Abstract: Recombinant vectors in which expression of one or more elements (e.g. gene required for viral replication, detectable imaging agents, therapeutic agents, etc.) is driven by an mda-9/syntenin (mda-9) cancer selective promoter are provided, as are cells and transgenic animals that contain such vectors. The vectors are used in cancer therapy and/or diagnostics, especially to visualize (image) and treat metastasis (including in rapid in vitro assays), and the transgenic mice are used to monitor cancer progression and/or the efficacy of candidate therapeutic agents in screening assays.

Abstract: Helmets which harness magnetic forces to reduce the force of impact collisions to helmets during contact sports, thus reducing the likelihood that athletes sustain a physical injury such as a traumatic brain injury and/or a neck injury, are described. The helmets incorporate strong magnets into the shell such that a repulsive magnetic force is generated between opposing helmets, thus reducing impact forces. Each helmet includes a protective shell and at least one magnet which is arranged or configured to provide for a spatially modulated magnetic array.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of DENND1 A. V2 related disorders, such as PCOS, are provided. In particular, humanized and mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for DENND1 A. V2 and methods for using the same are provided.

Abstract: A system and related method for delivering the anti-tumoral agent carmustine or other types of diagnostic or therapeutic agents into the brain of a patient with a brain tumor includes an insertion device, a skull mount, and a reformulated geometry of the carmustine compound (or other material) optimized for use in the insertion device and for maximized biodegradation time. The insertion device may be front loaded with the carmustine material (or other material) and inserted through the mount on a skull, to the location of the brain tumor, where the carmustine (or other material) is then released. It should be appreciated that the diagnostic and/or therapeutic system and related method thereof are not necessarily limited to the brain of a subject. It may also be used in the organ structures or tubular structures, as well as portions and locations thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the prevention and treatment of liver damage or disease in a subject in need thereof are provided. The methods involve providing the sulfated oxysterol 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S) to the subject e.g. by 1) administering 25HC3S to the subject; or 2) overexpressing, in the subject, the hydroxysterol sulfotransferase enzyme SULT2B1b, which catalyzes the sulfation of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) to form 25HC3S.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for enhancing the ability of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents to kill tumor cells within solid tumors are provided. Local regions of hypoxia are created within a tumor, or within a region containing a tumor, resulting in enhanced activation of hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents (e.g. tirapazamine) within the local region. The activated hypoxia-activated bioreductive agents kill tumor cells in the hypoxic region by catalyzing DNA stand breakage within the tumor cells. Because the activity is localized, side effects that typically occur as a result of systemic administration of bioreductive agents are reduced.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides comprising linear immunodominant epitopes of Borrelia outer surface protein A (OspA) or Borrelia outer surface protein C (OspC) are useful as vaccines against Lyme disease, and as diagnostics for detecting Borrelia infections. The OspA and OspC antigenic polypeptides typically comprise a plurality of peptides representing epitope containing regions from multiple distinct phyletic groups. The antigenic polypeptides may also include epitopes from both Borrelia OspA and Borrelia OspC.

Abstract: Presystemic metabolism in intestine of bioactives such as phenylephrine is avoided by administering a subject (human or animal) the bioactive (e.g., phenylephrine) in combination with one or more inhibitors of sulfation (e.g., sulfotransferase enzymes aka SULTs). This can also be enhanced be co-administering inhibitors of monoamine oxidases aka, MAOs, and uridine diphosphate glucoronysl transferases, aka UGTs. Preferably the inhibitors are GRAS compounds. The one or more inhibitor compounds inhibit the enzymes responsible for rapid presystemic metabolism, thus allowing the bioactives (e.g., phenylephrine) to be more readily absorbed intact into the circulatory system.

Abstract: 3-(2-amino-ethyl)-5-[3-(4-substituted-phenyl)-alkylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione and 1-(2-amino-ethyl)-3-alkylidene-1,3-dihydro-indol-2-one and derivatives thereof are provided for use as selective SphK2 inhibitors and for use in the treatment of human diseases, such as cancer.

