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Lung adenocarcinoma is the most prevalent form of lung cancer, and drug resistance poses a significant obstacle in its treatment. This study aimed to investigate the overexpression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as a mechanism that promotes intrinsic resistance in tumor cells from the onset of treatment. Drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells are a subset of cancer cells that survive and proliferate after exposure to therapeutic drugs, making them an essential object of study in cancer treatment. The molecular mechanisms underlying DTP cell survival are not fully understood; however, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been proposed to play a crucial role. DTP cells from lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were obtained after single exposure to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs; erlotinib or osimertinib). After establishing DTP cells, RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the differential expression of the lncRNAs. Some lncRNAs and one mRNA were overexpressed in DTP cells. The clinical relevance of lncRNAs was evaluated in a cohort of patients with lung adenocarcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). RT-qPCR validated the overexpression of lncRNAs and mRNA in the residual DTP cells and LUAD biopsies. Knockdown of these lncRNAs increases the sensitivity of DTP cells to therapeutic drugs. This study provides an opportunity to investigate the involvement of lncRNAs in the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that underlie intrinsic resistance. The identified lncRNAs and CD74 mRNA may serve as potential prognostic markers or therapeutic targets to improve the overall survival (OS) of patients with lung cancer.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with various complications, including diabetic foot, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Non-healing foot ulcers in diabetic patients are a major risk factor for infections and amputations. Despite conventional treatments, which have limited efficacy, there is a need for more effective therapies. MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that play a role in gene expression and have been implicated in diabetic wound healing. miR expression was analyzed through RT-qPCR in 41 diabetic foot Mexican patients and 50 controls. Diabetic foot patients showed significant increases in plasma levels of miR-17-5p ( p = 0.001), miR-191-5p ( p = 0.001), let-7e-5p ( p = 0.001), and miR-33a-5p ( p = 0.005) when compared to controls. Elevated levels of miR-17, miR-191, and miR-121 correlated with higher glucose levels in patients with diabetic foot ulcers (r = 0.30, p = 0.004; r = 0.25, p = 0.01; and r = 0.21, p = 0.05, respectively). Levels of miR-17 showed the highest diagnostic potential (AUC 0.903, p = 0.0001). These findings underscore the possible role of these miRs in developing diabetes complications. Our study suggests that high miR-17, miR-191, and miR-121 expression is strongly associated with higher glucose levels and the development of diabetic foot ulcers.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a multisystem genetic disorder with over 3000 mutations described in the fibrillin 1 (FBN1) gene. Like MFS, other connective tissue disorders also require a deeper understanding of the phenotype-genotype relationship due to the complexity of the clinical presentation, where diagnostic criteria often overlap. Our objective was to identify mutations in patients with connective tissue disorders using a genetic multipanel and to analyze the genotype-phenotype associations in a cohort of Mexican patients. We recruited 136 patients with MFS and related syndromes from the National Institute of Cardiology. Mutations were identified using next-generation sequencing (NGS). To examine the correlation between mutation severity and severe cardiovascular conditions, we focused on patients who had undergone Bentall-de Bono surgery or aortic valve repair. The genetic data obtained allowed us to reclassify the initial clinical diagnosis across various types of connective tissue disorders. The transforming growth factor beta receptor 2 (TGFBR2) rs79375991 mutation was found in 10 out of 16 (63%) Loeys-Dietz patients. We observed a high prevalence (65%) of more severe mutations, such as frameshift indels and stop codons, among patients requiring invasive treatments like aortic valve-sparing surgery, Bentall and de Bono procedures, or aortic valve replacement due to severe cardiovascular injury. Although our study did not achieve precise phenotype-genotype correlations, it underscores the importance of a multigenetic panel evaluation. This could pave the way for a more comprehensive diagnostic approach and inform medical and surgical treatment decision-making.

