Perifosine as a Potential Novel Anti-Cancer Agent Inhibits EGFR/MET-AKT Axis in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma

PI3K/AKT signalling pathway is aberrantly active and plays a critical role for cell cycle progression of human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MMe) cells. AKT is one of the important cellular targets of perifosine, a novel bio-available alkylphospholipid that has displayed significant anti-proliferative activity in vitro and in vivo in several human tumour model systems and is currently being tested in clinical trials.We tested Perifosine activity on human mesothelial cells and different mesothelioma cell lines, in order to provide evidence of its efficacy as single agent and combined therapy.We demonstrate here that perifosine, currently being evaluated as an anti-cancer agent in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, caused a dose-dependent reduction of AKT activation, at concentrations causing MMe cell growth arrest. In this study we firstly describe that MMe cells express aside from AKT1 also AKT3 and that either the myristoylated, constitutively active, forms of the two proteins, abrogated perifosine-mediated cell growth inhibition. Moreover, we describe here a novel mechanism of perifosine that interferes, upstream of AKT, affecting EGFR and MET phosphorylation. Finally, we demonstrate a significant increase in cell toxicity when MMe cells were treated with perifosine in combination with cisplatin.This study provides a novel mechanism of action of perifosine, directly inhibiting EGFR/MET-AKT1/3 axis, providing a rationale for a novel translational approach to the treatment of MMe

Transmetalation between Au(I) and Sn(IV) complexes. The reaction mechanism in non-coordinating and coordinating polar solvents.

Some novel gold(I) derivatives of the type [LAuCl] (L = DIC, PPh3, NHCs) have been synthesized and characterized. The products of the transmetalation reaction between these species and tributyl-phenylethynylstannane have been isolated and characterized. An exhaustive kinetic study on the transmetalation reaction has also been carried out in CHCl3 and CH3CN. The experimental results were discussed in terms of the electronic and steric characteristics of the ligands and an interpretation of the peculiar influence of different solvents on the reaction rates was propose

Oxidative addition of organic halides on palladium(0) complexes stabilized by dimethylfumarate and quinoline-based N-P or N-S spectator ligands

We have studied the oxidative addition of some organic halides on palladium(0) dimethylfumarate complexes bearing heteroditopic (N–P or N–S) quinoline-based spectator ligands from the experimental and theoretical point of view. We have measured the half-life of some oxidative addition reactions carried out in two different solvents (CD2Cl2 and CD3CN). The reactions were studied under mild conditions by NMR and the reactivities of different oxidants towards the complexes under study were compared. The rates of reaction were influenced by the nature of the spectator ligands and the solvent. The thioquinoline derivatives display a higher reactivity than that of the phosphoquinoline complexes and in general the reaction rates are higher in CD3CN than in CD2Cl2, although such a behavior is not always observed. We propose a plausible mechanism for the oxidative reaction in different solvents based on the experimental results and an adequate computational approach. Finally, the solid state structures of two reaction products were resolved and reported.We have studied the oxidative addition of some organic halides on palladium(0) dimethylfumarate complexes bearing heteroditopic (N-P or N-S) quinoline-based spectator ligands from the experimental and theoretical point of view. We have measured the half-life of some oxidative addition reactions carried out in two different solvents (CD2Cl2 and CD3CN). The reactions were studied under mild conditions by NMR and the reactivities of different oxidants towards the complexes under study were compared. The rates of reaction were influenced by the nature of the spectator ligands and the solvent. The thioquinoline derivatives display a higher reactivity than that of the phosphoquinoline complexes and in general the reaction rates are higher in CD3CN than in CD2Cl2, although such a behavior is not always observed. We propose a plausible mechanism for the oxidative reaction in different solvents based on the experimental results and an adequate computational approach. Finally, the solid state structures of two reaction products were resolved and reported. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Facile synthesis and reactivity study of mixed phosphane-isocyanide Pd(II) and Pd(0) complexes

The reaction between an equimolecular mixture of isocyanide CNR (CNR = di-methylphenyl isocyanide (DIC), tert-butyl isocyanide (TIC), triphenyl phosphane (PPh3) and a dechlorinated solution of the palladium allyl dimers [Pd(g3-allyl)Cl]2 (allyl = 2-Meallyl, 1,1-Me2allyl) in stoichiometric ratio yields the mixed derivative [Pd(g3-allyl)(CNR)(PPh3)] only. Apparently, the mixed derivative represents the most stable species among all the possible ones that might be formed under those experimental conditions. Theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental observation and the energy stabilization of the mixed species with respect to the homoleptic derivatives is traced back to an overall push–pull effect exerted by the isocyanide and the phosphane acting synergically. Similar behavior is observed in the case of the synthesis of the palladacyclopentadienyl complexes [Pd(C4(COOMe)4)(CNR)(PPh3)] and of the palladium(0) olefin complexes whose synthesis invariably yields the mixed [Pd(g2-ole-fin)(CNR)(PPh3)] derivatives. The paper includes studies on the reactivity toward allylamination in the case of the palladium(II) allyl complexes. A diffractometric investigation on the solid state structures of four different palladium isocyanide–phosphane complexes is also included

Synthesis and reactivity toward olefin exchange and oxidative addition of some platinum(0) olefin complexes with thioquinolines as spectator ligands

