Abstract: A method of a measuring kinematic parameter in a subject is provided. The method includes obtaining a first magnetic resonance (MR) image set of a bone marrow segment of the subject in a first position and obtaining a second MR image set of the bone marrow segment of the subject in a second position where the second position different from the first position. The method further includes registering the first image set with the second image set and measuring a kinematic parameter.

Abstract: An assay and a method for identifying a prebiotic to treat a subject in need thereof to promote intestinal barrier integrity or to blunt an inflammatory response are provided.

Abstract: A new class of anti-microbial agents and methods for preventing or reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections and/or diseases is provided. Preferably, these anti-microbial agents are also contraceptive and, thus, also prevent or reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies. The anti-microbial agents comprise a delivery vector having anti-microbial activity (and preferably contraceptive activity) coupled with a nitric oxide donor moiety.

Abstract: The present invention involves a computer-based system and method for detecting and identifying implantable medical devices (“IMDs”) and/or retained foreign objects (“RFSOs”) from diagnostic medical images. In some embodiments, the system provides further identification—information on the particular IMD or RSFO that has been recognized. For example, the system may be configures to provide information feedback regarding the IMD, such as detailed manual information, safety alerts, recall, access to its structural integrity, and/or suggested courses of action in a specific clinical setting/troubleshooting. Embodiments are contemplated in which the system is configured to report possible 3D locations of RSFOs in the surgical field/images.

Abstract: The disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions including an oligonucleotide that down-regulates the over-expression of at least one miRNA of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283. The oligonucleotide may be complementary to the nucleotide sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283, or hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleotide sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283. Further provided are methods of diagnosing Parkinson's Disease (PD) in a subject. The methods may include detecting the level of expression of at least one miRNA of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283 in a biological sample from the subject, and comparing the level of expression in the sample to the level of expression in a reference. Further provided are methods for treating, preventing, or reducing the risk of PD. Kits are also provided.

Abstract: Fusion peptides and methods of inhibiting GrB-EHITSN or a fragment thereof are provided. The fusion peptides include an NPF peptide and a cell-permeable peptide operably connected thereto. Fusion peptides and methods of inhibiting activity of GrB-EHITSN or fragment thereof are provided. An aspect includes a fusion peptide comprising an isolated NPF peptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 90% identity to SEQ ID NO: 2 and a cell-permeable peptide operably connected to the isolated NPF peptide, wherein the fusion peptide inhibits activity of GrB-EHITSN or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: A new class of anti-microbial agents and methods for preventing or reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections and/or diseases is provided. Preferably, these anti-microbial agents are also contraceptive and, thus, also prevent or reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies. The anti-microbial agents comprise a delivery vector having anti-microbial activity (and preferably contraceptive activity) coupled with a nitric oxide donor moiety.

Abstract: The invention features a method of identifying a therapeutically active compound that inhibits apoptotic compensatory signaling complex (ACSC)-induced cell proliferation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a diagnosis are provided. In some aspects, a computing device receives medical information for a patient, wherein each medical information item in the medical information comprises a date, a source, and a medical state. The computing device constructs, in a memory of the computing device, a diagnosis tree for the patient, wherein the diagnosis tree comprises a patient node, the patient node having first children nodes corresponding to the dates or the sources, and the first children nodes having second children nodes corresponding to the medical states. The computing device generates a diagnosis for the patient using the constructed diagnosis tree.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods of treating microbial growth on a conducting surface, for example, the conducting surface of an implanted medical device. One embodiment of the method includes applying a electrical current through the conducting surface and a counter electrode. The electrical current is varied such that an electrical potential of the conducting surface alternates compared to the electrical potential of a reference electrode and where the electrical current is varied to an extent sufficient to reduce or prevent microbial growth on the conducting surface.

Abstract: A device and method for treating an aneurysm include 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: One aspect of the invention provides a method of determining metal ion levels in the patents due to corrosion and wear processes of the metallic implant in a human or veterinary patient. One embodiment provides a cost effective and patient driven early diagnostic method which has a potential application in orthopedics and dentistry. In one embodiment, the method includes the use of an electrochemical biosensor to detect metal ions or particles in a sample taken from a patient having a metallic implant.

Abstract: A method of treating a wound in a diabetic patient is provided. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) to a wound site. In another aspect, a method of treating a wound in a diabetic patient is provided. The method includes assaying a level of CCL2 in the diabetic patient relative to a level of CCL2 in a normal subject and administering a therapeutically effective amount of CCL2 to the diabetic patient.

Abstract: The disclosure provides pharmaceutical compositions including an oligonucleotide that down-regulates the over-expression of at least one miRNA of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283. The oligonucleotide may be complementary to the nucleotide sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283, or hybridizes under stringent conditions to a nucleotide sequence of at least one of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283. Further provided are methods of diagnosing Parkinson's Disease (PD) in a subject. The methods may include detecting the level of expression of at least one miRNA of SEQ ID NOs: 1-283 in a biological sample from the subject, and comparing the level of expression in the sample to the level of expression in a reference. Further provided are methods for treating, preventing, or reducing the risk of PD. Kits are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds and compositions useful for reducing the risk of infection. In particular, disclosed herein are mandelic acid condensation polymers, compositions comprising such compounds, processes for producing such compounds, and methods of using such compounds.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for determining lung cancer disease progression or for pathological stratification of solitary indeterminate nodules detected during lung cancer screening or for determining the likelihood of disease progression in a subject. The method includes obtaining a biological sample from the subject and assaying a level in the biological sample of a biomarker in a panel of biomarkers where the panel includes at least one biomarker. The method further includes comparing the biomarker level in the subject's sample to a cutoff value for each biomarker measured for the panel of biomarkers and determining whether the biomarker level is above or below the cutoff value.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a treatment of a subject having a musculoskeletal disorder is provided. The method includes measuring a first expression level of at least two biomarkers at a treatment site prior to the treatment and measuring a second expression level of the at least two biomarkers at the treatment site after the treatment begins. The method further includes comparing the first expression level of the at least two biomarkers prior to the treatment to the second expression level of the at least two biomarkers post treatment and continuing the treatment, altering the treatment or stopping the treatment based on the comparison. A method of treating a musculoskeletal disorder in a subject is also provided. The method includes removing a aggrecan-hyaluronan matrix from a treatment site in the subject.

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 marker 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 bio-marker 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: A bifurcated catheter, which can deploy a bifurcated stent constructed as a single piece into a bifurcated vessel, is disclosed. The system may have two main parts—a y-shaped catheter with a splittable seam, and a custom made stent, which can be deployed with the bifurcated catheter. The disclosed bifurcated catheter permits a physician or operator to stent a vessel at a bifurcation of the vessel.

Abstract: The invention features a method of identifying a therapeutically active compound that inhibits apoptotic compensatory signaling complex (ACSC)-induced cell proliferation.