Targeted therapies in the management of locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer: a systematic review

Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis particularly in patients presenting with unresectable tumors. We performed a bibliometric analysis of clinical trials for pancreatic cancer conducted between 2014-2016 focusing on patients that presented with unresectable (locally advanced or metastatic) tumors. We discuss a range of studies that employed FOLFIRINOX, the gemcitabine + nab-paclitaxel combination and studies that used molecularly-targeted therapy. Major areas of focus have been dual targeting of EGFR and VEGFR, immunotherapy or a multimodal approach – combining chemotherapy with radiotherapy. We also point out the need for molecular selection for low prevalence subtypes. Key insights sourced from these pivotal trials should improve clinical outcomes for this devastating cancer

Uplift Capacity of Driven Piles from Static Loading Tests

A pile driving and testing program was undertaken to evaluate installation procedures, assess capacity (particularly in uplift) of 24- and 30-inch square, prestressed concrete piles, and provide foundation design parameters for the New Edison Bridge project in Fort Myers, Florida. The subsurface profile generally consisted of three major soil strata: an upper clayey sand and sandy clay layer to a depth of about 45 to 50 feet below mudline, a medium dense to dense silty sand middle layer about 10 feet thick, and a third layer of dense to very dense silty fine sand. Eleven prestressed concrete test piles of varying length were driven at five test sites and uplift tests were performed to allow an independent evaluation of the different soil layers. All piles were dynamically monitored during installation and restrikes to evaluate pile drivability and bearing capacity including time related capacity increases due to soil set-up. This paper presents descriptions of the pile driving and load testing program along with findings regarding pile uplift capacities from load tests, pile capacities from dynamic testing, soil-pile adhesion values, wave equation factors, soil strength vs time dependency, foundation design and pile driving recommendations

The visual geometry of a tool modulates generalization during adaptation.

Knowledge about a tool's dynamics can be acquired from the visual configuration of the tool and through physical interaction. Here, we examine how visual information affects the generalization of dynamic learning during tool use. Subjects rotated a virtual hammer-like object while we varied the object dynamics separately for two rotational directions. This allowed us to quantify the coupling of adaptation between the directions, that is, how adaptation transferred from one direction to the other. Two groups experienced the same dynamics of the object. For one group, the object's visual configuration was displayed, while for the other, the visual display was uninformative as to the dynamics. We fit a range of context-dependent state-space models to the data, comparing different forms of coupling. We found that when the object's visual configuration was explicitly provided, there was substantial coupling, such that 31% of learning in one direction transferred to the other. In contrast, when the visual configuration was ambiguous, despite experiencing the same dynamics, the coupling was reduced to 12%. Our results suggest that generalization of dynamic learning of a tool relies, not only on its dynamic behaviour, but also on the visual configuration with which the dynamics is associated

I Am Not Bound To Win Abraham Lincoln Print

The print features a black and white bust portrait of Abraham Lincoln that is similar to Anthony Berger\u27s 1864 portrait photograph (Ostendorf-92). To the portrait\u27s right, a quotation attributed to Lincoln appears. The print was originally enclosed in a rectangular frame held together by taped edges. However, the tape has disintegrated, leaving the framed work in pieces. Thus, the print was removed for preservation, but the frame was retained for its documentary significance.https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/fvw-artifacts/4043/thumbnail.jp

New Methods in Tissue Engineering: Improved Models for Viral Infection

New insights in the study of virus and host biology in the context of viral infection are made possible by the development of model systems that faithfully recapitulate the in vivo viral life cycle. Standard tissue culture models lack critical emergent properties driven by cellular organization and in vivo–like function, whereas animal models suffer from limited susceptibility to relevant human viruses and make it difficult to perform detailed molecular manipulation and analysis. Tissue engineering techniques may enable virologists to create infection models that combine the facile manipulation and readouts of tissue culture with the virus-relevant complexity of animal models. Here, we review the state of the art in tissue engineering and describe how tissue engineering techniques may alleviate some common shortcomings of existing models of viral infection, with a particular emphasis on hepatotropic viruses. We then discuss possible future applications of tissue engineering to virology, including current challenges and potential solutions.Hertz Foundation (Fellowship)National Science Foundation (U.S.). Graduate Research FellowshipNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (U.S.) (Grant DK085713)Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Grant 022423-003