Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for the inhibition of biofilm formation or reduction of existing or developing biofilms in a patient. These methods also inhibit the aggregation of bacteria that form biofilms in the airways. The methods include administering to a subject that has or is at risk of developing biofilms a compound or formulation that inhibits the formation or polymerization of actin microfilaments or depolymerizes actin microfilaments at or proximal to the site of biofilm formation. Such a compound can be administered in combination with a compound or formulation that inhibits the accumulation or activity of cells that are likely to undergo necrosis at or proximal to the site of biofilm formation (i.e., neutrophils). The methods and compositions can further include the use of anti-DNA and/or anti-mucin compounds, as well as other therapeutic compounds and compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of inhibiting biofilm formation or reducing biofilms in a subject or on a device or surface by administering a charged compound such as a polyamino acid to a subject, device or surface. The invention also relates to compositions for inhibiting biofilm formation or reducing biofilms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel immortalized precursor cell populations derived from embryonic stem cell populations and methods to produce such cell populations. Also disclosed is an assay to identify regulatory compounds capable of controlling cell growth for therapeutic and experimental use.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method of preventing or treating diabetes using low molecular weight antioxidants. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of protecting and/or enhancing viability of cells/tissues/organs during isolation (harvesting), preservation, expansion and/or transplantation. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of inducing immune tolerance. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: A joint aspirate-facilitating device is provided including a flexible main panel that is secured to the joint to be aspirated. An inflatable bladder is secured to the main panel and is placed in contact with the soft tissues overlying and surrounding the joint space. The bladder is used to apply pressure to selected areas of the joint to compress the fluid sacs in the joint. An access opening is formed in the main panel designating the location where joint fluid is to be aspirated. The joint fluid is directed to flow to the area of the joint exposed at the access opening based on the shape of the bladder that compresses surrounding areas of the fluid sacs. A conventional hand pump may pressurize the bladder or the bladder may be filled with a viscous gel material to generate pressure. Multiple access openings may be formed on the main panel designating locations where aspiration is to be conducted.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-human animal models, and preferably, rodent models, and more preferably, mouse models, of B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL). In particular, the present invention provides animal models of B cell NHL including, B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia/lymphoma (B-CLL), Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), Follicular-like lymphoma (FLL) and Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), as well as various methods for producing these non-human animal models. These animal models, as well as cell lines produced from or derived from these models, are useful tools for a variety of methods, including, but not limited to, preclinical testing of drug candidates, and particularly drug candidates that are specific for human proteins, and any research, development, pharmaceutical, or clinical purpose, including but not limited to, the identification, development, and/or testing of drugs (therapeutics, prophylactics, etc.

Abstract: Particular members of the multisubunit immune recognition receptor (MIRR) family of receptors, specifically, the B cell antigen receptor (BCR), the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR), the pro-B cell receptor (pro-BCR), Ig Fc receptors (FcR), and NK receptors, can be physically uncoupled from their associated transducers. The invention describes regulatory compounds and methods for mimicking such dissociation/destabilization for the purposes of receptor desensitization and for treatment of conditions in which receptor desensitization or alternatively, enhanced or prolonged receptor sensitization, is desirable. Compounds and methods for enhancing or prolonging receptor sensitization are also disclosed, as are methods for identifying regulatory compounds suitable for use in the present methods.

Abstract: An in vitro method for the differentiation of functionally mature neutrophils from stem cells is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of producing genetically modified neutrophils in vitro and methods of using the neutrophils produced according to the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for decreasing the viscosity and/or cohesiveness of and/or increasing the liquefaction of excessively or abnormally viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum. The composition contains a protein or peptide containing a thioredoxin active-site in reduced state and optionally further contains a reducing system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of using soluble ?? T cell receptors to regulate a ?? T cell-mediated immune response in a mammal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a panel of biomarkers associated with angiogenesis, and the use of such biomarkers (genes, proteins, homologues and analogs thereof) to regulate angiogenesis. Methods for identifying compounds useful for regulating angiogenesis and conditions related thereto are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are Cystatin C (CysC) homologues, including CystC homologues that act as antagonists or inhibitors of transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?). Also disclosed are methods to identify CystC homologues that are antagonists or inhibitors of TGF-? and compositions and therapeutic methods using CystC and homologues thereof to regulate the activity of TGF-?, and TGF-?-mediated tumor malignancy and invasion and other TGF-?-mediated fibrotic or proliferative conditions and diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to protect a mammal from a disease associated with an inflammatory response, and in particular, from an inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness and/or a Th2-type immune response. The method includes administration of a heat shock protein to a mammal having such a disease. Formulations useful in the present method are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to cancer therapy, and, in particular, to a method of preventing or treating cancer using low molecular weight antioxidants (e.g., mimetics of superoxide dismutase (SOD)) as the active agent or as a chemo- and/or radio-protectant. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such a method.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for conditionally immortalizing stem cells, including adult and embryonic stem cells, the cells produced by such methods, therapeutic and laboratory or research methods of using such cells, and methods to identify compounds related to cell differentiation and development or to treat diseases, using such cells. A mouse model of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and cells and methods related to such mouse model are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for decreasing the viscosity and/or cohesiveness of and/or increasing the liquefaction of excessively or abnormally viscous or cohesive mucus or sputum. The composition contains a protein or peptide containing a thioredoxin active-site in reduced state and optionally further contains a reducing system.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of modulating physiological and pathological processes and, in particular, to a method of modulating cellular levels of oxidants and thereby processes in which such oxidants are a participant. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rapid, non-invasive and highly specific and sensitive diagnostic assay for the identification of individuals with autoimmune chronic urticaria, which makes use of CD203c, and in some embodiments, additional proteins, as a marker for the disease. Test kits for diagnosis of an individual suspected of having autoimmune chronic urticaria are also disclosed. Also disclosed are a method of identifying compounds useful for treating autoimmune chronic urticaria and a method of treating autoimmune chronic urticaria.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for evaluating the activation of Bcl10 in a cell in response to a putative stimulus, as well as methods for evaluating or identifying a regulatory compound which regulates activation of Bcl10-mediated signal transduction. These methods utilize the discovery of the activation-dependent formation in a cell of Bcl10 aggregates in a cell.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for assessing tumor cell growth in a patient for the diagnosis, monitoring and/or staging of tumor development. The method include the identification of reduced cdk6 expression or biological activity as an indicator of increased cell growth in a cell sample. The methods further include the identification of compounds which regulate cdk6 and the use of such compounds in a method for the regulation of inappropriate cell growth.