Abstract: The invention provides articles, devices, and methods for sampling respiratory droplets, the article comprising a material capable of adsorbing or absorbing respiratory droplets such that the contents of said respiratory droplets can be recovered for analysis. The invention allows respiratory droplets to be collected directly from any source of moisture and commonly-used devices, for example face masks and air handling systems.

Abstract: A reconstituted human breast tumor model is disclosed. The model, which is incorporated into mice, provides actual tumors that arise spontaneously, thereby mimicking naturally occurring breast cancer. The tumors are genetically human, because they arise from human mammary tissues that develop from human mammary epithelial cells implanted into host mice. Prior to implantation, the mammary epithelial cells are genetically modified to contain a recombinant human oncogene and an SV40 early region.

Abstract: Described herein are materials and methods for the prophylactic treatment of a pre-malignant condition, comprising administering a SIRT1 agonist to an individual whose genotype comprises one defective BRCA1 allele and one functional BRCA1 allele.

Abstract: Reconstituted human breast tumor models are disclosed. The models, which are incorporated into mice, provide actual tumors that arise spontaneously, thereby mimicking naturally occurring breast cancer. The tumors are genetically human, because they arise from human mammary tissues that develop from human mammary epithelial cells implanted into host mice. Prior to implantation, the mammary epithelial cells are genetically modified to contain either: (a) a recombinant human oncogene and an SV40er; or (b) a recombinant human oncogene, a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the p53 pathway, and a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the Rb pathway.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods for assessing the potential of tumor formation and/or metastasis using a combination (e.g., a ratio) of the number of circulating tumor cells and the number of circulating cells exhibiting autofluorescence within a selected wavelength region (e.g., red autofluorescence). In one aspect, it is directed to a method for providing likelihood of occurrence of a primary and/or a metastatic cancerous tumor in an animal, which comprises inoculating the animal with a plurality of cancer cells, determining a ratio of a number of cancer cells relative to a number of circulating indicator cells (e.g., immature leukocytes) that exhibit autofluorescence in the inoculated animal's blood and correlating the ratio to a likelihood that the animal will develop at least one primary and/or metastatic cancerous tumor, e.g., by way of assigning a probability for tumor development and/or metastasis based on the measured ratio. The method can also be utilized in human studies using, e.

Abstract: Reconstituted human breast tumor models are disclosed. The models, which are incorporated into mice, provide actual tumors that arise spontaneously, thereby mimicking naturally occurring breast cancer. The tumors are genetically human, because they arise from human mammary tissues that develop from human mammary epithelial cells implanted into host mice. Prior to implantation, the mammary epithelial cells are genetically modified to contain either: (a) a recombinant human oncogene and an SV40er; or (b) a recombinant human oncogene, a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the p53 pathway, and a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the Rb pathway.

Abstract: Reconstituted human breast tumor models are disclosed. The models, which are incorporated into mice, provide actual tumors that arise spontaneously, thereby mimicking naturally occurring breast cancer. The tumors are genetically human, because they arise from human mammary tissues that develop from human mammary epithelial cells implanted into host mice. Prior to implantation, the mammary epithelial cells are genetically modified to contain either: (a) a recombinant human oncogene and an SV40er; or (b) a recombinant human oncogene, a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the p53 pathway, and a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the Rb pathway.

Abstract: A reconstituted human breast tumor model is disclosed. The model, which is incorporated into mice, provides actual tumors that arise spontaneously, thereby mimicking naturally occurring breast cancer. The tumors are genetically human, because they arise from human mammary tissues that develop from human mammary epithelial cells implanted into host mice. Prior to implantation, the mammary epithelial cells are genetically modified to contain a recombinant human oncogene and an SV40 early region.

Abstract: A reconstituted human breast tumor model is disclosed. The model, which is incorporated into mice, provides actual tumors that arise spontaneously, thereby mimicking naturally occurring breast cancer. The tumors are genetically human, because they arise from human mammary tissues that develop from human mammary epithelial cells implanted into host mice. Prior to implantation, the mammary epithelial cells are genetically modified to contain a recombinant human oncogene and an SV40 early region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an orthotopic xenograft rodent model in which the stromal and epithelial components of the reconstructed mammary gland are of human origin, and to methods of making the mouse. The invention also relates to methods of using the rodent, including methods of identifying agents or drugs that inhibits abnormal growth of human breast epithelial cells or that inhibit the formation of breast tumors or other hyperplastic growths.