Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems for predicting if a subject has an increased risk of having or developing one or more clinical outcomes, including prior to the detection of symptoms thereof and/or prior to onset of any detectable symptoms thereof. The present disclosure also describes a method of generating a model for predicting one or more clinical outcomes.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for promoting donor-specific tolerance and immunocompetence to a recipient of a solid organ transplant, by implanting an allogeneic solid organ in a recipient in need of a solid organ transplant and further comprising surgical implantation of a tissue-engineered allogeneic cultured postnatal thymus tissue product in the recipient of a solid organ from a donor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of predicting progression of an inflammatory condition in a subject, which involves providing a medium comprising hyaluronan or a fragment thereof; contacting the medium with a fluid sample from a subject with an inflammatory condition, where the fluid sample comprises proteins or proteoglycans and a transfer agent; incubating the fluid sample with the medium under conditions effective for the transfer agent in the fluid sample to mediate transfer of heavy chains from the proteins or proteoglycans to the hyaluronan or a fragment thereof to form a complex; detecting, using an antibody, occurrence levels of the complex; and comparing occurrence levels of the complex from said detecting to a reference standard to predict progression of an inflammatory condition in the subject. Also disclosed are methods of tailoring treatment of an inflammatory condition and quantifying local inflammatory activity in a body fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of predicting progression of an inflammatory condition in a subject, which involves providing a medium comprising hyaluronan or a fragment thereof; contacting the medium with a fluid sample from a subject with an inflammatory condition, where the fluid sample comprises proteins or proteoglycans and a transfer agent; incubating the fluid sample with the medium under conditions effective for the transfer agent in the fluid sample to mediate transfer of heavy chains from the proteins or proteoglycans to the hyaluronan or a fragment thereof to form a complex; detecting, using an antibody, occurrence levels of the complex; and comparing occurrence levels of the complex from said detecting to a reference standard to predict progression of an inflammatory condition in the subject. Also disclosed are methods of tailoring treatment of an inflammatory condition and quantifying local inflammatory activity in a body fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of predicting progression of an inflammatory condition in a subject, which involves providing a medium comprising hyaluronan or a fragment thereof; contacting the medium with a fluid sample from a subject with an inflammatory condition, where the fluid sample comprises proteins or proteoglycans and a transfer agent; incubating the fluid sample with the medium under conditions effective for the transfer agent in the fluid sample to mediate transfer of heavy chains from the proteins or proteoglycans to the hyaluronan or a fragment thereof to form a complex; detecting, using an antibody, occurrence levels of the complex; and comparing occurrence levels of the complex from said detecting to a reference standard to predict progression of an inflammatory condition in the subject. Also disclosed are methods of tailoring treatment of an inflammatory condition and quantifying local inflammatory activity in a body fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of predicting progression of an inflammatory condition in a subject, which involves providing a medium comprising hyaluronan or a fragment thereof; contacting the medium with a fluid sample from a subject with an inflammatory condition, where the fluid sample comprises proteins or proteoglycans and a transfer agent; incubating the fluid sample with the medium under conditions effective for the transfer agent in the fluid sample to mediate transfer of heavy chains from the proteins or proteoglycans to the hyaluronan or a fragment thereof to form a complex; detecting, using an antibody, occurrence levels of the complex; and comparing occurrence levels of the complex from said detecting to a reference standard to predict progression of an inflammatory condition in the subject. Also disclosed are methods of tailoring treatment of an inflammatory condition and quantifying local inflammatory activity in a body fluid.

Abstract: This invention provides a modified yeast two-hybrid system in order to identify NO-dependent protein-protein interactions. Bait proteins implicated in apoptotic signaling pathways were used to identify NO-dependent interactions. The physiological relevance of these interactions is demonstrated by their occurrence and dependence on endogenous NO in mammalian cells, and by the functional interrelatedness of bait and prey.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel NO-releasing compounds which comprise a stabilized S-nitrosyl group and a free alcohol or a free thiol group. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the NO-releasing compounds. The method comprises reacting a polythiol or a thioalcohol with a nitrosylating agent. Also disclosed are medical devices coated with the disclosed compounds, methods of delivering NO to treatments sites in a subject by utilizing the medical devices and methods of sterilizing surfaces.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel NO-releasing compounds which comprise a stabilized S-nitrosyl group and a free alcohol or a free thiol group. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the NO-releasing compounds. The method comprises reacting a polythiol or a thioalcohol with a nitrosylating agent. Also disclosed are medical devices coated with the disclosed compounds, methods of delivering NO to treatments sites in a subject by utilizing the medical devices and methods of sterilizing surfaces.

