Abstract: A method of treating visual system disease is disclosed. One embodiment comprises the steps of (a) exposing a component of a patient's visual system to light treatment, wherein the light treatment is characterized by wavelength of between 630-1000 nm and power intensity between 10-90 mW/cm2 for a time of 1-3 minutes, and (b) observing restoration of visual system function.

Abstract: A perfusion image is produced by acquiring a series of time course MR images from an imaging slice. During the acquisition spins flowing into the slice are repeatedly tagged with an RF tagging pulse having a flip angle that is modulated according to a tagging pattern. Voxels in the series of reconstructed MR images having signals which vary according to the tagging pattern indicate perfusion. Perfusion images indicating either flow or velocity are produced.

Abstract: A method for treating cerebral vascular diseases in a human or non-human animal is disclosed. The method involves inhibiting 20-HETE synthesizing enzyme activity sufficiently to increase or prevent a decrease in cerebral blood flow in the human or non-human animal.

Abstract: The inventors have purified the fluorescent product in the hydroethidine-based supeorxide detection assays and further identified the product as 2-hydroxyethidium. Methods for synthesizing 2-hydroxyethidium and for detecting and quantifying superoxide are provided.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions containing elemental selenium (Se(0)), Se(0)-carrier conjugates, a chromophore photoproduct, fluorescent conjugates of the chromophore photoproduct and carrier molecules, or a mixture thereof are disclosed. Methods of using the pharmaceutical compositions such as inducing cell death are also disclosed. Further disclosed are methods of making the pharmaceutical compositions and components thereof.

Abstract: A conductive electrode is attached to the clinician's finger and current pulses are applied thereto as the clinician searches for a nerve to be anesthetized by palpating in the region of the nerve. The target nerve is stimulated to indicate when the nerve is located.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting, moderating or diagnosing Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is disclosed. In one embodiment, this method comprises inoculating a patient with an effective amount of PcrV antigen.

Abstract: A uniform-field resonator includes a central cavity section having a cross-section which is set to the cutoff frequency for a particular microwave propagation mode and a pair of end sections which enclose the cavity to form a resonator in which the field is substantially uniform along the entire length of the central cavity—regardless of its length. A number of end section design strategies and resulting structures are described for supporting the uniform-field mode of operation in the central cavity section.

Abstract: Two sets of time course NMR data are acquired using an EPI pulse sequence in which both gradient recalled echo NMR signals and spin-echo NMR signals are acquired after bolus injection of a contrast agent. The gradient-echo signals and spin-echo NMR signals are employed to calculate rCBV maps which are corrected for contrast leakage and used as a measure of tumor angiogenesis. Both the gradient echo and spin echo signals are employed to calculate a &Dgr;R2 weighting ratio which is also a measure of tumor angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluorescent HPLC assay for detecting the presence and/or measuring the level of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) and other P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid in a sample. P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid are first extracted from the sample and then labeled with 2-(2,3-naphthalimino)ethyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. The labeling reaction is catalyzed by N,N-diisopropylethylamine. Next, the labeled P-450 metabolites are separated on a 4.5×250-mm, 5 &mgr;M particle size C18 reverse-phase HPLC column using a mobile phase of methanol:water:acetic acid (82:18:0.1, v/v/v) and an isocratic elution at a rate of about 1.3 ml per minute. Fluorescence intensities of the column eluent are monitored by a fluorescence detector. Quantitation of P-450 metabolites in a sample can be made by using an internal standard.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the in vivo reduction of free radical levels in mammalian subjects in need thereof. In contrast to the inhibitory approach described in the prior art (i.e., wherein the function of the species responsible for free radical production is inhibited), the present invention employs a scavenging approach whereby overproduced free radical is bound in vivo to a suitable free radical scavenger. An exemplary free radical scavenger contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention is a dithiocarbamate-ferrous iron complex. This complex binds to free radicals, forming a stable, water-soluble free radical-containing complex. When administered to a subject afflicted with a disorder associated with free radical overproduction (e.g.

