Intraperitoneal bevacizumab for control of malignant ascites due to advanced-stage gastrointestinal cancers: A multicentre double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II study - AIO SUP-0108

PURPOSE: Malignant ascites is debilitating for patients with advanced cancer. As shown previously, tumour cell production of vascular endothelial growth factor might be a major cause of the formation of malignant ascites. Intraperitoneal bevacizumab could therefore be an option for symptom control in refractory ascites. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer and malignant ascites who had undergone paracentesis at least twice within the past 4 weeks were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to intraperitoneal bevacizumab (400 mg absolute) or placebo after paracentesis. During the 8-week treatment period, a minimum interval of 14 d was kept between the applications of the study drug. Primary end-point was paracentesis-free survival (ParFS). RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (median age 63 years) were randomised. Forty-nine patients received at least one study drug application and qualified for the main analysis. The proportion of patients with at least one common toxicity criteria grade III-V event was similar with 20/33 (61%) on bevacizumab and 11/16 (69%) on placebo. Median ParFS was 14 d (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11-17) in the bevacizumab arm and 10.5 d (95% CI: 7-21) on placebo (hazard ratio 0.74, 95% CI: 0.40-1.37; P = 0.16). The longest paracentesis-free period was 19 d on bevacizumab (range 6-66 d) and 17.5 d in the placebo arm (range 4-42) (P = 0.85). Median overall survival was 64 d (95% CI: 45-103) on bevacizumab compared to 31.5 d (95% CI: 20-117) on placebo (P = 0.31). CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal bevacizumab was well tolerated. Overall, treatment did not result in a significantly better symptom control of malignant ascites. However, patients defined by specific immune characteristics may benefit.

Habitat preferences, fork lengths and isotopic ratios of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) in and around Lake Hazen, Ellesmere Island

Owing to limited knowledge of the habitat use and diet of juvenile Arctic charr from the High Arctic, particularly young-of-the-year (YOY), we assembled data obtained from samples taken in and around Lake Hazen, Nunavut, Canada, to assess juvenile habitat use and feeding. Juvenile charr demonstrated a preference for stream environments, particularly those fed by warm upstream ponds. Charr occupying both stream and nearshore lake habitats were found to feed similarly, with chironomids occurring most frequently in diets. Some older stream-dwelling charr preyed on smaller, younger Arctic charr. Preferred stream occupancy is likely mediated by physical barriers created mainly by water velocity, and by distance from the lake, lake-ice dynamics, low water depth, and turbidity. Water velocities resulted in stream habitat segregation by size, with YOY mainly found in low-velocity pools and back eddies adjacent to stream banks, but not in water velocities >0.1 m/s. Greatest charr densities in streams were found in small, shallow, slow-flowing side channels, which are highly susceptible to drought. Under predicted climate change scenarios, streams fed by small ponds will be susceptible to intermittent flow conditions, which could result in increased competition among juvenile charr for the remaining stream habitats. In addition, glacier-fed streams are likely to experience increased flow conditions that will exacerbate physical barriers created by water velocity and further reduce the availability of preferred stream habitat.

Mineralogy of some Australian desert samples (Table 3)

The relative amounts of chlorite, montmorillonite, kaolinite and illite in the less than 2 micron size fraction of pelagic sediments are related to the sources and transport paths of solid phases from the continents to the oceans and to injections of volcanic materials to the marine environment. Three modes of entry of solid phases from the lands to the seas are considered: by glaciers, by rivers and by atmospheric winds. The compositions of the clay size fraction are also related to rates of accumulation of the non-biogenous phases.

Empress Innocence, the life of Marie-Louise,

"First edition."

Antiqvae vrbis splendor : hoc est præcipva eivsdem templa, amphitheatra, theatra, circi, navmachiæ, arcvs trivmphales, mavsolea aliaqve svmptvosiora ædificia, Pompæ item trivmphalis et colossæarvm imaginvm descriptio /

A fourth part appeared in 1628 with some 40 additional plates.

Assessment of techniques for cost-effectiveness of highway accident countermeasures - executive summary.

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Research, Washington, D.C.

Assessment of techniques for cost-effectiveness of highway accident countermeasures. Final report.

Federal Highway Administration, Office of Research, Washington, D.C.

A manual for the student of anatomy ; containing rules for displaying the structure of the body, so as to exhibit the elementary views of anatomy, and their application to pathology and surgery.

Original edition, London, 1821.

The drawing-room portrait gallery of eminent personages : Principally from photographs by Mayall in Her Majesty's private collection, and from the studios of the most celebrated photographers in the Kingdom. Engraved on steel by D.J. Pound /

At head of title: Dedicated to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen.

Wilhelmina, margravine of Baireuth,

Mode of access: Internet.

Elizabeth of England, a dramatic romance ...

Each part consists of a drama, in verse.

Calendar of inquisitions post mortem and other analogous documents preserved in the Public Record Office.

Vol. 3- published by H. M. Stationery Off.

A text-book of church history /

T.p. of v. 4-5 varies.