Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a subject in need thereof comprising classifying the subject into functional group FG1, FG2 or FG3, wherein i) when the subject is classified into the FG1 functional group, (A) the level of OPN or the activity of OPN in said subject is increased; (B) the subject is not treated with a brace; or (C) a combination of (A) and (B); and ii) when the subject is classified into the FG2 or FG3 functional group, (A) the level of OPN or the activity of OPN in said subject is decreased; (B) the subject is treated with a brace; or (C) a combination of (A) and (B).

Abstract: A method for preventing or reducing the risk of perinatal or neonatal morbidity and mortality caused by antenatal inflammation in humans is described. This method is based on the administration of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: to an expectant human mother suffering from antenatal fetal inflammation. The method prevents or reduces the risk of organ damages, including brain, lung and intestinal damages, and sequelae therefrom, in the neonates, as well as the risk of neonatal death.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a predisposition to developing a scoliosis (e.g., adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)) and identifying compounds for treating scoliosis based on the modulation of Gi protein-coupled receptor activity are described. Specific embodiments of the methods involve measuring a change in impedance signals of cells expressing a receptor coupled to a Gi protein with a ligand. To identify compounds useful in treatment, the cell is contacted with a test compound and a ligand. A higher impedance in the presence relative to the absence of said test compound is indicative that the test compound is useful for treating scoliosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel molecular markers associated with idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Accordingly, the present invention concerns novel methods of identifying subjects at risk of developing IS or suffering from IS and of genotyping and classifying IS subjects into genetic and functional groups. Also provided are compositions, DNA chips and kits for applying the methods.

Abstract: A method of classifying a subject having idiopathic scoliosis (IS) or at risk of developing IS comprising: determining the cellular response to Gi stimulation in a cell sample from the subject in the presence of OPN; determining the cellular response to Gi stimulation in a cell sample from the subject in the absence of OPN; and comparing the cellular response obtained in the presence of OPN with the cellular response obtained in the absence of OPN, whereby the comparing step enables the classification of the subject into one IS functional group. Also provided is the use of the foregoing method to classify borderline subjects and kits for applying the methods.

Abstract: A method of classifying a subject having idiopathic scoliosis (IS) or at risk of developing IS comprising: determining the cellular response to Gi stimulation in a cell sample from the subject in the presence of OPN; determining the cellular response to Gi stimulation in a cell sample from the subject in the absence of OPN; and comparing the cellular response obtained in the presence of OPN with the cellular response obtained in the absence of OPN, whereby the comparing step enables the classification of the subject into one IS functional group. Also provided is the use of the foregoing method to classify borderline subjects and kits for applying the methods.

Abstract: A method for the prevention or treatment of scoliosis in a human subject comprising: (a)(i) measuring osteopontin (OPN) protein expression in a biological fluid sample from the subject over time; or (ii) measuring osteopontin (OPN) protein expression in a biological fluid sample from the subject and comparing the OPN protein expression to an OPN protein expression in a control biological fluid sample; (b) identifying the subject as being at risk of developing scoliosis when OPN protein expression increases in the subject sample over time; or when OPN protein expression is higher in the subject sample than that in the control sample; and (c) reducing OPN protein levels in the subject identified as being at risk of developing a scoliosis, thereby aiding in the prevention or treatment of scoliosis.

Abstract: Methods of stratifying a subject having or at risk for developing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) into diagnostically or clinically useful subclasses are provided. The stratification is based on the subject's PTP? expression and/or activity and/or PIPK1? expression and/or activity. Also provided are methods of predicting the risk of developing a scoliosis also based on the subject's PTP? expression and/or activity and/or PIPK1? expression and/or activity; and methods of increasing GiPCR signaling in cells of a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject's cells an effective amount of an inhibitor of PIPK1? tyrosine phosphorylation; an activator of PIPK1Y tyrosine dephosphorylation; and/or an inhibitor of PIPK1? expression and/or activity.

