Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: A vector and a method are provided for delivering a nucleic acid to a nervous system cell. The vector includes a first nucleic acid, a second nucleic acid, inverted terminal repeats of adeno-associated virus, and a tetracycline-off regulatable promoter system that includes a first promoter operably linked to the first nucleic acid and a second promoter operably linked to the second nucleic acid. The promoters drive expression in opposite directions and away from the inverted terminal repeats. The method includes providing a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector and administering the vector to a nervous system cell. Expression of a product from the first nucleic acid is regulatable by the promoter system.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: A vector and a method are provided for delivering a nucleic acid to a nervous system cell. The vector includes a first nucleic acid, a second nucleic acid, inverted terminal repeats of adeno-associated virus, and a tetracycline-off regulatable promoter system that includes a first promoter operably linked to the first nucleic acid and a second promoter operably linked to the second nucleic acid. The promoters drive expression in opposite directions and away from the inverted terminal repeats. The method includes providing a recombinant adeno-associated viral (rAAV) vector and administering the vector to a nervous system cell. Expression of a product from the first nucleic acid is regulatable by the promoter system.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising one or more isolated factors from a microenvironment of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), including, but not limited to, Lefty and inhibitors of Nodal. The invention also provides methods of utilizing factors derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and their microenvironment to treat and prevent tumor formation and progression and to inhibit tumor cell aggressiveness. The invention further provides methods of inhibiting tumor cell growth and/or treating aggressive tumors in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal, having at least one tumor cell present in its body, an effective amount of an inhibitor of Nodal activity.

Abstract: A method of measuring hyperactivity includes determining the total number of movements of the subject as well as the number of movements which occur at a rate exceeding a preselected threshold. When the rate exceeds the threshold, biofeedback conditioning may be employed to alert the patient in order to condition him against such activity. An apparatus employing the method includes a counting unit worn on the belt of the subject. The counting unit records movement detected by a set of mercury switches. The total number of times a mercury switch is opened is counted as well as the number of times the rate threshold is exceeded. This information is stored in the counters for subsequent evaluation. An oscillator circuit gated by the counting unit provides an audible signal to the subject when the rate threshold is exceeded. A readout and display circuit is utilized for obtaining the information stored in the counting unit.