Overcoming Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Cancer Using the BCL-X-Specific Degrader DT2216.

Pancreatic cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Although gemcitabine is the standard of care for most patients with pancreatic cancer, its efficacy is limited by the development of resistance. This resistance may be attributable to the evasion of apoptosis caused by the overexpression of BCL-2 family antiapoptotic proteins.

Using gene expression to assess the status of fish from anthropogenically influenced estuarine wetlands.

The diverse mixture of contaminants frequently present in estuaries complicates their assessment by routine chemical or biological analyses. We investigated the use of gene expression to assess contaminant exposure and the condition of southern California estuarine fish. Liver gene expression, plasma estradiol concentrations, and gonad histopathology were used to study biological condition in longjaw mudsuckers (Gillichthys mirabilis).

Linking molecular biomarkers with higher level condition indicators to identify effects of copper exposures on the endangered delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus).

The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is an endangered pelagic fish species endemic to the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary (CA, USA), and considered an indicator of ecosystem health. Copper is a contaminant of concern in Californian waterways that may affect the development and survival of this endangered species. The experimental combination of molecular biomarkers with higher level effects may allow for interpretation of responses in a functional context that can be used to predict detrimental outcomes caused by exposure.

Linking mechanistic and behavioral responses to sublethal esfenvalerate exposure in the endangered delta smelt; Hypomesus transpacificus (Fam. Osmeridae).

Background: The delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is a pelagic fish species listed as endangered under both the USA Federal and Californian State Endangered Species Acts and considered an indicator of ecosystem health in its habitat range, which is limited to the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary in California, USA. Anthropogenic contaminants are one of multiple stressors affecting this system, and among them, current-use insecticides are of major concern. Interrogative tools are required to successfully monitor effects of contaminants on the delta smelt, and to research potential causes of population decline in this species.

General anesthesia does not reduce life expectancy in aged rats.

A recent clinical study demonstrated that deep anesthesia, as measured by Bispectral index monitoring, was associated with increased 1-yr mortality among middle-aged and elderly surgical patients. We have previously demonstrated impaired cognitive performance in aged rats for weeks after general anesthesia with 1.2% isoflurane-70% nitrous oxide-30% oxygen.

Gene expression profiling in chronic copper overload reveals upregulation of Prnp and App.

The level at which copper becomes toxic is not clear. Several studies have indicated that copper causes oxidative stress; however, most have tested very high levels of copper exposure. We currently have only a limited understanding of the protective systems that operate in cells chronically exposed to copper.

Exploratory differential gene expression analysis in microarray experiments with no or limited replication.

We describe an exploratory, data-oriented approach for identifying candidates for differential gene expression in cDNA microarray experiments in terms of alpha-outliers and outlier regions, using simultaneous tolerance intervals relative to the line of equivalence (Cy5 = Cy3). We demonstrate the improved performance of our approach over existing single-slide methods using public datasets and simulation studies.