Abstract: Methods are disclosed herein for detecting a genetic predisposition to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) or hypertensive end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or both in a human subject, e.g., by detecting the presence of at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in an APOL1 gene, such as the C-terminal exon of an APOL1 gene. In a further embodiment, methods are disclosed for detecting resistance of a subject to a disease associated with Trypanosoma infection, e.g., by detecting at least one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in an APOL1 gene, such as the C-terminal exon of an APOL1 gene. Also disclosed are methods for treating a subject infected with T. brucei. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of an APOL1 protein including a S342G substitution, an I384M substitution, and/or a deletion of N388 and Y389 to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for the generation and use of conformation-specific antibodies or fragments thereof.

Abstract: Method and system for early detection of precancerous and other abnormal changes in tissue of various organs. The system comprises a combination of endoscopic scanning with light scattering spectroscopy and improves detection of abnormalities that may otherwise remain undetected. The system may include a probe that collects data of quality that is independent of a distance of the probe from the scanned tissue. During endoscopy, tissue of an organ is imaged using polarized multispectral light scattering scanning and results are presented to a user in a manner that allows detecting abnormal morphological and biochemical changes in the tissue. A determination of whether to perform biopsy may be performed while the endoscopy is being performed, which thus provides guided biopsy. An entire surface of the organ may be rapidly scanned and results of the scanning are analyzed with a reduced time delay.

Abstract: Replicating recombinant adenovirus vectors derived from human adenovirus serotype 26 or human adenovirus serotype 35 are described. The replicating recombinant adenovirus vectors have attenuated replicative capacity as compared to that of the corresponding wild-type adenovirus. They can be used for stable expression of heterologous genes in vivo. Also described are compositions and methods of using these recombinant adenovirus vectors to induce an immune response in a subject, and vaccinate a subject against an immunogenic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing and treating cancer associated with an oncogenic Kras mutation in a subject are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for treating a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder, such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, using combinations of compounds that alter soluble endoglin, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, PGI2, TGF-?1, TGF-?3, activin A, BMP2, BMP7, and sFlt-1 expression levels or biological activity. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing a pregnancy related hypertensive disorder, such as pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, that include the measurement of any one or more of the following: soluble endoglin, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, PGI2, TGF-?1, TGF-?3, activin A, BMP2, BMP7, and sFlt-1 expression levels or biological activity.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for inhibiting the Pin1 protein, and the treatment of disorders characterized by elevated Pin1 levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, that bind specifically to poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (PNAG), such as Staphylococcal PNAG, in acetylated, partially acetylated and/or fully deacetylated form. The invention further provides methods for using these peptides in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy of infections by bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Some antibodies of the invention enhance opsonophagocytic killing and in vivo protection against bacteria that express PNAG such as but not limited to Staphylococci and E. coli. Compositions of these peptides, including pharmaceutical compositions, are also provided, as are functionally equivalent variants of such peptides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for MRI retrospective reconstruction determines a period of minimal coronary artery motion within the acquired temporal window with a rotation angle optimized for a K-space four-dimensional (4D) volume by a segmented 4D radial stack-of-stars (SOS) acquisition during a temporal acquisition window (taw). Radial stacks of the image of an object are acquired by performing the radial (SOS) acquisition to determine a plurality of kz plane samples of the object, in which each kz plane is repeatedly determined during a sub-window of the temporal acquisition window. Consecutive volumes of kz centric slices of the image at each temporal sub-window of the temporal acquisition window are generated and summed to fill a 3D k-space volume. The radial (SOS) acquisition of the image is determined utilizing a customized rotation angle ? providing a uniform distribution of k-space spokes of the kz centric slices for each sub-window of the (taw).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for and methods of optically imaging tissues or cells using imaging agents having desirable in vivo properties that result in improved signal-to-background ratio.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for the generation and use of conformation-specific anti-bodies or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of lipids and in particular aims at improving lipid absorption, for example under conditions of lipid maldigestion or malabsorption. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition comprising a sn-2 monoacylglycerol derivative, wherein the sn-1 and sn-3 positions are blocked by protective groups. The acyl group may be a fatty acid, for example one with anti-inflammatory properties.

Abstract: Post-operative infection in joint prostheses is a problem due to adverse consequences such as surgical debridement or implant removal. Embodiments create a coating that can be powered to release microbicidal agents to both ensure the prevention of infections, and avoid the development of antibiotic resistance. Silver ions have been well established for antimicrobial characteristics, and thus make an advantageous implant coating. Reverse electrolysis allows the ions to be released for a sustained period of time, and then collected back onto to the implant to avoid silver poisoning. A wireless reverse electrolysis system releases a sufficient amount of silver ions to break down biofilm surrounding a joint implant. By applying a modulated current waveform that has a net negative value to a conducting copper strip, the mirror current induced on the silver coating surface has a net positive flow, allowing ions to be released into surrounding tissue.

Abstract: Described herein are assays directed to determining the level of bioavailable or free vitamin D in a blood sample in a subject. The values determined for bioavailable or free vitamin D indicate whether the subject suffers from insufficient levels of vitamin D. Also described herein are methods of treatment for vitamin D insufficiency.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. The polyvalent (e.g., 2-valent) vaccines described herein incorporate computationally-optimized viral polypeptides that can increase the diversity or breadth and depth of cellular immune response in vaccinated subjects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a medical image of a subject that includes functional information. First, two medical images are acquired. One is weighted based on functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject and the other weighted based on anatomic information of the subject. A difference image between the two images are generated. By subjecting the difference image and the second image to a localized kernel, a local similarity image is generated. Using the local similarity image, an improved difference image is generated. Lastly, by subtracting the improved difference image from the first image, an enhanced medical image that retains the functional information reflecting physiological functions of the subject is generated.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance (MR) image processing system includes a data collection unit that acquires image data from a target region of an object. A navigator unit acquires a motion signal indicating motion comprising motion of at least a portion of an object. A data processing unit derives k-space data for a k-space data array from the acquired image data, by acquiring k-space data for a first portion of the k-space from the acquired image data in response to the motion signal indicating motion is within a predetermined range and acquiring k-space data for a second portion of the k-space from the acquired image data irrespective of the predetermined range.

Abstract: Described herein are assays directed to determining the level of bioavailable or free vitamin D in a blood sample in a subject. The values determined for bioavailable or free vitamin D indicate whether the subject suffers from insufficient levels of vitamin D. Also described herein are methods of treatment for vitamin D insufficiency.

Abstract: The invention is directed, in part, to the use of gelsolin to diagnose, monitor, and treat subjects with renal failure (e.g., chronic renal failure subjects on dialysis).

Abstract: The invention provides isolated soluble endoglin polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding soluble endoglin polypeptides, antibodies that specifically bind soluble endoglin polypeptides, and kits containing these materials. The invention also provides methods for treating or decreasing the likelihood of developing a soluble endoglin-mediated disorder in a subject requiring the administration of an agent capable of reducing the expression or biological activity of a soluble endoglin polypeptide and methods for treating or decreasing the likelihood of developing a soluble endoglin-preventive disorder in a subject requiring the administration of a soluble endoglin polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding the soluble endoglin polypeptide. The invention further provides methods for the diagnosis of a soluble endoglin-mediated disorder or a soluble endoglin-preventive disorder and methods for identifying a compound to treat a soluble endoglin-mediated or a soluble endoglin-preventive disorder.