Abstract: Herein it is shown that hemoproteins (e.g., Ascaris hemoglobin, myoglobin, flavohemoglobins) have NO-consuming and deoxygenase activities. The invention provides a method of reducing the concentration of oxygen and/or nitric oxide in a mammal. The method of the invention comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a hemoprotein having NO-activated deoxygenase activity or an enzymatically active fragment thereof to a mammal. The method can be used to treat a mammal having pathologically proliferating cells, such as a tumor. In one embodiment, the hemoprotein is administered to reduce the oxygen concentration of a tumor. In another embodiment, the hemoprotein is administered together with a cytotoxic agent to treat a mammal having a tumor. The invention also provides a method of enzymatically generating toxic reactive oxygen species in a mammal for therapeutic purposes. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a hemoprotein to a mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymers derivatized with at least one —SNO group per 1200 atomic mass unit of the polymer. In one embodiment, the S-nitrosylated polymer has stabilized —S-nitrosyl groups. In another embodiment the S-nitrosylated polymer prepared by polymerizing a compound represented by the following structural formula: R is an organic radical. Each X′ is an independently chosen aliphatic group or substituted aliphatic group. Preferably, each X′ is the same and is a C2-C6 alkylene group, more preferably —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —CH2CH2CH2— or —CH2CH2CH2CH2—. p and m are independently a positive integer such that p+m is greater than two. The polymers of the present invention can be used to coat medical devices to deliver nitric oxide in vivo to treatment sites.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel NO-releasing compounds which comprise a stabilized S-nitrosyl group and a free alcohol or a free thiol group. Also disclosed is a method of preparing the NO-releasing compounds. The method comprises reacting a polythiol or a thioalcohol with a nitrosylating agent. Also disclosed are medical devices coated with the disclosed compounds, methods of delivering NO to treatments sites in a subject by utilizing the medical devices and methods of sterilizing surfaces.

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) interacts with hemoglobin (Hb) at its metal centers, whereas S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) can donate the NO group to .beta.93 cysteine residues, thereby shielding the NO functionality from heme inactivation. S-nitrosylation of Hb is under the allosteric control of oxygen and the oxidation state of heme. NO group release from SNO-Hb is further facilitated by intracellular low molecular weight thiols, forming RSNOs which can be exported from the erythrocyte to regulate blood pressure. Red blood cells can be loaded with low molecular weight RSNOs to act as a delivery system for NO.sup.+ groups. Loaded red blood cells can be used in methods of therapy for conditions which are characterized by abnormal O.sub.2 metabolism of tissues, oxygen-related toxicity, abnormal vascular tone, abnormal red blood cell adhesion, or abnormal O.sub.2 delivery by red blood cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioactive molecule, herein referred to as the CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule, that is produced by the CD8.sup.+ subset of human T-lymphocytes and suppresses type-1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) replication through inhibition of viral transcription. The invention relates to isolation of clonal CD8.sup.+ cells lines that produce the antiviral activity and the development of an assay system for detection of the antiviral activity. The clonal cell lines and the assay system, described herein, may be utilized to purify, characterize and clone the CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule. The CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule may have therapeutic applications for treatment of diseases associated with HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: Nitrosyl (FeII) hemoglobin can be detected in biological samples, using a method which involves injections of samples into a photolysis cell, prior to detection of chemiluminescence generated by the reaction between nitric oxide and ozone. This method is useful for monitoring the levels of nitric oxide bioactivity in both normal physiological states, and disease states, such as septic shock, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, hyperhomocysteinemia, pulmonary hypertension, malignancy, infections and central nervous system disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioactive molecule, herein referred to as the CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule, that is produced by the CD8.sup.+ subset of human T-lymphocytes and suppresses type-1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) replication through inhibition of viral transcription. The invention relates to isolation of clonal CD8.sup.+ cells lines that produce the antiviral activity and the development of an assay system for detection of the antiviral activity. The clonal cell lines and the assay system, described herein, may be utilized to purify, characterize and clone the CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule. The CD8.sup.+ suppressor molecule may have therapeutic applications for treatment of diseases associated with HIV-1 infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymers derivatized with at least one --NO.sub.X group per 1200 atomic mass unit of the polymer. X is one or two. In one embodiment, the polymer is an S-nitrosylated polymer and is prepared by reacting a polythiolated polymer with a nitrosylating agent under conditions suitable for nitrosylating free thiol groups. The polymers of the present invention can be used to coat medical devices to deliver nitric oxide in vivo to treatment sites.

Abstract: An iris retractor for use in operating on the eye of a living creature is proposed, by means of which the iris is drawn outwards for widening the pupil and is held at the outer edge, which is essentially formed by the transition from the cornea to the sclera.The iris retractor essentially comprises a suspended part having a hook portion and a guide part and on which a platelet-like clamping part is displaceable relative to the hook portion.

Abstract: A method for providing improved estimates of the spin-lattice relaxation time T1 of an image in a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique on a human body is disclosed which utilizes the application of a multiple spin-echo pulse sequence technique at two different pulse repetition times TR1 and TR2. The signals for each of the different repetition times are measured by first setting the longitudinal magnetization to an initial value and then waiting the appropriate repetition time in order to provide the measured signal. The magnetization is "flipped" into the x-y plane and the relationship between the measured values for each of the repetition times is utilized to form an algorithm whereby the calculated ratio of the measured signals allows for an initial estimate of T1.