Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) through the administration to a subject in need thereof at least one nucleic acid encoding at least a portion of at least one of toxin A and toxin B.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful to monitor central and peripheral nervous system neuron/axon destruction resulting from an increase in acute phase inflammatory enzymes. The methods have applicability to monitoring the progress of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, as well as neuroinflammatory damage that results from sports injuries, vigorous physical activity or any form of physical abuse. The invention further relates to methods of treating multiple sclerosis or other diseases with an inflammatory component related to phospholipase A2.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the presence or absence, or the level of, sPLA2 activity in a fluid sample. The device includes an absorbent matrix that defines a flow path for a fluid sample, a first region of the absorbent matrix for applying a fluid sample, where one of the components selected from a bioactive sPLA2 substrate and a label is dried onto or within the first region of the absorbent matrix, a second region of the absorbent matrix downstream of, and in fluid communication with, the first region for detecting an aggregated reaction product, where the other component not present in the first region is dried onto or within the second region of the absorbent matrix.

Abstract: Aspects of the present subject matter are directed to a method comprising contacting an fluid, optionally containing an added organic material, with a non-thermal plasma to form a disinfection composition, wherein the disinfection composition is a liquid, and contacting a surface with the disinfection composition, wherein the surface is at least partially disinfected upon contact with the disinfection composition. Additional aspects of the present subject matter are directed to a method comprising forming a disinfection composition by contacting an organic material with a non-thermal plasma, wherein the disinfection composition is a liquid. A further aspect of the present subject matter is directed to a disinfection composition comprising an organic material contacted by a non-thermal plasma, wherein the disinfection composition is a liquid.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring an elastic modulus and a shear modulus and a method for evaluating a tissue. The invention pertains to a method for determining the presence of and/or characterizing abnormal growths, using a piezoelectric finger sensor (PEFS) system. The PEFS system may be particularly useful for screening for tumors and various forms of cancer. Additionally, the PEFS system may be useful for various dermatological applications.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention comprise triazolopyrimidines useful for the treatment of hepatitis virus in a patient.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) through the administration to a subject in need thereof at least one nucleic acid encoding at least a portion of at least one of toxin A and toxin B.

Abstract: A method for tumor screening using urine of a mammal, the method includes obtaining a total urine nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) from a urine sample of a mammal, extracting a high molecular weight urine nucleic acid (above 1000 bp) by contacting the total urine nucleic acid with an adsorbent in the presence of a buffer which promotes binding of the high molecular weight urine nucleic acid to the adsorbent, replacing the buffer which promotes binding of the high molecular weight urine nucleic acid with a buffer which promotes binding of the low molecular weight urine nucleic acid to the adsorbent, extracting the low molecular weight urine nucleic acid by contacting with the adsorbent, eluting the low molecular weight urine nucleic acid, and assaying the low molecular weight urine nucleic acid for a presence or absence of a gene sequence specific to a certain type of tumor.

Abstract: The invention includes novel methods of treating or preventing fibrosis in a subject afflicted with scleroderma, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits formation of at least one inflammasome signaling product in the subject.

