Abstract: A system and method for producing an image of a vasculature of a subject using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes applying a saturation pulse to a prescribed imaging slice to substantially suppress MR signals in the prescribed imaging slice. A quiescent inflow time period (QITP) is observed that is at least equal to half a projected duration of a cardiac cycle of the subject. After the QITP, k-space data is acquired from the prescribed imaging slice, and a subset of the data representative of a desired portion of the cardiac cycle of the subject is reconstructed into an image of the subject including at least the prescribed imaging slice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection of cancer, or assessment of risk of development thereof. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods detection of field carcinogenesis by identification of ultrastructural and molecular markers in a subject.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing Clostridium difficile infection and compounds used in the methods are provided. The diagnostic methods are specific and sensitive methods for detecting a host cell response and, in some aspects, a target response, i.e. a Clostridium difficile toxin, in an individual infected with Clostridium difficile. The methods comprise detecting in a stool specimen or fluid exposed to the stool specimen a Clostridium difficile toxin, or a fragment thereof, and an increase in a colonic epithelial cell protein exemplified by a non-muscle tropomyosin. Also provided are kits comprising reagents for detecting host cell proteins and Clostridium difficile toxins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection of cancer, or assessment of risk of development thereof. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods detection of field carcinogenesis by identification of ultrastructural and molecular markers in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, devices, and methods for cell collection and/or cell smearing (e.g., on a slide). In particular, provided herein is an cell collection device, a translating slide holder, systems comprising such devices, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A method for non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of a three-dimensional (3D) volume of a subject having a vascular structure extending through the 3D volume and having flowing spins passing through vascular structure. The method includes applying at least one radiofrequency (RF) pulse to a first slice to label the flowing spins passing into a second slice located within the 3D volume adjacent to the first slice and acquiring imaging data from the second slice using a two-dimensional (2D) pulse sequence and sampling k-space using a non-Cartesian sampling pattern. The acquisition of the of the imaging data is repeated to acquire a series of second slices located across the 3D volume to acquire respective sets of imaging data spanning the 3D volume. The sets of imaging data is reconstructed into a time-series of image frames depicting the flowing spins passing through the vascular structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection of cancer, or assessment of risk of development thereof. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods detection of field carcinogenesis by identification of ultrastructural and molecular markers in a subject.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, methods are provided for the prevention and/or treatment of enteropathogenic bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract of a subject, and the diarrhea associated with the infection, by administration to the subject of a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol, as well concurrent administration with other antibiotic and antidiarrheal agents. Methods for reduction or suppression of inflammation, and inhibition of ?1-integrin expression in the gastrointestinal mucosa are also provided. Also described is a kit suitable for use with the methods disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG) are disclosed for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). Methods for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of HNSCC comprising administering an effective amount of PEG are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for suppressing the surface expression of EGFR using PEG.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing Clostridium difficile infection and compounds used in the methods are provided. The diagnostic methods are specific and sensitive methods for detecting a host cell response and, in some aspects, a target response, i.e. a Clostridium difficile toxin, in an individual infected with Clostridium difficile. The methods comprise detecting in a stool specimen or fluid exposed to the stool specimen a Clostridium difficile toxin, or a fragment thereof, and an increase in a colonic epithelial cell protein exemplified by a non-muscle tropomyosin. Also provided are kits comprising reagents for detecting host cell proteins and Clostridium difficile toxins.

Abstract: A method for non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of a three-dimensional (3D) volume of a subject having a vascular structure extending through the 3D volume and having flowing spins passing through vascular structure. The method includes applying at least one radiofrequency (RF) pulse to a first slice to label the flowing spins passing into a second slice located within the 3D volume adjacent to the first slice and acquiring imaging data from the second slice using a two-dimensional (2D) pulse sequence and sampling k-space using a non-Cartesian sampling pattern. The acquisition of the of the imaging data is repeated to acquire a series of second slices located across the 3D volume to acquire respective sets of imaging data spanning the 3D volume. The sets of imaging data is reconstructed into a time-series of image frames depicting the flowing spins passing through the vascular structure.

Abstract: A sequence of magnetic resonance images of the beating heart depicts the flow of blood through the heart chambers. Blood appears bright and background tissues are darkened by acquiring MR data following a preparatory pulse sequence in which spin magnetization throughout the field of view is inverted using a non-selective RF inversion pulse and spin magnetization in a selected pool of blood moving into the heart is re-inverted by a selective RF inversion pulse.

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 for producing background-suppressed MR images with improved resistance to subject motion and noise, particularly that associated with parallel imaging techniques. An MRI system is employed to acquire two sets of undersampled k-space data under different scan conditions. A differential k-space data set is then formed by complex, pairwise subtraction of the two undersampled k-space data sets and a background-suppressed MR is reconstructed from the differential k-space data set using an accelerated reconstruction technique, such as GRAPPA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detection of cancer, or assessment of risk of development thereof. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods detection of field carcinogenesis by identification of ultrastructural and molecular markers in a subject.

Abstract: A system and method enables the creation of medical images using data related to ghost artifacts. The method thus allows components of an imaged subject to be segmented based on state changes in the components that lead to the controlled production of ghost artifacts. This is achieved in MR by performed a pulse sequence so that multiple sets of MR data are acquired in which the signals from a target tissue vary across the data sets while the signals from a background tissue do not vary across the data sets. A composite data set is generated by populating selected k-space lines of the composite data set with information from a first MR data set and populating the remaining k-space lines of the composite data set with information from a second MR data set. An MR image is then reconstructed from the composite data set.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses of elastic light scattering spectroscopy and low-coherence enhanced backscattering spectroscopy are described here.

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: Systems and methods for identifying refractive-index fluctuations of a target are described in this application. One embodiment includes identifying one or more properties of emergent light, the emergent light to be emergent from a target, and determining refractive-index fluctuations of the target based on the one or more properties of the emergent light. The determining refractive-index fluctuations further comprises determining one or more of the variance of the refractive-index fluctuations and the spatial correlation length of the refractive-index fluctuations. The determining refractive-index fluctuations further comprises determining one or more of the variance of the refractive-index fluctuations and the spatial correlation length of the refractive-index fluctuations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying refractive-index fluctuations of a target are described in this application. One embodiment includes identifying one or more properties of emergent light, the emergent light to be emergent from a target, and determining refractive-index fluctuations of the target based on the one or more properties of the emergent light. The determining refractive-index fluctuations further comprises determining one or more of the variance of the refractive-index fluctuations and the spatial correlation length of the refractive-index fluctuations. The determining refractive-index fluctuations further comprises determining one or more of the variance of the refractive-index fluctuations and the spatial correlation length of the refractive-index fluctuations.