Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that are analogs of a cyclic peptide, cyclo[EKTOVNOGN], AFPep, that has anti-estrotrophic activity. The analogs of the invention include peptides and peptidomimetics that inhibit estrogen receptor-dependent cell proliferation. The compounds of the invention are useful for treating cell proliferative disorders or physiological conditions characterized by undesirable or unwanted estrogen induced cell proliferation, including breast cancer.

Abstract: Deep brain stimulation of the ventral pallidum (VP-DBS) prevents or potently attenuates epileptiform activity and behavioral seizures. VP-DBS prior to pilocarpine prevented behavioral partial and generalized forebrain seizures and generalized brainstem seizures in most animals. VP-DBS after brainstem seizures emerged prevented or reduced the appearance of subsequent behavioral and electrographic brainstem seizures. Even if VP-DBS was turned on after partial forebrain seizures started, this timed approach could still reduce partial forebrain seizures but also prevented secondarily generalized forebrain seizures. Epileptiform activity in brainstem areas, especially in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) which controls cardiovascular function, was prevented by VP-DBS.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a simple yet fast, cost effective, reliable method for the detection and quantification of cyclic-di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) by measuring c-di-AMP binding to a c-di-AMP-binding protein (CabP). A sample is contacted with CabP in the presence of biotin-labeled c-di-AMP. Once binding has reached equilibrium, unbound c-di-AMP is removed and the CabP-bound c-di-AMP is contacted with an enzyme-conjugated biotin-binding protein and a chromogenic substrate to generate a detectable signal. The signal generated correlates to the amount of unlabeled c-di-AMP in the sample.

Abstract: A method for correcting a spinal deformity is provided. A spinal implant for correcting a spinal deformity includes a multipoint connector that connects to at least one vertebra of a spine at a plurality of locations and a force directing device that applies a force to the vertebra through the multipoint connector. The force directing device may include a rod which extends generally along an axis of the spine and a force directing member which is adjustably coupled to both the rod and the multipoint connector and which applies a corrective force to the at least one vertebra.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical compound for the treatment of obesity related disorder that is a conjugate of myristic acid and a leptin-related peptide. Preferably, the leptin-related peptide is OB3 that has been D-substituted at Leu-4. The resulting conjugate significantly improved the pharmacokinetic profile of the leptin-related peptide by extending its half-life from less than one hour to as long as twenty-eight hours, depending on the route of delivery, increasing uptake, reducing the rate of plasma clearance, and enabling the minimal effective dose to be reduced several fold.

Abstract: A method for correcting a spinal deformity is provided. A spinal implant for correcting a spinal deformity includes a multipoint connector that connects to at least one vertebra of a spine at a plurality of locations and a force directing device that applies a force to the vertebra through the multipoint connector. The force directing device may include a rod which extends generally along an axis of the spine and a force directing member which is adjustably coupled to both the rod and the multipoint connector and which applies a corrective force to the at least one vertebra.

Abstract: Reference intervals are established and/or validated based on existing clinical data and exclusion criteria, such as diagnosis coding. A Reference Interval Test Engine is designed to statistically analyze large volumes of existing clinical lab test results to establish and evaluate reference intervals for specific population subgroups and/or to provide other applications.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides dynamic cranial fixation devices and related methods for attaching a resected bone portion(s), or a bone flap, to the skull in such a manner that allows for brain swelling to occur with minimal constraint following a craniotomy or craniectomy. The present disclosure provides dynamic cranial fixation devices and related methods that provide outward movement of the bone flap as the brain swells underneath the bone flap to prevent or reduce a rise in the intracranial pressure. Once the brain swelling resolves, the dynamic cranial fixation devices and related methods of the present disclosure allow the bone flap to return to its original position (before resection) without further surgery, implantation or the like. Once the bone flap return to its original position (or substantially similar position), the bone flap may fuse with the neighboring bone(s), potentially with the assistance of one or more fusion aid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating a viral respiratory infection in a subject, preventing polymicrobial synergy in a subject, or preventing a bacterial infection in a subject. These methods include selecting a subject with a viral respiratory infection, a subject susceptible to polymicrobial synergy, or a subject susceptible to bacterial infection, respectively. In each case a therapeutic agent that inhibits interferon-gamma (IFN?) is provided and administered to the selected subject under conditions effective to treat the viral respiratory infection, to prevent polymicrobial synergy, or to prevent a bacterial infection, respectively.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse expressing the human gene for PYRIN domain-only protein 2 (POP2). POP2, when expressed in the transgenic mouse model, broadly dampens inflammatory cytokine production, in part through restricting the activation of both Nlrp3 and Aim2 inflammasomes. POP2 mice exhibit reduced susceptibility to LPS- and bacteria-induced septic shock. Further, POP2 mice are less susceptible to the fatal, acute inflammatory pneumonia caused by pulmonary infection with F. tularensis LVS and F. novicida, which are highly pathogenic to mice, but non-pathogenic to humans.

Abstract: Dynamic spinal plating systems that can be placed on the anterior aspect of the spine to aid in spinal fusion and surgical methods for using the dynamic spinal plating systems are disclosed. The dynamic spinal plating systems including a plate and at least one bone attachment mechanism. The plate including a superior end with at least one screw hole, an inferior end, and two lateral sides forming an opening that is transverse by the bone attachment mechanism. The dynamic spinal plating systems also include at least one screw plate with a center screw hole and two passageways that mate with two transverse members of the bone attachment mechanism. When implanted the vertebral stabilization devices may provide a degree of movement in the superior-inferior direction providing for a minimal change in length as the patient moves and as vertebral body height decreases.