We have synthesized and fully characterized by NMR, IR and elemental analysis sixteen Pt(0) derivatives stabilized by four different thioquinoline spectator ligands and four different deactivated olefins. Moreover we have studied the reactivity and proposed a mechanism for olefin-olefin, olefin-alkyne exchange and oxidative addition of alkyl halides to this new class of Pt(0) derivatives based on detailed kinetic measurements. The kinetic study was carried out by NMR and UV–Vis techniques and in one case we have determined the activation parameters. Finally, we were able to resolve the solid state structure of a couple of diastereoisomers among the four possible isomers generated by the combination of two stereocenters

The addition of bromine and iodine to palladacyclopentadienyl complexes bearing bidentate heteroditopic P-N spectator ligands derived from differently substituted quinolinic frames. The unexpected evolution of the reaction

We have synthesized two palladacyclopentadienyl derivatives bearing bidentate ligands heteroditopic 8-(diphenylphosphino)quinoline or 8-(diphenylphosphino)-2-methylquinoline. We have reacted the palladacyclopentadienyl complexes with Br2 and I2 to gain clues on the formation mechanism of the corresponding σ-butadienyl derivatives. We were able to obtain the pure σ-butadienyl derivative only in the case of Br2 reacting with the palladacyclopentadienyl complex bearing the unsubstituted quinoline. However, an equilibrium mixture of the σ-butadienyl and a novel zwitterionic species was obtained when the same complex reacts with I2. Furthermore, we have obtained exclusively an unprecedented zwitterionic complex when I2 reacts with the palladacyclopentadienyl complex bearing the substituted quinoline and a different ratio of an equilibrium mixture of σ-butadienyl and the zwitterionic species when the latter derivative reacts with Br2. The solid state structures of one σ-butadienyl complex and of the two novel zwitterionic derivatives were determined and an interpretation of the observed reactivity based on kinetic data and a computational study has been suggested

Synthesis and characterization of palladacyclopentadiene complexes with N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

New palladacyclopentadiene compounds containing different chelate NHC-thioether and NHC-pyridine ligands have been prepared by transfer of the functionalized carbenes from the respective silver complexes to the polymeric precursors [PdC-COOR)4]n (R = Me, t-Bu). Their dynamic behaviour in solution was discussed and the solid-structure of 2c was determined by X-ray crystallography. The treatment of [Pd(C-COOCH3)4]n with two equivalents of the carbene silver complexes led to the (NHC)2Pd(C4-COOCH3)4 derivatives (3cei), a new class of compounds with only PdeC bonds. A serious limitation to this synthetic procedure is an excessive steric crowding around the metal centre. The complexes 3 are present in solution as a mixture of two atropoisomers, due to restricted rotation around the CarbeneePd bond. The kinetics of equilibration between the two configurational isomers was studied for complex 3c, which was also structurally defined by X-ray crystallography (anti isomer). Finally a synthetic protocol was set up for the synthesis of mixed NHC-Phosphine and NHC-Isocyanide palladacyclopentadiene complexes. In this procedure the order of addition of the reactants is of great importanc

The interaction between heteroditopic pyridine–nitrogen NHC with novel sulfur NHC ligands in palladium(0) derivatives: Synthesis and structural characterization of a bis-carbene palladium(0) olefin complex and formation in solution of an alkene–alkyne mixed intermediate as a consequence of the ligandshemilability

We have synthesized a new class of heteroditopic chelating ligands bearing the phenylthiomethyl group and variously substituted imidazole derivatives and the corresponding complexes [Pd(eta2-ma)(R-NHCCH2- SPh) (ma = maleic anhydride; R = methyl, mesityl, di-i-propylphenyl). We have compared their chemical characteristics and reactivity with those of similar palladium(0) complexes bearing the RNHC- CH2-Py ligands. The hemilability of the above-mentioned moieties is apparent when their palladium derivatives react with an excess of the same or different heteroditopic ligands. In these cases, we obtained complexes bearing maleic anhydride and two mono-coordinated heteroditopic ligands bound to the same metal center. However, at variance with the generally accepted opinion, precipitation of AgBr does not warrant the quantitative formation of the bis-heteroditopic Pd(0) derivative and in some cases, a reaction involving a heterogeneous equilibrium is observed. The reaction of the palladium(0) carbene–sulfur or carbene–nitrogen complexes with the alkyne dimethyl-2-butynedioate (dmbd) to give palladacyclometallate derivatives is not always warranted and formation of the intermediate [Pd(eta2-ma)(eta2-dmdb)(chi1-Mes-NHC-CH2-SPh)] is detected only in one case. Finally, we have carried out a diffractometric study on the solid-state structures of two derivatives and in particular we describe the configurations of the complex [Pd(eta2-ma)(j1-Me-NHC-CH2-SPh)2] and of [Pd(eta2-ma)(Me-NHC-CH2-SPh)]

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Nuovi scavi nell’abitato del Timpone della Motta di Francavilla Marittima (CS): risultati preliminari della campagna 2017

This paper reports the results obtained in the excavations carried out in 2017 by the University of Calabria in the settlement of Timpone della Motta in Francavilla Marittima (CS). Many artifacts and structures from the Archaic period have been discovered on plateau II. The research shows the organization of settlements on different terraced areas where the structures are closely packed. The findings cover a chronological period from the ninth century BC to the fourth century BC