait time.

The potential role for acupuncture in treating symptoms in patients with lung cancer: an observational longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Most lung cancer patients experience multiple symptoms related either to the disease or its treatment. The commonly reported symptoms are pain, depression, anxiety, nausea, and poor well-being. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acupuncture as a potential treatment modality in symptomatic lung cancer patients.

METHODS

This prospective observational study enrolled 33 lung cancer patients from the Peter Brojde Lung Cancer Centre between August 2010 and May 2012. All patients received 45-minute sessions of acupuncture, 1-2 times weekly for a minimum of 4 sessions. Symptom severity was assessed using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (esas) before and after completion of acupuncture.

RESULTS

The study cohort included 30 patients with non-small- cell lung cancer and 3 with small-cell lung cancer. Mean age was 62 years (range: 36-88 years); 17 of the patients were women. Most of the patients had advanced-stage cancer (73%) and good performance status (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-1: 88%). Of these patients, 67% received anticancer treatment (chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or both) with acupuncture. Of the remaining 10 patients, 8 received acupuncture after a complete surgical resection of their tumour, and because of their advanced age, 2 received acupuncture and best supportive care. The median number of acupuncture sessions was 7 (interquartile range: 4-13 sessions). Statistically significant improvements in pain, appetite, nausea, nervousness, and well-being were observed. A clinically important improvement (2 points on the esas) was reported by 61% of patients for pain and by 33% for well-being. A significant positive correlation between improved well-being and the number of acupuncture sessions was observed. This correlation remained significant even after controlling for treatment and narcotic use. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that a minimum of 6 acupuncture sessions are required for a 70% chance of a clinically important improvement in well-being.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study is the first to demonstrate that acupuncture may be an effective approach for improving symptoms-in particular, pain and well-being-in lung cancer patients. Acupuncture is a safe and minimally invasive procedure, and it is potentially useful even in patients undergoing anticancer treatment.

Changes in phospholipid composition, protein content and chemical properties of flaxseed oil during development

The aim of the present research is to investigate the effect of harvest date on the composition of flaxseed. Samples were collected at regular intervals from 7 to 56 days after flowering (DAF) and analyzed for phospholipid composition, storage protein content and chemical properties. Phospholipid (PL) percentage of the total lipid decreased from 32.72% on the 7th DAF to 2.55% on the 56th DAF. The most phospholipids present in flaxseed were phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) which were highly unsaturated and rich in linolenic and linoleic acids, comprising together 60% of the total fatty acids. Chemical investigation of flaxseed oil showed overall a decrease in UV absorbance (K(232) and K(270)), acid value, free fatty acid content and an increase in peroxide value and storage protein content with development. At full maturity, flaxseed contained 29% proteins on a dry weight basis (DW %).

The predictive value of pre-treatment inflammatory markers in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Accurate prediction of outcome in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains challenging. Even within the same stage and treatment group, survival and response to treatment vary. We set out to determine the predictive value of inflammatory markers C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells (WBCS) in patients with advanced NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients were assigned a prognostic index (PI): 0 for crp 10 mg/L or less and WBCS 11x10⁹/L or less, 1 if one of the two markers was elevated, and 2 if both markers were elevated. We then used chest computed tomography (CT) imaging to evaluate response after 2 cycles of chemotherapy treatment.

RESULTS

Of 134 patients, 46 had a PI of 0; 60, a PI of 1; and 28, a PI of 2. Disease progressed in 41 patients. Progression was significantly more frequent among patients with a PI of 2 (p = 0.008). Median survival was 20.0 months for the PI 0 group, 10.4 months for the PI 1 group, and 7.9 months for the PI 2 group (p < 0.001). The PI was the only significant prognostic factor for survival even after adjustment for performance status, smoking, and weight loss (hazard ratio: 1.57; 95% confidence interval: 1.2 to 2.14; p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory state correlates significantly with both chemotherapy response and survival in stage IV NSCLC. The PI may provide additional guidance for therapeutic decision-making.

