Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system includes a housing; a PD fluid pump housed by the housing; a filter set including a filter housing and a hydrophilic filter membrane dividing an upstream chamber from a downstream chamber; a dual lumen patient line including a fresh PD fluid lumen in fluid communication with the upstream chamber and a used PD fluid lumen in fluid communication with the downstream chamber; a pressure sensor positioned and arranged to provide a pressure sensor output indicative of pressure in the downstream chamber of the filter housing; and a control unit configured to perform a pressure integrity test on the hydrophilic filter membrane by monitoring the pressure sensor output over a period of time, the pressure sensor output indicative of a negative pressure created in the downstream chamber by the PD fluid pump. A pressure drop test for evaluating the filter membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system (10) includes a PD machine (20); a patient line (50) extending from the PD machine (20); and a filter set (100) in fluid communication with the patient line (50), the filter set (100) including at least one filter membrane (120a, 120b, such as a bacteria reduction or sterilizing grade filter membrane) positioned and arranged such that fresh PD fluid flows through the at least one filter membrane (120a, 120b) prior to exiting the filter set (100), the filter set (100) further including a used PD fluid tube (106u) positioned and arranged to carry used PD fluid past the at least one filter membrane (120a, 120b) without contacting the at least one filter membrane (120a, 120b). A method for priming filter set (100) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) system includes a housing; a PD fluid pump housed by the housing; a filter set including a filter housing and a hydrophilic filter membrane dividing an upstream chamber from a downstream chamber; a dual lumen patient line including a fresh PD fluid lumen in fluid communication with the upstream chamber and a used PD fluid lumen in fluid communication with the downstream chamber; a pressure sensor positioned and arranged to provide a pressure sensor output indicative of pressure in the downstream chamber of the filter housing; and a control unit configured to perform a pressure integrity test on the hydrophilic filter membrane by monitoring the pressure sensor output over a period of time, the pressure sensor output indicative of a negative pressure created in the downstream chamber by the PD fluid pump. A pressure drop test for evaluating the filter membrane is also disclosed.

Abstract: An infusion device for dispensing fluid at a predetermined flow rate includes an elastic bladder, a pressure regulator, and a flow restrictor. The elastic bladder includes a bladder volume portion and a bladder outlet, and the elastic bladder stores fluid in the bladder volume portion and dispenses fluid through the outlet at a bladder pressure. The pressure regulator is in fluid communication with the outlet of the elastic bladder. The pressure regulator includes a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid inlet is coupled to the bladder outlet to receive fluid from the bladder. The flow restrictor is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet. The flow restrictor and the pressure regulator cooperate to discharge fluid from the flow restrictor at a predetermined flow rate.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modulating, e.g., antagonizing, the activity of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, and for treating Hedgehog related disorders such as cancers (e.g., medulloblastoma). In particular, the invention provides methods for inhibiting aberrant growth states resulting from phenotypes such as Ptch loss-of-function, Hedgehog gain-of-function, smoothened gain-of-function or Gli gain-of-function by administering to a mammal combinations of Smoothened inhibitors (e.g., a compound of Formula I, Formula II, or Formula III, or any of the compounds listed herein or incorporated by reference) and cholesterol biosynthesis pathway inhibitors (e.g., statins), Gli inhibitors, and/or Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modulating, e.g., antagonizing, the activity of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, and for treating Hedgehog related disorders such as cancers (e.g., medulloblastoma). In particular, the invention provides methods for inhibiting aberrant growth states resulting from phenotypes such as Ptch loss-of-function, Hedgehog gain-of-function, smoothened gain-of-function or Gli gain-of-function by administering to a mammal combinations of Smoothened inhibitors (e.g., a compound of Formula I, Formula II, or Formula III, or any of the compounds listed herein or incorporated by reference) and cholesterol biosynthesis pathway inhibitors (e.g., statins), Gli inhibitors, and/or Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for treating a sclerostin-expressing cancer, e.g., a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), e.g., SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract, esophagus, or lung, employing a therapeutically effective amount of at least one sclerostin antagonist, e.g., an anti-sclerostin antibody, such as Antibody 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modulating, e.g., antagonizing, the activity of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, and for treating Hedgehog related disorders such as cancers (e.g., medulloblastoma). In particular, the invention provides methods for inhibiting aberrant growth states resulting from phenotypes such as Ptch loss-of-function, Hedgehog gain-of-function, smoothened gain-of-function or Gli gain-of-function by administering to a mammal combinations of Smoothened inhibitors (e.g., a compound of Formula I, Formula II, or Formula III, or any of the compounds listed herein or incorporated by reference) and cholesterol biosynthesis pathway inhibitors (e.g., statins), Gli inhibitors, and/or Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors.