Abstract: A minimally invasive spinous process fixation system includes dual rigid spinous clamps, each configured to articulate axially along a cylindrical shaft, and together configured to enclose and clamp around the adjacent or superior spinous process by means of opposing and swiveling spherical contact heads with spiked spinous contact faces. The spinous clamps are lockable when desired compression is achieved. A pedicle clamp has right and left clamp bodies for enveloping pre-existing pedicle rods. Each of the right and left clamp bodies includes upper and lower rigid metal plates supporting medial and lateral swivel cups. The upper and lower medial swivel cups engage and clamp about a connecting rod extending from the spinous clamp, and the upper and lower lateral swivel cups engage and clamp about one of the pedicle rods. A channel through the upper and lower metal plates accepts a locking screw to simultaneously tighten and fix the swivel cups in place about the connecting rod and the pedicle rod.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (“AD”) based on characteristic changes of the levels of certain free amino acids or dipeptides (collectively termed as “AD diagnosis markers”) in the body fluid sample of an individual, carnosine synthesis activities in the plasma, and dopamine synthesis activities in the plasma. Also provided are methods of simultaneously determining the levels of at least two free amino acids or dipeptides in the biological fluid sample of an individual.

Abstract: Compositions and methods useful in connection with magnetic resonance imaging are provided. Metabolites hyperpolarized by dynanic nuclear polarization are used as reporter molecules in nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”) spectroscopy to study metabolic pathways and diagnose disease states. The reporter molecules include hyperpolarized glutamine and hyperpolarized acetate. The invention includes the reporter molecules, compositions including the reporter molecules in pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, methods for studying metabolic pathways that include introducing one or more of the reporter molecules to a mammalian subject and imaging a target substance using NMR spectroscopy, and kits useful in studying metabolic pathways that incorporate one or more of the reporter molecules and instructions for their use.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for the identification of agents which can modulate TOR-mediated phosphorylation of substrate proteins. The assays of the invention utilize substrate proteins whose amino acid sequence contains the Ser/Thr motif recognized by TOR. Naturally occurring TOR which may be used in the methods of the invention include TOR isolated from a variety of species, particularly mammalian tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compounds and methods for treating a disease mediated by apelin.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for targeting tissue undergoing angiogenesis or to cells or tissue expressing ?v integrins. The compositions and methods are based on peptide sequences that selectively bind to and home to tissue undergoing angiogenesis or to cells or tissue expressing ?v integrins in animals. The disclosed targeting is useful for delivering therapeutic and detectable agents to tissue experiencing angiogenesis or to cells or tissue expressing ?v integrins.

Abstract: The methods and systems of the present invention is an algorithm which estimates motion inside objects that change during the scan. The algorithm is flexible and can be used for solving the misalignment correction problem and, more generally, for finding scan parameters that are not accurately known. The algorithm is based on Local Tomography so it is faster and is not limited to a source trajectory for which accurate and efficient inversion formulas exist.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugate that contains a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing peptide or peptidomimetic which selectively homes to vasculature of pre-malignant dysplastic skin and which includes the amino acid sequence SRPRR (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a conservative variant or peptidomimetic thereof. The present invention further provides a conjugate containing a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing peptide or peptidomimetic which selectively homes to vasculature of malignant skin and which includes the amino acid sequence CGKRK (SEQ ID NO: 6) or the amino acid sequence CDTRL (SEQ ID NO: 7), or a conservative variant or peptidomimetic of one of these sequences.

Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a SUMOylation inhibitor compound comprising a singleton scaffold is provided. In some embodiments, a method for inhibiting a SUMOylation enzyme in a cell is provided. Such a method may include administering a SUMOylation inhibitor compound to the cell. In some aspects, the SUMOylation enzyme is SUMO E1 or SUMO E2. In some aspects, the method may be used to inhibit a cancer cell in vitro (e.g., grown in culture) or in vivo (e.g., as part of a tumor in a subject). In other embodiments, a method for treating a cancer, degenerative diseases and viral infection is provided. Such a method may include administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject having the cancer. The pharmaceutical composition may include a singleton SUMOylation inhibitor compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful in connection with magnetic resonance imaging. In various embodiments, the invention employs the PASADENA polarization technique to prepare contrast agents that target complementary molecules in the body and/or that are processed through predetermined, natural metabolic pathways. The invention includes methods of using the contrast agents and kits including the same. In one embodiment, a diagnostic and prognostic method relating to Alzheimer's disease is described. Further embodiments relate to medical devices including the contrast agents.