Characteristics and pathways of bioactive 4-desmethylsterols, triterpene alcohols and 4α-monomethylsterols, from developing Tunisian cultivars and wild peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Seven 4-desmethylsterols, five triterpene alcohols and three 4α-monomethylsterols were identified by GC-MS during the development of wild peanut, which is Arbi (AraA), and cultivars peanut, which are Trabelsia (AraT) and Chounfakhi (AraC). Our results showed that the maximum level of 4-desmethylsterols (881.07 mg/100 g of oil) was reached at 12 days after flowering (DAF) date of peanut plant in AraA, as well as the highest level of triterpene alcohols (31.51 mg/100 g of oil) was reached at 23 DAF in AraA, whilst, the highest level of 4α-monomethylsterols (15.11 mg/100 g of oil) was reached at 41 DAF in AraC. Herein, the level of triterpene alcohols and 4α-monomethylsterols was overwhelmed by the amount of 4-desmethylsterols at each stage of peanut maturity. Differences were observed in each sterol contents among the studied cultivars and wild one especially in immature stage.

Non-thermal internal energy distribution of ions observed in an electrospray source interfaced with a sector mass spectrometer

The internal energy distribution P(E(int)) of ions emitted in an electrospray (ESI) source interfaced with a sector mass spectrometer is evaluated by using the experimental survival yield (SY) method including the kinetic shift. This method is based on the relationship between the degree of fragmentation of an ion and its amount of internal energy and uses benzylpyridinium cations due to their simple fragmentation scheme. Quantum chemical calculations are performed, namely at G3(MP2)//B3LYP and QCISD/MP2 levels of theory. The results show that the internal energy distribution of the ions emitted in the ESI source interfaced with a sector analyzer is very narrow. The MassKinetics software is used to confirm these observations. The P(E(int)) is the parameter that allows to fit the experimental SY of each substituted benzylpyridinium cation with theoretical mass spectra generated by the MassKinetics software. The resulting internal energy distributions are similar to the ones obtained with the experimental SY method. This indicates that in the present experimental conditions, P(E(int)) cannot be compared with a 'thermal-like' Boltzmann distribution. In addition, it appears that with the sector analyzer, increasing the collision energy in the first pumping stage of the ESI source does not correspond to a warm-up of the produced ions.

Comparison of the concentrations of long-chain alcohols (policosanol) in three Tunisian peanut varieties (Arachis hypogaea L.)

Policosanol (PC) is a mixture of high molecular weight aliphatic primary alcohols. Literature about the contents and compositions of PC derived from peanut varieties is scarce. Total PC composition and content in whole peanut grain samples from three varieties of peanut (two cultivars, AraC and AraT, and a wild one, AraA) were identified using a gas chromatograph system coupled with a mass spectrophotometer. The results show that, qualitatively, 21 components of peanut aliphatic alcohols were identified (C14-C30). Besides (C18=), the results exhibited a previously unreported mixture of PC compositions in the peanuts: the unsaturated PC (UPC), which are (C20=), (C21=), (C22=), and (C24=). The main components of total PC in Tunisian peanut kernels are docosanol (C22), (Z)-octadec-9-en-1-ol (C18=), hexadecanol (C16), and octadecanol (C18). Quantitatively, the total PC content of the whole peanut samples varied from 11.18 to 54.19 mg/100 g of oil and was higher than those of beeswax and whole sugar cane, which are sources of dietary supplements containing policosanol.

