Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of PET imaging in a subject for diagnosis and/or treatment of cardiovascular related disease. The method comprises exponential function dosing based on subject body habitus. It provides improved and consistent imaging quality in comparison to fixed or linear dosing based on subject's body weight. More particularly, it relates to a method of imaging processing for diagnosing and/or identifying a risk of developing a coronary artery disease comprising administering a dose of Rb-82 to a subject, wherein the dose is calculated based on exponential squared function of body habitus of the subject; and wherein the method of imaging processing in a subject is iterative ordered-subset expectation maximization (OSEM) reconstruction method.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cardiac explant-derived stem cell (EDC), the cell comprising a gene encoding an intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel, and wherein the gene causes an overexpression of the intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel, and methods of producing same. There is also disclosed a method of producing engineered EDCs having a modulated bioelectric property, the method comprising: obtaining EDCs; introducing a KCNN4 gene into the EDCs to increase the expression of KCa3.1 channels, to produce engineered EDCs. There is also disclosed a composition for treating or ameliorating a damaged myocardium in a subject, the composition comprising extracellular vesicles isolated from cultures of engineered EDCs. There is also disclosed a method for treating or ameliorating a damaged myocardium in a subject, comprising administering the engineered EDCs or the extracellular vesicles isolated from cultures of engineered EDCs to the damaged myocardium of the subject.

Abstract: Provided herein are biocompatible and/or biodegradable hydrogel compositions comprising native collagen and chondroitin sulfate, the collagen and chondroitin sulfate being chemically cross-linked thereby forming a matrix. The native collagen may comprise recombinant human collagen type I (rHCI), recombinant human collagen type III (rHCIII), or a combination thereof, for example. Methods and uses thereof for regeneration or repair of tissue, improvement of tissue function, mechanical stabilization of tissue, prevention of tissue damage, or prevention of tissue loss of function are described, particularly with respect to cardiac tissue and myocardial infarction events.

Abstract: Methods for generating serum-free and/or xenogen-free cardiac explant-derived stem cells (EDC) are provided. These methods may include providing an initial cardiac explant, which has been minced and digested; plating the initial cardiac explant; culturing the plated cardiac explant in serum-free and xenogen-free medium; harvesting EDC cells surrounding or emerging from the plated cardiac explant; and optionally performing static expansion of harvested EDC cells in serum-free and xenogen-free media. Serum-free and/or xenogen-free cardiac EDC cells produced by these methods, as well as methods and uses thereof for the treatment of heart failure in a subject in need thereof, are also provided.

Abstract: Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) has been identified herein as a therapeutic target for the treatment or prevention of heart diseases, metabolic diseases, and other related disease or conditions. IGFBP7 inhibitors having IGFBP7 expression and/or activity reducing properties are described herein. Treatment methods, and uses, relating to such IGFBP7 inhibitors for the treatment or prevention of heart failure, IGFBP7-related metabolic diseases, and related diseases or conditions are provided.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions of an linoleic phospholipid for inhibiting inflammatory pathways or neurodegenerative processes. Also provided are uses of such compositions and methods of inhibiting inflammatory or neurodegenerative processes by administering a composition that includes an linoleic phospholipid and optionally a carrier to a cell, cell culture or subject in need of such treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a synthetic or naturally occurring charged phospholipid, which is formulated into a dosage form for administration to a subject or which is administered as a food additive. Negatively charged phospholipid composition increase the net negative charge on intravascular lipoproteins, enhance the clearance of cholesterol and regulate the function of lipolytic enzymes, retard prothrombin formation and aid in the clearance of virus and bacterial particles. Negatively charged lipid compositions can therefore be administered to humans and animals for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and blood coagulation disorders and to reduce the levels of virus, bacteria, and endotoxins in the blood stream. Positively charged lipid compositions can be administered to delay lipoprotein clearance from the plasma compartment and give longer duration of activity for drugs which are associated with lipoproteins.

Abstract: A method of reducing cholesterol in a subject is provided. The method may be used to decrease serum cholesterol and/or arterial wall cholesterol. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), or a co-factor, variant or analogue thereof. The method may be used to treat, prevent or reverse cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis); to decrease atherosclerotic lesion formation or rupture; to decrease apoptosis within a plaque; to decrease macrophage accumulation; and/or to reverse the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque mass in a subject. Kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising HSP27 for preventing or treating of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of preventing or treating cardiovascular disease is provided. The method comprises administering heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), a co-factor, variant or analogue thereof. The cardiovascular disease can include atherosclerosis. A pharmaceutical composition comprising HSP27 for use in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing or detecting cardiomyopathies or myocarditis in a patient following an infection. The method comprises obtaining a sample of a biological fluid from the patient, and determining the level of a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) or a fragment thereof, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) or a fragment thereof, or both, within the sample of body fluid. The current invention also relates to the monitoring of treatment of cardiomyopathies or myocarditis as a result of an infection, by determining the levels of BNP or a fragment thereof, ANF or a fragment thereof, or both, at one or more than period prior to and optionally subsequent to, treatment. The step of determining the concentration of BNP or ANF involves an assay comprising at least one antibody exhibiting affinity for the BNP or a fragment thereof, ANF or a fragment thereof, and the biological fluid comprises plasma, urine or cerebrospinal fluid.

