Abstract: Treating Sonic Hedgehog-Associated Medulloblastoma comprises inhibiting the synthesis or biologic activity of leukotrienes that drive Nestin expression in cancerous or precancerous granule neuron precursors and that further drive growth and proliferation of medulloblastoma cells through Nestin-mediated aberrant Sonic Hedgehog signaling.

Abstract: Methods of promoting liver morphogenesis prior to the functioning of blood vessels by culturing liver cells with endothelial cells is provided. Also provided are cell cultures and method of promoting vasculogenesis of liver tissue by contacting liver cells with endothelial cells.

Abstract: The invention provides aromatherapy devices that may be used to break a capsule containing a desired aromatic liquid, and then control the release of the aroma as the volatile aromatic liquid evaporates. The devices may be used, for example, in aromatherapy, including to control nausea or to mask unpleasant scents.

Abstract: Antibodies that specifically bind to an epitope on the serum albumin, including human and/or mouse serum albumin are provided. Nucleic acids encoding such antibodies and cells capable of expressing such antibodies are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling, tracking, recording, and monitoring of patients' usage of an infusion room, along with various tools to analyze the infusion room activity, to thereby improve usage of the infusion room, and improve patient satisfaction relating to their infusion room experience, is disclosed. The inventive methods and systems use real-time computer processors, software, and distributed sensors to monitor, record, analyze, and graphically display relevant infusion room chair status, patient status, and patient medical condition while in the infusion room. In preferred embodiments, the inventive methods and systems provide real-time input capability for medical personnel, and real-time automatic data output for use by or to prompt medical personnel. The inventive methods and systems are capable of recording activity of the infusion room to permit later analysis, modeling, and simulation to allow for improvements in infusion room efficiencies and patient satisfaction.

Abstract: Methods for treating tumors comprising cells expressing the vitamin D receptor are provided, and comprise inhibiting the expression or the biologic activity of the vitamin D receptor in the tumor cells, and/or inhibiting the expression or the biologic activity of a constituent of the vitamin D receptor signaling pathway in the tumor cells, and administering to the tumor cells an effective amount of gemcitabine.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions, and methods for specific inhibition of activated cdc42-associated kinase 1 (Ack1) are provided.

Abstract: A polypeptide comprising a preS1 region of hepatitis B virus (HBV), or a fragment thereof, and/or the preS2 region of HBV or a fragment thereof, and methods of use to inhibit virus infection are disclosed. A lentivirus comprising hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope proteins, or a fragment thereof, and/or the L envelope protein of HBV and/or the M envelope protein of HBV or a fragment thereof, and/or the S envelope protein of HBV or a fragment thereof, and methods of use of this lentivirus HBV pseudovirus as a gene therapy to target hepatocytes for the administration of therapeutic agents are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for treating tumors comprising cells overexpressing ErbB2 or ErbB3 are provided, and comprise inhibiting the biologic activity of one or more of ErbB2 and ErbB3 in the cells and inhibiting the expression or the biologic activity of a constituent of a signal pathway connected with ErbB2 or ErbB3 signaling.

Abstract: To reliably fix a medical instrument to a body wall by easy operation without causing increased costs and complicated configuration. For inserting a trocar as a medical instrument which can be pierced into a body cavity, a front end of the trocar is inserted into a body wall along a first direction having a specified angle with respect to an exterior surface of the body wall, and then the front end of the trocar is inserted into the body wall along a second direction whose angle with the exterior surface of the body wall is acuter than that of the first direction. As a result, the trocar is reliably fixed with large resistance received from the body wall.

Abstract: An endoscope and an illuminator are safely placed in a body cavity without generating a noticeable postoperative scar. A method of placing medical insertion instruments into a body cavity includes a first step of inserting, into the body cavity through a first opening formed on a body wall, an endoscope together with a first illuminator; and a second step of inserting, into the body cavity through a second opening formed at a position different from the first opening, a second illuminator. Preferably, the method further includes a third step of pulling out the first illuminator from the first opening and inserting the first illuminator into the body cavity through a third opening formed at a position different from the first and second openings.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for identifying agents which have efficacy for the treatment of disorders related to aberrant cilial structure and function, including polycystic kidney disease.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating HSP70 function, particularly for the targeted killing of cancer cells, are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing or characterizing a predisposition to colon cancer are provided. Cell nuclei may be evaluated for the presence or quantity of gamma-H2AX foci. Nucleic acids may be evaluated for the presence, type, or quantity of genomic instability or surrogates of dsDNA breaks such as ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), Rad3-related protein (ATR), and Tumor suppressor p53-binding protein 1 (53BP1) in gamma-H2AX foci. Nucleic acids comprising a germline nucleic acid sequence of the ERCC6, WRN, TERT, and FAAP100 genes may be sequenced or probed to determine if the nucleic acid sequence includes one or more alterations that cause genomic instability, dsDNA breaks, or gamma-H2AX foci or otherwise predispose a subject to develop colon cancer.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions, and methods for specific inhibition of activated cdc42-associated kinase 1 (Ack1) are provided.

Abstract: Treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis with the MEK1/2 inhibitor CI-1040 delayed the development of primary tumors and blocked the estrogen-induced lung metastases in treated animals. Such treatment also reduced the number of circulating ELT3 cells and decreased their lung colonization after intravenous injection.

Abstract: Mice comprising a human p16 transgene operably linked to an inducible promoter and capable of controlled expression of p16 are provided. Also provided are cells, tissues, and organs obtainable from such mice, and methods for producing p16 transgenic mice.

Abstract: An imaging cassette. The cassette includes a top frame, a bottom frame, and one or more of a front wall, back wall, or plurality of posts, and defines a chamber for holding an animal in a desired position for analysis in a fluorescence molecular tomography imager and a vertical bore magnetic resonance imager.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for diagnosing or characterizing a genetic predisposition to develop cancer, including cancers of the BAP1 cancer syndrome, are provided. Nucleic acids comprising a germline nucleic acid sequence encoding the BRCA1 associated protein 1 (BAP1) are sequenced or probed to determine if the nucleic acid sequence includes alterations that predispose a subject to develop cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of (a) at least one compound from the group of 5-fluorouracil, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine, capecitabine or a prodrug of such compounds; and (b) 5-hydroxymethyl-2?-deoxyuridine, or a prodrug of such compound, as well as kits comprising such composition and methods of use thereof for treating neoplasia.