Abstract: The present invention provides reagents and methods for modulating cone photoreceptor activity, and devices for assessment of cone photoreceptor activity.

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: Current MRI technologies require subjects to remain largely motionless for achieving high quality magnetic resonance (MR) scans, typically for 5-10 minutes at a time. However, lying absolutely still inside the tight MR imager (MRI) tunnel is a difficult task, especially for children, very sick patients, or the mentally ill. Even motion ranging less than 1 mm or 1 degree can corrupt a scan. This invention involves a system that adaptively compensates for subject motion in real-time. An object orientation marker, preferably a retro-grate reflector (RGR), is placed on a patients' head or other body organ of interest during MRI. The RGR 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 the organ of interest. A camera-based tracking system observes the marker and continuously extracts its pose.

Abstract: Methods of selective neuromodulation in a live mammalian subject, such as a human patient. The method comprises applying an electrical signal to a target site in the nervous system, such as the brain, where the electrical signal comprises a series of pulses. The pulses includes a waveform shape that is more energy-efficient as compared to a corresponding rectangular waveform. Non-limiting examples of such energy-efficient waveforms include linear increasing, linear decreasing, exponential increasing, exponential decreasing, and Gaussian waveforms. The parameters for the energy-efficient waveform are chosen to selectively activate neural tissue on the basis of axonal diameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel CXCL12-?2 locked dimer polypeptide, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using said dimer in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel CXCL12-?2 locked dimer polypeptide, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using said dimer in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: The inventions disclosed include methods of treating cancers and related neoplasias, especially prostate cancer, with pharmaceutically acceptable salts comprising lipophilic cation moieties linked to nitroxide or linked to hydroxylamine anti-oxidant groups.

Abstract: With only 19 amino acids, Duramycin is the smallest known polypeptide that has a defined 3-dimensional binding structure. Duramycin binds Phosphatidylethanolamine (PtdE) at a 1:1 ratio with high affinity and exclusive specificity. As an abundant binding target, PtdE is a major phospholipid and accounts for about 20% of the phospholipid content in mammalian cellular membranes. PtdE is externalized to the surface of apoptotic cells, and also becomes accessible in necrotic cells due to compromised plasma membrane integrity. Given the unique physicochemical properties of Duramycin and the availability of PtdE in acute cell death, the goal of this study is to develop and evaluate 99mTc-HYNIC-Duramycin as a novel molecular probe for imaging PtdE. 99mTc-HYNIC-Duramycin is a low-molecular weight, fast-clearing radiopharmaceutical that detects apoptosis/necrosis by binding to PtdE.

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 method of treating visual system disease is disclosed. One embodiment comprises the steps of (a) exposing a component of a patient's visual system to light treatment, wherein the light treatment is characterized by wavelength of between 630-1000 nm and power intensity between 10-90 mW/cm2 for a time of 1-3 minutes, and (b) observing restoration of visual system function.

Abstract: A prone cart for carrying a patient has a frame, a pair of independently powered and suspended drive wheels located centrally off the frame and an articuable body support having relatively moveable tray, chest support, abdominal support and leg support sections connected end to end for carrying a patient prone between a lowered position where the patient lies in a horizontal orientation to a raised position where the patient's head and chest are elevated with respect to the patient's abdomen and legs. Linkage mechanisms move the sections between the raised and lowered positions. A pair of independently suspended drive wheels mounted centrally of the frame is controllable so that each may each rotate independently in clockwise or counterclockwise sense so that the cart may be maneuvered in confined spaces with a zero turning radius.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a volume of activation (VOA) of a stimulation electrode leadwire may include a processor that calculates a VOA for each of a plurality of sets of parameter settings of the leadwire, stores in a database each of the calculated VOAs in association with the respective set of parameter settings for which it was calculated, performs a curve fitting on threshold values determined for a plurality of waveforms to obtain an equation, obtains a set of parameter settings of the leadwire for a stimulation, and determines a VOA for the obtained set of parameter settings based on the stored VOAs, for example, using the equation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel CXCL12-?2 locked dimer polypeptide, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using said dimer in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: A system and method for acquiring MR imaging data from a subject includes administering positively-charged nitroxides or gadolinium chelates for in vivo mitochondrial labeling, acquiring MR imaging data from the subject, and reconstructing an image of the subject having enhanced contrast in areas including metabolic and/or mitotic activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of diagnosing carcinoma in a patient, the method comprising providing a sample of colorectal cells from a human patient and analyzing the sample for CXCL12 hypermethylation.

Abstract: Asthma is ameliorated, and mild or moderate asthma is prevented from progressing to more severe asthma by administering agents which prevent and/or accommodate for S-nitrosothiol breakdown.

Abstract: Mammals are treated for infections or for conditions associated with pathologically proliferating mammalian cell growth by administration of a manipulator of nitrosative stress to selectively kill or reduce the growth of the microbes or helminths causing the infection or of host cells infected with the microbes or of the pathologically proliferating mammalian cells. Novel agents include &agr;-alkyl-S-alkyl-homocysteine sulfoxmines wherein the &agr;-alkyl contains 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and the S-alkyl contains 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Mammals in need of increased nitrosative stress defenses are treated, e.g., humans at risk for a stroke because of having had a transient ischemic attack, are treated. Treatments to increase nitrosative stress defenses include repeated administrations of low doses of manipulators of nitrosative stress so that the subject treated has increased tolerance to nitrosative stress.

Abstract: Mammals are treated for infections or for conditions associated with pathologically proliferating mammalian cell growth (for example, certain cancers, restenosis, benign prostatic hypertrophy) by administration of a manipulator of nitrosative stress to selectively kill or reduce the growth of the microbes or helminths causing the infection or of host cells infected with the microbes or of the pathologically proliferating mammalian cells. Novel agents include &agr;-alkyl-S-alkyl-homocysteine sulfoximines wherein the &agr;-alkyl contains 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and the S-alkyl- contains 1 to 10 carbon atoms. In another invention herein, mammals in need of increased nitrosative stress defenses are treated, e.g., humans at risk for a stroke because of having had a transient ischemic attack, are treated.

Abstract: Mammals are treated for infection or for conditions associated with pathologically proliferating mammalian cell growth (for example, certain cancers, restenosis, benign prostatic hypertrophy) by administration of a manipulator of nitrosative stress to selectively kill or reduce the growth of the microbes or helminths causing the infection or of host cells infected with the microbes or of the pathologically proliferating mammalian cells. Novel agents include &agr;-alkyl-S-alkyl-homocysteine sulfoximines wherein the &agr;-alkyl contains 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and the S-alkyl- contains 1 to 10 carbon atoms. In another invention herein, mammals in need of increased nitrosative stress defenses are treated, e.g., humans at risk for a stroke because of having had a transient ischemic attack, are treated.