Abstract: Described herein is a fluid circuit device. The device incorporates at least one pressure balancing valve located between at least two fluid volumes that can be in a pressure differential arrangement wherein the at least one pressure balancing valve acts to address a pressure differential by opening a fluid volume or volumes to a third pressure equalising volume. In use, the fluid circuit device may in one embodiment be used in an energy absorbtion apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum therapy device for treatment of a defect internal of a human or animal body, the device comprising: a suction tube extending from: (i) a proximal portion for coupling to a source of negative pressure outside the body, to (ii) a distal portion for providing suction proximal to the defect when inserted into the body; a porous medium coupled to the distal portion of the suction tube to provide suction to the defect when inserted into the body for treatment thereof; and a constraining sleeve for selective compression of the porous medium, the constraining sleeve having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the constraining sleeve is movable relative to the porous medium between: an insertion position in which the proximal and distal ends of the sleeve are arranged at the distal portion of the suction tube so that the sleeve at least partially surrounds the porous medium to retain the porous medium in a compressed state during insertion into the body; and a treatment position in which the porous medium

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods for assessing the EMT status of tumor cells, and for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with an EGFR or IGF-1R kinase inhibitor, utilizing an EMT gene signature index score. The present invention further provides methods for treating patients with cancer that incorporate these methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with an EGFR kinase inhibitor. Methods are provided for predicting the sensitivity of tumor cell growth to inhibition by an EGFR kinase inhibitor, comprising assessing whether the tumor cell has undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), by determining the expression level of epithelial and/or mesenchymal biomarkers, wherein tumor cells that have undergone an EMT are substantially less sensitive to inhibition by EGFR kinase inhibitors. Improved methods for treating cancer patients with EGFR kinase inhibitors that incorporate the above methodology are also provided. Additionally, methods are provided for the identification of new biomarkers that are predictive of responsiveness of tumors to EGFR kinase inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic methods for assessing the EMT status of tumor cells, and for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with an EGFR or IGF-1R kinase inhibitor, utilizing an EMT gene signature index score. The present invention further provides methods for treating patients with cancer that incorporate these methods.

Abstract: A quick-release coupling for fluid lines is disclosed which includes a connector with a connecting piece and at least one connecting pipe transversely projecting from the connecting piece, which connecting piece can be inserted into a receiving opening of a counterpart in a sealing manner and brought into locking engagement with the counterpart. To improve reliability and ease of mounting of a quick-release coupling, a force used to convert a securing device from an unlocking position to a locking position can be larger than a force used to bring the connecting piece into locking engagement with the counterpart.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor cell preparations for use as models of the EMT process for use in the identification of anti-cancer agents, wherein said tumor cell preparations comprise cells of the epithelial tumor cell line H358, which are stimulated by receptor ligands to induce EMT, or which have been engineered to inducibly express a protein that stimulates EMT. The present invention also provides methods of identifying potential anti-cancer agents by using such tumor cell preparations to identify agents that inhibit EMT, stimulate MET, or inhibit the growth of mesenchymal-like cells. Such agents should be particularly useful when used in conjunction with other anti-cancer drugs such as EGFR and IGF-1R kinase inhibitors, which appear to be less effective at inhibiting tumor cells that have undergone an EMT.

Abstract: The present invention provides tumor cell preparations for use as models of the EMT process for use in the identification of anti-cancer agents, wherein said tumor cell preparations comprise cells of the epithelial tumor cell line H358, which are stimulated by receptor ligands to induce EMT, or which have been engineered to inducibly express a protein that stimulates EMT. The present invention also provides methods of identifying potential anti-cancer agents by using such tumor cell preparations to identify agents that inhibit EMT, stimulate MET, or inhibit the growth of mesenchymal-like cells. Such agents should be particularly useful when used in conjunction with other anti-cancer drugs such as EGFR and IGF-1R kinase inhibitors, which appear to be less effective at inhibiting tumor cells that have undergone an EMT.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with inhibitors of EGFR kinase, PDGFR kinase, or FGFR kinase. Based on the surprising discovery that tumors cells after having undergone an EMT, while being mesenchymal-like, still express characteristics of both epithelial and mesenchymal cells, and that such cells have altered sensitivity to inhibition by receptor protein-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in that they have become relatively insensitive to EGFR kinase inhibitors, but have frequently acquired sensitivity to inhibitors of other receptor protein-tyrosine kinases such as PDGFR or FGFR, methods have been devised for determining levels of specific epithelial and mesenchymal biomarkers that identify such “hybrid” tumor cells (e.g. determination of co-expression of vimentin and epithelial keratins), and thus predict the tumor's likely sensitivity to inhibitors of EGFR kinase, PDGFR kinase, or FGFR kinase.

