Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic modalities for the treatment of an ischemic event (e.g., stroke) that creates or embodies a risk of neurological damage in CNS sites by administration of a thrombopoietin receptor ligand.

Abstract: A therapeutic or prophylactic treatment method of ischemia, such as due to myocardial infarction, by administering thrombopoietin, alone or in combination with other drugs, to a patient suffering from or at risk of cardiac injury, such as myocardial ischemia. The thrombopoietin is administered in a concentration such that the subject's platelet count or production of platelets is not significantly affected.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing carcinoma in a patient, the method comprising providing a sample of colorectal cells from a human patient and analyzing the sample for CXCL12 hypermethylation.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring MR imaging data from a subject includes administering positively-charged nitroxides or gadolinium chelates for in vivo mitochondrial labeling, acquiring MR imaging data from the subject, and reconstructing an image of the subject having enhanced contrast in areas including metabolic and/or mitotic activity.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting, moderating or diagnosing Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is disclosed. In one embodiment, this method comprises inoculating a patient with an effective amount of PcrV antigen.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a transmitter that produces an RF excitation pulse that is applied to a subject positioned in the MRI system to induce emission of at least one of an NMR signal and an ESR signal therefrom, and that produces a reference signal indicative of the phase of the RF excitation pulse. A first analog-to-digital converter has an input for receiving the reference signal that is synchronous with the RF excitation pulse. One or more additional analog-to-digital converters/processors have inputs for receiving the at least one of NMR signals and ESR signals produced by a subject placed in the MRI system and produce one or more complex digital signals therefrom. A normalizer is connected to receive and normalize the digital reference signal and a mixer is connected to receive the normalized digital reference signal and the digital signal. Accordingly, the mixer is operable to multiply the normalized complex digital reference signal with the complex digital signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method of treating drug addiction in an individual by administering to the addicted individual a therapeutically effective amount of dextro-morphine capable of activating an opioid receptor. It is disclosed here that dextro-morphine is suitable for treating addiction to natural opiates, semi-synthetic opiates, fully synthetic opioids, and endogenous opioid peptides, as well as nicotine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modified cell having adhesion properties that are increased as compared to the adhesion properties of an unmodified cell, comprising a) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin ?3 subunit; b) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin ?v subunit; c) a recombinant nucleic acid encoding an integrin ?IIb subunit; and/or d) any combination of (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: A therapeutic or prophylactic treatment method of ischemia, such as due to myocardial infarction, by administering thrombopoietin, alone or in combination with other drugs, to a patient suffering from or at risk of cardiac injury, such as myocardial ischemia. The thrombopoietin is administered in a concentration such that the subject's platelet count or production of platelets is not significantly affected.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of ameliorating nephrotoxic side effects of immunosuppressive agents whose immunosuppressive activity is mediated via upregulation of TGF-? such as, for example, cyclosporine (CsA). The disclosure provides treatment modalities for use in patients that require immunosuppression, e.g., patients at risk of transplant rejection or having an autoimmune disease. In the methods of the invention, a TGF-? antagonist, e.g., an anti-TGF-? antibody, is administered to a patient treated with an immunosuppressive agent. Such a TGF-? antagonist is administered in a therapeutically effective amount sufficient to alleviate the nephrotoxic effects of the immunosuppressive agent without substantially interfering with immunosuppressive activity of the agent.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing cardiac hypertrophy in a mammal, comprising manipulating levels of RBP, retinoids, or an affiliated signaling and regulatory pathway in the mammal. Preferably, the method comprises reducing or inhibiting the level of RBP or retinoids or their signaling pathway, or an affiliated signaling pathway, via a dietary, genetic, protein-based, or pharmacologic approach, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical composition suitable for the method.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a transmitter that produces an RF excitation pulse that is applied to a subject positioned in the MRI system to induce emission of at least one of an NMR signal and an ESR signal therefrom, and that produces a reference signal indicative of the phase of the RF excitation pulse. A first analog-to-digital converter has an input for receiving the reference signal that is synchronous with the RF excitation pulse. One or more additional analog-to-digital converters/processors have inputs for receiving the at least one of NMR signals and ESR signals produced by a subject placed in the MRI system and produce one or more complex digital signals therefrom. A normalizer is connected to receive and normalize the digital reference signal and a mixer is connected to receive the normalized digital reference signal and the digital signal. Accordingly, the mixer is operable to multiply the normalized complex digital reference signal with the complex digital signal.

Abstract: A visual defect simulation system receives a functional field map produced by an MRI system that relates locations in a patient's brain to locations in the patient's field of view. Planned medical operations are indicated at locations in the patient's brain and any resulting vision loss is simulated with a revised functional field map. A scene is displayed and an impairment overlay is produced from the revised functional field map that blocks the scene at locations corresponding to simulated vision loss. The overlay is translated over the scene in response to viewer eye movements detected by a vision-tracking system to present a real-time simulation of the resulting vision loss.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide identification method along with related peptide databases, method of generating the databases, computer usable media, and computer program products. The peptide identification method involves the use of qualitative amino acid composition or partial qualitative amino acid composition information of a query peptide obtained by mass spectrometry to correlate the query peptide to one or more peptides with defined amino acid sequences in a peptide database generated according to the present invention.

Abstract: Time course MRI data is acquired from the hippocampal region of the brain and processed to produce two indices that are a measure of the functional connectivity between locations therein. The MRI data is acquired while the brain is substantially at rest and the spontaneous low frequency component of the time course data at each location in the hippocampus is extracted and compared in a cross-correlation process. Also acquired is fMRI data which indicates those locations in the brain that should be included in the index calculations.

Abstract: One or two sets of time course NMR data are acquired using an EPI pulse sequence in which either or both gradient recalled echo NMR signals and spin-echo NMR signals are acquired after bolus injection of a contrast agent. T2* relaxation rates for GE and T2 relaxation rates for SE are calculated from the acquired NMR signals and are corrected for extravasation of contrast agent into surrounding tissues. The gradient-echo signals and spin-echo NMR signals are employed along with the T2* and T2 relaxation rates to calculate hemodynamic parameter maps which are used as a measure of tumor angiogenesis.

Abstract: A rat model of diabetic nephropathy is disclosed. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of evaluating a test compound's effect of diabetic nephropathy is disclosed. In one embodiment, this method comprises the steps of (a) exposing the test compound to the rat of claim 1, wherein the rat would develop progressive proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis leading to diabetic nephropathy in the absence of the test compound, and (b) comparing the rat's development of diabetic nephropathy with a control T2DN mimic rat that has not been exposed to the test compound.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting, moderating or diagnosing Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection is disclosed. In one embodiment, this method comprises inoculating a patient with an effective amount of PcrV antigen.

Abstract: Neurovascular uncoupling that causes fMRI data to underestimate viable neuronal activity in the brain is detected and indicated to assist in pre-surgical planning. Tasks associated with the cortical region in question are performed while the fMRI measurement of brain activity is measured and the same tasks are performed while task performance is measured directly. Neurovascular uncoupling is detected and indicated by comparing the results of fMRI measurement and direct measurement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a preparation of botulinum toxin light chain type A or E, wherein the preparation is both catalytically active and soluble. Preferably, the preparation consists essentially of amino acid residues 1 through 425 of the botulinum toxin light chain type A. A method of screening inhibitors is also provided, wherein the method comprises exposing a test inhibitor to the preparation of botulinum toxin light chain type A and evaluating the biological activity of the preparation. In another embodiment, a method of providing a catalytically active, soluble preparation of botulinum toxin light chain, type A is provided, wherein the method comprises obtaining an expression vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding amino acid residues 1-425 and expressing a polypeptide.