Abstract: Improved indices for the diagnosis and evaluation of conditions affecting the eye. Specifically, the indices include an Enhanced Epithelial Irregularity Factor (eEIF) for the diagnosis and evaluation of conditions such as dry eye syndrome (DES), Bowman's Ectasia Index (BEI), including enhanced BEI (eBEI) and BEI-Max, and Bowman's Relative Thinning (BRT) Index for the diagnosis and evaluation of ectatic conditions such as keratoconus, pellucid marginal degeneration, post-refractive surgery ectasia, and keratoglobus, and Descemet's Membrane Thickening Index (DMT), Descemet's Rejection Index (DRI), and Descemet's Membrane Irregularity Factor (DIF) for the diagnosis and evaluation of conditions such as keratoplasty rejection and failure and Fuchs' dystrophy.

Abstract: Compositions comprising aptamers or other binding ligands provide immune cell regulatory signals and specificity to secreted cell molecules at in vivo foci of immune activity.

Abstract: A composite for delivering extended-release of oxygen is disclosed. The composite can include a biocompatible polymeric support having a plurality of solid peroxide particles suspended therein. The polymer support can exhibit an oxygen tension value of at least 40 mmHg for a period of 14 days. The weight ratio of biocompatible polymeric support to solid peroxide particles can range from 1:1 to 99:1. Also disclosed is a method of using the composite to deliver oxygen to cells in both in vivo and in vitro environments.

Abstract: Agonists of growth hormone releasing hormone promote islet graft growth and proliferation in patients. Methods of treating patients comprise the use of these agonists.

Abstract: A small animal imaging system comprising a base element and a camera coupled to the base element, the camera being sized to image the eye of a small animal. A light-emitting diode is also included coupled to the base element. An OCT imaging apparatus is also included coupled to the base element. An X-Y scanner is also included coupled to the base element in communication with the OCT imaging apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a tumor cell genetically modified to express a nucleic acid encoding a secreted form of a heat shock protein (hsp) gp96 polypeptide. The invention also provides a method of stimulating an immune response to a tumor by administering a tumor cell genetically modified to express a nucleic acid encoding a secreted form of a gp96 polypeptide.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of activating dendritic cells with LMP1 and LMP1-activated dendritic cell based compositions and methods are effective for dendritic cell therapy and provide an adjuvant function for vaccine administration. LMP1 or LMP1-CD40 chimeric protein may be used to activate and mature dendritic cells. LMP1 and LMP1-activated dendritic cells act as an adjuvant to enhance the cellular immune response. Also disclosed herein are kits for activating dendritic cells and for preparing a vaccine formulation. Administration of the dendritic cells transfected with LMP1 can induce an immune response against cancer or infection. The mature dendritic cells may comprise an antigen and at least one cytokine in addition to LMP1. Use of LMP1 or LMP1-CD40 provides a way to activate and mature dendritic cells that retain functional and migratory abilities without the side effects that result from maturing the dendritic cells using PGE2.

Abstract: A system and method for generating high-resolution, small vessel perfusion maps (nCPMs) of the ocular conjunctival microvasculature. Unlike current systems and methods, the present invention allows for the generation of nCPMs using only a single raw image obtained in a single image acquisition step. The method includes obtaining a single raw image of at least a portion of the microvasculature of the ocular conjunctiva. The raw image may be obtained using a digital camera and slit lamp. The red and blue color channels are removed from the raw image to create a color-adjusted image in which contrast between the microvasculature and the sclera is enhanced. The color-adjusted image is then inverted and saved as a grayscale inverted image. The grayscale inverted image may be skeletonized. The grayscale image and/or the skeletonized image may be quantitatively analyzed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for purifying immunogenic, prophylactically and therapeutically effective complexes of modified heat shock proteins noncovalently associated with antigenic peptides of cancer or infected cells. The claimed methods comprise the constructing of a nucleotide sequence encoding a secretable modified heat shock protein, expressing the sequence in an appropriate host cell, recovering the immunogenic complexes from the cell culture and the cells, and purifying the immunogenic complexes by affinity chromatography. Large amounts of such immunogenic complexes can be obtained by large-scale culturing of host cells containing the genetic sequence. The complexes can be used as a vaccine to elicit specific immune responses against cancer or infected cells, and to treat or prevent cancer or infectious diseases.

Abstract: A system for the imaging, processing and evaluation of tissues provides prognostic and diagnostic details regarding diseased tissue. A set of quantitative measures were developed and integrated in an image-base analysis software tool designed for OCT images. The system and methods in this invention is significant because it allows assessing the optical properties and structure morphology differences between normal healthy subjects and diabetic patients with retinopathy up to ETDRS level 35 and without retinopathy.

