Abstract: Compositions, materials incorporating the compositions, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the composition includes a metal nitrate selected from d-block metal nitrates and f-block metal nitrates and a metal salt having weakly bound counter anions. The metal of the metal salt having weakly bound counter anions is selected from a d-block metal and an f-block metal. Another embodiment of the composition includes a first polyoxometalate having a first metal selected from a d-block metal and an f-block metal and a second polyoxometalate having a second metal selected from a d-block metal and an f-block metal. The first metal being an open coordinate site of the first polyoxometalate. In addition, the first metal has a nitrate terminal ligand. The second metal being an open coordinate site of the second polyoxometalate. In addition, the second metal has a halide terminal ligand.

Abstract: A catheter adapted for use in passing fluids and medicines therethrough for use in the perfusion or reperfusion of blood or blood-fluid mixtures into the arteries, veins, tissues, conduits, or organs of a patient is disclosed. The catheter has an elongate tubular body with an elongate central lumen defined therein. The catheter also includes at least one occlusive balloon disposed on the exterior of and about the tubular body, and a drug delivery lumen defined within the tubular body separately of the central lumen and extending in the lengthwise direction of the tubular body. A drug delivery outlet is defined at and in communication with a distal end of the drug delivery lumen for permitting the delivery of fluids passed through the drug delivery lumen separate of any fluids passed through the central lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A class of 2?-fluoro-nucleoside compounds are disclosed which are useful in the treatment of hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, HIV and abnormal cellular proliferation, including tumors and cancer.

Abstract: Briefly described, compositions, materials including the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and methods of degrading contaminants, are described herein. The composition can include a polyoxometalate/ cationic silica material. In addition, the compositions can be made of a polyoxometalate/cationic silica material, a copper (II) salt having a weakly bound anion, and a nitrate salts. Further, the compositions can be made of a polyoxometalate/cationic silica material, a copper (II) salt having a weakly bound anion, a compound selected from tetraethylammonium (TEA) nitrate, tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA) nitrate, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: HIF-1 inhibitors and methods of their use are provided. In particular, 2,2-dimethylbenzopyran based compounds and methods of their use, for example in the treatment or prevention of hypoxia-related pathologies are provided.

Abstract: Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include structures, methods of forming the structures, and methods of using the structures. One exemplary structure, among others, includes a nanospecies and a porous material. The nanospecies has a first characteristic and a second detectable characteristic. In addition, a second detectable energy is produced corresponding to the second detectable characteristic upon exposure to a first energy. The porous material has the first characteristic and a plurality of pores. The first characteristic causes the nanospecies to interact with the porous material and become disposed in the pores of the porous material.

Abstract: mGluR5 antagonists are used for the treatment and prevention of disorders, including Fragile X, autism, mental retardation, schizophrenia and Down's Syndrome. The methods of the invention can be used to treat epilepsy and anxiety in a human having Fragile X syndrome, autism, mental retardation, schizophrenia and Down's Syndrome.

Abstract: Methods of treating patients with Factor VIII deficiency by administration of modified porcine factor VIII are disclosed. The particular modified porcine factor VIII is one in which most of the B domain has been removed through genetic engineering. This modified factor VIII is particularly useful for treatment of hemophiliacs, especially those undergoing bleeding episodes.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject with a traumatic central nervous system injury, more particularly, a traumatic brain injury, are provided. The methods comprise a therapy comprising a constant or a two-level dosing regime of progesterone. In one method, a subject in need thereof is administered at least one cycle of therapy, wherein the cycle of therapy comprises administering a therapeutically effective two-level intravenous dosing regime of progesterone. The two-level dosing regime comprises a first time period, wherein a higher hourly dose of progesterone is administered to the subject, followed by a second time period, wherein a lower hourly dose of progesterone is administered to the subject.

