Abstract: The present invention concerns protection of an organ or tissue following an ischemic episode In particular aspects, the invention concerns organ preservation for transplantation, angina pectoris, kidney reperfusion injury, and so forth In specific embodiments, the organ is subjected to an inhibitor of an NCCa-ATP channel that is regulated by SUR1 Exemplary inhibitors include sulfonylurea compounds, such as glibenclamide, for example.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that are utilized for treatment and/or prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage or progressive hemorrhagic necrosis (PHN), particularly following spinal cord injury. In particular, the methods and compositions are inhibitors of a particular NCca-ATP channel and include, for example, inhibitors of SURI and/or inhibitors of TRPM4. Kits for treatment and/or prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage or progressive hemorrhagic necrosis (PHN), particularly following spinal cord injury, are also provided. The present invention also concerns treatment and/or prevention of intraventricular hemorrhage in infants, including premature infants utilizing one or more inhibitors of the channel is provided to the infant, for example to brain cells of the infant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel approach means of screening foot skin condition of patients at risk for foot tissue breakdown, such as persons with diabetes, through the provision of a remote screening device that can be used in telemedicine or home self-monitoring approaches. The invention would record high resolution images of the bottom of the patient's feet, without artifacts or other distortions that might arise from images taken of feet that have been compressed through standing and the like. These images could immediately be viewed by the patient and/or electronically submitted to a medical facility where clinicians could screen the images for signs of tissue breakdown.

Abstract: This invention relates to a self leveling walker to assist persons who have insufficient strength or movement in their legs when standing and walking on uneven surfaces, and for traversing ramps and stairs. The inventive self leveling walker includes a frame assembly with a leveling assembly for adapting the relative length of the four legs of the walker to accommodate a substantially constant level of the walker so that the user may maintain an erect standing posture at all times, without the need to lean forward or back to accommodate uneven surfaces. The invention employs a fluid or gas based circuit between the front and back walker legs on each respective side, so as to shorten or lengthen each front and back leg with respect to each other, thereby maintaining the overall level of the walker on the subject surface being traversed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic compounds, treatment methods, and kits affecting the NCCa-ATP channel of neural tissue, including neurons, glia and blood vessels within the nervous system, and methods of using same. The NCCa-ATP channel is newly expressed in neural tissue following injury such as ischemia, and is regulated by the sulfonylurea receptor SUR1, being inhibited by sulfonylurea compounds, e.g., glibenclamide and tolbutamide, and opened by diazoxide. Antagonists of the NCCa-ATP channel, including SUR1 antagonists, are useful in the prevention, diminution, and treatment of injured or diseased neural tissue, including astrocytes, neurons and capillary endothelial cells, that is due to ischemia, tissue trauma, brain swelling and increased tissue pressure, or other forms of brain or spinal cord disease or injury. Agonists of the NCCa-ATP channel may be are useful in the treatment neural tissue where damage or destruction of the tissue, such as a gliotic capsule, is desired.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for isolation of proliferating cells. In particular, the methods enrich stem cells in a mixture of stem cells and non-stem cells, and in some cases the non-stem cells may be differentiated cells. The methods exploit the non-adherent property of stem cells, as opposed to the adherent property of differentiating cells, by serially passaging the suspended cells in liquid media.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of preparation and use thereof are disclosed. The compounds are triphenyl methane analogs. The compounds and compositions can be used to treat and/or prevent a wide variety of cancers, including drug resistant cancers, inflammatory, degenerative and vascular diseases, and parasitic infections. The compounds are triphenyl methane analogs of imipramine blue and analogs thereof, as defined herein. The compounds are believed to function by inhibiting tNOX expression, the effects of ROS, and/or the production of HIF2. Thus, the compounds are novel therapeutic agents for a variety of cancers and other diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to immunogenic peptides derived from human prostate cancer antigen (PSA-derived peptides) and their use as vaccines to treat or prevent prostate cancer. The invention is also related to dendritic cells from a patient having prostate cancer, which dendritic cells have been exposed to one or more PSA-derived peptides, and their use to treat or prevent prostate cancer in the patient. The invention is also directed to T-cells from a patient which cells are specific for PSA-activated peptide(s), and their uses to treat or prevent prostate cancer.