Abstract: One aspect of the present invention provides methods of treating a viral infection in a subject including administrating a therapeutically effective amount of at least one Wnt ligand protein selected from Wnt1, Wnt2, Wnt2B, Wnt3, Wnt3A, Wnt4, Wnt5A, Wnt5B, Wnt6, Wnt7A, Wnt7B, Wnt8A, Wnt8B, Wnt9A, Wnt9B, Wnt10A, Wnt10B, Wnt11 and Wnt16. In one embodiment, the subject is a human and the infection is a human immunodeficiency virus infection. Another aspect provides drug combinations for treating viral infections.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method of removing an orthopedic implant from a patient. In one embodiment, the method includes cycling the temperature of at least a portion of the orthopedic implant between a first temperature and a second temperature that differs from the first temperature. In one embodiment, the first temperature is above 0° C. and the second temperature is below 0° C. The temperature cycling causes a thermal expansion differential between at least a portion of the orthopedic implant and material in a region contacting the orthopedic implant. In one embodiment, the thermal expansion differential is of an extent sufficient to cause physical separation of at least a portion of the surface of the orthopedic implant from material contacting the surface of the orthopedic implant.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a system for radiation treatment of a tumor allowing for imaging of the tumor and a surrounding region during radiation therapy and to methods of using such a system. In one embodiment, the system includes a number of radiation detectors positioned in an array to detect radiation scattered from the tumor and the surrounding region. A 3-dimensional image of the tumor is reconstructed from the 2-dimensional scattered radiation projections.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system, and method for performing energy-resolved scatter imaging during radiation therapy upon a patient. The apparatus includes a radiation detector capable of resolving the energy of the scattered photons due to Compton scattering during radiation therapy. The radiation detector outputs a first signal when photon energy of the detected photons is within a first energy range and a second signal when photon energy of the detected photons is within a second energy range. The apparatus also includes an image controller configured to receive the first and second signal and obtain an energy-resolved scatter image data set. The energy-resolved scatter imaging improves the contrast and sensitivity for identification of different tissue types. Therefore, tumor tracking during radiation therapy and image guidance during radiotherapy are improved.

Abstract: Methods of modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?) activity in a cell in a subject In need thereof are provided. The methods include administering an effective amount of a PPAR? ligand to the subject where the PPAR? ligand is selected from 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl butyrate (HMB), hexadecananamide (HEX) and 9-octadecenamide (OCT), Methods of treating dementia, neurodegenerative disorders, lysosomal storage diseases and body weight disorders in a subject in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering an effective amount of a PPAR? ligand to the subject.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention provide an apparatus and a method of removing an orthopedic implant from a patient. In one embodiment, the method includes cycling the temperature of at least a portion of the orthopedic implant between a first temperature and a second temperature that differs from the first temperature. In one embodiment, the first temperature is above 0° C. and the second temperature is below 0° C. The temperature cycling causes a thermal expansion differential between at least a portion of the orthopedic implant and material in a region contacting the orthopedic implant. In one embodiment, the thermal expansion differential is of an extent sufficient to cause physical separation of at least a portion of the surface of the orthopedic implant from material contacting the surface of the orthopedic implant.

Abstract: The following disclosure generally relates to methods of culturing podocytes in vitro. The cultures can be used for drug screening (such as medium or high throughput drug screening), and for studying molecular pathways involved in glomerular diseases. The disclosure also provides methods for analyzing the healthiness of podocytes in a cell culture. The disclosure also relates to diagnosis of kidney diseases.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present invention generally relate to compositions and methods for treating a bone disease, for example a genetic bone disease. In one embodiment the bone disease is fibular hemimelia, proximal femoral focal deficiency, tarsal coalition or humeroradial synostosis.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, such as Late Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, including administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an agent comprising a fibrate.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a sample chamber for use in the dynamic imaging of cells. In one embodiment, the chamber includes a holding mechanism for positioning the cells against a viewing window in the chamber. A housing is positioned against the viewing window to define the closed chamber. The housing may include access ports allowing for the perfusion of fluid through the chamber, the control of the internal temperature of the chamber and the micromanipulation and electrical stimulation of the cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, such as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis including administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that mediates upregulation of TPP1.