Objective: Recent studies have shown a relationship between adipose tissue and coronary artery disease (CAD). The ABCA1 transporter regulates cellular cholesterol content and reverses cholesterol transport. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) R230C, C-17G, and C-69T and their expression in epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue in Mexican patients with CAD., Subjects and Methods: The study included 71 patients with CAD and a control group consisting of 64 patients who underwent heart valve replacement. SNPs were determined using TaqMan probes. mRNA was extracted using TriPure Isolation from epicardial and mediastinal adipose tissue. Quantification and expression analyses were done using RT-qPCR., Results: R230C showed a higher frequency of the GG genotype in the CAD group (70.4%) than the control group (57.8%) [OR 0.34, 95% CI (0.14-0.82) p = 0.014]. Similarly, C-17G (rs2740483) showed a statistically significant difference in the CC genotype in the CAD group (63.3%) in comparison to the controls (28.1%) [OR 4.42, 95% CI (2.13-9.16), p = 0.001]. mRNA expression in SNP R230C showed statistically significant overexpression in the AA genotype compared to the GG genotype in CAD patients [11.01 (4.31-15.24) vs. 3.86 (2.47-12.50), p = 0.015]., Conclusion: The results suggest that the GG genotype of R230C and CC genotype of C-17G are strongly associated with the development of CAD in Mexican patients. In addition, under-expression of mRNA in the GG genotype in R230C is associated with patients undergoing revascularization.

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an inherited connective tissue disorder. As the spinal growth depends on delicate balance of forces, conditions that affect musculoskeletal matrix often lead to spinal deformities. A large cross-sectional study revealed a 63% prevalence of scoliosis among patients with MFS. Multi-ethnic genome-wide association studies and analyses of human genetic mutations showed that variations and mutations of G protein-coupled receptor 126 (GPR126)locus are associated with multiple skeletal defects, including shorter stature and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The study included 54 patients with MFS and 196 control patients. The DNA was extracted from peripheral blood using the saline expulsion method and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) determination was carried out using TaqMan probes. Allelic discrimination was performed by RT-qPCR. Significant differences in genotype frequencies were found for SNP rs6570507 in relation to MFS and sex (recessive model, OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.03 -5.87; P = 0.03) and rs7755109 (overdominant model, OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.16-0.91; P = 0.03). The most significant association was found in SNP rs7755109, where the frequency of genotype AG was significantly different between MFS patients with scoliosis and those without (OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.09-29.48; P=0.04). This study, for the first time, examined the genetic association of SNP GPR126 with the risk of scoliosis in patients with connective tissue diseases. The study revealed that SNP rs7755109 is associated with the presence of scoliosis in Mexican patients with MFS.

Antiepileptic drugs affect embryonic development when administered during pregnancy, generating severe alterations, such as as cleft lip, spina bifida, heart abnormalities, or neuronal alterations. The compound DL-4-hydroxy-4-phenylhexanamide (DL-HEPB), a phenyl alcohol amide structurally different from known anticonvulsants, has shown good anticonvulsant effects in previous studies. However, its effects on intrauterine development are unknown. So, the purpose of this study was to determine the potential of DL-HEPB to produce alterations in conceptus. Pregnant Wistar rats were orally exposed to 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of DL-HEPB during organogenesis, and their food consumption and weight gain were measured. On gestation day 21, pregnant females were euthanized to analyze the fetuses for external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. A significant decrease in food consumption and body weight was observed in mothers, without any other manifestation of toxicity. In fetuses, no external malformations, visceral, or skeletal abnormalities, were observed under the dose of 100 mg/kg, while the dose of 200 mg/kg caused malformations in low frequency in brain and kidneys. In view of the results obtained, DL-HEPB could be a good starting point for the design of new highly effective anticonvulsant agents, with much lower developmental toxicity than that shown by commercial anticonvulsants.

Over a century ago, bacterial extracts were found to be useful in cancer therapy, but this treatment modality was obviated for decades. Currently, in spite of the development and advances in chemotherapies and radiotherapy, failure of these conventional treatments still represents a major issue in the complete eradication of tumor cells and has led to renewed approaches with bacteria-based tumor therapy as an alternative treatment. In this context, live-attenuated bacteria, particularly Salmonella enterica , have demonstrated tumor selectivity, intrinsic oncolytic activity, and the ability to induce innate or specific antitumor immune responses. Moreover, Salmonella enterica also has strong potential as a delivery system of tumor-associated antigens, cytotoxic molecules, immunomodulatory molecules, pro-apoptotic proteins, and nucleic acids into eukaryotic cells, in a process known as bactofection and antitumor nanoparticles. In this review, we present the state of the art of current preclinical and clinical research on the use of Salmonella enterica as a potential therapeutic ally in the war against cancer., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as potential conflict of interest.

