Abstract: Improvements on the basic method used for BEAMing increase sensitivity and increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The improvements have permitted the determination of intrinsic error rates of various DNA polymerases and have permitted the detection of rare and subtle mutations in DNA isolated from plasma of cancer patients.

Abstract: Methods and products for identifying subjects at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) are provided according to the invention. Included, for instance, are diagnostic kits and methods involving the use of at least two AKI associated markers.

Abstract: Provided herein are an isolated or enriched population of tumor initiating cells derived from normal cells, cells susceptible to neoplasia, or neoplastic cells. Methods of use of the cells for screening for anti-hyperproliferative agents, and use of the cells for animal models of hyperproliferative disorders including metastatic cancer, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic methods are provided.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods of treating or preventing hypertension or a cardiac indication. In particular embodiments, the invention provides E2F2 as a new therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension or a cardiac indication, and methods of increasing the expression and/or activity of E2F2.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides compositions and methods that are useful for the treatment or prevention of a neoplasm, and screening methods that can be used to detect compounds that modulate the activity of a DJ-I gene.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising genetically modified bone marrow cells and related therapeutic and diagnostic methods. Transduced bone marrow cells can be therapeutically administered to a subject, such as a human patient to provide for the expression of an encoded protein in the subject in need thereof.

Abstract: According to aspects of the invention, methods for preventing or treating kidney damage are provided. Compositions for the prevention or treatment of kidney damage are also provided. Aspects of the invention relate to methods for screening the toxicity of a radio-contrast agent. Kits for the treatment or prevention of kidney damage are also provided.

Abstract: Tumors can be directed into a vasculogenic program and used to regenerate tissues in a verterbrate host, identify factors originating from the tumor that are useful for tissue regeneration, and to generate such factors for use in a subject apart from the tumor itself.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods for preventing, treating or reducing the severity of symptoms associated with tissue ischemia by administering a CXCR4 antagonist in combination with at least one nucleic acid encoding a morphogen or effective fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the methods include elevating peripheral blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs), or both cell types. The invention has a wide spectrum of applications including reducing or eliminating tissue ischemia, especially tissue ischemia associated with a myocardial infarct (heart attack).

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods that are useful for preventing or treating a cardiac disease or for promoting cardiac health following a myocardial infarction. The invention further features compositions and methods for promoting angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and/or decreasing apoptosis in muscle tissue, such as cardiac tissue. The invention provides for the expression of human growth hormone in cardiac muscle following a myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The invention generally provides screening methods for the identification of therapeutic compounds useful for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, and related prophylactic and therapeutic compositions and methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of apoptotic cell-death. In particular the invention relates to Akt molecules and their use in inhibiting apoptotic cell-death in cardiomyocytes, skeletal myocytes and/or vascular endothelial cells. In view of these discoveries, Akt molecules can be used to inhibit apoptotic cell-death of any of the foregoing cells, and in particular, to treat conditions (e.g., myocardial infarction) that result in increased apoptotic cell-death of cardiomyocytes, skeletal myocytes and/or vascular endothelial cells.

Abstract: Tumors can be directed into a vasculogeinc program and used to regenerate tissues in a verterbrate host, identify factors originating from the tumor that are useful for tissue regeneration, and to generate such factors for use in a subject apart from the tumor itself.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and system for assessing intraocular pressure (ICP) is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of measuring venous outflow pressure (VOP) using a venous ophthalmodynamometer device (vODM); measuring ophthalmic r central retinal arterial blood flow using color Doppler imaging device; and then estimating ICP using venous outflow data from the vODM and pulsatility and/or resistivity relationships derived from the Doppler imaging data. Further disclosed is a novel vODM for measuring VOP in low flow veins.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods for preventing or treating tissue ischemia using CXCR4 antagonists. In one embodiment, the methods include administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a particular bicylic polyamine to elevate peripheral blood EPCs. The invention has a wide spectrum of applications including reducing or eliminating tissue ishemica associated with a myocardial infarct (heart attack).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating, preventing, or reducing reperfusion injury or post-pump syndrome by administering an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated vascular permeability.

Abstract: Compositions comprising 5-methoxy-carbonylamino-N-acetyltryptamine compounds and derivatives thereof for the treatment of depression are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of conditions associated with vascular insufficiency, and to methods and compositions for screening assays to select agents that are useful for this purpose. In particular the invention relates to HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and their use in promoting angiogenesis in vivo and in activating Akt in vascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of conditions associated with vascular insufficiency, and to methods and compositions for screening assays to select agents that are useful for this purpose. In particular the invention relates to HMG CoA reductase inhibitors and their use in promoting angiogenesis in vivo and in activating Akt in vascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods for modulating formation of new blood vessels. In one embodiment, the methods include administering to a mammal an effective amount of granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) sufficient to form the new blood vessels. Additionally provided are methods for preventing or reducing the severity of blood vessel damage in a mammal which methods preferably include administering to the mammal an effective amount of GM-CSF. Provided also as part of this invention are pharmaceutical products and kits for inducing formation of new blood vessels in the mammal.