Abstract: A method and a composition are utilized to affect mitochondrial functions on a seizure-genic brain region. In one aspect, the disclosure comprises methods of treating seizures. Seizures are a transient symptom of abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Seizures may manifest as a wild thrashing movement, a brief loss of awareness, an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic movements, convulsions, a full body slump, and various other psychic symptoms such as déjà vu or jamais vu. Recurrent, unprovoked seizures are medically known as epilepsy. In one implementation, the method of treating a seizure includes administering a composition that restores mitochondrial function to a seizure-genic brain region. In some embodiments, the composition can include ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and pyruvate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel anti-inflammatory immunomodulators including creatinine or a creatinine salt, for example, creatinine hydrochloride. The present invention is also directed to methods for treating inflammation and inducing an immunomodulatory response. In particular, the anti-inflammatory immunomodulators are useful for treating an inflammatory condition or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: System and methods to evaluate and administer drugs. The present invention instantaneously identifies the effects that drugs, including appetite-affecting agents, have on animals. Data is collected automatically and analyzed and further organized to identify feeding patterns and the effect an appetite-affecting agent has on those feeding patterns. The present invention includes a system for data management, including a program with a data acquisition phase and a data analyzing phase to determine the feeding patterns of animals to aid in the evaluation of appetite-affecting drug efficacy.

Abstract: A bite block 20 for use during transoral medical procedures has a main lumen 42 and a side mount 110 for receiving a separately inserted airway 160. The airway 110 may be a commercially available nasopharangeal airway which is inserted in mount 110 and extends into the oral cavity so as to effectively function as oral pharangeal airway.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and a cutting device configured to excise a surface layer from the tissue that is captured in the suction cavity. One or more needles are also provided in the working portion, which can be used to apply suture to the captured tissue and/or to inject fluid into the captured tissue prior to excision. Particular applications may be to treat Barrett's esophagus, to treat GERD, or for performing gastroplasty in the stomach.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanoparticles and methods for using nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include at least three antiretroviral agents. When introduced to cells the nanoparticles cause an increase in the intracellular concentration of the antiretroviral agents to a level that is at least the IC50 against HIV-I or HIV-2. This concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the cells are contacted with the nanoparticle. When administered to a subject the nanoparticles cause the concentration of the antiretroviral agents to increase to at least 100 ng/ml in the serum of the subject, at least 0.5 ?g/gram tissue in an organ of the subject, or a combination thereof. Such a concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the administration.

Abstract: Bite blocks providing an instrument lumen 62 for use during transoral medical procedures may be made from a material having a Shore D hardness less than 60 for improved patient comfort. An air way lumen 64 may be provide in side by side arrangement to the instrument lumen 62 for maintaining the patient's airway. The air way 70 may have a concave guiding channel 72 for helping to guide the instruments down the esophagus.

Abstract: Among other things, embodiments of devices (and parts thereof) are disclosed that can be used in treating Barrett's esophagus. Embodiments may have a suction cavity or window portion having elongated planar floor and ramped end surfaces with suction holes on one or both end surfaces. Examples include one or more fluid injection needles and parts for controlling fluid injection rate based on the rate of needle withdrawal. Embodiments can include one or more injection needles and receiving holes, with the ability to allow injectate to flow into tissue before withdrawing the needle(s), and/or lockout mechanism to prevent resection of tissue by a cutting mechanism prior to injection of fluid. Methods for treatment are also disclosed, and can include inserting a needle completely through tissue, and injecting fluid into tissue while withdrawing the needle back through the tissue, and/or injecting fluid into tissue while moving the needle forward through tissue.

Abstract: Dental restorative composites having self-healing capabilities to repair discontinuities in the composite are provided. Dental restorative composites according to the present invention include a microsphere that encapsulates a monomer. When a fracture occurs, the microsphere is ruptured and the monomer fills the fracture. Depending on the monomer present in the microsphere, it is polymerized by a polymerization initiator or by an olefin metathesis catalyst present in the dental restorative composite. Self-healing dental restorative composites provide increased resistance to fracturing, and thus remain substantially intact for a longer period of time, preserving the remedial integrity of the dental repair or reconstruction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of imaging dental tissue. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of imaging dental caries by administering a topical intra-oral composition that provides enhanced radiographic imaging.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastroplasty is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes a pair of elongated suction cavities that capture and excise portions of the anterior and posterior stomach walls and apply sutures to the captured tissue, which, when drawn tight, serve to create a modified lumen in the stomach.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition which includes nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include a glyceryl monooleate or monolinoleate (or other mono fatty acid ester); a chitosan; and a cancer therapeutic agent, such as gemcitabine, taxanes, and hydrophobic cancer therapeutic agents). Also disclosed are methods for preparing such nanoparticles and pharmaceutical compositions, as well as methods for treating breast, pancreatic, colon, prostate, and other cancers by parenterally, intravenously, or otherwise administering such nanoparticles and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A cerebrospinal fluid (“CSF”) collection tube includes a bottom end portion and a tubular sidewall portion. The tubular sidewall portion has a first end and a second end, the first end being sealed to the bottom end portion and the second end defining an open end portion of the CSF collection tube. The CSF collection tube further includes a filament element that is attached to an interior surface of the tubular sidewall portion and projects through the open end portion of the CSF collection tube. The CSF collection tube may further include a removeable cap.