Background and Aims: Different Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) obtained from several human fluids (volatolome) has been reported as potential biomarkers for a great variety of diseases including cancer. At present, volatolomic profile data of the female genital area is scarce., Methods: To identify the VOCs related to the female genitourinary area of healthy and Cervical Cancer (CC)-affected women used a pad, as a non-invasive tool for sample gathering was necessary. Used pads were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The data were subjected to Principal Component Analysis looking for a possible spectrum of VOCs that could help identify CC-affected patients. The diagnostic role of the VOCs was validated through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The area below the curve and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity values were also evaluated., Results: The data showed great differences between female cancer and healthy patients groups; most of these VOCs belonging to the alkanes chemical classes. A group of VOCs were identified as common among CC patients, while others VOCs for healthy females. The ROC curve showed an optimal reach to diagnosis (89%), returning a 93% rate for sensitivity and specificity, indicating the VOCs identified in the samples could differentiate cancer patients from healthy females., Conclusions: In summary, we have detected and identified specific VOCs from healthy women that are not present in CC-affected females and VOCs specific of CC-affected women. We are strengthening our findings to aid in the detection of VOCs that are potential biomarkers for cervical tumors., (Copyright © 2018 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Although the anticonvulsant activity of 3-hydroxy-3-ethyl-3-phenylproionamide (HEPP) is well-known, its use is limited by the pharmacotoxicological profile. We herein tested its fluorinated and chlorinated derivatives (F-HEPP and Cl-HEPP) with two seizure models, maximal electroshock seizures (MES), and intraperitoneal pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) administration. Neurotoxicity was examined via the rotarod test. With in silico methods, binding was probed on possible protein targets-GABAA receptors and the sodium channel Nav1.2. The median effective doses (ED50) of HEPP, F-HEPP, and Cl-HEPP in the MES seizure model were 129.6, 87.1, and 62.0 mg/kg, respectively, and 66.4, 43.5, and in the PTZ seizure model 43.5 mg/kg. The HEPP-induced neurotoxic effect, which occurred at twice the ED50 against MES (p < 0.05), did not occur with F-HEPP or Cl-HEPP. Docking studies revealed that all tested ligands bound to GABAA receptors on a site near to the benzodiazepine binding site. However, on the sodium channel open pore Nav1.2, R-HEPP had interactions similar to those reported for phenytoin, while its enantiomer and the ligands F-HEPP and Cl-HEPP reached a site that could disrupt the passage of sodium. Our results show that, as anticonvulsant agents, parahalogen substituted compounds have an advantageous pharmacotoxicological profile compared to their precursor.

Introduction: We determined the median effective dose (ED50) values for the anticonvulsants phenobarbital and sodium valproate using a modification of Lorke's method. This modification allowed appropriate statistical analysis and the use of a smaller number of mice per compound tested., Methods: The anticonvulsant activities of phenobarbital and sodium valproate were evaluated in male CD1 mice by maximal electroshock (MES) and intraperitoneal administration of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). The anticonvulsant ED50 values were obtained through modifications of Lorke's method that involved changes in the selection of the three first doses in the initial test and the fourth dose in the second test. Furthermore, a test was added to evaluate the ED50 calculated by the modified Lorke's method, allowing statistical analysis of the data and determination of the confidence limits for ED50., Results: The ED50 for phenobarbital against MES- and PTZ-induced seizures was 16.3mg/kg and 12.7mg/kg, respectively. The sodium valproate values were 261.2mg/kg and 159.7mg/kg, respectively., Discussion: These results are similar to those found using the traditional methods of finding ED50, suggesting that the modifications made to Lorke's method generate equal results using fewer mice while increasing confidence in the statistical analysis. This adaptation of Lorke's method can be used to determine median letal dose (LD50) or ED50 for compounds with other pharmacological activities., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The anticonvulsant activity of some DL-hydroxybenzenamides is described. The following compounds from this series were prepared and tested: DL-2-hydroxy-2-(3'-bromophenyl)butyramide (4, CAS 620950-12-1), DL-2-hydroxy-2-(4'-bromophenyl)butyramide (5, CAS 620950-13-2), DL-2-hydroxy-2-(3'-nitrophenyl)butyramide (6, CAS 620950-14-3), DL-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl hexanamide (7, CAS 63002-05-1), DL-2-hydroxy-2-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)hexanamide (8, CAS 863976-06-1), DL-3-hydroxy-3-(4'-bromophenyl)pentanamide (9, CAS 620950-16-5), DL-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-heptanamide (10, CAS 863976-08-3) and DL-4-hydroxy-4-(4'-bromophenyl)hexanamide (11,CAS 620950-18-7). Compounds 4, 5, 9 and 11 exhibited significant activity in seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol. Incorporation of bromine in the phenyl ring increased their potency. Compounds 4, 5, 9 and 11 exhibited a similar anticonvulsant activity as the reference drug phenobarbital (CAS 50-06-6).

