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: 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 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: 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 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.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide triazole conjugate and derivatives thereof, and methods of its use. The invention also provides an antibody to the peptide triazole conjugate. The invention further provides a method of identifying an HIV-1 entry inhibitor candidate.

Abstract: A liver sinusoid model includes a generally planar substrate having first and second generally parallel microchannels formed therein. A microporous membrane is disposed between and separating the first and second generally parallel microchannels. A first layer of cells lines one side of the membrane in the first microchannel. The first layer of cells are all a first common cell type. A second layer of cells extends parallel to the first layer of cells in one of the first microchannel and the second microchannel. The second layer of cells is all of a second common cell type. A liver sinusoid bioreactor utilizing the inventive model is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for regulating p110 delta in an avian species. The invention includes inhibiting p110 delta, a component of p110 delta signaling pathway, or any combination thereof in an avian species as an anti-viral therapeutic approach for treating virus infection.

Abstract: A single sensing probe comprising multiple, spatially separate, sensing sites is utilized to sense neural activity. The sensing probe includes multiple conductors each with multiple sensing sites in a fixed geometric arrangement. The sensing probe is configured to comprise multiple combined sensing sites in polytrode configuration. By appropriately combining the wire groupings at each combined sensing site, activity sensed from a single wire with multiple sensing sites, can be coupled with other wires to unmix signals from the spatially separate sites and leverage the power of combinatorics to maximize total recording bandwidth and single neuron/unit yield per wire and per probe.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing a viral infection in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more of the compounds useful within the invention.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions that are useful in preventing or treating metastasis in a subject diagnosed with cancer. The present invention also includes methods of preventing or treating metastasis in a subject diagnosed with cancer, wherein the method comprises administering to the subject in need thereof an effective amount of a pharmaceutical formulation comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and at least one CX3CR1 or fractalkine antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating and preventing non-degenerative neurological diseases and disorders associated with elevated sPLA2 activity as well as cardiovascular diseases using a CHEC peptide to inhibit sPLA2 activity.