Abstract: Peptide sequences of human and murine muscle lamin A/C interacting protein and nucleotide sequences encoding same and are provided. Uses of the muscle lamin A/C interacting protein are also provided herein.

Abstract: An 82Sr/82Rb generator column is made using a fluid impervious cylindrical container having a cover for closing the container in a fluid tight seal, and further having an inlet for connection of a conduit for delivering a fluid into the container and an outlet for connection of a conduit for conducting the fluid from the container. An ion exchange material fills the container, the ion exchange material being compacted within the container to a density that permits the ion exchange material to be eluted at a rate of at least 5 ml/min at a fluid pressure of 1.5 pounds per square inch (10 kPa). The generator column can be repeatedly recharged with 82Sr. The generator column is compatible with either three-dimensional or two-dimensional positron emission tomography systems.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising an arterial natriuretic factor (ANF) amino acid sequence linked to an albumin amino acid sequence by one or more peptide bonds is provided. The ANF amino acid sequence may be linked to the N-terminal, the C-terminal, or both the N-terminal and the C-terminal of the albumin amino acid sequence. Also provided is a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein and a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule. Methods for treating or preventing cardiovascular or renal disease comprising administration of an effective amount of the fusion protein, or nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reducing cholesterol in a subject is provided. The method may be used to decrease serum cholesterol and/or arterial wall cholesterol. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), or a co-factor, variant or analogue thereof. The method may be used to treat, prevent or reverse cardiovascular disease (including atherosclerosis); to decrease atherosclerotic lesion formation or rupture; to decrease apoptosis within a plaque; to decrease macrophage accumulation; and/or to reverse the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque mass in a subject. Kits and pharmaceutical compositions comprising HSP27 for preventing or treating of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, are also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling an 82Sr/82Rb elution system having a generator valve for proportioning a flow of saline solution between an 82Sr/82Rb generator and a bypass line coupled to an outlet of the generator such that saline solution traversing the bypass line will merge with eluted saline solution emerging from the generator to provide an active saline solution. During each elution run, a plurality of successive concentration parameter values are obtained at predetermined intervals. Each concentration parameter value is indicative of a respective instantaneous activity concentration of the active saline solution. Respective error values between each concentration parameter value and a target activity concentration value of the elution run are computed. Error data based on a plurality of the computed error values is accumulated. Between successive elution runs, at least one performance parameter of the elution system is adjusted based on the accumulated error data.

Abstract: A device having a kinase inhibitor for treating or preventing vascular disease in a subject and a method of treating a subject therewith, is disclosed. The device can be a stent coated with the kinase inhibitor. The kinase inhibitor can be a glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) inhibitor, such as a GSK-3? inhibitor. Coronary artery disease and ischemic heart disease can be treated.

Abstract: Peptide sequences of human and murine muscle lamin A/C interacting protein and nucleotide sequences encoding same and are provided. Uses of the muscle lamin A/C interacting protein are also provided herein.

Abstract: A method of preventing or treating cardiovascular disease is provided. The method comprises administering heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), a co-factor, variant or analogue thereof. The cardiovascular disease can include atherosclerosis. A pharmaceutical composition comprising HSP27 for use in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a synthetic or naturally occurring charged phospholipid, which is formulated into a dosage form for administration to a subject or which is administered as a food additive. Negatively charged phospholipid composition increase the net negative charge on intravascular lipoproteins, enhance the clearance of cholesterol and regulate the function of lipolytic enzymes, retard prothrombin formation and aid in the clearance of virus and bacterial particles. Negatively charged lipid compositions can therefore be administered to humans and animals for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and blood coagulation disorders and to reduce the levels of virus, bacteria, and endotoxins in the blood stream. Positively charged lipid compositions can be administered to delay lipoprotein clearance from the plasma compartment and give longer duration of activity for drugs which are associated with lipoproteins.

Abstract: A method of controlling an 82Sr/82Rb elution system having a generator valve for proportioning a flow of saline solution between an 82Sr/82Rb generator and a bypass line coupled to an outlet of the generator such that saline solution traversing the bypass line will merge with eluted saline solution emerging from the generator to provide an active saline solution. During each elution run, a plurality of successive concentration parameter values are obtained at predetermined intervals. Each concentration parameter value is indicative of a respective instantaneous activity concentration of the active saline solution. Respective error values between each concentration parameter value and a target activity concentration value of the elution run are computed. Error data based on a plurality of the computed error values is accumulated. Between successive elution runs, at least one performance parameter of the elution system is adjusted based on the accumulated error data.