Abstract: Methods for diagnosing, determining the likelihood of developing cardiac disease by measuring the level of a truncated form of cardiac Troponin T are provided. Also provided are methods for preventing treating or ameliorating a symptom associated with cardiac disease by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of the posttranslational production of N-terminally truncated forms of cardiac troponin T.

Abstract: 2-Nitroimidazolyl-alkylaminoquinolines, and compositions containing the same, useful in the treatment of tuberculosis are disclosed. Methods of treating tuberculosis using the 2-nitroimidazolyl-alkylaminoquinolines, and compositions containing the same, also are disclosed.

Abstract: 2-Nitroimidazolyl-alkylaminoquinolines, and compositions containing the same, useful in the treatment of tuberculosis are disclosed. Methods of treating tuberculosis using the 2-nitroimidazolyl-alkylaminoquinolines, and compositions containing the same, also are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for diagnosing, preventing, treating, determining the likelihood of developing, or ameliorating a symptom associated with, cardiac disease by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator, such as an inducer, of the posttranslational production of N-terminally truncated forms of cardiac troponin T. An exemplary modulator in the form of an inducer is a Calpain inducer; an exemplary modulator in the form of an inhibitor is an inhibitor of aCalpain inhibitor, such as a mu-Calpain inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating cancer cells overexpressing Her-2/neu, the product of the erbB-2 gene, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an unsaturated fatty acid. The cancer cells amenable to treatment exhibit relatively elevated activity levels of fatty acid synthase. Exemplary fatty acids useful in the methods of the invention include ?-9 monounsaturated fatty acids (e.g., oleic acid), ?-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., ?-linolenic acid) and ?-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (e.g., ?-linolenic acid). The invention also provides methods of preventing cancer comprising administering a prophylactically effective amount of a fatty acid and kits for preventing and/or treating cancer comprising a fatty acid and a conventional anti-cancer therapeutic.

Abstract: The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a method for examining a target for tumors or lesions using what is referred to as “Early Increase in microvascular Blood Supply” (EIBS) that exists in tissues that are close to, but are not themselves, the abnormal tissue and in tissues that precede the development of such lesions or tumors. While the abnormal tissue can be a lesion or tumor, the abnormal tissue can also be tissue that precedes formation of a lesion or tumor, such as a precancerous adenoma, aberrant crypt foci, tissues that precede the development of dysplastic lesions that themselves do not yet exhibit dysplastic phenotype, and tissues in the vicinity of these lesions or pre-dysplastic tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to probe apparatuses and component combinations thereof that are used to recognize possibly abnormal living tissue using a detected early increase in microvascular blood supply and corresponding applications. In one embodiment there is disclosed an apparatus that emits broadband light obtained from a light source onto microvasculature of tissue disposed within a human body and receives interacted light that is obtained from interaction of the broadband light with the microvasculature for transmission to a receiver. Different further embodiments include combinations of optical fibers, polarizers and lenses that assist in the selection of a predetermined depth profile of interacted light. In another embodiment, a kit apparatus is described that has various probe tips and/or light transmission elements that provide for various combinations of predetermined depth profiles of interacted light.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an elongate shaft with a longitudinal shaft axis, a proximal grip end, and a distal working end. The shaft is rotatable about its longitudinal axis by user manipulation of the proximal grip end. The instrument has an energy source coupled to the surgical instrument. A tissue retainer is positioned at the distal working end of the shaft and is rotatable with the shaft The retainer has a curved portion, a tissue holding space within the curved portion, and an entry opening into the holding space. The retainer and holding space define a retainer axis. The retainer is configured to be received over and at least partly circumvent a target structure of a surgical field received in the holding space via the entry opening. A surgical component is positioned on a. portion of the retainer laterally offset from both the retainer axis and the holding space and is rotatable with rotation of the shaft and retainer.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying modulators of cardiac troponin I activity as well as methods for using N-terminally truncated forms of cTnI to monitor the function of the circulatory system in general, and the heart in particular, of an organism such as man. Additionally, the invention provides methods of treating circulatory diseases, disorders or conditions, such as cardiac diseases and conditions, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a modulator of the N-terminal structure of cTnI, such as a molecule capable of binding to the N-terminus of full-length cTnI, a molecule that modulates cTnI phosphorylation and/or N-terminal proteolytic cleavage, or by administering N-terminally truncated cTnI or a polynucleotide encoding that protein or polypeptide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a magnetic resonance angiographic image of a human body. A plurality of spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses and a plurality of different combinations of phase-encoding gradients are applied to the human body, that are temporally non-coincident with the radio-frequency pulses and where each combination includes a pulse value in a slice selective direction and a pulse value in an in-plane direction and magnetic resonance imaging data are detected. A slice processor and/or a thickness processor identify the presence, location and/or thickness of a body portion of the human body. Identification of a body portion in a first imaging volume becomes the basis of application of a second plurality of spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses to a second imaging volume of the human body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a magnetic resonance angiographic image of a human body. The method includes the steps of applying a plurality of spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses to the body, varying a magnitude of a phase-encoded gradient through the body in conjunction with application of the plurality of spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses and detecting magnetic resonance imaging data from the body based upon the spatially non-selective radio-frequency pulses and varied phase-encoded gradient.

Abstract: The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of neoplastic disease states, especially cancers of cells/organs of epithelial origin. For example, the invention provides combination chemotherapy materials and methods for treatment comprising a first agent comprising adenosine or an adenosine derivative and a second agent comprising an inhibitor of at least one of the enzymes adenosine deaminase and AMP deaminase.

Abstract: An improved method of assaying undiluted whole blood or undiluted plasma for prothrombin is disclosed. The improved method utilizes carinactivase-1 and calcium ions, and eliminates the need for a prothrombin-deficient plasma as a reference plasma.