Evaluation of gemcitabine efficacy after the FOLFIRINOX regimen in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

To evaluate gemcitabine efficacy in advanced pancreatic cancer patients after the FOLFIRINOX regimen.Patients with locally-advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma from French and Canadian centers, who were treated with the first-line FOLFIRINOX regimen (FFX L1), followed by gemcitabine monotherapy as a second-line treatment (GEM L2), were retrospectively evaluated. Statistical analyses were performed on the demographic, toxicity, and response rate data.

Transcript profiles of two wheat lipid transfer protein-encoding genes are altered during attack by Hessian fly larvae.

A sequence encoding a putative type-1 lipid transfer protein from wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell) was identified through 'GeneCalling', an mRNA profiling technology. The mRNA for the Hfr-LTP (Hessian fly-responsive lipid transfer protein) gene decreased in abundance (196-fold) in susceptible wheat plants over the first eight days of attack by virulent Hessian fly larvae (Mayetiola destructor Say).

Virulent Hessian fly larvae manipulate the free amino acid content of host wheat plants.

Gall-forming insects induce host plants to form specialized structures (galls) that provide immature life stages of the insect access to host plant nutrients and protection from natural enemies. Feeding by larvae of the Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor Say) causes susceptible host wheat plants to produce a gall-like nutritive tissue that supports larval growth and development. To determine if changes in host plant free amino acid levels are associated with virulent Biotype L Hessian fly larval feeding, we quantified free amino acid levels in crown tissues of susceptible Newton wheat plants 1, 4, and 7 days after Hessian fly egg hatch.

A novel wheat gene encoding a putative chitin-binding lectin is associated with resistance against Hessian fly.

SUMMARY The gene-for-gene interaction triggering resistance of wheat against first-instar Hessian fly larvae utilizes specialized defence response genes not previously identified in other interactions with pests or pathogens. We characterized the expression of Hfr-3, a novel gene encoding a lectin-like protein with 68-70% identity to the wheat germ agglutinins. Within each of the four predicted chitin-binding hevein domains, the HFR-3 translated protein sequence contained five conserved saccharide-binding amino acids.

Expression patterns of antibacterial genes in the Hessian fly.

We report on the transcriptional patterns of three antibacterial genes, a defensin (MdesDEF-1), a diptericin (MdesDIP-1) and a lysozyme (MdesLYS-1), during development in Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor. Quantitative analysis by real-time PCR of mRNA levels in different tissues revealed a predominance of the transcripts for all three genes in the midgut, while analysis during development revealed greatest abundance in mRNA during the 3rd-instar. An evaluation of the midgut lumen revealed the presence of a diverse bacterial flora in larvae maintained on susceptible wheat.