Abstract: A perifusion device includes at least one sample container for cells, the sample container having an inlet and an outlet. The container receives test liquid through the inlet and discharges the liquid through the outlet. A manifold having a plurality of liquid inlets, control valves, and liquid outlets can be provided. A receptacle housing has a plurality of receptacles. A drive is connected to the receptacle housing for moving the receptacle housing. A programmable controller can be provided to control movement of the receptacle housing. The test liquid includes at least one stimuli for the cells. The liquid collected in the receptacles is analyzed to determine the response of the cells to the stimuli.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) of a mammal that has been subjected to a stroke, traumatic injury to the CNS such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI), or having an autoimmune or CNS disease have been developed. The compositions and methods described herein include antibodies that specifically bind to at least one component (e.g., ASC, NALP1) in a mammalian inflammasome (e.g., the NALP1 inflammasome) and have use as treatments for SCI, TBI, stroke, and autoimmune and CNS diseases in a mammal. In a rodent model of SCI, therapeutic neutralization of ASC using a polyclonal antibody that specifically binds to ASC inhibited the inflammasome, reduced caspase-1 activation, XIAP cleavage, and interleukin processing, resulting in significant tissue sparing and functional improvement. Additionally, in a rodent model of TBI, neutralization of ASC after TBI reduced caspase-1 activation and XIAP cleavage.

Abstract: Compositions comprising TL1A-Ig fusion proteins and methods of their use, e.g., for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with antigen-specific immune responses, are described. Also described are combination therapies that include the administration of a TNFRSF25 agonist and an interleukin (e.g., IL-2) and/or an mTOR inhibitor (e.g., rapamycin).

Abstract: A stable liquid nanoemulsion of a volatile gas anesthetic, such as, isoflurane or sevoflurane, is disclosed which is effective in inducing and maintaining a state of anesthesia and/or general anesthesia in a patent. A method of preparation of stable liquid formulations of volatile gas anesthetics is presented, as well as a method for directly testing the concentration of a volatile gas anesthetic in a stable liquid formulation. A kit comprising an amount of a stable liquid formulation of a volatile gas anesthetic, and the non-specialized equipment for administration of the same to a patient, either in an operating room environment or in the field, is also described herein.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting the growth of tumors comprising administering chimeric fusion molecules comprising endostatin mutants and all or a portion of anti-Her2 or anti-EGFR antibodies.

Abstract: Access for wireless mobile nodes (WMNs) to access points (APs) may be provided via a wireless network where each WMN is associated with a plurality of APs, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Abstract: There is provided a novel series of synthetic analogs of hGH-RH(1-29)NH2 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and hGH-RH(1-30)NH2. Of particular interest are those carrying PhAc, N-Me-Aib, Dca, Ac-Ada, Fer, Ac-Amc, Me-NH-Sub, PhAc-Ada, Ac-Ada-D-Phe, Ac-Ada-Phe, Dca-Ada, Dca-Amc, Nac-Ada, Ada-Ada, or CH3—(CH2)10—CO-Ada, at the N-Terminus and ?-Ala, Amc, Apa, Ada, AE2A, AE4P, ?-Lys(?-NH2), Agm, Lys(Oct) or Ahx, at the C-terminus. These analogs inhibit the release of growth hormone from the pituitary in mammals as well as inhibit the proliferation of human cancers, and inhibit the hyperplastic and benign proliferative disorders of various organs, through a direct effect on the cancerous and non-malignant cells. The stronger inhibitory potencies of the new analogs, as compared to previously described ones, result from replacement of various amino acids.

Abstract: A perifusion device includes at least one sample container for cells, the sample container having an inlet and an outlet. The container receives test liquid through the inlet and discharges the liquid through the outlet. A receptacle housing has a plurality of receptacles for receiving fluid from the outlet of the sample container. A drive is connected to the receptacle housing for moving the receptacle housing such that liquid samples are collected sequentially from the outlet of the sample containers. A computer can be provided to control movement of the receptacle housing at predetermined times, and to record data identifying liquid samples in the receptacles. The test liquid includes at least one stimuli for the cells, which can be the presence, absence, or concentration of a compound in the liquid, or a physical property of the liquid such as temperature. The liquid collected in the receptacles is analyzed to determine the response of the cells to the stimuli.

Abstract: A system for performing anastomosis includes a plurality of staples, an annular staple support having structure for holding the staples, and a staple closing device for closing the staples to secure the canal ends together. A method for performing anastomosis and staples for performing anastomosis are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising TL1A-Ig fusion proteins and methods of their use, e.g., for the treatment of diseases and disorders associated with antigen-specific immune responses, are described. Also described are combination therapies that include the administration of a TNFRSF25 agonist and an interleukin (e.g., IL-2) and/or an mTOR inhibitor (e.g., rapamycin).