Abstract: A method and composition for the treatment, prevention and/or prophylaxis of a host, and in particular, a human, infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is provided that includes administering an effective amount of a 5-substituted uracil nucleoside or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for treating HIV that includes administering ?-D-D4FC or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug to a human in need of therapy in combination or alternation with a drug that induces a mutation in HIV-1 at a location other than the 70(K to N), 90 or the 172 codons of the reverse transcriptase region. Also disclosed is a method for using ?-D-D4FC as “salvage therapy” to patients which exhibit drug resistance to other anti-HIV agents. ?-D-D4FC can be used generally as salvage therapy for any patient which exhibits resistance to a drug that induces a mutation at other than the 70(K to N), 90 or the 172 codons.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for using magnetosomes as cellular contrast agents and markers for magnetic resonance imaging are provided. Certain methods involve synthesizing magnetosomes in a cell as directed by a nucleotide construct comprising an exogenous polynucleotide sequence, wherein the magnetosome serves as a contrast agent or marker for magnetic resonance imaging. Methods of synthesizing and isolating magnetosomes for introduction into immune-matched cells within a tissue or subject for use as a contrast agent or marker for magnetic resonance imaging are also provided. Also provided are methods for stably transfecting cells to express a polypeptide that drives or modulates magnetosome production in the cell, cells produced by such methods and methods for their isolation, transgenic animals comprising at least one eukaryotic cell produced by such methods, and vectors and delivery systems for the transfection of such cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions comprising chemical compounds that modulate the silencing of a polynucleotide of interest in a cell are provided. Such chemical compounds when used in combination with an appropriate silencing element can be used to modulate (increase or decrease) the level of the polynucleotide targeted by the silencing element. Methods of using such compositions both in therapies involving RNAi-mediated suppression of gene expression, as well as, in vitro methods that allow for the targeted modulation of expression of a polynucleotide of interest are provided. Pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations comprising such compounds and silencing elements also are disclosed. Methods for screening a compound of interest for the ability to modulate the activity of a heterologous silencing element also are provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products identify first biologic data in a region of interest in a first image and calculate a first biologic volume histogram from the first biologic data. Second biologic data in the same region of interest is identified in a second image and a second biologic volume histogram is calculated from the second biologic data. A difference in intensity for the region of interest is determined using the first biologic volume histogram and the second biologic volume histogram.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a dioxolane thymine compound according to the chemical structure of Formula (I): where R1 is H, an acyl group, a C1-C20 alkyl or ether group, a phosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate or phosphodiester group, for use in the treatment of HIV infections which exhibit resistance to 3TC and/or AZT. Preferably, compounds according to the present invention are combined with at least one anti-HIV agent which inhibits HIV by a mechanism other than through the inhibition of thymidine kinase (TK). These agents include those selected from among nuleocoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI), non-nucloeoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, protease inhibitors, fusion inhibitors, among others.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of administering porcine B-domainless factor VIII (OBI-1) to a patient having factor VIII deficiency to provide more rapid and effective protection against bleeding episodes, compared to formerly available methods, or to provide more effective protection to such patients during non-bleeding periods. This invention is based on the discovery that the recombinant B-domainless porcine fVIII, termed OBI-1, has greater bioavailability compared to the natural porcine fVIII partially purified from porcine plasma, termed HYATE:C. Therefore, the inventive method employs lower unit doses of OBI-1, including, alternatively, omission of antibody-neutralizing dosage, or has longer intervals between the administration, compared to HYATE:C, to provide equivalent protection in patients having fVIII deficiency.

Abstract: Image-based control systems and methods automate the adjustment of medical devices. An image based-control system for an endoscope can include, in addition to the endoscope, a processing system and an actuator. The processing system can receive an image from an image capture device of the endoscope. Based on coordinates of a lumen in the image, the processing system can instruct the actuator to reorient the capture device to direct the capture device toward the lumen. The actuator can be coupled to a manual controller of the endoscope, such that the actuator can reorient the capture device via the manual controller. An image-based control method can include receiving an image from the capture device of the endoscope; identifying coordinates of a lumen in the image; mapping such coordinates to a physical position of the lumen relative to the capture device; and instructing an actuator to adjust an orientation of the endoscope.

Abstract: The invention provides novel amino acid compounds of use in detecting and evaluating brain and body tumors. These compounds combine the advantageous properties of ?-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) analogs namely, their rapid uptake and prolonged retention in tumors with the properties of halogen substituents, including certain useful halogen isotopes such as fluorine-18, iodine-123, iodine-124, iodine-125, iodine-131, bromine-75, bromine-76, bromine-77, bromine-82, astatine-210, astatine-211, and other astatine isotopes. In addition the compounds can be labeled with technetium and rhenium isotopes using known chelation complexes. The amino acid compounds disclosed herein have a high specificity for target sites when administered to a subject in vivo. The labeled amino acid compounds are useful as imaging agents in detecting and/or monitoring tumors in a subject by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography (SPECT).

Abstract: Nanoparticles, methods of preparation thereof, and methods of detecting a target molecule using embodiments of the nanoparticle, are disclosed. One embodiment of an exemplary nanoparticle, among others, includes a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic active composite nanostructure. The surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic active composite nanostructure includes a core, at least one reporter molecule, and an encapsulating material. The reporter molecule is bonded to the core. The reporter molecule is selected from: an isothiocyanate dye, a multi-sulfur organic dye, a multi-heterosulfur organic dye, a benzotriazole dye, and combinations thereof. The encapsulating material is disposed over the core and the reporter molecule. After encapsulation with the encapsulating material, the reporter molecule has a measurable surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic signature.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the treatment or the prevention of neuronal damage in the CNS. Specifically, the methods of the invention provide for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a progestin or progestin metabolite following a traumatic or ischemic injury to the CNS such that, prior to termination of administration of the progestin or progestin metabolite the administration is tapered to avoid withdrawal. The drug taper employed can involve a linear taper, an exponential taper, progressively dividing administered doses by 50%, or can be determined based on the treating physician's assessment of the patient's response to therapy. The tapered administration methods of the present invention may be used in combination with any therapeutic protocol or regimen for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a progestin or progestin metabolite to treat a traumatic or ischemic CNS injury.