Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising agents having cardiac protective activity isolated from epicardial progenitor cells and derivatives thereof, and methods for the use of such compositions.

Abstract: The invention features compositions featuring (a) one or more of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and human C-terminal CTGF peptide; and (b) one or more of insulin and IGF-1; and methods of using such compositions to reduce cardiac tissue damage associated with an ischemic event or to enhance engraftment of a cell in a cardiac tissue.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising agents having cardiac protective activity isolated from epicardial progenitor cells and derivatives thereof, and methods for the use of such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention, in some aspects, relates to systems and methods for determining oxidized proteins, including glutathionylated proteins such as S-glutathionylated proteins. The systems and methods of the invention can be used in vitro (e.g., in cell or tissue culture) or in vivo, for example, to diagnose a person having an oxidative stress condition. For instance, in some cases, the invention can be used to spatially determine the location and/or concentration of oxidized proteins within cells and/or tissues (e.g., through visual detection). In one set of embodiments, a glutathionylated or otherwise oxidized moiety on a protein may be reacted with a detection entity, which may be, for example, fluorescent, radioactive, electron-dense, able to bind to a signaling entity or a binding partner in order to produce a signal, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for a low numerical aperture exclusion imaging apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include an electromagnetic illumination source for illuminating a portion of a specimen; and for collecting an image created by the electromagnetic radiation an objective lens optically coupled to the electromagnetic illuminated portion of the specimen. The apparatus also includes an optical blocking plate disposed between the objective lens and a focusing lens. The optical blocking plate is positioned to substantially block undesired electromagnetic radiation from image sources distally aligned in the same optical axis as the specimen. This invention enhances narrow depth of field characteristics in imaging and also enhances discreet imaging in a narrow focus field by eliminating some or most of the light which contributes to wide depth of field focus which is useful for optical sectioning ranging from microscopy to photography.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that selectively bind to blood coagulation factor FVIII, and highly sensitive immunological assays comprising these antibodies. Preferred assays can detect FVIII at about 3500-fold below the normal physiological levels, and have a wide array of applications including accurate monitoring of FVIII concentration in pharmaceutical products for treatment of blood coagulation disorders, and determination of FVIII levels in plasma of human patients, including those with blood coagulation disorders such as hemophilia.

Abstract: A micro-fabricated double condenser method and apparatus for the measurement of number-size distribution of airborne nanoparticles is provided. The invention is an instrument which can measure particle size under 100 nanometers in-situ. The present invention includes features such as a small nanoparticle airborne particulate analyzer, with a voltage-stable and feedback-controlled instrument package. The invention features also include a micro-fabricated nanoparticle charging and sorting device (NCaS). The present invention provides a portable, lightweight, and efficacious particle-sizing instrument that is able to effectively count and size nanoparticles over a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A biopesticide composition for pest management that includes a sweet whey product and spores mixed with a carrier to form a growing environment in a target region. The growing environment forms a micro-factory that is suitable for spore growth, such that the number of spores substantially increases from a first spore concentration prior to application to the target region to a second spore concentration after a period of time. The biopesticide composition may include other additives that modify the micro-factory in a manner that facilitates spore growth and/or increases the probability that a target pest, e.g., an insect, will come into contact with the spores.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of Factor XIa or Tissue Factor (TF) activity in a sample using an antibody based clotting time prolongation assay. The invention provides methods for detection of FXIa or TF activity in a sample using a fluorogenic substrate. Further provided herein is a correlation between elevated levels of FXIa and/or TF with inflammation, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, aortic stenosis, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. The frequency of FXIa and TF activity was substantially lower in individuals with stable coronary artery disease and no history of myocardial infarction. No FXIa or TF activity was observed in healthy individuals.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that selectively bind to blood coagulation factor FVIII, and highly sensitive immunological assays comprising these antibodies. Preferred assays can detect FVIII at about 3500-fold below the normal physiological levels, and have a wide array of applications including accurate monitoring of FVIII concentration in pharmaceutical products for treatment of blood coagulation disorders, and determination of FVIII levels in plasma of human patients, including those with blood coagulation disorders such as hemophilia.

Abstract: This application includes, in part, methods of preparing antibodies that specifically bind to methylation-controlling J (MCJ) polypeptide. In some aspects, the application also includes, hybridoma cell lines that produce antibodies that specifically MCJ polypeptide; antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof produced with the methods of the application, and methods of using antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that specifically bind MCJ polypeptide for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that selectively bind to blood coagulation factor FVIII, and highly sensitive immunological assays comprising these antibodies. Preferred assays can detect FVIII at about 3500-fold below the normal physiological levels, and have a wide array of applications including accurate monitoring of FVIII concentration in pharmaceutical products for treatment of blood coagulation disorders, and determination of FVIII levels in plasma of human patients, including those with blood coagulation disorders such as hemophilia.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising agents having cardiac protective activity isolated from epicardial progenitor cells and derivatives thereof, and methods for the use of such compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for permeabilizing insect embryos by removing the waxy layer of the shell using a solution containing a non-toxic cyclic terpene and a non-toxic surfactant, preferably a non-ionic surfactant. The invention further provides kits to practice the method of the invention. The invention also provides methods for toxicology and other high throughput screening method including the compositions and methods of embryo permeabilization provided herein.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising mesenchymal stem cells or multipotent stromal cells, agents secreted by such cells in culture, and methods featuring such cells for the repair or regeneration of a damaged tissue or organ. The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that agents secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells or multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) were useful for the treatment or prevention of tissue damage related to ischemic injury (e.g., cerebral or cardiac ischemia).

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection of Factor XIa or Tissue Factor (TF) activity in a sample using an antibody based clotting time prolongation assay. The invention provides methods for detection of FXIa or TF activity in a sample using a fluorogenic substrate. Further provided herein is a correlation between elevated levels of FXIa and/or TF with inflammation, acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure, aortic stenosis, stroke, or transient ischemic attack. The frequency of FXIa and TF activity was substantially lower in individuals with stable coronary artery disease and no history of myocardial infarction. No FXIa or TF activity was observed in healthy individuals.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of assessing lower urinary tract function from urinary flow data via sound analysis and user-provided information regarding the lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of frequency, urgency and urge incontinence. Embodiments of the LUTS assessment systems include a computer and a telephone or a digital recording mechanism to capture the sound of one or more urination events, which are stored as audio files in a database. The LUTS assessment systems may include sound analysis software for analyzing the strength and duration of each urination event and may include a web-based software application for viewing the results via the Internet or other network. The database stores information from multiple urination events, and combined with information regarding the lower urinary tract symptoms, serves as an objective tool to assess bladder function and monitor progression of disease or therapy effectiveness.

Abstract: Featured are methods for assessing hemostatic risk including the risk for ACS. Such methods include acquiring blood/plasma composition based on a biological sample obtained from a subject, determining parameters associated with blood clotting, simulating in silico blood clotting using the determined parameters and comparing the results of such simulation to a reference and to determine the hemostatic risk from said comparing. In further embodiments, such methods further include selecting a treatment regime or protocol based on the results of such comparing. In yet further embodiments, such methods further include assessing the efficacy of medicants, drugs and the like of a given treatment protocol such as by simulating in silico the application of such medicants, drugs and the like.

Abstract: Featured are methods, devices and apparatuses for imaging tissue, such as cardiac tissue, using any of a number of imaging techniques (e.g., ultrasonic imaging techniques) and a 3-D tracking system. In embodiments, such methods, devices and apparatuses are configured so that a 3-D image can be reconstructed from image data acquired at different locations from the image data and three dimensional coordinates that are determined for each location whereat the imaging device was located.