Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the isolation, purification and preparation of immunogenic antigens for the production of customized cancer vaccines that include dendritic cells that are contacted with an antigen that includes heat-shocked cancer cells.

Abstract: Encephalotoxin produced by activated mononuclear phagocytes is present in individuals having neurological disease including neurodegenerative and neuro-inflammatory diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), HIV-1-associated dementia (HAD), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Mild Cognitive Impairment, prion disease, minor cognitive/motor dysfunction, acute stroke, acute trauma, or neuro-AIDS. Biochemical detection of encephalotoxin according to the methods of the invention will allow diagnosis of neurological disease in early, presymptomatic stages, thereby allowing early intervention in disease progression as well as identification of subjects or populations at risk for developing neurodegenerative disease. The methods of the invention also provide a mechanism for monitoring progression and treatment of neurological disease.

Abstract: Novel methods and imaging agents for functional imaging of lymph structures are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the methods utilize highly sensitive optical imaging and fluorescent spectroscopy techniques to track or monitor packets of organic dye flowing in one or more lymphatic structures. The packets of organic dye may be tracked to provide quantitative information regarding lymph propulsion and function. In particular, lymph flow velocity and pulse frequency may be determined using the disclosed methods.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the development and use of a vaccine that includes one or more JC virus antigens in a carrier adapted to trigger a JC virus-specific immune response in the human intestinal tract.

Abstract: Novel imaging agents targeted to a lymph vascular cell receptor and a hyaluranon cell receptor are disclosed. The disclosed imaging agents incorporate biological molecules such as hyaluronic acid which bind to the receptors. Lymph vascular cell receptor expression may be related to the beginnings of tumor formation. As such, embodiments of the imaging agents may be used to stain lymph structures for detailed imaging of lymph architecture as well as serving as potential markers for tumor angiogenesis, tumor metastases, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an in vivo method of transferring DNA from a donor cell to a recipient cell. In a specific embodiment, the method comprises a highly efficient process of bacterial mating. In a preferred embodiment, selection for a recombinant plasmid against a parent host plasmid and donor plasmid is based on recircularization of the host plasmid by its recombination with a gene of interest such that it is now no longer cleaved by a restriction enzyme expressed in the recipient cell.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the body fat proportion, increasing lean body mass, increasing bone density, or improving the rate of bone healing, or all, of a subject. Embodiments of the invention include delivering a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof into the cells of the subject and allowing expression of the encoded gene to occur while the modified cells are within the subject.

Abstract: Methods and imaging agents for imaging epithelial cancer cells in the lymphatic system are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an imaging agent for imaging cancer cells in a lymphatic system comprises a fluorescent dye conjugated to one or more antibodies. The antibodies are capable of specific binding to an epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM). In addition, embodiments of the imaging agent may be administered to the lymphatic system where the disclosed imaging agents may bind to an epithelial cell adhesion molecule. The bound imaging agents may be excited with excitation light to image cancer cells in the lymphatic system.

Abstract: Ovary specific proteins O1 180, O1 184 and O1 236, polynucleotides encoding them, antibodies which are immunoreactive with them and vectors and host cells containing O1 180, O1 184 or O1 236 are provided. Also provided are methods for detecting cell proliferative or degenerative disorders of ovarian origin and which are associated with O1 180, O1 184 or O1 236. Further provided are methods for the evaluation of potential contraceptives using the proteins of the invention, as well as methods for the screening for genetic mutations in signaling pathways that are associated with some forms of human infertility or gynecological cancers, also using the proteins/mRNAs/genes of the invention. The proteins/mRNAs/genes of the invention may also be used as markers for identifying primary and metastatic neoplasms of ovarian origin and as indicators of developmental anomalies in prenatal screening procedures.

Abstract: A system and method for independently controlling the collimation and lateral positioning of a light beam comprises at least one acousto-optic deflector and a pair of counter propagating acoustic waves with offset frequencies. While the frequency offset controls the lateral positioning of the light beam, a frequency gradient across the acousto-optic deflectors controls the collimation of the light beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for screening and identifying genomic sequences useful in estimating the risk of fetal aneuploidy, particularly trisomy 21. This disclosure also describes methods for utilizing such genomic sequences alone or to augment existing non-invasive diagnostics for Trisomy 21 and other aneuploidies.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for making a pharmaceutically effective amount of one or more dendritic cells matured by exposure to IFN? loaded with cancer antigens from cells that are heat shocked and subsequently killed, wherein the one or more IFN? dendritic cells are under conditions to present the one or more cancer antigens are presented within the context of autologous MHC.

Abstract: An exercise machine including a frame and a drive arm pivotedly engaged to the frame, for example, on an upright thereof. A cylinder is mounted at one point to the frame and, at a removed end of a plunger, has links or rod members to engage the removed end of the plunger to the frame and also to the drive arm.

Abstract: A method and system for non-contact fluorescent optical tomography using patterned illumination is disclosed. The method comprises illuminating a surface of a medium with light from at least one excitation light source to project at least two patterns. Each pattern comprises at least one motif, wherein the medium comprises at least one fluorescent target. The method further comprises for each pattern, measuring excitation light reflected from the medium to generate an excitation data set. In addition, the method comprises, for each pattern, measuring fluorescence emitted from the at least one fluorescent target to generate a fluorescence data set. The method also comprises generating a 3D image of the at least one fluorescent target in the medium by applying iterative algorithm. The iterative algorithm minimizes the difference between a predicted data set based on a mathematical model, and each excitation data set and each fluorescence data set.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for desorption and ionization of analytes for the purpose of subsequent scientific analysis by such methods, for example, as mass spectrometry or biosensors. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, especially to the type of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry used to analyze macromolecules, such as proteins or biomolecules. Most specifically, this invention relates to the sample probe geometry, sample probe composition, and sample probe surface chemistries that enable the selective capture and desorption of analytes, including intact macromolecules, directly from the probe surface into the gas (vapor) phase without added chemical matrix.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the knockdown of one or more genes to a target cell in need of gene therapy by using an siRNA transgene that is integrated into a replication-competent, oncolytic adenovirus.

Abstract: A control system for a continuous flow rotary blood pump is provided. A normal operating range of the blood pump is established. The normal operating range may comprise a normal pump flow range and a normal pressure head range. A target rotational speed of the pump is set in accordance with the normal operating range. A current operating condition of the blood pump is determined. The current operating condition may comprise a current pump flow, a current pressure head, and a current rotational speed of the pump. The current operating condition is compared with the normal operating range. An appropriate control algorithm is selected from a plurality of available control algorithms based on the comparison. The target rotational speed of the pump is adjusted using the selected control algorithm to maintain or recover the normal operating range.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the treatment of cancers by controlling the type of immune response mounted against the tumor, and more particularly, the treatment of tumors with cytokine antagonists to change the type of helper T cell response and inhibition of angiogenesis, prevention of formation of metastasis and prevention of formation of tumor stroma.

Abstract: The disclosed methods and devices utilize various techniques to detach the distal end of a catheter from an obstruction with minimal invasiveness and effort by the surgeon. As reflux of an embolic agent or hardening material over the catheter tip is a major causative factor in the increased morbidity/mortality of embolization procedures and also a technical limitation preventing a better cure rate, a method has been developed for the detachment of the distal end of catheters within the body, preferably with no regard to the amount of reflux, and preferably at the proximal edge of the reflux, in order to be able to make embolization procedures safer and more effective.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions, systems, arrays and methods for the early detection and consistent determination of SLE using modular analysis of gene expression data.