Abstract: Disclosed herein is a driver gene signature for predicting survival in patients with solid tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and breast cancer. The gene signature includes ten tumor-associated genes, SH2D4A, CCDC25, ELP3, DLC1, PROSC, SORBS3, HNRPD, PAQR3, PHF17 and DCK. A decrease in DNA copy number or mRNA expression of SH2D4A, CCDC25, ELP3, DLC1, PROSC and SORBS3 in solid tumors is associated with a poor prognosis, while a decrease in DNA copy number or mRNA expression of HNRPD, PAQR3, PHF17 and DCK in solid tumors is associated with a good prognosis. Thus, provided herein is a method of predicting the prognosis of a patient diagnosed with HCC or breast cancer by detecting expression of one of more tumor-associated genes in a tumor sample and comparing expression of the one or more tumor-associated genes in the tumor sample to a control.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of determining an HCC subtype in a subject which includes a) obtaining a sample from the subject, b) assaying the sample to detect the expression of 1 or more biomarkers, and c) correlating the expression of the biomarkers with an HCC subtype in a subject. Also described are methods of detecting HCC stem cells in a sample, and methods and compositions for treating subjects with HCC that take advantage of the biomarkers associated with HCC stem cells.

Abstract: Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5kD.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining an HCC subtype in a subject comprising a) obtaining a sample from the subject, b) assaying the sample to detect the expression of 1 or more biomarkers, and c) correlating the expression of the biomarkers with an HCC subtype in a subject. The invention further provides methods of detecting HCC stem cells in a sample. Additionally, the invention provides methods and compositions for treating subjects with HCC that take advantage of the biomarkers associated with HCC stem cells.

Abstract: A card edge connector (100) includes an insulative housing, a set of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing and an ejector (3). The insulative housing has a central slot (12) and one tower portion (13) having a receiving slot (135). The contacts protrude into the central slot. The ejector has a main portion (31) received in the receiving slot, an ejecting portion (34) extending from a lower end (35) of the main portion, a locking portion (32) extending inwardly from an upper end of the main portion, and a lever portion (37) extending outwardly from the upper end of the main portion. The locking portion has a pair of vertical portions (324), and a transverse portion (323). The transverse portion connects the vertical portions and divides the vertical portions into upper and lower retaining parts.

Abstract: A card edge connector (100) includes an elongated housing (1) and a plurality of contacts (2). The housing (1) has two side walls (103) and a central slot (109) between the two side walls (103) for receiving a memory module (9). The card edge connector (100) includes a latching mechanism (5) mounted on the two side walls (103) for resisting the memory module (9) downwardly. The latching mechanism (5) can prevent the memory module (9) from moving upwardly, thereby the memory module (9) could be stably connected with the card edge connector (100).

Abstract: Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5kD.

Abstract: Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5kD.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a driver gene signature for predicting survival in patients with solid tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and breast cancer. The gene signature includes ten tumor-associated genes, SH2D4A, CCDC25, ELP3, DLC1, PROSC, SORBS3, HNRPD, PAQR3, PHF17 and DCK. A decrease in DNA copy number or mRNA expression of SH2D4A, CCDC25, ELP3, DLC1, PROSC and SORBS3 in solid tumors is associated with a poor prognosis, while a decrease in DNA copy number or mRNA expression of HNRPD, PAQR3, PHF17 and DCK in solid tumors is associated with a good prognosis. Thus, provided herein is a method of predicting the prognosis of a patient diagnosed with HCC or breast cancer by detecting expression of one of more tumor-associated genes in a tumor sample and comparing expression of the one or more tumor-associated genes in the tumor sample to a control.

Abstract: Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5 kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5 kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5 kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5 kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5 kD.

Abstract: Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5kD.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of determining an HCC subtype in a subject comprising a) obtaining a sample from the subject, b) assaying the sample to detect the expression of 1 or more biomarkers, and c) correlating the expression of the biomarkers with an HCC subtype in a subject. The invention further provides methods of detecting HCC stem cells in a sample. Additionally, the invention provides methods and compositions for treating subjects with HCC that take advantage of the biomarkers associated with HCC stem cells.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining the prognosis of a subject with an adenocarcinoma in an organ, such as the lung. The methods can include quantitating expression of a plurality of cytokines of interest, such as IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, IFN-? and TNF-a in the adenocarcinoma and in non-cancerous tissue in the organ. Altered expression of IL-1a, IL-1b, IL-2, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, IFN-? and TNF-a in the adenocarcinoma as compared to a control and in non-cancerous tissue in the organ as compared to a control determines the prognosis for the subject. Methods for determining if a therapeutic agent is effective as an anti-cancer agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5 kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5kD.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for assaying for modulators of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention also provides means to sensitize a proliferating cell to a DNA base-damaging agent by administration of novel inhibitors of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention further provides polypeptides which interfere with the ability of Cdc2/cyclin B1 complexes to cause a pause at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle in response to GADD45, and nucleic acids which encode such polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening for compounds capable of inducing apoptosis in certain tumor cells. The invention also relates to compounds identified by such methods. In addition, the invention relates to methods for the in vitro diagnosis of Xeroderma pigmentosum and compounds useful in these methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for assaying for modulators of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention also provides means to sensitize a proliferating cell to a DNA base-damaging agent by administration of novel inhibitors of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention further provides polypeptides which interfere with the ability of Cdc2/cyclin B1 complexes to cause a pause at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle in response to GADD45, and nucleic acids which encode such polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for assaying for modulators of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention also provides means to sensitize a proliferating cell to a DNA base-damaging agent by administration of novel inhibitors of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention further provides polypeptides which interfere with the ability of Cdc2/cyclin B1 complexes to cause a pause at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle in response to GADD45, and nucleic acids which encode such polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening for compounds capable of inducing apoptosis in certain tumor cells. The invention also relates to compounds identified by such methods. In addition, the invention relates to methods for the in vitro diagnosis of Xeroderma pigmentosum and compounds useful in these methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for assaying for modulators of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention also provides means to sensitize a proliferating cell to a DNA base-damaging agent by administration of novel inhibitors of GADD45 polypeptide activity. The invention further provides polypeptides which interfere with the ability of Cdc2/cyclin B1 complexes to cause a pause at the G2/M stage of the cell cycle in response to GADD45, and nucleic acids which encode such polypeptides.