Abstract: Disclosed are methods for conditionally immortalizing stem cells, including adult and embryonic stem cells, the cells produced by such methods, therapeutic and laboratory or research methods of using such cells, and methods to identify compounds related to cell differentiation and development or to treat diseases, using such cells. A mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cells and methods related to such mouse model are also described.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions for treating pulmonary infections and inflammation with a composition comprising selenocyanate, hyposelenocyanite or a selenocyanate conjugate.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for quantifying an extent of various pathology patterns in scanned subject images. The detection and quantification of pathology is performed automatically and unsupervised via a trained system. The methods, devices, and systems described herein generate unique dictionaries of elements based on actual image data scans to automatically identify pathology of new image data scans of subjects. The automatic detection and quantification system can detect a number of pathologies including a usual interstitial pneumonia pattern on computed tomography images, which is subject to high inter-observer variation, in the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel methods for categorizing and treating subjects having Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of identifying, predicting and treating subjects at risk for exacerbation or the presence of a respiratory disease, by detecting expression levels of one or more proteins associated with the respiratory disease.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel methods for for determining pulmonary disease progression severity in a subject having cystic fibrosis by detecting mRNA expression levels of CD64 in a whole blood sample for the subject and calculating a disease risk score, wherein the disease risk score correlates to the risk score for mild, moderate or severe pulmonary disease progression at exacerbation and treating the subject accordingly.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods to inhibit inflammation or pathogen infection by administering at least one anionic lipid or compositions comprising at least one anionic lipid to an individual. The invention also relates to methods to prevent or inhibit respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection by administering at least one anionic lipid or compositions comprising at least one anionic lipid to an individual. The invention further relates to compositions comprising randomly mixed surfactant lipids and methods to produce the compositions.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods to prevent and/or inhibit viral infection as well as to inhibit inflammation and/or pathogen infection by administering at least one xylitol lipid analog or compositions comprising at least one xylitol lipid analog to an individual. The invention also relates to methods to prevent or inhibit respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection by administering at least one xylitol lipid analog or compositions comprising at least one xylitol lipid analog to an individual.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel methods for diagnosing and treating acute pulmonary exacerbation in subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treatment of airway obstruction associated with fibrin-containing cast formation by administering a fibrinolytic agent.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to treat allergic conditions, including pulmonary and non-pulmonary conditions, in a subject by administering a composition that inhibits Pim kinase. Also disclosed are methods to treat allergic conditions in a subject by administering a composition that induces expression of Runx3.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting an autoimmune disease by administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that induces conversion of naive T cells into Foxp3+ regulatory T cells to induce immunosuppression in the subject. Methods for detecting in a subject an autoimmune disease or a predisposition to an autoimmune disease, and methods for assessing the efficacy of a therapy for an autoimmune disease, particularly type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel methods for identifying and/or diagnosing and/or treating a population of subjects that are at risk for developing and/or have an inflammatory disease of the airways, including type 2 cytokine-driven airway inflammation.

Abstract: An active agent for use in a method of, or for use in the preparation of a medicament for, treating or inhibiting the development of erectile dysfunction and/or incontinence following pelvic radiation treatment in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering said subject an active agent in a treatment effective amount, is described. The active agent has the general structure of Formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for determining pulmonary disease progression severity in a subject having cystic fibrosis and treating the subject according to the severity. The method comprises obtaining a whole blood sample from the subject; detecting the mRNA expression level of each of the following genes: TLR2, ADAM9, PLXND1, CD163, CD36, CD64, CSPG2, IL32, HPSE, HCA112; determining the severity of the pulmonary disease progression based on the subject's combined mRNA expression level of the genes; and treating the subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating and/or preventing allergic diseases or conditions by inhibiting one or more components of the steroidogenic pathway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward novel methods to identify as well as to treat a subject having an inflammatory disease resistant to corticosteroids.

Abstract: A vial holder is provided to protect a user's hand from needle sticks. The holder includes a handle and a shield attached to a distal end of the handle. An opening is formed in the distal end of the handle to receive a vial. The vial is placed through the opening and into a passageway of the handle with the upper end of the vial exposed. A user grasps the handle which holds the vial in a stabilized manner. A needle may then safely approach the vial in which inadvertent slippage or movement of the needle results in contact with the needle against the shield and not contact with the user's hand.

Abstract: An active agent for use in a method of, or for use in the preparation of a medicament for, treating or inhibiting the development of erectile dysfunction and/or incontinence following pelvic radiation treatment in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering said subject an active agent in a treatment effective amount, is described. The active agent has the general structure of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Treatment and diagnostic methods are provided for pulmonary disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Various pro-inflammatory mediators are elevated in a model of COPD that can be used predict the presence of COPD and/or subtypes of COPD in human patients. Profiles of these mediators can also predict the responsiveness of some patients to certain therapies, including thromboxane receptor antagonist treatment. Methods are provided for diagnosing a subject as a pulmonary disease candidate that include determining leukocyte expression in the subject of at least one pro-inflammatory mediator and identifying the subject as a pulmonary disease candidate when leukocyte expression in the subject of the pro-inflammatory mediator is increased compared to leukocyte expression of the pro-inflammatory mediator in a healthy individual. The pulmonary disease candidate can also be treated by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a thromboxane receptor antagonist.