The phenyl alcohol amides, DL-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl butyramide (CAS 52839-87-9), DL-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl pentanamide (CAS 131802-69-2, DL-HEPP) and DL-4-hydroxy-4-phenyl hexanamide (CAS 67880-30-2) and their fluorine and chlorine analogs, at a concentration of 100 micromol/L, did not displace [3H]-gamma-aminobutyric acid ([3H]-GABA, CAS 108158-36-7) from GABAA receptors and only weakly displaced [3H]-GABA and [3H]-CGP62349 (CAS 186986-97-0), a GABAB receptor antagonist, from GABAB receptors in rat brain crude synaptic membranes. The electrically and potassium chloride (15 mmol/L) evoked [3H]-GABA release in the presence of DL-HEPP, GABA and GABAB receptor ligands from rat brain substantia nigra (SN) slices was studied. R-Baclofen (CAS 69308-37-8) (10 micromol/L), a GABAB receptor agonist, produced an inhibition of the electrically evoked [3H]-GABA release and this inhibition was blocked by CGP 55845A (CAS 149184-22-5) (10 micromol/L), a GABAB receptor antagonist, but was not affected by DL-HEPP (100 micromol/L). CGP 55845A (10 micromol/L) did not alter the electrically evoked [3H]-GABA release in the absence of baclofen. The addition of DL-HEPP (100 micromol/L) alone did not affect the electrically-evoked release of [3H]-GABA release control, but it was able to significantly reduce the inhibitory effect of GABA (CAS 56-12-2) (10 micromol/L) on [3H]-GABA release evoked both by electrical and potassium chloride stimulation, in the presence of tiagabine (CAS 115103-54-3) (10 micromol/L), a GABA uptake blocker. In three preliminary experiments, bicuculline (CAS 485-49-4) (10 micromol/L) and picrotoxinin (CAS 17617-45-7) (10 micromol/L), two GABAA antagonists, inhibited the electrically evoked release of [3H]-GABA from rat SN slices, and DL-HEPP (100 micromol/L) reversed this inhibition. The mechanism of action of DL-HEPP is not known but, it might act as a negative GABA modulator in rat brain slices.

DL-2-Hydroxy-2-phenyl butyramide (1, CAS 52839-87-9), DL-3-hydroxy-3-phenyl pentanamide (2, CAS 131802-69-2) and DL-4-hydroxy-4-phenyl hexanamide (3, CAS 67880-30-2) are anticonvulsants. Searching for more active compounds, some DL-fluorobenzenamides were prepared and tested: DL-2-hydroxy-2-(3'-trifluoromethylphenyl)butyramide (4), DL-2-Hydroxy-2-4'-trifluoromethylphenyl) butyramide (5, CAS 620950-10-9), DL-2-hydroxy-2-[3',5'-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]butyramide (6, CAS 620950-09-6), DL-3-hydroxy-3-(3'-trifluoromethylphenyl) pentanamide (7), DL-3-hydroxy-3-(4'-trifluoromethylphenyl)pentanamide (8), and DL-3-hydroxy-3-[3',5'-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]pentanamide (9, CAS 863976-07-2). Compounds 4-9 exhibited anticonvulsant activity in seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol in mice. Incorporation of trifluoromethyl groups in the phenyl ring of 1, 2 and 3 increased their potency. Compounds 4, 6 and 9 exhibited a similar anticonvulsant activity as the reference drug phenobarbital (CAS 50-06-6).

The 1H, 13C, 15N and 19F NMR spectra of nine DL-phenylalcoholamides bearing fluorine and chlorine as substituents of the phenyl ring are reported. All of them are active as anticonvulsants in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures., (Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The anticonvulsant activity of a homologous series of DL-dichlorophenyl alcohol amides is described. The compounds DL-2-hydroxy-2-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl) butyramide (4, CAS 620950-11-0), DL-3-hydroxy-3-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl) pentanamide (5, CAS 620950-15-4) and DL-4-hydroxy-4-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl) hexanamide (6, CAS 620950-17-6 ) were prepared and tested. Compounds 4, 5 and 6 exhibited a significant activity in seizures induced by pentetrazol. Incorporation of chlorine in the phenyl ring increased their potency. Compound 4 exhibited a slightly lower activity than the reference drug phenobarbital (CAS 50-06-6).

