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: The present invention provides a mechanism for obtaining an almost unlimited source of stem cells. A method for the expansion of a population of stem cells that retain their developmental capacity comprises co-culture of a stem cell population with a trophic support, for example, endothelial cells or conditioned medium derived from endothelial cell culture. The method also provides a method for enhancing neurogenesis when neural stem cells are co-cultured with the endothelial cell-derived trophic support to retain their neurogenic potential.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to enterally absorbed peptide compositions and more specifically to leptin-related peptide compositions, methods of administration, and methods of modulating the speed and sustained action of systemic absorption of such peptides useful in the treatment of obesity and other leptin modulated diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting or reversing fibrotic disorders by administering a Hic-5 antagonist to a mammal in need thereof. The invention also includes methods for screening compounds to identify Hic-5 antagonists useful in inhibiting or reversing fibrotic disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions containing novel leptin peptides, preferably for the modulation of body mass (i.e., weight), more specifically for novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications in homeostasis of body weight and adipose tissue mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions containing novel leptin peptides, preferably for the modulation of body mass (i.e., weight), more specifically for novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications in homeostasis of body weight and adipose tissue mass.

Abstract: A device and method for correcting a spinal deformity are 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 present invention relates to treatment methods and methods for sustained delivery of one or more exogenous factors to desired nervous system sites. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of biodegradable microspheres to deliver exogenous factors, such as the morphogenic factor, sonic hedgehog (Shh), to the site of spinal cord injury. In certain embodiments, the Shh-releasing microspheres are administered together with stem cells, which may be spinal cord neural stem cells. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to regrowth of neural cells in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

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, OR 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 substituted

Abstract: A method and device for reinforcing a spinous process is provided. Also provided are devices and method for attaching devices thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that include peptide 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 invention relates to compounds that include peptides 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 scan of F. tularensis genome for homology to a regulatory protein that controls virulence identified gene FTL0552. A knock out mutation in FTL0552 was created using reverse transcriptase PCR and the construct inserted into F. tularensis. This mutant was defective for survival in macrophages and found avirulent in in vivo testing, where the mutant exhibited reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine production, reduced evidence of histopathology in affected tissues, reduced systemic infection, and rapid clearance of the bacterium. In vivo challenge studies with the FTL0552 mutant using the virulent F. tularensis subsp. tularensis SchuS4 strain show an immune response is induced, and protection afforded, after preexposure to the FTL0552 mutant. Microarray studies revealed 148 genes regulated by FTL0552, including genes located within the FPI that are essential for intracellular survival.

Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter assembly includes a needle, a catheter hub having an axial bore extending through the catheter hub and a notch extending outwardly in the axial bore, a needle cover, and a notch clip connected to the needle cover. The notch clip is selectively maintained adjacent the needle throughout a range of positions from being in forceful contact with the needle to being generally spaced from the needle and selectively maintained adjacent the catheter hub throughout a range of positions from being in forceful contact with the catheter hub to being generally spaced from the catheter hub to lock the catheter hub to the needle cover while being operable to move the needle relative to the notch clip in a near frictionless relationship.

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: Computer-implemented image processing methods and apparatuses are presented for automatically selecting regions of interest within an image represented by pixel intensity values. A first pixel box is employed in progressively scanning and evaluating the image. If pixels within the first pixel box have pixel-intensity-related characteristics exceeding respective defined thresholds, then those pixels are identified as an area of interest and a second pixel box is employed in progressively scanning and evaluating the selected area of interest to identify regions of interest. Each area of interest is larger than a region of interest, and the second pixel box is smaller than the first. Regions of interest within the image are identified if one or more pixel-intensity-related characteristics of pixels within the second pixel box exceeds a second defined threshold, wherein the second threshold is greater than the first. Once selected, identifying information for the regions of interest is stored or output.

Abstract: The results herein identify Sp17 as a novel cancer-testis antigen in multiple myeloma. Sp17 recombinant protein was generated from E. coli. A CD8 predominant CTL line was generated that was able to lyse autologous targets in a Sp17-dependent HLA class I-restricted manner, using dendritic cells as the antigen-presenting cells and DOTAP to deliver the Sp17 protein to the dendritic cells. A combination of HLA-matched and mismatched antibody-enriched fresh myeloma tumor cells and myeloma cell lines were used as targets for the recombinant protein-propagated CTL. The findings of target cell lysis suggest that the Sp17 protein produced by Sp17+ tumor cells are processed and presented in vivo and that the CTL epitopes are presented in association with HLA class I molecules in a concentration and configuration recognized by recombinant protein-propagated CTL.

Abstract: The invention relates to compounds that include peptide 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 relates to methods and compositions containing novel leptin peptides, preferably for the modulation of body mass (i.e., weight), more specifically for novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications in homeostasis of body weight and adipose tissue mass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions containing novel leptin peptides, preferably for the modulation of body mass (i.e., weight), more specifically for novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications in homeostasis of body weight and adipose tissue mass.