Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating diarrhea, both chronic or acute forms, by the administration of a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of antibodies and fragments thereof having binding specificity for CGRP. In particular the methods prevent or reduce diarrhea in conditions or treatments resulting in elevated CGRP levels, e.g., in the GI tract (colon) that are associated with diarrhea and/or improper electrolyte and fluid excretion from the bowel or urinary system. More specifically, this invention relates to treatments using the anti-CGRP antibodies and fragments described herein, and binding fragments thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of screening for anti-PACAP antibodies, or anti-PACAP receptor antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof, for potential use in treating or preventing PACAP-associated photophobia or light aversion, and therapeutic compositions containing and methods of using anti-PACAP antibodies, or anti-PACAP receptor antibodies, and antigen binding fragments thereof.

Abstract: Vascular prosthetic assemblies (e.g., heart valves), such as those, for example, configured to be deployed percutaneously.

Abstract: A system and method for stabilizing a spine of an animal subject involving a transverse rod installation instrument assembly for inserting a transverse rod on the spine of a subject percutaneously comprising: a first rod clamp extender mounted on a ipsilateral rod clamp and a second rod clamp extender mounted on a contralateral rod clamp wherein the ipsilateral rod clamp and the contralateral rod clamp are secured to a vertebra at the ipsilateral and contralateral pedicle; and a pivoting installation instrument pivotably mounted to the first rod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender to pass a transverse rod percutaneously through a head portion of the ipsilateral side rod clamp and to the head portion of the contralateral rod clamp after passing through a spinous process of the vertebra through pivot axis “A” such that the transverse rod is secured at the head portion of the ipsilateral rod clamp and the head portion of the contralateral rod clamp.

Abstract: Described herein are methods of producing biosynthetic bacterial cellulose membranes having improved characteristics that are advantageous for use in various biological applications, including medicine.

Abstract: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving an anti-GBV-C antibody or other GBV-C binding agent, or a GBV-C antigen, for inhibiting and treating HIV infections.

Abstract: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving GBV-C E2 polypeptides and peptides for use in modulating immune responses, including inhibition inflammation related to pathogenic T-cell activation.

Abstract: The present invention provides three-component compositions comprising microparticles, a tumor antigen, a first immune adjuvant, and a second immune adjuvant. Also provided are chemo-immunotherapeutic compositions comprising microparticles, a chemotherapeutic agent, and an immune adjuvant.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for preparing polysulfenamides having a repeating unit of formula (4): wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, ether, cycloether, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyaryl, arylether, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, and aminocycloalkyl. Each of R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, ether, cycloether, aryl, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, hydroxyaryl, arylether, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxycycloalkyl, halocycloalkyl, and aminocycloalkyl. Microparticles comprising polysulfenamides can be used as delivery vehicles for a variety of biological applications.

Abstract: An electrode array (30) which is able to be inserted to a desired depth within the cochlea to provide useful percepts for the recipient which will also preferably not cause damage to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. The electrode array (30) is insertable through an opening in the cochlea and into at least the basal region of the cochlea and comprises an elongate carrier (31) having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of electrodes (32) supported by the carrier at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end. A stabilizing collar (35) extends outwardly from the elongate carrier (31) at or adjacent a proximal end thereof and has an abutment surface adapted to abut a portion of the cochlea surface around the cochleostomy and at least substantially prevent movement of the carrier (31) following completion of insertion of the array (30) into the cochlea.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for manufacturing a polymeric material having a compositional gradient, comprising: forming a mixture comprising a first photopolymerizable polymer precursor and a second photopolymerizable precursor, and subjecting said mixture to an intensity gradient of electromagnetic radiation, wherein said first precursor has a greater reactivity ratio than said second precursor, and/or said first precursor is mono-functional and said second precursor is di-functional, and/or said first precursor is less inhibited by oxygen than said second precursor.

Abstract: GB virus C (GBV-C or hepatitis G virus) is a flavivirus that frequently leads to chronic viremia in humans. The invention provides compositions and methods involving an anti-GBV-C antibody or other GBV-C binding agent, or a GBV-C antigen, for inhibiting and treating HIV infections.

Abstract: The description provides a signal detection system employing a wireless, passive detection device that utilizes waveform shifting for reporting signals to a reader device. The system is useful for a variety of applications including as an implanted medical device for monitoring patient conditions.

Abstract: A system and methods for the efficient segmentation of globally optimal surfaces representing object boundaries in volumetric datasets is provided. An optical surface detection system and methods are provided that are capable of simultaneously detecting multiple interacting surfaces in which the optimality is controlled by the cost functions designed for individual surfaces and by several geometric constraints defining the surface smoothness and interrelations. The present invention includes surface segmentation using a layered graph-theoretic approach that optimally segments multiple interacting surfaces of a single object using a pre-segmentation step, after which the segmentation of all desired surfaces of the object are performed simultaneously in a single optimization process.

Abstract: The distributive elastic properties in nonlinear structures is characterized using an inverse elastostatic approach of stress analysis using assumed elastic models without knowing the realistic material parameters. Stress distributions are computed independently of strain measurements. A database of pointwise stress and strain data in regions of the nonlinear structure permits the elastic properties of the structure to be characterized point-by-point to provide the property distribution.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for computing regional statistical distributions or characteristics of one or more quantitative measures over a mean anatomic space for one or more predefined populations and uses this statistical distributions/characteristics to study, research or understand the regional response of a disease or a treatment process and to regionally assess clinical status in patient data from an unknown population for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetized cathode mixture material comprising a ferromagnetic material, an electroactive material, and an electrolyte.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a gene, now designated negevin (ngvn), that is involved in the genetic disease Bardet Biedl Syndrome (BBS), which is characterized by such diverse symptoms as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, mental retardation, renal cancer and other abnormalities, retinopathy and hypogonadism. The human NGVN protein disclosed herein is 731 amino acids in length and is coded for by a gene spanning 17 exons. Homologs have been identified in mouse, rat, zebrafish. Methods of use for the gene, for example in diagnosis and therapy of BBS and in drug screening, also are described.

Abstract: Amounts of volatile organic compositions can be evaluated from vapor samples based on the time dependent response of a fuel cell contacted with the vapor sample at its anode. The time response of the fuel cell signal, e.g., voltage or current, is de-convoluted using a set of standard curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the volatile organic compositions of a fuel cell with an equivalent construction as the sample-evaluation fuel cell. The methodology can be implemented on a system with an appropriate vapor collection device suitable for the particular application. The method and system can be used to analyze breath samples to evaluate ethanol levels or other volatile organic composition. The system can be a breathalyzer, a vehicle interlock, a medical analysis device or a sensor of environmental or industrial interest.