Abstract: A magnetic resonance contrast agent has a medium, and a contrast structure dispersed in the medium. The contrast structure comprises a magnetic material arranged to create a local region of a local magnetic field such that nuclear magnetic moments of a material when arranged within the local region precess at a characteristic Larmor frequency about a total magnetic field in the local region while in use, the characteristic Larmor frequency being identifiable with the contrast structure, and the total magnetic field in the local region being a substantially spatially uniform magnetic field.

Abstract: Techniques include performing text mining on a set of case reports in text format to determine a set of grammar rules to be used to determine whether case reports meet a medical condition. The text mining includes performing feature selection, used to determine the set of grammar rules, that combines standardized case definitions with experience of medical officers for the medical condition and outputting the set of grammar rules. Another technique includes applying grammar rule(s) to new case report(s), the grammar rule(s) previously determined at least by performing text mining comprised of performing feature selection, used to determine the set of grammar rules, that combines standardized case definitions with experience of medical officers for the medical condition. Indication(s) are output of whether the new case report(s) meet or do not meet the medical condition. The techniques may be performed by a method, an apparatus, and a program product.

Abstract: A method of testing bacterial cells for antimicrobial susceptibility includes preparing a suspension of the bacterial cells in a non-nutrient medium, mixing with the suspension an antimicrobial, a carbohydrate usable by the bacterial cells, metallic nanoparticles, and a lectin, and incubating the mixture while monitoring a parameter of the nanoparticles responsive to use of the carbohydrate by the bacterial cells. More broadly stated, the invention includes a method of testing an agent for its effect on cell metabolism by preparing a suspension of cells in a non-nutrient medium, mixing the suspension with the agent, adding a carbohydrate usable by the cells, metallic nanoparticles, and a lectin with binding specificity for the added carbohydrate, and monitoring a nanoparticle parameter responsive to the cells.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a recombinant bacterium capable of eliciting an immune response against Streptococcus pneumoniae, a vaccine comprising the bacterium, and methods of using the bacterium.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for echoperiodontal imaging. In one embodiment, a system includes a transducer configured to transmit a series of ultrasonic signals at a plurality of corresponding locations along soft tissue of a jaw and receive a plurality of echo signals; and an imaging system controller configured to obtain a plurality of echo signal data of the soft tissue and a plurality of transducer positions, where each echo signal data corresponds to one of the plurality of transducer position.

Abstract: The invention described herein pertains to substituted azaindenoisoquinoline compounds, in particular 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-azaindenoisoquinoline compounds, which are inhibitors of topoisomerase I, processes and intermediates for their syntheses, pharmaceutical compositions of the compounds, and methods of using them in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Methods for identifying new therapeutic activities for known therapeutic agents, as well as systems for practicing the same, are provided. Aspects of the invention further include are methods and compositions for the treatment of an acute graft rejection (AR).

Abstract: Disclosed are adenosine derivatives, methods for the synthesis thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases, comprising the same as an active ingredient. The adenosine derivatives have high binding affinity and selectivity for adenosine receptors, especially for A3 adenosine receptors and act as A3 adenosine receptor antagonists, and exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, the adenosine derivatives are useful in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining efficacy of a cyclodextrin therapy in a subject afflicted with a disorder involving oxysterol accumulation. These methods comprise: obtaining a first body fluid sample from the subject prior to cyclodextrin administration; administering cyclodextrin; obtaining at least one second body fluid sample after the cyclodextrin administration; subjecting the body fluid samples to chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis to determine concentration of 24-hydroxycholesterol and/or cholestane-3?,5?,6?-triol; and determining magnitude of difference between the 24-hydroxycholesterol and/or cholestane-3?,5?,6?-triol concentration of the body fluid samples, whereby an increase or stabilization of 24-hydroxycholesterol concentration, or a reduction of cholestane-3?,5?,6?-triol concentration in the at least one second sample compared to the first sample, indicates efficacy of the cyclodextrin therapy.

Abstract: Novel thrombin/prothrombin protease/zymogen variants which have anticoagulation activity and methods of use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic device comprises pumps, valves, and fluid oscillation dampers. In a device employed for sorting, an entity is flowed by the pump along a flow channel through a detection region to a junction. Based upon an identity of the entity determined in the detection region, a waste or collection valve located on opposite branches of the flow channel at the junction are actuated, thereby routing the entity to either a waste pool or a collection pool. A damper structure may be located between the pump and the junction. The damper reduces the amplitude of oscillation pressure in the flow channel due to operation of the pump, thereby lessening oscillation in velocity of the entity during sorting process. The microfluidic device may be formed in a block of elastomer material, with thin membranes of the elastomer material deflectable into the flow channel to provide pump or valve functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of autism. More specifically, the present invention provides methods for treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating patients with autism spectrum disorder. In one embodiment, a method for treating an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a patient comprises the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of cholesterol to the patient. In more specific embodiments, the ASD is autism, Asperger's disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), Rett's syndrome and childhood disintegrative disorder. In one embodiment, the patient has autism.

Abstract: A method and system for automated view planning for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquisition is disclosed. The method and system automatically generate a full scan prescription using a single 3D MRI volume. The left ventricle (LV) is segmented in the 3D MRI volume. Cardiac landmarks are detected in the automatically prescribed slices. A full scan prescription, including a short axis stack and 2-chamber, 3-chamber, and 4-chamber views, is automatically generated based on cardiac anchors provided by the segmented left ventricle and the detected cardiac landmarks in the 3D MRI volume.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cross-linked material comprising conjugates which include two or more separate affinity ligands bound to a non-polymeric framework, wherein the molecular weight of the non-polymeric framework is less than 10,000 Da; and multivalent cross-linking agents that non-covalently bind the affinity ligands of the conjugates and thereby cross-link the conjugates to form a cross-linked material, wherein the non-covalent bonds between the multivalent cross-linking agents and the affinity ligands are competitively dissociated in the presence of excess amounts of a target molecule. The present disclosure also provides methods of making and methods of using these materials. In other aspects, the present disclosure provides exemplary conjugates including conjugates for use in glucose responsive cross-linked materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing vascular dementia in a mammal comprising mucosal administration of an amount of E-selectin polypeptide sufficient to induce bystander immune tolerance in the mammal. Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions useful for treating or preventing vascular dementia.

Abstract: Methods, assays, and kits for determining a cancer's (e.g., breast cancer) metastatic potential and tumor aggressiveness in a subject (e.g., a human patient) and for measuring a subject's response to cancer therapy involve analyzing expression of Sema7A in a biological sample from the subject, and correlating increased expression of Sema7A in the biological sample compared to a control sample with metastatic potential of the cancer, wherein the expression of Sema7A is linearly proportional to the metastatic potential of the cancer in the subject. These methods, kits and assays provide for individualized diagnosis and treatment options for cancer (e.g., breast cancer) patients. They can be used independently, or can be combined with additional diagnostic tests and/or prognostic methods. Compositions, kits and methods for treating a subject having cancer (e.g., breast cancer) include administering a composition for inhibiting Sema7A expression or activity to the subject.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing rejection by an immune system of a recipient subject of a tissue transplanted from a donor subject into the recipient subject without the need for long-term administration of non-specific immunosuppressive drugs.

Abstract: Methods and therapeutic treatments of ocular diseases are provided including applying peg-Arginase I to affected eyes. Methods are provided that simultaneously treat inflammation and neovascularization of eyes while promoting healing. Methods are provided to treat lesions or infections of an eye.

Abstract: Surface-modified polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), compositions for making them, and their use in drug delivery are disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for identifying agents useful for the treatment of proteinopathies.