Abstract: Methods of treating a disease or disorder characterized by cells with increased or aberrant expression of cytokeratin-8 (CK8) are disclosed. The methods typically include administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition including an effective amount of a CK8 inhibitor. Exemplary diseases include thyroid cancers, particularly thyroid cancers characterized by poorly differentiated or undifferentiated cells. In the most preferred embodiments the cancer is an anaplastic thyroid cancer or a poorly differentiated papillary thyroid cancer. Disclosed inhibitors include, functional nucleic acids, inhibitory anti-CK8 antibodies, inhibitory peptides, and small molecules.

Abstract: Described herein are sensitive methods for determining if a subject has cancer. The methods generally involve quantifying the amount of one or more biomarkers derived from Galectin-3 in a biological sample from the subject by mass spectrometry, wherein an increase in the amount of one or more biomarkers in the biological sample as compared to a control is an indication of the presence of cancer in the subject.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bioreactor includes a cartridge adapted to deliver growth media to inner and outer surfaces of a tubular organ scaffold, the cartridge having a container that includes a first passage adapted to deliver a first growth medium to the inner surfaces of the tubular organ scaffold and a second passage adapted to deliver a second growth medium to the outer surfaces of the scaffold, wherein the first and second growth media are different media.

Abstract: Described herein are sensitive methods for determining if a subject has cancer. The methods generally involve quantifying the amount of one or more biomarkers derived from Galectin-3 in a biological sample from the subject by mass spectrometry, wherein an increase in the amount of one or more biomarkers in the biological sample as compared to a control is an indication of the presence of cancer in the subject.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for flushing the core of a nuclear reactor after a loss-of-coolant accident. A pump causes flow of liquid-phase fluid from the containment-vessel sump. This flow is used to provide the motivating force for an eductor that causes suction at the hot leg of the reactor. The eductor suction can draw gas-phase coolant out of the hot leg. As a result, it can reduce pressure which may be preventing the flow of liquid-phase coolant out of the hot leg. By causing liquid-phase flow through the reactor, the system ensures that particles and boric acid are flushed out of the core. The system thereby eliminates the build-up of particles and the concentrations of boric acid in the core that could result if the coolant were to leave the pressure vessel exclusively in the gas phase.