Gastrazole (JB95008), a novel CCK2/gastrin receptor antagonist, in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer: results from two randomised controlled trials

Gastrin has been shown to be a growth stimulant in pancreatic cancer cells. Gastrazole is a potent and selective gastrin receptor antagonist. Two randomised blinded trials were conducted to assess the effect of gastrazole in advanced pancreatic cancer. Patients with biopsy-proven, inoperable pancreatic carcinoma were recruited. Trial A compared protracted venous infusion (PVI) gastrazole with PVI placebo, whereas trial B compared PVI gastrazole with PVI fluorouracil (5-FU). Eighteen patients were randomised in trial A. Gastrazole produced significantly better survival compared to placebo (median 7.9 months vs 4.5 months; 1-year survival: 33 vs 11%, respectively; log rank P=0.02). No difference in toxicity was seen between gastrazole and placebo, except central venous catheter and pump complications. Ninety-eight patients were randomised in trial B. No significant survival difference was detected between gastrazole and 5-FU (median: 3.6 vs 4.2 months; 1-year survival: 13.2 vs 26.2%, respectively; log rank P=0.42). Toxicity of gastrazole was mild with significantly less diarrhoea (P=0.03), stomatitis (P<0.001) and hand– foot syndrome (P<0.001) compared to 5-FU. Quality of life (QoL) assessment showed similar QoL between gastrazole and 5-FU at baseline and no significant differences occurred with treatment either between arms or within arms. Compared to placebo, patients with advanced pancreatic cancer treated with gastrazole appeared to live longer, albeit in a very small trial and will require confirmation with large-scale randomised data. However, it did not produce survival advantage over PVI 5-FU. Lack of toxicity for gastrazole may allow its combination with cytotoxic drugs

CALIFORNIA GROUND SQUIRRELS AT CONCORD NAVAL WEAPONS STATION: ALTERNATIVES FOR CONTROL AND THE ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

This paper presents a methodological approach that was recently developed to determine alternatives for control of California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) and the resulting ecological consequences at the Concord Naval Weapons Station (CNWS). The U.S. Navy initiated this study upon determining a need to control ground squirrels for safety reasons. The squirrel\u27s ecological role at CNWS was examined by estimating squirrel abundance and distribution throughout CNWS, analyzing predator diets, and determining the squirrel\u27s relationship to the California tiger salamander (Ambystoma californiense). In addition, the efficacy of live capture and translocation of squirrels as a possible control method was specifically examined using an experimental approach. Finally, alternative control measures are reviewed and discussed in the context of our results. The emphasis of this paper is on the methods employed and the discussion of alternatives as an example of an ecologically-based approach to control programs. As wide-scale poisoning control programs have recently come under public opposition in the courts and otherwise, studies such as these will serve to direct future management efforts toward control programs that consider several alternatives and their ecological effects

Transgenic Virus Resistance in Crop-Wild \u3ci\u3eCucurbita pepo\u3c/i\u3e Does Not Prevent Vertical Transmission of \u3ci\u3eZucchini yellow mosaic virus\u3c/i\u3e

Zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) is an economically important pathogen of cucurbits that is transmitted both horizontally and vertically. Although ZYMV is seed-transmitted in Cucurbita pepo, the potential for seed transmission in virus-resistant transgenic cultivars is not known. We crossed and backcrossed a transgenic squash cultivar with wild C. pepo, and determined whether seed-to-seedling transmission of ZYMV was possible in seeds harvested from transgenic backcrossed C. pepo.We then compared these transmission rates to those of non-transgenic (backcrossed and wild) C. pepo. The overall seed-to-seedling transmission rate in ZYMV was similar to those found in previous studies (1.37%), with no significant difference between transgenic backcrossed (2.48%) and non-transgenic (1.03%) backcrossed and wild squash. Fewer transgenic backcrossed plants had symptom development (7%) in comparisonwith all non-transgenic plants (26%) and may be instrumental in preventing yield reduction due to ZYMV. Our study shows that ZYMVis seed transmitted in transgenic backcrossed squash, whichmay affect the spread of ZYMV via the movement of ZYMV-infected seeds. Deep genome sequencing of the seed-transmitted viral populations revealed that 23% of the variants found in this study were present in other vertically transmitted ZYMV populations, suggesting that these variants may be necessary for seed transmission or are distributed geographically via seeds

The evolution of plant virus transmission pathways

International audienceThe evolution of plant virus transmission pathways is studied through transmission via seed, pollen, or a vector. We address the questions: under what circumstances does vector transmission make pollen transmission redundant? Can evolution lead to the coexistence of multiple virus transmission pathways? We restrict the analysis to an annual plant population in which reproduction through seed is obligatory. A semi-discrete model with pollen, seed, and vector transmission is formulated to investigate these questions. We assume vector and pollen transmission rates are frequency-dependent and density-dependent, respectively. An ecological stability analysis is performed for the semi-discrete model and used to inform an evolutionary study of trade-offs between pollen and seed versus vector transmission. Evolutionary dynamics critically depend on the shape of the trade-off functions. Assuming a trade-off between pollen and vector transmission, evolution either leads to an evolutionarily stable mix of pollen and vector transmission (concave trade-off) or there is evolutionary bi-stability (convex trade-off); the presence of pollen transmission may prevent evolution of vector transmission. Considering a trade-off between seed and vector transmission, evolutionary branching and the subsequent coexistence of pollen-borne and vector-borne strains is possible. This study contributes to the theory behind the diversity of plant–virus transmission patterns observed in nature

Activated Carbon Cloth Electrodes for Capacitive Deionization: A Neutron Imaging Study

&lt;p&gt;Neutron images of capacitive deionization&nbsp;by activated carbon cloths.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Corresponding readouts from potentiostat.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Nitrogen gas adsorption data of the activated carbon cloths.&lt;/p&gt