Abstract: Fluorescent imaging systems for performing an endoscopic procedure, such as a retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure may include a first light source for emitting light in the visible spectrum, or light in the near infrared (NIR) spectrum, or both. A light source bandpass filter may block the emitted light in the visible spectrum, or in the NIR spectrum, or both. A first sensor may be capable of detecting the light in the visible spectrum, or the light in the NIR spectrum, or both. A sensor bandpass filter may block the detected light in the visible spectrum, or in the NIR spectrum, or both. The first or a second light source, or the first or a second sensor, or combinations thereof, may be removably disposed on a duodenoscope.

Abstract: Compositions useful for examining the PKD1 gene are provided. In addition, methods for detecting mutations of the PKD1 gene, which can be associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in humans, are provided. Methods for diagnosing a mutant PKD1 gene sequence in a subject also are provided, as are methods of treating a subject having a PKD1-associated disorder.

Abstract: The present invention makes available, inter alia, methods and reagents for modulating smoothened-dependent pathway activation. In certain embodiments, the subject methods can be used to counteract the phenotypic effects of unwanted activation of a hedgehog pathway, such as resulting from hedgehog gain-of-function, ptc loss-of-function or smoothened gain-of-function mutations.

Abstract: The present invention makes availables assays and reagents inhibiting paracrine and/or autocrine signals produced by a hedgehog protein or aberrant activation of a hedgehog signal transduction pathway, e.g., which involve the use of a steroidal alkaloid or other small molecule.

Abstract: A system and method for using magnetic resonance imaging to increase the accuracy of electrophysiologic procedures includes an invasive combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter which includes an RF antenna for receiving magnetic resonance signals and diagnostic electrodes for receiving electrical potentials. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter is used in combination with a magnetic resonance imaging scanner to guide and provide visualization during electrophysiologic diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, such as ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. The combined electrophysiology and imaging antenna catheter may further include an ablation tip, and be used as an intracardiac device to deliver energy to selected areas of tissue and visualize the resulting ablation lesions.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses a system and method for continuous operation of an ion trap mass spectrometer. The described system does not introduce ions into the ion trap in distinct trapping phase, rather the described system continuously injects ions into the ion trap while continuously scanning out the ions. The system and method described herein achieves a much higher duty cycle and cycle rate when compared to standard mass spectrometer devices.

Abstract: A delivery device that allows for the sustained release of an agent, particularly useful for the sustained release of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions, such as the posterior chamber of the eye and inner ear. The delivery device is minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area. The delivery device includes a hollow body with an inlet port at its proximal end for insertion of the agent, a reservoir for holding the agent and a delivery mechanism for the sustained delivery of the agent from the reservoir to the patient.

Abstract: An MR system and method for tracking a device of an interventional procedure within a scan subject is disclosed. At least two MR projections of the device are acquired, from which 3D coordinates of the device are determined. Subsequent image acquisition is adjusted with respect to the coordinates of the device to guide movement thereof towards target anatomy. The present system and method provide the ability to locate and visualize continuous portions of an interventional device in 3D, and do not require the use of embedded RF localizing coils.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified growth differentiation factor (GDF) receptor, including a GDF-8 (myostatin) receptor, as well as functional peptide portions thereof. In addition, the invention provides a virtual representation of a GDF receptor or a functional peptide portion thereof. The present invention also provides a method of modulating an effect of myostatin on a cell by contacting the cell with an agent that affects myostatin signal transduction in the cell. In addition, the invention provides a method of ameliorating the severity of a pathologic condition, which is characterized, at least in part, by an abnormal amount, development or metabolic activity of muscle or adipose tissue in a subject, by modulating myostatin signal transduction in a muscle cell or an adipose tissue cell in the subject.

Abstract: A delivery device that allows for the sustained release of an agent, particularly useful for the sustained release of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions, such as the posterior chamber of the eye and inner ear. The delivery device is minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area. The delivery device includes a hollow body with an inlet port at its proximal end for insertion of the agent, a reservoir for holding the agent and a delivery mechanism for the sustained delivery of the agent from the reservoir to the patient.