Abstract: A compound having the formula: wherein n, y, R1 and R2 are defined herein, and others, methods of making of and using, and compositions made thereby which have an antimicrobial resistance effect are described.

Abstract: Nerve guides which are formed from three dimensional (3D) arrays of highly aligned electrospun fibers are provided. The electrospun fibers are oriented parallel to the long axis of the guide, and gaps and elongated spaces between the stacked fiber arrays provide channels for directed axonal growth. In some embodiments, the nerve guides also comprise high precision gradients of beneficial substances such as growth factors, which aid in nerve regeneration and growth along the guide.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising an antigenic fragment of OspA protein of Borrelia burgdorferi and a chimeric protein containing antigenic fragments of different phylotypes of OspC protein of Borrelia burgdorferi. Vaccines incorporating the immunogenic composition of the invention, as well as methods of preventing Lyme disease in dogs and/or protecting dogs from Lyme disease using the vaccines are also provided.

Abstract: Antigenic polypeptides comprising linear immunodominant epitopes of Borrelia outer surface protein A (OspA) or Borrelia outer surface protein C (OspC) are useful as vaccines against Lyme disease, and as diagnostics for detecting Borrelia infections. The OspA and OspC antigenic polypeptides typically comprise a plurality of peptides representing epitope containing regions from multiple distinct phyletic groups. The antigenic polypeptides may also include epitopes from both Borrelia OspA and Borrelia OspC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to compare an intended treatment plan using a radiation source with a delivered plan. This done by arranging markers at known three-dimensional (3D) positions in a detection reference system between a two dimensional radiation detector configured to acquire images generated by radiation emitted by the radiation source and an area where the radiation source is positioned during a treatment. The positions of projections of the markers on an image detected are determined when the radiation source is at a treatment position in an intended treatment plan reference system. A plurality of lines in the detection reference system are calculated, each line being defined by a 3D position of a marker and a 3D position of a corresponding projection of the marker on the detector according to the image. A 3D position of the radiation source in the detection reference system is inferred based on the calculated lines.

Abstract: The invention provides hydroxybupropion analogs capable of inhibiting the reuptake of one or more monoamines and/or acting as antagonists at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The compounds may selectively bind to one or more monoamine transporters, including those for dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin and/or may selectively bind to one or more nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes. Such compounds may be used to treat conditions that are responsive to modification of monoamine levels and/or antagonism of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, including drug dependency, depression, and obesity.

Abstract: Embodiments herein report methods and compositions for treating cardiac conditions. In certain embodiments, compositions and methods relate to reducing, inhibiting or treating a subject having or suspected of undergoing cardiac remodeling after a cardiac event. Other embodiments herein relate to compounds including naturally occurring and synthetic compositions of alpha-1 antitrypsin and fragments thereof.

Abstract: The system includes five components: (1) a sensor array, (2) a processor, (3) a transmitter, (4) a receiver-stimulator, and (5) an implantable electrode array. The olfactory implant system generates odor fingerprints by detecting odors with an array of chemical sensors and then transmitting variable spatio-temporal stimulation patterns for an electrode array with electrode stimulating points positioned at different locations in the olfactory cortex (e.g., stimulating the olfactory bulb). Different patterns of activity in the olfactory cortex are thereby generated which mimic the sense of smell in a subject. Once trained the system should be usable by a subject to detect or correctly identify one or more odors.

Abstract: Allosteric hemoglobin (Hb) modifiers of hemoglobin which contain nitric oxide (NO) moieties allowing for the release of NO in vivo. The compounds retain the oxygen delivery capability of the allosteric hemoglobin modifier to bind Hb and enhance Hb's ability to deliver oxygen to cells and tissues, and also release NO from the NO moiety. Methods of delivering oxygen and/or NO to cells and tissues are also provided.