Abstract: A novel approach to discover new drugs against MS and other autoimmune diseases is disclosed. The p40 family of cytokines has four members which include interleukin-12 (IL-12), the p40 monomer (p40), the p40 homodimer (p402), and the IL-23. To facilitate the studies on p402 and p40, neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against mouse p402 and p40 were generated for the first time. MS and other autoimmune disease drug therapies including recombinant p40 and/or monoclonal antibody against p402 (mAb-p402 a3-1d) are disclosed.

Abstract: A composition and a method for the treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder is provided. The composition includes an inhibitor of RANTES and/or an inhibitor of eotaxin. The method includes administering a composition comprising an inhibitor of RANTES and/or an inhibitor of eotaxin to the subject in need thereof to treat the neurodegenerative disorder.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for treating an autoimmune disease in a patient including administering to the patient in need thereof, a pharmaceutically effective amount of an epigenetic enzyme inhibitor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and method for reducing or stopping the flow of blood in a patient. The patient may be treated with an intravenous line, such as a central line. The device may have a plunger including a pressure pad that applies pressure to the bleeding vein to reduce or stop the flow of blood in an engaged position of the plunger.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for predicting the response of HER2-directed therapies in cancer and to methods of treating the cancer based on the prediction. In one embodiment the cancer is breast cancer. In another embodiment, the method predicts the response to treatment with trastuzumab.

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: 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 vascular impedance measuring device may comprise a processing component capable of processing raw pressure and flow wave data and a pressure measuring component capable of providing pressure wave data from a specified point in a vessel and forwarding the pressure wave data to the processing component. The device may further include a flow measuring component capable of providing flow wave data from the specified point or a point near the specified point in the vessel and forwarding the flow wave data to the processing component. The processing component processes the raw pressure and flow wave data to produce an estimation of vascular impedance of the vessel from the specified point of measure and may provide data to a feedback system for therapy.

Abstract: Methods of treating neutrophilic dermatoses and PTPN6 deficiencies in a subject are provided. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treating a neurological disorder in a subject, the method including administering to the subject in need of such treatment a composition including a therapeutically effective amount of a CCR5 antagonist. The CCR5 antagonist may be, for example, maraviroc. The neurological disorder may be, for example, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies or multiple system atrophy.

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: This disclosure relates to pharmaceutical compositions and formulations useful for inhibiting the progression of glycine encephalopathy. The pharmaceutical compositions and formulations may include glyceryl tribenzoate. The pharmaceutical compositions and formulations may include glyceryl dibenzoate. The pharmaceutical compositions and formulations may be orally administered to the patient.

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: Methods for measuring a panel of biomarkers in a subject suspected of having breast cancer are provided. The methods include obtaining a biological sample from the subject and determining a measurement for a panel of biomarkers in the biological sample, the panel comprising at least 5 biomarkers selected from the group comprising LPC(18:3), LPC(20:2), LPC(20:1), LPC(20:0), PC(32:1), PC(34:4), PC(38:3), PC(40:5), PC(40:3), PC(44:11), ePC(32:2), ePC(38:3), C19:1 CE, C19:0 CE, and C20:0 CE, wherein the measurement comprises measuring a level of each of the at least 5 biomarkers.

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.