The disclosure provides variants of nicotine oxidoreductase and methods to select such variants that are unexpectedly active in the catabolic destruction of nicotine by oxidation using oxygen as electron acceptor, and catabolically active fragments thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the CycN cytochrome c protein and at least one of the variant nicotine oxidoreductase holoenzymes, the fragments thereof, or a naturally occurring nicotine oxidoreductase, as well as fusion proteins comprising catalytically active nicotine oxidoreductase fragments or holoenzymes and CycN cytochrome c fragments or holoenzymes. Additionally, variants of L-6-hydroxynicotine oxidase, or catalytically active fragments thereof, are provided. Further disclosed are polynucleotides encoding such proteins, vectors comprising such polynucleotides, and host cells comprising such polynucleotides or vectors. Also provided are methods of using any of the disclosed compositions or formulations to treat nicotine dependence or reduce the risk of relapse to nicotine dependence.

The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods to produce 3D organ equivalents of the brain (i.e. “mini-brains”). The invention also relates to methods of using human induced pluripotent stem cells, a combination of growth and other soluble factors and gyratory shaking. Cells from healthy or diseased donors or animals can be used to allow testing different genetic backgrounds. The model can be further enhanced by using genetically modified cells, adding micro-glia or their precursors or indicator cells (e.g. with reporter genes or tracers) as well as adding endothelial cells to form a blood-brain-barrier.

The present invention relates to novel compositions and methods to produce 3D organ equivalents of the brain (i.e. “mini-brains”). The invention also relates to methods of using human induced pluripotent stem cells, a combination of growth and other soluble factors and gyratory shaking. Cells from healthy or diseased donors or animals can be used to allow testing different genetic backgrounds. The model can be further enhanced by using genetically modified cells, adding micro-glia or their precursors or indicator cells (e.g. with reporter genes or tracers) as well as adding endothelial cells to form a blood-brain-barrier.

The invention provides polymeric H-NOX proteins for the delivery of oxygen with longer circulation half-lives compared to monomeric H-NOX proteins. Polymeric H-NOX proteins extravasate into and preferentially accumulate in tumor tissue for sustained delivery of oxygen. The invention also provides the use of H-NOX proteins as radiosensitizers for the treatment of brain cancers.

The invention provides polymeric H-NOX proteins for the delivery of oxygen with longer circulation half-lives compared to monomeric H-NOX proteins. Polymeric H-NOX proteins extravasate into and preferentially accumulate in tumor tissue for sustained delivery of oxygen. The invention also provides the use of H-NOX proteins as radiosensitizers for the treatment of brain cancers.

To provide a novel cosmetic, comprising a UV wavelength conversion substance and a water-soluble thickener.

Disclosed herein are methods and compositions to treat solid tumors. In one embodiment, the method of treating a solid tumor in a patient includes administering at the tumor site a therapeutically effective amount of cytochrome P450 producing cells encapsulated in a capsule and administering a prodrug which is activated by cytochrome P450, wherein the prodrug is administered at least three or more cycles, and wherein each cycle comprises three consecutive daily administration.

Provided herein are methods for treating at least one symptom of ALS in a subject who has received a first dosage of a substrate of a CYP or a transporter, the method including administering to the subject a composition comprising a bile acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a phenylbutyrate compound, monitoring the subject for response to the substrate, and administering a second dosage of the substrate, wherein the second dosage is less than the first dosage.

The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition includes a Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein (GMI) and a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The invention further provides a use and a method of the pharmaceutical composition for treating carcinoma.

The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition. The pharmaceutical composition includes a Ganoderma microsporum immunomodulatory protein (GMI) and a keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The invention further provides a use and a method of the pharmaceutical composition for treating carcinoma.