Abstract: Compositions useful for examining the PKD1 gene are provided. In addition, methods for detecting mutations of the PKD1 gene, which can be associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in humans, are provided. Methods for diagnosing a mutant PKD1 gene sequence in a subject also are provided, as are methods of treating a subject having a PKD1-associated disorder.

Abstract: Methods for treating or preventing a Foxp3+ T regulatory cell (Treg) related disease in a subject in need thereof comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an inhibitor of a histone/protein acetyltransferase (HAT). Methods for identifying an agent useful for treating or preventing a Foxp3+ T regulatory cell (Treg) related disease comprise (a) contacting a candidate agent with a test sample comprising Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs), and (b) comparing a function of the Foxp3+ Tregs in the test sample with that in a control sample, wherein inhibition of the function of the Foxp3+ Tregs in the test sample when compared with the control sample indicates that the candidate agent is an agent useful for treating or preventing a Foxp3+ Treg related disease.

Abstract: Compositions useful for examining the PKD1 gene are provided. In addition, methods for detecting mutations of the PKD1 gene, which can be associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in humans, are provided. Methods for diagnosing a mutant PKD1 gene sequence in a subject also are provided, as are methods of treating a subject having a PKD1-associated disorder.

Abstract: A delivery device that allows for the sustained release of an agent, particularly useful for the sustained release of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions, such as the posterior chamber of the eye and inner ear. The delivery device is minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area. The delivery device includes a hollow body with an inlet port at its proximal end for insertion of the agent, a reservoir for holding the agent and a delivery mechanism for the sustained delivery of the agent from the reservoir to the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides parstatin peptides, particularly a mammalian parstatin peptide including amino acids 1-26 of full length mammalian parstatin, preferably a human parstatin. The invention provides parstatin peptides in appropriate pharmaceutical carriers and formulated for administration. The invention provides for the use of the peptide for example as a medicament or for the preparation of a medicament. The invention provides methods of use for parstatin peptides including for inhibition of angiogenesis, for example for inhibition of ocular angiogenesis, for methods of cardioprotection, and for methods of prevention and treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Abstract: A human cell line, which lacks major histocompatibility class I (MHC-I) antigens and major histocompatibility class II (MHC-II) antigens and which has been modified to comprise and express (i) a nucleotide sequence encoding an immunomodulator and (ii) a nucleotide sequence encoding a viral antigen, and a method of inducing or stimulating an immune response in a human to a viral-associated disease or cancer comprising administering to the human (i) the aforementioned human cell line in an amount sufficient to induce or stimulate an immune response to the viral associated disease or cancer, (ii) a human cell line, which lacks MHC-I and MHC-11 antigens and which has been modified to comprise and express a nucleotide sequence encoding an immunomodulator, and a human cell line, which lacks MHC-I and MHC-II antigens and which has been modified to comprise and express a nucleotide sequence encoding an antigen of EBV, simultaneously or sequentially in either order, by the same or different routes, in amounts sufficie

Abstract: The present invention provides two novel polypeptides, referred to as the “N” and “C” fragments of hedgehog, or N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, respectively, which are derived after specific cleavage at a G?CF site recognized by the autoproteolytic domain in the native protein. Also included are sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding promyostatin polypeptides or a peptide portion thereof, polynucleotides complementary thereto, and oligonucleotides that can specifically hybridize to such polynucleotides. The present invention also provides an isolated polynucleotide encoding a mature myostatin peptide.

Abstract: The present invention makes available, inter alia, methods and reagents for modulating smoothened-dependent pathway activation. In certain embodiments, the subject methods can be used to counteract the phenotypic effects of unwanted activation of a hedgehog pathway, such as resulting from hedgehog gain-of-function, ptc loss-of-function or smoothened gain-of-function mutations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying a methylated CpG containing nucleic acid by contacting a nucleic acid with a methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease that cleaves unmethylated PcG sites and contacting the sample with an isoschizomer of the methylation sensitive restriction endonuclease, which cleaves both methylated and unmethylated CpG sites. The method also includes amplification of the CpG-containing nucleic acid using CpG-specific oligonucleotide primers. A method is also provided for detecting an age associated disorder by identification of a methylated CpG containing nucleic acid. A method is further provided for evaluating the responses of a cell to an agent. A kit is useful for detection of a CpG containing nucleic acid is also provided. Nucleic acid sequences encoding novel methylated clones.