Abstract: A prone positioning device is described for supporting the chest and head of a patient in a prone position during a medical procedure. The device allows medical personnel to view the face of the patient while the patient is in the prone position by means of a reflective surface disposed in a cavity in the device beneath the patient's face.

Abstract: A pediatric surgical table configured to allow easy and quick positioning of an infant prior to craniofacial surgery which includes a head cradle with cheek supports, a chest ramp and a body support pad. The body support pad is provided with an abdominal trough to facilitate unhindered abdominal movement during breathing and a genital trough to allow placement of a urinary catheter. The chest ramp stabilizes the infant once positioned and decreases the risk of hyperextension of the neck. The cheek supports reduce the risk of ocular compression and a open chin rest area allows unrestricted placement of endotracheal tube. Straps are provided to secure the infant in place. The orientation of the chest ramp and head cradle allows for substantial adjustment of cervical extension and provides the surgeon with clear and unobstructed access to the frontal, parietal and occipital portion of the infant's skull.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: A needle safety guard device adapted to attach to a liquid container is provided. The device includes a disk-shaped shield having a medial opening connected with a radial opening between two radial edges. The device also includes a substantially U-shaped holder having two sidewalls coupled substantially perpendicular to the disk-shaped shield along the two radial edges, and a top cover connecting to the two sidewalls and extending from the shield above the radial opening. The U-shaped holder includes a wedged protrusion and a curved protrusion extending from each of the two sidewalls, the curved protrusion being between the top cover and the wedged protrusion for blocking a cap of the liquid container from moving toward the medial opening.

Abstract: According to the embodiments described herein, a tricyclic SUMOylation inhibitor compound is provided. In some embodiments, a method for inhibiting a SUMOylation enzyme in a cell is provided. Such a method may include administering a SUMOylation inhibitor compound to the cell. In some aspects, the SUMOylation enzyme is SUMO E1 or SUMO E2. In some aspects, the method may be used to inhibit a cancer cell in vitro (e.g., grown in culture) or in vivo (e.g., as part of a tumor in a subject). In other embodiments, a method for treating a cancer, degenerative diseases and viral infection is provided. Such a method may include administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition to a subject having the cancer. The pharmaceutical composition may include a SUMOylation inhibitor compound. In some embodiments, the method for treating a disease may further comprise administering one or more DNA-damaging therapy in combination with administration of the pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for and involving selectively targeting tumor lymphatics.

Abstract: The eyeglass frame is an improved eyeglass frame with dislocating joints. The dislocating joints prevent damage to the eyeglass frame when external forces are applied to the structure and allow for the frame to be disconnected, if so desired. The joints dislocate without completely separating from the other components of the eyeglass frame or becoming damaged, and the joints can be quickly reconnected without tools.

Abstract: The present invention is based in part on the identification of a signature marker profile of immune variables to diagnose an immune mediated disease or for prediction of response to an immune mediated disease therapeutic agent. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for the prediction of response to an immune mediated disease therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention provides Bcl-G polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids. Bcl-G polypeptides include Bcl-GL and Bcl-GS. The invention also provides mouse Bcl-G. The invention also provides vectors containing Bcl-G nucleic acids, host cells containing such vectors, Bcl-G anti-sense nucleic acids and related compositions. The invention additionally provides Bcl-G oligonucleotides that can be used to hybridize to or amplify a Bcl-G nucleic acid. Anti-Bcl-G specific antibodies are also provided. Further provided are kits containing Bcl-G nucleic acids or Bcl-G specific antibodies. Such kits and reagents can be used to diagnose cancer, monitor response to therapy, or predict the prognosis of a cancer patient. The invention additionally provides methods of modulating apoptosis using Bcl-G polypeptides, encoding nucleic acids, or compounds that modulate the activity or expression of Bcl-G polypeptides. The methods for modulating apoptosis can be used to treat diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: An adjustable tongue-positioning device for an oral gag device has a shaft portion with a vertical shaft adapted for slideably engaging with an oral gag device, an engagement bead attached to a support, the support attached to the vertical shaft, an engagement ring attached to the vertical shaft. The tongue positioning device also has an adjustable tongue portion with at least one tongue depressor portion having a slot adapted for engaging with the engagement bead of the shaft portion, and a flexible ratchet adapted for engaging with the engagement ring of the shaft portion. In operation the adjustable tongue portion is engaged with the engagement ring and bead of the shaft portion, and the shaft portion with an adjustment mechanism of an oral gag.