Energy-dependent dissociation of benzylpyridinium ions in an ion-trap mass spectrometer

Benzylpyridinium ions, generated via electrospray ionization of dilute solutions of their salts in acetonitrile/water, are probed by collisional activation in an ion-trap mass spectrometer. From the breakdown diagrams obtained, phenomenological appearance energies of the fragment ions are derived. Comparison of the appearance energies with calculated reaction endothermicities shows a reasonably good correlation for this particular class of compounds. In addition, the data indirectly indicate that at threshold the dissociation of almost all of the benzylpyridinium ions under study leads to the corresponding benzylium ions, rather than the tropylium isomers. Substituent effects on the fragmentation for a series of benzylpyridinium ions demonstrate that neither mass effects nor differences in density of states seriously affect the energetics derived from the ion-trap experiments.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry screening for phytochemical 4-desmethylsterols accumulated during development of Tunisian peanut kernels (Arachis hypogaea L.)

4-Desmethylsterols, the main component of the phytosterol fraction, have been analyzed during the development of Tunisian peanut kernels ( Arachis hypogaea L.), Trabelsia (AraT) and Chounfakhi (AraC), which are monocultivar species, and Arbi (AraA), which is a wild species, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Immature wild peanut (AraA) showed the highest contents of beta-sitosterol (554.8 mg/100 g of oil), campesterol (228.6 mg/100 g of oil), and Delta(5)-avenasterol (39.0 mg/100 g of oil) followed by peanut cultivar AraC with beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and Delta(5)-avenasterol averages of 267.7, 92.1, and 28.6 mg/100 g of oil, respectively, and similarly for AraT 309.1, 108.4, and 27.4 mg/100 g of oil, respectively, were found. These results suggest that, in immature stages, phytosterol contents can be important regulator factors for the functional quality of peanut oil for the agro-industry chain from plant to nutraceuticals.

Decameric uracil complexes around Li+

Electrospray ionization (ESI) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) experiments were carried out to study decameric uracil complexes cationized with Li(+) ion. A previous study has shown that, under specific experimental conditions, a particularly intense peak of the decamer U(10)Li(+) is formed, which was referred to as an indication for so-called 'magic number' cluster. In order to gain more insight on the structure of this decameric complex, here, we report experimental studies concerning the kinetics of the fragmentation. In accordance with the new experimental data, structural models were constructed and fully optimized using ab initio and density functional theory quantum chemistry calculations. The theoretical study allowed us to propose a stable gas-phase structure which is compatible with all experimental findings.

Investigations of the fragmentation pathways of benzylpyridinium ions under ESI/MS conditions

Benzylpyridinium ions are often used as 'thermometer ions' in order to evaluate the internal energy distribution of the ions formed in sources of mass spectrometers. However, the detailed fragmentation pathways of these parent ions were not well established. In particular, fragmentation involving a rearrangement (RR) process may be influencing the simulated distribution curves. In a previous study, we suggested that such RR actually occurred under electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (ESI/MS) and fast atom bombardment/mass spectrometry (FAB/MS) experiments. Here, we present a systematic study of different substituted benzylpyridinium ions. Theoretical calculations showed that RR fragmentation leading to substituted tropylium ions could occur under 'soft ionization' conditions, such as ESI or FAB. Experimental results obtained under gas-phase reactivity conditions showed that some substituted benzylpiridinium compounds actually undergo RR fragmentations under ESI/MS conditions. Mass-analyzed kinetic experiments were also carried out to gain information on the reaction pathways that actually occur, and these experimental results are in agreement with the reaction pathways theoretically proposed.

Phytosterols accumulation in the seeds of Linum usitatissimum L

A comparative study was performed to determine the free sterols content and composition during the development of three varieties of linseed (H52, O116 and P129). Seed samples were collected at regular intervals from 7 to 60 days after flowering (DAF). Ten compounds were identified: cholesterol, campesterol, brassicasterol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, Delta5-avenasterol, cycloartenol; 24-methylene cycloartanol, obtusifoliol, citrostadienol. The maximum level of 4-desmethylsterols (1,515 mg/100g oil) was reached at 7 DAF in P129 variety. H52 had the highest level of 4-4 dimethylsterols (355 mg/100g oil) at 28 DAF. The greatest amount of 4-monomethylsterols (35 mg/100g oil) was detected in H52 at 14 DAF. During linseed development, beta sitosterol (830 mg/100g oil) was the major 4-desmethylsterols, followed by campesterol (564 mg/100g oil) and stigmasterol (265 mg/100g oil). Some of these compounds followed nearly the same accumulation pattern during linseed maturation.