Abstract: 20-HETE agonists and antagonists are disclosed along with therapeutic applications. In a preferable form of the invention, the 20-HETE agonists are selected from the group consisting of 21-hydroxyheneicosa-5(Z), 8(Z), 11(Z), 14(Z)-tetraenoic acid, 20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z), 14(Z)-dienoic acid and 20-, 21-dimethyl 20-HETE. Preferable 20-HETE antagonists include 5(S)-HETE, 15(S)-HETE, 19(S)-HETE, 19-hydroxynonadeca-5(Z), 8(Z), 11(Z), 14(Z)-tetraenoic acid and 20-hydroxyeicosa 6(Z), 15(Z)-dienoic acid.

Abstract: 20-HETE agonists and antagonists are disclosed along with therapeutic applications. In a preferable form of the invention, the 20-HETE agonists are selected from the group consisting of 21-hydroxyheneicosa-5(Z),8(Z),11(Z),14(Z)-tetraenoic acid, 20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),4(Z)-dienoic acid and 20-,21-dimethyl 20-HETE. Preferable 20-HETE antagonists include 5(S)-HETE, 15(S)-HETE, 19(S)-HETE, 19-hydroxynonadeca-5(Z),8(Z),11(Z),14(Z)-tetraenoic acid and 20-hydroxyeicosa 6(Z),15(Z)-dienoic acid.

Abstract: An antibody specific for homocystamide adducts is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the antibody is used to evaluate the level of homocysteine in a biological sample.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the in vivo reduction of free radical levels in mammalian subjects in need thereof. In contrast to the inhibitory approach described in the prior art (i.e., wherein the function of the species responsible for free radical production is inhibited), the present invention employs a scavenging approach whereby overproduced free radical is bound in vivo to a suitable free radical scavenger. An exemplary free radical scavenger contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention is a dithiocarbamate-ferrous iron complex. This complex binds to free radicals, forming a stable, water-soluble free radical-containing complex. When administered to a subject afflicted with a disorder associated with free radical overproduction, the water-soluble free radical-containing complex is produced and then filtered through the kidneys, concentrated in the urine, and eventually excreted by the subject, thereby reducing in vivo free radical levels.

Abstract: Time course MRI data is acquired from the hippocampal region of the brain and processed to produce an index which is a measure of the functional connectivity between locations therein. The MRI data is acquired while the brain is substantially at rest and the spontaneous low frequency component of the time course data at each location in the hippocampus is extracted and compared in a cross-correlation process.

Abstract: An EPI pulse sequence is performed by an MRI system which acquires images of the brain over a time interval during which the subject performs a function or is stimulated in a pattern. An fMRI parameter is calculated for each voxel which indicates those regions of the brain that are active during the study. The same acquired NMR data is employed in a jackknife method for recalculating the fMRI parameter many times and from the distribution of the recalculated values a confidence level indicator is produced. Low confidence level indicators are used to exclude regions which are otherwise indicated as active.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for the in vivo reduction of free radical levels in mammalian subjects in need thereof. In contrast to the inhibitory approach described in the prior art (i.e., wherein the function of the species responsible for free radical production is inhibited), the present invention employs a scavenging approach whereby overproduced free radical is bound in vivo to a suitable free radical scavenger. An exemplary free radical scavenger contemplated for use in the practice of the present invention is a dithiocarbamate-ferrous iron complex. This complex binds to free radicals, forming a stable, water-soluble free radical-containing complex. When administered to a subject afflicted with a disorder associated with free radical overproduction, the water-soluble free radical-containing complex is produced and then filtered through the kidneys, concentrated in the urine, and eventually excreted by the subject, thereby reducing in vivo free radical levels.

Abstract: Functional NMR data is acquired from a subject using an EPI pulse sequence while a prescribed pattern of light is displayed that stimulates locations throughout the subject's field of view. Brain activity responsive to the light stimulation is measured and a functional field map is produced which indicates all the locations in the subject's field of view which produce brain activity in the visual cortex.

Abstract: 20-HETE agonists and antagonists are disclosed along with therapeutic applications. In a preferable form of the invention, the 20-HETE agonists are selected from the group consisting of 21-hydroxyheneicosa-5(Z),8(Z),11(Z),14(Z)-tetraenoic acid, 20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),14(Z)-dienoic acid and 20-,21-dimethyl 20-HETE. Preferable 20-HETE antagonists include 5(S)-HETE, 15(S)-HETE, 19(S)-HETE, 19-hydroxynonadeca-5(Z),8(Z),11(Z),14(Z)-tetraenoic acid and 20-hydroxyeicosa 6(Z),15(Z)-dienoic acid.