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This article is an initial attempt to illustrate how patterns of academic mobility in the history of universities have been framed by the international politics of particular time periods. The article briefly looks at "the medieval period" and then at the emergent colonial and nationalist periods, including the ways that institutions as well as academics themselves were mobile. More contemporaneously the powerful political forces of both the interwar period and the Cold War period (which are well known) are sketched. The final part of the article shows in some detail how, in the contemporary period, the scale and speed of cross-border academic mobility has changed. There are new actors and new ideologies. What is clear from the article is that there is not merely a need to keep information about the flows of academics up to date for policy purposes. It is also clear that we are a long way from being able to theorise the problem, sociologically and comparatively. (Contains 1 table.)

Objective: Delayed-release metformin (Met DR) is formulated to deliver the drug to the lower bowel to leverage the gut-based mechanisms of metformin action with lower plasma exposure. Met DR was assessed in two studies. Study 1 compared the bioavailability of single daily doses of Met DR to currently available immediate-release metformin (Met IR) and extended-release metformin (Met XR) in otherwise healthy volunteers. Study 2 assessed glycemic control in subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) over 12 weeks.Research Design and Methods: Study 1 was a phase 1, randomized, four-period crossover study in 20 subjects. Study 2 was a 12-week, phase 2, multicenter, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging study in 240 subjects with T2DM randomized to receive Met DR 600, 800, or 1,000 mg administered once daily; blinded placebo; or unblinded Met XR 1,000 or 2,000 mg (reference).Results: The bioavailability of 1,000 mg Met DR b.i.d. was ∼50% that of Met IR and Met XR (study 1). In study 2, 600, 800, and 1,000 mg Met DR q.d. produced statistically significant, clinically relevant, and sustained reductions in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels over 12 weeks compared with placebo, with an ∼40% increase in potency compared with Met XR. The placebo-subtracted changes from baseline in HbA1c level at 12 weeks were consistent with changes in FPG levels. All treatments were generally well tolerated, and adverse events were consistent with Glucophage/Glucophage XR prescribing information.Conclusions: Dissociation of the glycemic effect from plasma exposure with gut-restricted Met DR provides strong evidence for a predominantly lower bowel-mediated mechanism of metformin action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZGN-1061 is a second-generation methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP2) inhibitor in development for treatment of T2D. This clinical trial evaluated ZGN-1061 (0.05, 0.3, 0.9, or 1.8 mg) vs. placebo (PBO) administered SC every 3 days for 12 weeks on change from baseline in A1C in individuals with T2D at multiple sites in Australia/New Zealand. Stable noninsulin diabetes therapy was permitted. Baseline (ITT population N=175): 52% female, 77% white, (mean±SD) age 54±8 y, A1C 8.6±1.1%, BMI 37±7 kg/m2, T2D duration 8±6 y. Interim analysis results (0.05, 0.3, 0.9 mg ZGN-1061) were presented previously. Here, we report additional results with 0.9 and 1.8 mg ZGN-1061. The LS mean±SE A1C change for PBO was 0.2±0.1% (N=42) vs. -0.4±0.1% (N=44) and -0.9±0.2% (N=23) for 0.9 and 1.8 mg ZGN-1061, respectively. The LS mean±SE difference vs. PBO was -0.6±0.2% and 1.1±0.2% for 0.9 mg (p=0.0003) and 1.8 mg (p<0.0001). The LS mean±SE weight change for PBO was -0.6±0.3 kg vs. -1.4±0.3 kg (p=ns) and -2.8±0.5 kg (p<0.001) for 0.9 and 1.8 mg ZGN-1061. Dose-dependent fasting and postprandial glucose reductions were observed for ZGN-1061 (p<0.05 vs. PBO); β-cell function and insulin sensitivity were improved with 1.8 mg ZGN-1061 (p<0.05 vs. PBO). ZGN-1061 also improved triglycerides, hsCRP, adiponectin, and leptin (p<0.05 vs. PBO). Across all ZGN-1061 treatment groups, adverse events (AEs) were primarily mild/moderate without any notable trends. The completion rate was 93% (163/175). Three subjects in ZGN-1061 groups withdrew due to AEs (sensory disturbance, 0.05 mg; upper abdominal pain, 0.9 mg; injection site urticaria, 1.8 mg). There were no reports of venous thrombosis or changes in thrombosis markers indicative of a thrombosis event. ZGN-1061 (1.8 mg) demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful efficacy; the largest reductions in A1C and weight were observed at 12 weeks with no evidence of a waning effect and no notable safety signals. Disclosure: T. Kim: Employee; Spouse/Partner; Celgene Corporation. Employee; Self; Zafgen, Inc. D. Zhuang: Employee; Self; Zafgen, Inc. T.L. Haugen: Employee; Self; Zafgen, Inc. D.D. Kim: Employee; Self; Zafgen, Inc. K. Taylor: Employee; Self; Zafgen, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]