Abstract: This invention describes a relevant etiology of cancer and a novel anti-cancer therapeutic strategy, based on the discovery that a protein named serine protease inhibitor (SPIK/SPINK/PSTI) was up-regulated by hepatitis B and C virus infections consequently suppressing the cell apoptosis. Accordingly, this invention provides an inhibitor of SPIK and/or a technology of suppression of over-expression of SPIK in cells. The inhibitors include: 1) chemical compounds, which can inhibit SPIK transcripts, protein activity, and gene expression, 2) SPIK siRNA (RNAi gene silence or dsRNA of SPIK, 3) DNA anti-sense and anti-SPIK antibody. Further, this invention provides a method of using the inhibitor as an anti-cancer agent to re-instate cancer cell apoptosis (e.g., serine protease dependent cell apoptosis). Also provided is an anti-SPIK antibody specific for an epitope comprising the first nine amino acids of intact SPIK.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor system for measuring an elastic modulus and a shear modulus and a method for using the sensor system to evaluate a tissue by determining the presence of and/or characterizing abnormal growths. The method involves applying a set of forces of different magnitudes to one or more locations of tissue, detecting the corresponding displacements due to said applied forces, determining the forces acting on those locations of tissue which are a combination of forces from the applied voltages and the countering forces from tissue deformation, obtaining the elastic modulus and/or shear modulus for a plurality of locations, and determining abnormal growth invasiveness, malignancy or the presence of a tumor from said elastic and/or shear moduli.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a class of compounds known as splice modulating oligonucleotides (SMOs) that modulate pre-mRNA splicing, thereby affecting expression and functionality of a specific protein in a cell. The present invention further provides compositions and methods for modulating pre-mRNA splicing using a SMO of the invention to abrogate disease-causing mutations in a protein. Accordingly, the present invention provides compositions and methods of treating a subject at risk of, susceptible to, or having a disease, disorder, or condition associated with aberrant or unwanted target pre-mRNA expression or activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing hypercoagulability associated with carbon monoxide exposure in a subject. The method comprises obtaining a plasma sample from the subject, dividing the sample into at least two portions, and determining the clot strength of the first portion. The method further comprises exposing the second portion to an organic reductant, determining the clot strength of the second portion after exposure to the organic reductant, and comparing the clot strength of the first portion with the clot strength of the second portion. A diagnosis of hypercogulability associated with carbon monoxide exposure is made when the clot strength of the second portion is decreased compared with the cloth strength of the first portion.

Abstract: Optical changes of tissue during wound healing measured by Near Infrared and Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy are shown to correlate with histologic changes. Near Infrared absorption coefficient correlated with blood vessel in-growth over time, while Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS) data correlated with collagen concentration. Changes of optical properties of wound tissue at greater depths are also quantified by Diffuse Photon Density Wave (DPDW) methodology at near infrared wavelengths. The diffusion equation for semi-infinite media is used to calculate the absorption and scattering coefficients based on measurements of phase and amplitude with a frequency domain or time domain device. An increase in the absorption and scattering coefficients and a decrease in blood saturation of the wounds compared to the non wounded sites was observed. The changes correlated with the healing stage of the wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing levodopa-induced dyskinesia in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention. The present invention further provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing Parkinson's Disease in a patient, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing levodopa-induced dyskinesia in a patient suffering from Parkinson's Disease, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention. The present invention further provides a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing Parkinson's Disease in a patient, comprising the step of administering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound of the invention.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods useful for the diagnosis, assessment, and characterization of neuropathic pain in a subject in need thereof, based upon the expression level of at least one miRNA or snoRNA that is associated with neuropathic pain.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for measuring a state of anesthesia in a noninvasive manner. Optical techniques may be used to measure changes in a functional near-infrared (fNIR) signal, where the fNIR signal is received in response to directing wavelengths of light in a near-infrared range on a patient. The optical density change may be used to obtain a change in deoxyhemoglobin (deoxy-Hb) concentration and/or a change in an oxyhemoglobin concentration (oxy-Hb). The changes in the deoxy-Hb and/or the oxy-Hb may then be compared to determine a state of anesthesia. The effect of artifacts (e.g., strong surgery room lighting, patient-table tilting, patient intubation/extubation) on the fNIR signal may be removed using a noise removal algorithm. In selecting the noise removal algorithm, a switching technique may be used to select the component analysis algorithm, such as a principal component analysis (PCA), an independent component analysis (ICA), or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods useful to monitor central and peripheral nervous system neuron/axon destruction resulting from an increase in acute phase inflammatory enzymes. The methods have applicability to monitoring the progress of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease, as well as neuroinflammatory damage that results from sports injuries, vigorous physical activity or any form of physical abuse. The invention further relates to methods of treating multiple sclerosis or other diseases with an inflammatory component related to phospholipase A2.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of enhancing CD8+ T cell mediated immunity (also referred to as “CD8+ T cell immunity”) in a patient having a diseased state. In particular, the present invention provides for the enhanced expression of miR-155 in a population of patient specific T cells through the introduction of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a miR-155 transcript or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimeric antigen receptor and a miR-155 transcript into those cells, followed by the reintroduction of the T cells into the patient. The present invention also provides methods of enhancing the expansion of these T cells relative to control cells. Increased expansion of CD8+ T cells following enhanced miR-155 expression is directly related to enhanced CD8+ T cell immunity. The present invention further provides methods of enhancing anti-cancer immunity in a patient through the increased expression of miR-155 in patient specific T cells.