Characterization and quantification of the aliphatic hydrocarbon fraction during linseed development ( Linum usitatissimum L.)

Changes in hydrocarbon composition were investigated during maturation of three varieties of linseed (H52, O116, and P129) cultivated in Tunisia. The hydrocarbon fraction of the three linseed oil samples was found to contain mainly n-alkanes and squalene. The greatest decrease of these components occurred between 7 and 21 days after flowering (DAF); thereafter, the changes were slight. At 7 DAF, P129 had a significantly higher level of squalene (27.24 mg/100 g of oil) than H52 (3.36 mg/100 g of oil), but from this date until 21 DAF squalene decreased much more actively in P129, resulting in similar levels in H52 (0.57 mg/100 g of oil) and P129 (0.52 mg/100 g of oil) at full maturity. In three varieties of linseed, 13 n-alkanes were detected ranging from C(22) to C(34) carbon atoms. The n-alkane composition of linseed oil was influenced by the ripening stage of seeds. At 7 DAF, C29 was the most predominant hydrocarbon (19.84 mg/100 g of total oil), followed by C(27) (11.82 mg/100 g) and C(25) (11.28 mg/100 g). C(29) exhibited the most significant decrease from 7 to 21 DAF, as a result C(27) being the most significant n-alkane component for the remainder of the period. At full maturity, the content of total n-alkanes in three varieties of linseed ranged from 4.0 to 4.26 mg/100 g of oil.

Anatomic response correlation with biological response

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Background: Chronic systemic inflammation is a well recognized strong adverse prognostic factor in advanced NSCLC. We have previously identified that in stage IIIB/IV NSCLC the presence of elevated C-reactive protein is associated with early progression of the disease and reduction in median survival. Little is known, however, about CRP behavior over time and its correlation with response to chemotherapy and survival. Methods: Newly diagnosed NSCLC with IIIB/IV disease had CRP measured prior to 1st treatment and after 2 cycles of chemotherapy between February 2005 and September 2008. For each measure CRP level was categorized as < 10mg/L or ≥10mg/L. Response was evaluated by chest CT following two cycles of CTX and rated as progression (PD) or freedom from progression (FFP). We investigated the association between change in CRP and response to 2 cycles of CTX, as well as survival. Results: 143 pts were enrolled. Of those, 62 patients had a CRP level <10mg/L and 81 patients ≥10mg/L at the time of diagnosis. After 2 cycles 70% and 72% of pts in each category remained in the same category and 30% and 28% of patients changed category: in 24/81 pts CRP decreased below 10mg/L and in 17/62 pts CRP increased above 10mg/L. Thus, after two cycles 69 pts had CRP <10mg/L and 74 pts ≥10mg/L. The rate of progression after 2 cycles was significantly lower among pts with CRP <10mg/L after 2 cycles of chemo ( Table ). Median survival was 19 (16–22) mo for those with CRP <10mg/L and 9.3 (7.1–11.4) mo for those with CRP ≥10mg/L after 2 cycles (P<0.001). The hazard increased by 66% (HR 1.7) for those pts with CRP increased above cut-off point of 10 mg/L and decreased by 60% (HR 1.6) for pts whose CRP decreased below cutoff point. Conclusions: The presence of an inflammatory state expressed by high levels of CRP either prior to treatment or following 2 cycles of chemotherapy correlates significantly with both first-line chemotherapy response and survival. Normalization of CRP might improve the prognosis of patients in terms of survival and response to chemotherapy.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Formation of complexes between uracil and calcium ions: an ESI/MS/MS study in combination with theoretical calculations

Cationized uracil clusters around calcium metal ions were generated in the gas phase by electrospray ionization (ESI). A previous study showed that with particular experimental conditions, hexamer, octamer, decamer, dodecamer and tetradecamer uracil clusters are present in high quantities. New experiments were carried out to understand the reasons for the particular stability of these complexes. MS/MS experiments suggested that these uracil clusters belong to the same family. Based on ab initio and DFT quantum chemistry calculations, structures in agreement with experimental results are proposed for these clusters.

