Abstract: The disclosure provides an electromagnetic (EM) sensor system and method that permits rapid and non-invasive measurement of blood glucose or other biological characteristics that exhibits a unique spectral signature, such as its complex electrical permittivity within the frequency range from near DC to microwave frequencies. Low-level EM signals are coupled through the skin and modified by electrical properties of the sub dermal tissues. These tissues essentially integrate with the sensor circuit as they interact with the transmitted EM energy. The guided-wave signal can be sampled and converted to a digital representation. The digital information can be processed and analyzed to determine the frequency-sensitive permittivity of the tissues and a determination of blood glucose level is made based upon the sensor output. The sensor design and method has wide-ranging applicability to a number of important measurement problems in industry, biology, medicine, and chemistry, among others.

Abstract: A method for adaptively determining a model of visual performance of a test subject comprising the step of exposing a test subject to a plurality of trials. Each trial comprises the steps of identifying the stimulus pattern to test, generating a stimulus pattern on a display, determining whether the stimulus pattern generated an OKR, updating the model to incorporate the OKR results, and determining whether the updated model is acceptable. The trials can be iteratively repeated until the model for visual performance is acceptable.

Abstract: A method and system to induce bone growth by locally delivering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to the target location for a prolonged period without invasive procedures are disclosed. The new bone growth is induced by delivering cells producing BMPs from transduced viral vectors to the target cite. In various embodiments, the cells are encapsulated in hydrogel microspheres that are non-degradable or degradable by enzymes produced during the bone formation process. Various embodiments may be used to induce spinal fusion or repair critical bone defects.

Abstract: A method of modulating plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is disclosed, wherein an ammonia scavenger compound or a salt thereof, for example phenylbutyrate or an even numbered congener thereof or a salt thereof, is administered to an individual in need thereof. In various methods, a decrease in plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is effected to treat individuals suffering from an inborn error in metabolism of amino acids, such as Maple Syrup Urine Disease, for example.

Abstract: An autophagy-inducing compound comprises an autophagy-inducing peptide comprising Beclin 1 peptides immediately N- and C-terminally flanked by moieties R1 and R2, respectively, wherein up to six of said peptide residues may be substituted, R1 and R2 do not naturally flank the Belclin 1 residues, and F270 and F274 are optionally substituted and optionally linked. The compounds may be used to induce autophagy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the compound for treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizes an A-B-C tripartite structure, wherein A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures, for example, but not limited to, heterocyclic, phenyl or benzyl ring structures with or without substitutions and are described in detail herein. Also provided are methods for the treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders, for example, obesity or diabetes, utilizing fatostatin A and/or a derivative and/or analog thereof and/or the A-B-C tripartite compounds.

Abstract: A method for treating glycogen storage disease by administering an effective amount of a composition that includes ketogenic odd carbon fatty acids that ameliorate the symptoms of these diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a disease related to cell hyper-proliferation via administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having a general tripartite structure A-B-C. In the tripartite structure A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures, for example, but not limited to, heterocyclic, phenyl or benzyl ring structures with or without substitutions and are described in detail herein. The methods may utilize particular compounds, for example, having a piperidinyl, a pyrrolinyl or pyridinyl A ring, a thiazole B ring, and a phenyl C ring which may be further substituted independently.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the compound for treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizes an A-B-C tripartite structure, wherein A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures, for example, but not limited to, heterocyclic, phenyl or benzyl ring structures with or without substitutions and are described in detail herein. Also provided are methods for the treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders, for example, obesity or diabetes, utilizing fatostatin A and/or a derivative and/or analog thereof and/or the A-B-C tripartite compounds.

Abstract: A composition and method for generating patient- or person-specific proliferative and substantially pure cardiac myocyte cell lines from pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is described herein. The patient-specific cardiac myocyte cell lines of the present invention find applications in research, drug screening and autologous cell-based therapy. The method of the present invention is simple and reproducible and generates cardiac myocyte cells having high purities and proliferating capacities.

Abstract: A bifunctional shRNA-based composition and methods for knocking down the expression of the PDX-1 oncogene in target cells is described herein. The invention also provides methods to deliver the shRNA-containing expression vectors to target tissues overexpressing the PDX-1 oncogene.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making and using a vaccine that includes a DC-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an engineered Gag antigen is attached to form an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the Gag antigen is less susceptible to proteolytic degradation by eliminating one or more proteolytic sites or a DC-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an engineered Nef antigen is attached to form an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the Nef antigen comprises one or more codon usage optimization that increase antibody-antigen complex secretion, or both, wherein the vaccine is able to elicit an HIV-specific T cell immune response to Gag p17, Gag p24, Nef and/or Cyclin D1.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for increasing the effectiveness of antigen presentation using a DCIR-specific antibody or fragment thereof to which an antigen is attached that forms an antibody-antigen complex, wherein the antigen is processed and presented by a dendritic cell that has been contacted with the antibody-antigen complex.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for cell therapy by modifying transfused cells to express an inducible caspase 9 protein, so that the cells may be selectively killed if the patient experiences dangerous side effects. Provided also within relates in part to methods for preventing or treating Graft versus Host Disease by modifying T cells before administration to a patient, so that they may be selectively killed if GvHD develops in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the compound for treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizes an A-B-C tripartite structure, wherein A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures, for example, but not limited to, heterocyclic, phenyl or benzyl ring structures with or without substitutions and are described in detail herein. Also provided are methods for the treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders, for example, obesity or diabetes, utilizing fatostatin A and/or a derivative and/or analog thereof and/or the A-B-C tripartite compounds.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods related to utilizing glycine and N-acetylcysteine for a variety of methods, including, for example, reducing deleterious effects of oxidative stress; treating and/or preventing diabetes; and/or increasing GSH levels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and system using software and associated equipment to automatically identify two or more preselected anatomical features by examining pixels within images such as computerized tomography (CT) scanned images, determining appropriate measurements between such identified features based on dimensions and scaling available within the image file, comparing these measurements to normative data, and providing output of the results to a user, such as medical personnel. In at least one embodiment, system can measure the basion-dens interval (BDI), which has been shown to be an effective indicator of ligament injury within the occipito-cervical complex (“OCC”) that may not present with other symptoms, is not revealed with standard CT imaging, and is of mortal danger to the patient if untreated. The system can automate interpreting CT scanned images and alert medical personnel about the risk of OCC ligament damage.

Abstract: A method of modulating plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is disclosed, wherein an ammonia scavenger compound or a salt thereof, for example phenylbutyrate or an even numbered congener thereof or a salt thereof, is administered to an individual in need thereof. In various methods, a decrease in plasma levels of branched chain amino acids and branched chain alpha-keto acids is effected to treat individuals suffering from an inborn error in metabolism of amino acids, such as Maple Syrup Urine Disease, for example.

Abstract: Novel stilbenoid compounds and their prodrug forms are disclosed, which serve as potent vascular targeting agents useful for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and other diseases associated with unwanted neovascularization. The novel stilbenoid compounds are tubulin-binding stilbenoid analogs structurally related to combretastatin A-1 and combretastatin A-4. The prodrug forms serve as potent vascular targeting agents (VTAs) useful for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and diseases associated with retinal neovascularization.