Abstract: Establishment of an effective and uniform vaccine development strategy is key to conquering current and emerging infectious diseases. Despite successes against an array of bacterial agents, current approaches to vaccine development are as diverse as the microbes they target and require adjuvants that often have limited efficacy and/or toxic side effects. As a consequence, vaccine discovery is often slow, inefficient, and unsuccessful in the case of many high priority pathogens. The present disclosure suggests that vaccine generation for bacterial pathogens can be improved by optimizing the efficiency of processing/presentation of a bacterial immunogen via the targeting of immunogen to CR2 and/or TLR2 on APCs. This approach not only yields an adjuvant-free mucosal vaccine against a Category A biothreat agent, but also establishes a novel genetic approach/platform for vaccine development, which is applicable to many other infectious agents, thereby profoundly impacting preventive medicine/public health.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that are analogs of a cyclic peptide, cyclo[EKTOVNOGN], AFPep, that has anti-estrotrophic activity. The analogs of the invention include peptides and peptidomimetics that inhibit estrogen receptor-dependent cell proliferation. The compounds of the invention are useful for treating cell proliferative disorders or physiological conditions characterized by undesirable or unwanted estrogen induced cell proliferation, including breast cancer.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse expressing the human gene for PYRIN domain-only protein 2 (POP2). POP2, when expressed in the transgenic mouse model, broadly dampens inflammatory cytokine production, in part through restricting the activation of both Nlrp3 and Aim2 inflammasomes. POP2 mice exhibit reduced susceptibility to LPS- and bacteria-induced septic shock. Further, POP2 mice are less susceptible to the fatal, acute inflammatory pneumonia caused by pulmonary infection with F. tularensis LVS and F. novicida, which are highly pathogenic to mice, but non-pathogenic to humans.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a simple yet fast, cost effective, reliable method for the detection and quantification of cyclic-di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) by measuring c-di-AMP binding to a c-di-AMP-binding protein (CabP). A sample is contacted with CabP in the presence of biotin-labeled c-di-AMP. Once binding has reached equilibrium, unbound c-di-AMP is removed and the CabP-bound c-di-AMP is contacted with an enzyme-conjugated biotin-binding protein and a chromogenic substrate to generate a detectable signal. The signal generated correlates to the amount of unlabeled c-di-AMP in the sample.

Abstract: A method for correcting a spinal deformity is provided. A spinal implant for correcting a spinal deformity includes a multipoint connector that connects to at least one vertebra of a spine at a plurality of locations and a force directing device that applies a force to the vertebra through the multipoint connector. The force directing device may include a rod which extends generally along an axis of the spine and a force directing member which is adjustably coupled to both the rod and the multipoint connector and which applies a corrective force to the at least one vertebra.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that are analogs of a cyclic peptide, cyclo[EKTOVNOGN] (SEQ ID NO: 13), AFPep, that has anti-estrotrophic activity. The analogs of the invention include peptides and peptidomimetics that inhibit estrogen receptor-dependent cell proliferation. The compounds of the invention are useful for treating cell proliferative disorders or physiological conditions characterized by undesirable or unwanted estrogen induced cell proliferation, including breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising immunologically effective amounts of one or more autoimmune disease associated antigens or antigenic fragments or derivatives thereof and one or more Th2 promoting adjuvants. The compositions may optionally comprise one or more Th2 promoting TLR2 ligands. The invention further provides methods of treating or preventing an autoimmune disease, such as multiple sclerosis, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an immunologically-effective amount of an autoimmune disease associated antigen, a Th2 promoting adjuvant and optionally one or more Th2 promoting TLR2 ligands which overall causes re-routing of the harming immune cells to places where they can be of no harm.

Abstract: A spine prosthesis is provided and in particular, related to the facet joint of a spine. A spinal implant comprises a facet prosthesis including an insert to be positioned within a joint capsule between facets of a zygapophyseal joint. The insert may comprise a member having two opposing facet interfacing portions. A facet prosthesis exerts a distraction force between facets of a facet joint and may comprise a curable material to be injected into the facet joint. A facet prosthesis may also comprise a pair of magnets, each magnet coupled to a facet and oriented with like poles facing each other to provide a distracting force away from each other. A spine implant may also include an insert to be positioned within the joint capsule, a securing member comprising an elongate portion extending through part of a facet, and an anchor to anchor the securing member to the facet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating obesity in a subject by administering to the subject a compound having the formula: wherein n is from 0 to 8; R1 is CH2OH, CH(OH)R5, CH2OR5, CO2R5, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHR5, C(O)NR5R6, C(O)NHNH2, C(O)NHNHR5, C(O)NHNR5R6, C(O)NR5NH2, C(O)NR5NHR6, C(O)NR5NR6R7, C(O)NHNH(C(O)R5), C(O)NHNR5(C(O)R6), C(O)NR5NH(C(O)R6), C(O)NR5NR6(C(O)R7), CN, or C(O)R5; R2 is H, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, YH, YR8, YR8R9, YR8YR9YR10, YC(O)R8, C(O)YR8, C(O)NH2, C(O)NHR8, C(O)NR8R9, NH2, NHR8, NR8R9, NHC(O)R8, or NR8C(O)R9; R3 and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of H, halogens, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, OH, OR10, NH2, NHR10, NR10R11, NHC(O)R10, or NR10C(O)R11; R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, and R11 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of H, unsubstituted alkyl, substituted alkyl, unsubstituted aryl and substituted aryl; R12 is selected from the group consisting of H, unsubstituted alkyl, and substitu