Cytoplasmic beta-catenin is lacking in a subset of melanoma-associated naevi, but is detectable in naevus-associated melanomas: potential implications for melanoma tumorigenesis?

BACKGROUND

An excess of intracellular beta-catenin protein is triggered by various genetic alterations in melanoma cell lines, and has been suggested to play a role in melanoma tumorigenesis.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role played in vivo by beta-catenin in melanoma tumorigenesis, we compared the cytoplasmic detection of beta-catenin in benign melanocytic cells vs. malignant melanoma cells presumably generated from these benign melanocytic cells. For this purpose, melanocytic naevi occurring in association with melanoma, which were suggested to be melanoma precursors, were compared with their associated melanoma for beta-catenin cytoplasmic immunoreactivity.

METHODS

Fifty-seven consecutive cases of primary cutaneous melanoma were considered, and 15 of them were found to be associated with a melanocytic naevus portion. The naevus portion showed features of acquired melanocytic naevus (total 12 cases: five dysplastic, seven intradermal) or congenital growth pattern naevus (total three cases: one superficial, two deep). All specimens were immunohistochemically investigated for beta-catenin.

RESULTS

Virtually all primary cutaneous melanomas, including those associated with a naevus portion, showed cytoplasmic beta-catenin positivity. However, the intradermal naevus portion was consistently cytoplasmic beta-catenin negative, while both the dysplastic and the congenital naevus portions were cytoplasmic beta-catenin positive.

CONCLUSIONS

Beta-catenin excess may play a role in melanoma tumorigenesis, because beta-catenin cytoplasmic reactivity was found in primary cutaneous melanoma but not in its associated intradermal naevus precursor. As, however, beta-catenin cytoplasmic reactivity was detected not only in primary cutaneous melanoma but also in its associated dysplastic/congenital naevus precursors, beta-catenin stabilization alone is not sufficient to play a decisive role for melanoma onset.

Theoretical and experimental study of tropylium formation from substituted benzylpyridinium species

Fragmentation pathways of unsubstituted and substituted benzylpyridinium compounds were investigated using mass-analysed kinetic energy (MIKE) technique in combination with high level of quantum chemical calculations in the gas phase. Fast atom bombardment (FAB) source was used for ionisation of the studied compounds. The formation of both benzylium and tropylium species were investigated. Hybrid Hartree-Fock/Density Functional Theory calculations have been performed to assess the geometries and the energies of the transition states and intermediates. For each cases, different reaction pathways were investigated, and particularly in the case of the formation of tropylium species, the formation of the seven-membered ring before or after the loss of pyridine were studied. The effect of para-methyl and para-methoxy substituents on the activation energy of the rearrangement process to form thermodynamically stable tropylium compounds has been studied. Theoretical calculations showed competition between direct bond cleavage and rearrangement reactions to form benzylium and tropylium compounds, respectively. Experimental results also suggested that the rearrangement process takes place to yield stable tropylium under "soft ionisation techniques", such as FAB.

Theoretical and experimental studies of cationized uracil complexes in the gas phase

Cationized uracil clusters were generated in the gas phase by electrospray ionization (ESI). Mass spectrometry experiments showed that with particular experimental conditions, decameric uracil clusters are magic number clusters. MS/MS experiments demonstrated that the structure of these decameric uracil clusters depends substantially on the size and the charge of the cation. On the basis of the ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) quantum chemistry calculations, structures for these decameric clusters were proposed. These structures are in agreement with the experimental mass spectra of modified nucleobases. Theoretical calculations showed that complexes experimentally observed using ESI-MS techniques, are not naturally the most stable in the gas phase.