The inhibition of the specific R-[3H]-baclofen binding to GABAB (gamma-aminobutyric acid) sites by a homologous series of phenyl alcohol amides was tested in rat brain synaptic membranes. Some of these phenyl alcohol amides were designed as anticonvulsants as well as antagonists of the GABAB receptor. These anticonvulsants showed a high affinity to the GABAB receptor. DL-2-hydroxy-2-(4'-chlorophenyl)butyramide and DL-3-hydroxy-3-(4'-chlorophenyl)pentanamide (DL-Cl-HEPP) were as effective as GABA and R-baclofen and were the most potent examined. DL-2-hydroxy-2-phenylbutyramide (DL-HEPA), (+)-HEPA, (-)-HEPA, DL-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpentanamide (DL-HEPP) and DL-4-hydroxy-4-phenylhexanamide (DL-HEPB) were as potent as DL-baclofen. The phenyl alcohol amides with fluorine in the para position of the phenyl ring were less active than DL-2-hydroxysaclofen. DL-4-hydroxy-4-(4'-chlorophenyl)hexanamide was the least active of the series. In addition, R-baclofen antagonized very effectively the anticonvulsant activity of both DL-HEPP and DL-Cl-HEPP in a dose-dependent fashion. These results support the assumption that some of these phenyl alcohol amides anticonvulsants are GABAB receptor blockers.

The anticonvulsant activity of a homologous series of p-chlorophenyl alcohol amides is described. The new compounds (+/-)-2-hydroxy-2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-butyramide (2), (+/-)-3- hydroxy-3-(4'-chlorophenyl)pentanamide (4) and (+/-)-4-hydroxy-4-(4'-chlorophenyl)-hexanamide (6), were prepared and tested for their anticonvulsant activity. Compounds 2, 4, and 6 exhibited significant activity in seizures provoked by pentylenetetrazol. Chlorine in the para position of the phenyl ring increased both their potency at the peak effect and the duration of their anticonvulsant activity. The anticonvulsant activities of (+/-)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpentanamide (3) and compound 4 were antagonized by DL-baclofen. This, and the protecting activity of 3 in the genetic-absence-epilepsy rats of the Strasbourg model suggest that the phenyl alcohol amides could be GABAB receptor antagonists.

The anticonvulsant activity of a homologous series of (+/-)-p-fluoro-phenyl alcohol amides is described. The compounds (+/-)-2-hydroxy-2-(4'-fluorophenyl)butyramide (2), (+/-)-3-hydroxy-3-(4'-fluorophenyl)pentanamide (4) and (+/-)-4-hydroxy-4-(4'-fluorophenyl)hexanamide (6) were prepared and tested. Compounds 2, 4 and 6 exhibited a similar significant activity in seizures provoked by pentylenetetrazol. Incorporation of fluorine in the para position of the phenyl ring, increased both their potency at the time of the peak drug effect and the duration of their anticonvulsant activity.

The enantiomers of the anticonvulsant DL-2-hydroxy-2-phenylbutyramide (1) were prepared by resolving the (-)-quinine and (+)-1-phenylethylamine salts of the acids. The optically active acids were then esterified and reacted with ammonia to give (+)-1 and (-)-1. Optical purity of the amides was greater than 99.9% enantiomeric excess by chiral HPLC. Examination of the infrared spectra of the enantiomers and the racemate of 1 in chloroform solution showed identical spectra, but the spectrum of the racemate in a KBr disc was somewhat different from those of the pure enantiomers. Pharmacologically, 1 and its enantiomers have a similar significant anticonvulsant activity at peak drug effect against pentylenetetrazol seizures, but a variation in time between the enantiomers was found with the anticonvulsant activity. In the rotarod ataxia test (-)-1-possessed the lowest neurotoxicity.

The anticonvulsant activity of a homologous series of phenyl alcohol amides is described. (+-)-2-Hydroxy-2-phenylbutyramide (1), (+-)-3-hydroxy-3-phenylpentanamide (2) and (+-)-4-hydroxy-4-phenylhexanamide (3) were prepared and tested for their anticonvulsant profile and neurotoxicity. 1, 2 and 3 exhibited a broad profile of anticonvulsant activity and a similar significant activity in the seizures provoked by maximal electroshock, pentetrazol, 4-aminopyridine, bicuculline and thiosemicarbazide, but in the strychnine and picrotoxin tests, the protection was variable. The rotarod ataxia test was used to evaluate their neurotoxicity. In this test 2 possesses the lowest neurotoxicity.