Abstract: Upper torso braces to correct deformities in the upper torso of a patient are provided. The upper torso braces include a brace structure adapted to be maintained around an upper torso of an individual and to restrict outward expansion, and a variable force applicator coupled to the brace structure and positioned to contact and apply varying pressure to a target location on the upper torso. The brace structure is configured to restrict outward expansion and to provide a counteracting force for the variable force applicator during application of the variable pressure to the target location. In some instances, the upper torso braces may include a control element to adjust an amount of pressure provided by the variable force applicator to the target location. Methods of correcting a deformity on an upper torso with the upper torso braces are also provided.

Abstract: Devices for containing exposed internal body parts during insertion into the body of a human or veterinary patient are provided. The devices include a surgical pouch for containing the exposed internal body parts. The devices also include one or more sealing elements disposed on the surgical pouch between the proximal end and the distal end of the surgical pouch such that a section of the pouch is closed off when each sealing element is sealed. Also provided are methods for containing exposed internal body parts of a human or veterinary patient during insertion into the body of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response against Neisseria spp. bacteria in a subject, particularly against a Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strain.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus, and methods of using same, for collecting blood from an umbilical cord in a sterile environment that includes an umbilical cord retaining assembly and a blood collection assembly rotatably connected to the umbilical cord retaining assembly. A cord cutting blade, which is carried by the blood collection assembly, functions to cut the umbilical cord when the blood collection assembly is rotated relative to the umbilical cord retaining assembly. After the umbilical cord is cut, blood flows by force of gravity into the blood collection region of the blood collection assembly to which a blood collection bag can be interconnected.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for assessing the capacity of high density lipoprotein (HDL) to support reverse cholesterol transport in blood by measuring exchange if HDL-specific spin-labeled lipoprotein probes and electron paramagnetic spectroscopy. The invention also provides methods to identify individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease, to monitor the treatment of cardiovascular disease and in the development of therapies to treat cardiovascular disease. The invention also provides methods to identify individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease, to monitor the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and in the development of therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining KIR genotypes for one or more individuals in parallel, the method comprising: for each individual, amplifying the polymorphic exon sequences of the KIR genes, pooling the KIR amplicons, performing emulsion PCR followed by pyrosequencing in parallel to determine all the amplicon sequences present in the individual to determine which KIR alleles are present in the individual.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring factor H binding proteins derived from variant 3 fHbp that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for at least one strain of N. meningitidis, and methods of use of such proteins, are provided. In certain embodiments, a non-naturally occurring factor H binding protein (fHbp) derived from a naturally occurring variant 3 fHbp is disclosed. The non-naturally fHbp may include a substitution of the histidine at position 223 of the naturally occurring variant 3 fHbp with an amino acid selected from the group consisting of arginine, lysine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, or tryptophan, wherein the numbering of position 223 is based on the numbering of the mature fHbp ID 1. The non-naturally occurring fHbp may have a lower affinity for human factor H (fH) than fHbp ID 79.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides compositions methods and composition relating to the diagnosis and/or treatment of cancers having a cell surface de-N-acetylated sialic acid antigen, e.g., an at least partially de-N-acetylated ganglioside and/or a de-N-acetylated sialic acid-modified cell surface protein.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an isolated particle comprising very high density, ultra small, lipid depleted apo B containing particles, and may also contain cytokeratin 8. The isolated particle is useful in diagnostic assays, which are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include devices and methods for correcting a torso deformity of a patient. The devices include a suction chamber for placement around the torso deformity and to provide negative pressure to the torso deformity; and a measurement component coupled to the suction chamber. The measurement component is adapted to indicate a relative distance between the torso deformity and a distal surface of the suction chamber. The methods include positioning a torso deformity correcting device around a torso deformity on a torso of a patient. The methods further include withdrawing air from the suction chamber to apply negative pressure within the suction chamber to displace the torso deformity, and setting a negative pressure level by measuring the relative distance of the torso deformity and the distal surface of the suction chamber that is indicated by the measurement component.

Abstract: The present application in one aspect provides methods and compositions that are fine-tuned to modulate brain and peripheral serotonin levels, which in turn would lead to prevention and treatment of various diseases associated with a reduced level of brain serotonin. In another aspect, there are provided methods of assessing the peripheral or placenta level of serotonin and associated risks based on the peripheral placental level of TPH1.

Abstract: Factor H binding proteins that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for at least one strain of N. meningitidis, and methods of use of such proteins, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides dietary formulations comprising polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E. The present invention further provides methods of treating various conditions, generally involving administering to an individual in need thereof an effective amount of a subject dietary formulation.

Abstract: Chimeric fHBPs that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for different fHBP variant strains of N. meningitidis, and methods of use, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response against Neisseria spp. bacteria in a subject, particularly against a Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B strain.

Abstract: Factor H binding proteins that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for at least one strain of N. meningitidis, and methods of use of such proteins, are provided.

Abstract: Devices for containing exposed internal body parts during their insertion into the body of a patient are provided. The devices include a surgical pouch that comprises a measurement feature adapted to facilitate a measurement of the oxygen saturation of the exposed internal body parts. In some embodiments, the subject devices comprise an inner pouch for containing the exposed internal body parts, as well as an outer pouch that can be pressurized to exert positive pressure on the inner pouch to facilitate insertion of the internal body parts into the body of the patient. Also provided are methods for containing the exposed internal body parts of a patient and inserting the body parts into the patient, optionally using positive pressure, while monitoring the oxygen saturation of the exposed internal body parts via the measurement feature.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of producing, and compositions comprising, an isolated alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid derivative bearing a non-reducing end enriched for one or more de-N-acetyl residues and resistant to degradation by exoneuraminidase. A representative production method involves: (i) treating an alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid precursor having a reducing end and a non-reducing end with sodium borohydride under conditions for de-N-acetylating the non-reducing end; and (ii) isolating alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid derivative having one or more de-N-acetylated residues and a non-reducing end that is resistant to degradation by exoneuraminidase. Isolated alpha (2?8) or (2?9) oligosialic acid derivatives that comprise a non-reducing end de-N-acetyl residue are provided, as well as antibodies specific for the derivatives, compositions comprising the derivatives, kits, and methods of use including protection against and detection of E. coli K1 and N.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an isolated particle comprising very high density, ultra small, lipid depleted apo B containing particles, and may also contain cytokeratin 8. The isolated particle is useful in diagnostic assays, which are also provided.

Abstract: Chimeric fHbps that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for different fHbp variant strains of N. meningitidis, and methods of use, are provided.