Abstract: Methods and compositions are generally provided for treating metabolic disorders, e.g., obesity. One aspect discloses methods and compositions for obtaining a biological sample from the subject, evaluating the sample for the presence or absence of a genetic indicator, wherein the genetic indicator is selected from a single nucleotide polymorphism and a level of gene expression, and performing a first metabolic procedure if the genetic indicator is present, or performing an alternative second metabolic procedure if the genetic indicator is absent. One aspect discloses methods and compositions for obtaining a sample including deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) from the subject, evaluating the DNA for an absence or presence of one or more genetic indicators and performing a first metabolic procedure or an alternative second metabolic procedure based on the absence or presence of the genetic indicator(s). Other aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: Control agents for immuno-precipitation assays, methods of using the control agents and kits comprising the control agents are provided.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to populations of microvesicles containing or otherwise associated with viral particles, methods of producing these purified populations, and methods of using these purified populations in a variety of diagnostic, therapeutic and/or prophylactic indications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and apparatuses for improving quality and viability of biological material, such as harvested adipose cells, stem cells, or other cells or biological components, by treatment of the biological material with membrane-repairing/stabilizing agents or the like and/or mechanical removal of components, such as impurities and/or excess treatment agents. The present invention further relates to systems and apparatuses for transplanting tissue, such as adipose tissue.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for treating metabolic disorders by modulating bile acid levels. Generally, the methods and compositions can modulate bile acid levels, such as serum bile acid levels, to treat a metabolic disorder. In one embodiment, a method of modulating a bile acid level includes measuring a bile acid level and delivering a composition effective to modulate the bile acid level. A method for modulating a bile acid profile includes comparing a bile acid profile to a target profile and delivering a bile acid cocktail to increase bile acid levels. In another embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition for increasing bile acid levels includes a bile acid cocktail effective to increase bile acid levels. The composition is further useful as part of an implantable system.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for diagnosing, preventing, and treating Alzheimer's disease and abnormal production of amyloid ?.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for knee joint replacement with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) substitution. Generally, the methods and devices can allow a knee joint to be partially or totally replaced in conjunction with substitution of the knee joint's ACL. In one embodiment, a knee replacement prosthesis can include a medial or lateral femoral implant, a femoral intercondylar notch structure, a medial or lateral tibial insert, and an ACL-substitution member. The ACL-substitution member can be configured to engage with the femoral intercondylar notch structure during a full range of knee motion and/or during only early knee flexion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining whether or not a cancer subject is suitable for treatment with a purine-based roscovitine-like inhibitor, which method comprises the step of determining the ras status of the cancer, wherein a determination that the subject has mutant ras status is indicative that the subject is suitable for treatment with a purine-based roscovitine-like inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of treating neurological disorders in a subject, by activating a DISC1 pathway. Methods of promoting neurogenesis in adult neural progenitor cells, enhancing nerve generation and treating GSK3 disorders as well as related compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Various methods and devices for driving fluid from a syringe are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a luer fitting for connecting a syringe barrel to a syringe driver is provided that includes a proximal female end including a socket adapted to be removably mated to a male luer fitting on the syringe barrel. The luer fitting further includes a distal end including a nozzle adapted to receive a fluid conduit. The distal end has a non-threaded axially-oriented annular socket formed therein for removably receiving a protrusion on the syringe driver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide knee prostheses which more faithfully and closely replicate the function, anatomy and physiology of the normal human knee yielding a number of advantages. Among other things, such prostheses can provide an increased range of motion and function more normally particularly in extension, deep flexion and during normal gait. Knee prostheses according to various aspects of the invention recognize that during movement of the knee, particularly during flexion, the kinematics of the bones of the knee are a result of achieving equilibrium of the forces that cause motion of the knee. In addition, the shape of the articular surfaces acting in combination with forces imposed by various muscles, ligaments and tendons, determines the direction of the large contact forces.

Abstract: Light treatments of sebaceous gland disorders with 5-aminolevulinic acid and photodynamic therapy are disclosed. A preferred treatment includes topical application of 5-aminolevulinic acid to the skin followed by light exposures with repeated treatment at various intervals. At low doses of ALA and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in single or multiple treatments, improvement in the sebaceous gland disorder, e.g., acne, provides the discovery that diminishment in sebum secretion and the eradication of bacteria occurs. At high doses of ALA and a single high energy PDT treatment, permanent changes to the sebaceous gland and sebum secretion have been discovered.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for isolating and purifying specific types of neurons, such as cortical or other projection neurons including corticospinal motor neurons, subcerebral projection neurons, and callosal projection neurons. The invention also relates to genes that are specific for particular neuronal subtypes, and the use of such genes in genetic/molecular control of cell development. The isolated cells and subtype-specific genes also have uses in diagnostics, therapeutics, and screening assays for pharmaceutical molecules.

Abstract: Described are compositions and methods for treating liver disease, e.g., acute liver disease, using bone marrow-derived stem cells and bone marrow-derived stem cell conditioned media.

Abstract: The invention relates to an drug delivery device and a method for delivering multiple drugs over a prolonged period of time. The drug delivery device has two or more unitary segments comprising a drug-permeable polymeric substance, wherein at least one of the segments further comprises a pharmaceutically active agent. The invention also relates to a method for the treatment of a benign ovarian secretory disorder in a female mammal, a method of contraception, and a method of relieving the symptoms associated with menopausal, perimenopausal and post-menopausal periods in a woman.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting inflammation in a subject comprising the administration of milk oligosaccharides or glycoconjugates containing milk oligosaccharides is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for transporting fluid between a body and an external source. More particularly, the methods and devices provided can be used to transport blood from a body. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is provided for transporting fluid between a body and an external source. The system can include a collection catheter that is sized to fit inside a catheter that is placed in the body and configured to have its distal end extend beyond a distal end of the catheter that is placed in the body. Various methods for transporting fluid from the body to an external source are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for modulating disease using hematopoietic stromal progenitor cells derived from hematopoietic tissues. The invention further provides methods for isolating, storing and culturing hematopoietic stromal progenitor cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of analyzing interactions between pairs of target and effector cells utilizing high-throughput screenings methods for profiling large numbers of single cells in microarrays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for performing flow cytometry. In one embodiment, blood circulating through one or more retinal blood vessels of a subject is illuminated in-vivo so as to excite a plurality of fluorescent-labeled cells contained in the blood. The fluorescence radiation emitted by the excited cells is then detected and analyzed to count the cells from which fluorescence is detected.