Abstract: Methods and kits for identifying rapidly progressing lung cancer in a subject are provided. The method includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject and assaying a level of a biomarker in a biomarker panel in the biological sample where the panel includes at least one biomarker selected from Table I or Table II. The method further includes determining with the subject is treatment naïve or has received at least one treatment; and comparing the level of the biomarker in the subject's sample to a cutoff value listed in Table I for treatment naïve subjects or Table II for previously treated subjects. The method further includes determining whether the subject's level is above or below the cutoff value to determine whether the subject has rapidly progressing lung cancer.

Abstract: A method and system for encouraging the selection of healthy products with a vending machine are provided. The method includes providing a vending machine that displays an inventory of products. Each product of the inventory of products includes a dispensing countdown time displayed on the vending machine. The method also includes receiving a first customer selection of a first product from the inventory of products, where the first product has a first dispensing countdown time. Additionally, the method includes actuating a countdown timer to count down to zero seconds from the first dispensing countdown time. The method also includes dispensing the first product once the countdown timer reaches zero seconds. The first product is only dispensed if a customer does not select a second product having a second dispensing countdown time before the first dispensing countdown time counts down to zero seconds.

Abstract: Methods and kits for measuring a panel of biomarkers in a subject suspected of being at risk for peri-implant osteolysis are provided. The method includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject; and measuring a level of at least two biomarkers in a biomarker panel in the sample, wherein the biomarker panel comprises ?-crosslaps (?-CTX), ?-crosslaps (?-CTX), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-8 (IL-8), osteoprotegrin (OPG), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and cross-linked N-telopeptides (NTX).

Abstract: A device and methods for treating an aneurysm includes a catheter capable of insertion into a body to be positioned adjacent the aneurysm, the catheter including a distal end and an operator end opposite the distal end. The catheter forms a circular pathway extending between the distal end and the operator end. A partitioner extends through the pathway of the catheter, the partitioner being rotatable within the catheter and including one or more lumens that provide an orifice from a first end of the partitioner to a second end of the partitioner. The device further includes a first coil extending through the partitioner from the first end to the second end in a first lumen and a second coil extending through the partitioner from the first end to the second end in a second lumen. The first and second lumens may be fully circumscribed by the partitioner and have first and second diameters, respectively.

Abstract: An inanimate model for surgical simulation and methods for making and using the model are provided. The model includes a simulated diaphragm, a simulated esophagus extending through an esophageal opening in the diaphragm, a simulated blood vessel extending through a blood vessel opening in the diaphragm, and a simulated hernia in the diaphragm.

Abstract: Methods and kits for identifying rapidly progressing lung cancer in a subject are provided. The method includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject and assaying a level of a biomarker in a biomarker panel in the biological sample where the panel includes at least one biomarker selected from Table I or Table II. The method further includes determining with the subject is treatment naive or has received at least one treatment; and comparing the level of the biomarker in the subject's sample to a cutoff value listed in Table I for treatment naive subjects or Table II for previously treated subjects. The method further includes determining whether the subject's level is above or below the cutoff value to determine whether the subject has rapidly progressing lung cancer.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease, such as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis including administering to a subject in need of such treatment a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that mediates upregulation of TPP1.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for storing and delivering colostrum or milk to an infant are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a syringe for delivering a dose of colostrum or milk, a swab container, and a swab. The swab is contained in the swab container and the swab container connected to the syringe. In another aspect, the delivery system includes a plurality of syringes for delivering a dose of colostrum or milk and a storage container for storing the plurality of syringes having the colostrum or milk therein. The method includes loading a first syringe with a dose of colostrum or milk and placing the loaded first syringe in a first slot in a storage container. The method further includes loading a second syringe with a dose of colostrum or milk and placing the loaded second syringe in a second slot in the storage container.

Abstract: A method and system for encouraging the selection of healthy products with a vending machine are provided. The method includes providing a vending machine that displays an inventory of products. Each product of the inventory of products includes a dispensing countdown time displayed on the vending machine. The method also includes receiving a first customer selection of a first product from the inventory of products, where the first product has a first dispensing countdown time. Additionally, the method includes actuating a countdown timer to count down to zero seconds from the first dispensing countdown time. The method also includes dispensing the first product once the countdown timer reaches zero seconds. The first product is only dispensed if a customer does not select a second product having a second dispensing countdown time before the first dispensing countdown time counts down to zero seconds.