Abstract: The present invention provides a novel modified BoNT/E catalytic domain and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the light chain residue 224, or a residue corresponding to residue 224, of the modified BoNT/E catalytic domain has been altered to be aspartic acid or glutamic acid. The modified catalytic domain cleaves SNAP23 but does not cleave SNAP29 or SNAP47, providing novel methods of treating diseases including without limitation, asthma, CF, chronic obstructive pulmonary, gastric acid efflux and inflammation, immune disorders with a cytokine component or cancers with a cytokine component.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for assessing an amount of non-native nucleic acids in a sample, such as from a subject. The methods and compositions provided herein can be used to determine risk of a condition, such as transplant rejection, in subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified metformin compounds, particularly mito-metformin compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods of using the compounds to provide neuroprotection and in the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a CXCL121 peptide engineered to resist peptide-induced dimerization by maintaining steric repulsion of the chemokine helix, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using said dimer in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: Methods and kits for measuring levels of von Willebrand factor function in a sample without using a platelet aggregation agonist, such as ristocetin, comprising recombinant glycoprotein Ib? having at least two of a G233V, D235Y and M239V mutations and an agent to detect a complex between the recombinant glycoprotein Ib? and von Willebrand factor.

Abstract: Methods and kits for measuring levels of von Willebrand factor function in a sample without using a platelet aggregation agonist, such as ristocetin, comprising recombinant glycoprotein Ib? having a combination of G233V, D235Y and M239V mutations and an agent to detect a complex between the recombinant glycoprotein Ib? and von Willebrand factor.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and computer-readable storage media related to cell-free DNA and uses thereof to determine risk of a condition, such as transplant rejection or cancer, in a subject.

Abstract: An esophageal device is used to recognize, diagnose, characterize, or relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. In one implementation, the esophageal device measures a UES response to esophageal fluid infusion to detect or characterize an abnormality or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality. An Upper Esophageal Sphincter compression device is used to increase intra-luminal pressure within the Upper Esophageal Sphincter of a patient in order relieve an impact of an abnormal or defective UES anatomy, physiology, or functionality.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a data management module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processor. The data management module is configured to associate a different classification parameter with each data set from a set of data sets stored in the memory. The data management module is configured to store, in a first data set and using a first storage scheme based on a type of the classification parameter of the first data set, a set of values. Each value is associated with a different object. The data management module is configured to store, in a second data set and using a second storage scheme different from the first storage scheme and based on a type of the classification parameter of the second data set, a set of values. Each value is associated with a different object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preferentially reducing the proliferation of cystic epithelial cells in the kidney or bile duct in a mammal in need thereof by administering a 20-HETE synthesizing enzyme inhibitor or a 20-HETE antagonist to the mammal in an amount sufficient to preferentially reduce the proliferation of cystic epithelial cells over normal epithelial cells such as tubule epithelial cells in the kidney or bile duct. The present invention also provides a method for preventing or treating autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD), ARPKD associated congenital hepatic fibrosis, ARPKD associated Caroli's disease, or cholangiocarcinoma in a mammal in need thereof by administering a 20-HETE synthesizing enzyme inhibitor or a 20-HETE antagonist to the mammal in an amount sufficient to prevent or treat the disease.

Abstract: An optical coherence tomography system that includes an optical device having an adjustable optical element configured to displace a pupil entry point of light is provided. Optical coherence tomography methods using the optical coherence tomography system are also provided. The subject optical coherence tomography systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including imaging applications.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) analogs that act as EET agonists and are useful as medications in the treatment of drug-induced nephrotoxicity, hypertension and other related conditions. Methods of making and using the compounds and compositions are further described.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a plurality of images depicting a subject from image data that is simultaneously acquired from a corresponding plurality of slice locations with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI] system is provided. Image data is acquired following the application of radio frequency (RF] energy to the plurality of slice locations. The RF energy is tailored to provide a different phase to each of the plurality of slice locations. Reference image data is also acquired for each slice location following the application of RF energy that has the same phase as is used to excite the respective slice location for the acquisition of the image data. Aliased images are reconstructed from the image data, and reference images are reconstructed from the reference image data. Using both of these image sets, an unaliased image is produced for each of the plurality of slice locations.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions for reducing CLPTM1L expression in a cell as well as methods for using such compositions to treat or prevent cancer in a subject. In particular, compositions comprising RNAi-inducing constructs targeted to CLPTM1L and methods of administering such compositions to a subject to treat or prevent a disease or condition associated with CLPTM1L over-expression (e.g., lung cancer) are provided herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: Compounds and compositions comprising epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) analogs that act as EET agonists and are useful as medications in the treatment of drug-induced nephrotoxicity, hypertension and other related conditions. Methods of making and using the compounds and compositions are further described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time in an imaging system. An object orientation marker (30), preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on the head or other body organ of interest of a patient (P) during a scan, such as an MRI scan. The marker (30) makes it possible to measure the six degrees of freedom (x, y, and z-translations, and pitch, yaw, and roll), or “pose”, required to track motion of the organ of interest. A detector, preferably a camera (40), observes the marker (30) and continuously extracts its pose. The pose from the camera (40) is sent to the scanner (120) via an RGR processing computer (50) and a scanner control and processing computer (100), allowing for continuous correction of scan planes and position (in real-time) for motion of the patient (P).

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and computer-readable storage media related to cell-free DNA and uses thereof to determine risk of a condition, such as transplant rejection or cancer, in a subject.