Abstract: The present invention provides diagnostic and prognostic methods for predicting the effectiveness of treatment of a cancer patient with an EGFR kinase inhibitor. Methods are provided for predicting the sensitivity of tumor cell growth to inhibition by an EGFR kinase inhibitor, comprising assessing whether the tumor cell has undergone an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), by determining the expression level of epithelial and/or mesenchymal biomarkers, wherein tumor cells that have undergone an EMT are substantially less sensitive to inhibition by EGFR kinase inhibitors. Improved methods for treating cancer patients with EGFR kinase inhibitors that incorporate the above methodology are also provided. Additionally, methods are provided for the identification of new biomarkers that are predictive of responsiveness of tumors to EGFR kinase inhibitors.

Abstract: A corner protector and bulkhead protector for a cargo carrying vehicle such as a rail car are formed to have deep channels or corrugations that provide for both increased strength and rigidity while also providing support for load restraining web straps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunications network elements, especially where direct access to those network elements is not available. The invention allows a network manager to build and maintain significant relationship information, as well as model the state of network elements with a high degree of accuracy, but based only on the information contained within the transactions built from the network traffic which is being monitored. In particular, it allows the network manager to obtain the same results that would previously have required direct access to an operator's network elements.

Abstract: A clip or hook assembly for use with a pin-like anchor assembly mounted in the side of a railcar for grasping the anchor assembly. The hook is part of a restraining system used to restrain lading loaded and shipped in the railcar. The hook includes a body port having a central aperture for receiving a magnet assembly which can be positioned against the anchor assembly for securing the hook to the anchor and the railcar sidewall.

Abstract: A load restraining device that provides a system in which straps extending from one side of a web strap arrangement initially run parallel to the wall to which they are connected, as opposed to extending perpendicular to the wall as in the prior art. The anchor itself is a horizontal wall member running longitudinally along the wall of the railcar or trailer. An adjustable anchor is used to permit moving the attachment point several inches to allow for load variations. The attachment of the web strap arrangement is normally 14? to 18? behind the face of the load. Unlike previous systems, this provision of anchor points behind the load effectively “encapsulates” the load rather than merely providing a bulkhead effect.

Abstract: A system for restraining the movement of a vehicle having a wheel with a tire thereon during shipment of the vehicle on a support surface. A chock for engaging at least one of the front or back surfaces of the tire. A strap take-up mechanism engages the support surface and is positioned adjacent the other circumferential surface of the tire. An elongated restraining strap which at one end engages the chock, extends over tire and engages the tire, and at the other end engages the strap take-up mechanism. The strap take-up mechanism includes a pair of legs each engaging the support surface and having a cylindrically shaped, slotted and rotatable hinge pin mounted to the legs for receiving the take-up end of the strap and about which the strap can be wound upon rotation of the cylinder. A handle associated with the cylinder and legs for rotating the cylinder so as to wrap the strap about the cylinder and for securing the cylinder relative to the legs so as to prevent further rotation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A loading restraint and engaging system. The system includes a plurality of rails that are mounted to the side walls of a box car. Each rail is positioned using a locator pin that extends into the car end wall and engages the rail. An end cap or rub rail ramp is provided adjacent the box car door for assisting in moving lading into the car. Wall and floor anchors are provided. Lading restraining nets are provided which engage wall anchors and the end face(s) of the lading.