Abstract: Methods of stratifying a subject having or at risk for developing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) into diagnostically or clinically useful subclasses are provided. The stratification is based on the subject's PTP? expression and/or activity and/or PIPK1? expression and/or activity. Also provided are methods of predicting the risk of developing a scoliosis also based on the subject's PTP? expression and/or activity and/or PIPK1? expression and/or activity; and methods of increasing GiPCR signaling in cells of a subject in need thereof comprising administering to the subject's cells an effective amount of an inhibitor of PIPK1? tyrosine phosphorylation; an activator of PIPK1Y tyrosine dephosphorylation; and/or an inhibitor of PIPK1? expression and/or activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting brace treatment outcome in a subject in need thereof comprising i) classifying the subject into functional group FG1, FG2 or FG3, wherein the classification enables the prediction of brace treatment outcome. Also provided are methods of determining risk of developing scoliosis, methods of treating Idiopathic scoliosis and kits for applying the methods.

Abstract: A method of classifying a subject having idiopathic scoliosis (IS) or at risk of developing IS comprising: determining the cellular response to Gi stimulation in a cell sample from the subject in the presence of OPN; determining the cellular response to Gi stimulation in a cell sample from the subject in the absence of OPN; and comparing the cellular response obtained in the presence of OPN with the cellular response obtained in the absence of OPN, whereby the comparing step enables the classification of the subject into one IS functional group. Also provided is the use of the foregoing method to classify borderline subjects and kits for applying the methods.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a predisposition to developing a scoliosis (e.g., adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)) and identifying compounds for treating scoliosis based on the modulation of Gi protein-coupled receptor activity are described. Specific embodiments of the methods involve measuring a change in impedance signals of cells expressing a receptor coupled to a Gi protein with a ligand. To identify compounds useful in treatment, the cell is contacted with a test compound and a ligand. A higher impedance in the presence relative to the absence of said test compound is indicative that the test compound is useful for treating scoliosis.

Abstract: Methods of stratifying a subject having or at risk for developing adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) into diagnostically or clinically useful subclasses are provided. The stratification is based on the subject's Gi? protein serine phosphorylation profile and/or the degree of imbalance in G-protein coupled receptor responses to Gi? and Gs? protein stimulation. In some embodiments, the methods involve detecting or determining the level of serine phosphorylated Gi?1 and/or Gi?3 proteins in the cell sample, and/or determining a ratio between the response to Gi? protein stimulation and the response to Gs? protein stimulation from a biological sample from the subject. Methods for predicting the risk of an AIS subject for developing a severe scoliosis, for predicting the subject's responsiveness to bracing treatment, and for identifying therapeutically useful compounds are also provided, as well as kits therefor.

Abstract: A method for the prevention or treatment of scoliosis in a human subject comprising: (a)(i) measuring osteopontin (OPN) protein expression in a biological fluid sample from the subject over time; or (ii) measuring osteopontin (OPN) protein expression in a biological fluid sample from the subject and comparing the OPN protein expression to an OPN protein expression in a control biological fluid sample; (b) identifying the subject as being at risk of developing scoliosis when OPN protein expression increases in the subject sample over time; or when OPN protein expression is higher in the subject sample than that in the control sample; and (c) reducing OPN protein levels in the subject identified as being at risk of developing a scoliosis, thereby aiding in the prevention or treatment of scoliosis.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a scoliosis (e.g., adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)) and/or a predisposition to developing a scoliosis based on the determination of the variation of osteopontin (OPN) levels induced by mechanical forces/stimuli are described.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk for developing a scoliosis comprising monitoring osteopontin (OPN) expression in a sample from a subject over time; wherein an OPN expression that increases in the subject sample over time is indicative that the subject is at risk for developing a scoliosis.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing a scoliosis (e.g., adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)) and/or a predisposition to developing a scoliosis based on the determination of the variation of osteopontin (OPN) levels induced by mechanical forces/stimuli are described.

Abstract: A method of stratifying a subject having adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) comprising: providing a cell sample isolated from the subject; detecting Paired-like homeodomain transcription factor 1 (Pitx1) expression in the cell sample; whereby the results of the detecting step enables the stratification of the subject having AIS as belonging to an AIS subclass.

Abstract: Compounds, methods, uses, compositions, kits and packages for the treatment of imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, based on uses of 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4-P-PDOT) and analogs, derivatives, prodrugs, precursors thereof, and salts thereof, are described.

Abstract: Compounds, methods, uses, compositions, kits and packages for the treatment of imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, based on uses of 4-phenyl-2 propionamidotetralin (4-P-PDOT) and analogs, derivatives, prodrugs, precursors thereof, and salts thereof, are described.