Abstract: A varicose vein dissector and removal apparatus includes a handle having a first end and a second end, a dissector extending from the first end of the handle and a hook extending from the second end of the handle, and a blade positioned within the dissector for movement between a use position and a storage position. The apparatus is used by creating an initial incision in skin over a varicose vein to be removed, advancing the dissector into the incision and dissecting around the varicose vein to be removed, pushing the dissector against an inner surface of the skin a predetermined distance from the initial incision, exposing the blade by moving it from its storage position to its use position and creating a second incision in the skin letting the dissector protrude out of the skin, and grasping the vein with the hook and removing the vein.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating blood monocytes to produce functional antigen presenting dendritic cells. An extracorporeal quantity of a subject's blood is treated to separate the blood into a plasma component containing proteins, a platelet component and a buffy coat component. A plastic treatment device is provided having plastic channels that allow transmittance of light to the interior of the plastic device and a light source that produces light of a wave length selected to activate the photoactivatable agent. The plasma component containing proteins is first pumped through the plastic treatment device, followed by the platelet component and finally the buffy coat component. The resulting treated cells may be incubated or reinfused directly to the subject.

Abstract: Devices which operate on gradient optical forces, in particular, nanoscale mechanical devices which are actuable by gradient optical forces. Such a device comprises a waveguide and a dielectric body, with at least a portion of the waveguide separated from the dielectric body at a distance which permits evanescent coupling of an optical mode within the waveguide to the dielectric body. This results in an optical force which acts on the waveguide and which can be exploited in a variety of devices on a nano scale, including all-optical switches, photonic transistors, tuneable couplers, optical attenuators and tuneable phase shifters.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying mutations associated with cancer, such as melanoma. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and compositions for assessing particular mutations as markers for cancer, such as melanoma. Such methods and compositions allow medical providers to diagnose cancer, such as melanoma, based upon the presence of one or more particular mutations in a subject, as compared with an otherwise healthy control. The methods and compositions are also useful in guiding the type of therapy to be applied, and monitoring the effects of the therapy applied.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antiandrogenic compounds which may be administered for the treatment of androgen excess in the skin and by way of consequence, the treatment of acne, baldness or hirsuitism in subject or patient. These compounds have the general chemical structure (I, II, III or IV).

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for identifying a subject at risk of developing cancer, predicting the onset of cancer, and predicting a subject's response to chemotherapy/treatment by determining the presence or absence of a SNP in the KRAS oncogene, known as the KRAS variant.

Abstract: A mouse with a humanization of the mIL-3 gene and the mGM-CSF gene, a knockout of a mRAG gene, and a knockout of a mIl2rg subunit gene; and optionally a humanization of the TPO gene is described. A RAG/Il2rg KO/hTPO knock-in mouse is described. A mouse engrafted with human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that maintains a human immune cell (HIC) population derived from the HSCs and that is infectable by a human pathogen, e.g., S. typhi or M. tuberculosis is described. A mouse that models a human pathogen infection that is poorly modeled in mice is described, e.g., a mouse that models a human mycobacterial infection, wherein the mouse develops one or more granulomas comprising human immune cells. A mouse that comprises a human hematopoietic malignancy that originates from an early human hematopoietic cells is described, e.g., a myeloid leukemia or a myeloproliferative neoplasia.

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating blood monocytes to produce functional antigen presenting dendritic cells. An extracorporeal quantity of a subject's blood is treated to separate the blood into a plasma component containing proteins, a platelet component and a buffy coat component. A plastic treatment device is provided having plastic channels that allow transmittance of light to the interior of the plastic device and a light source that produces light of a wave length selected to activate the photoactivatable agent. The plasma component containing proteins is first pumped through the plastic treatment device, followed by the platelet component and finally the buffy coat component. The resulting treated cells may be incubated or reinfused directly to the subject.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for generating a three-dimensional representation of a scene within a three-dimensional space are disclosed. A plurality of two-dimensional planes to be positioned within the three-dimensional space are generated. The plurality of two dimensional planes include two-dimensional content that is capable of being modified. The generated two-dimensional planes are positioned within the three-dimensional space. The positioning of the planes is capable of being modified.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for reducing expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase-mitochondrial (PEPCK-M) mRNA and protein in an animal. Also provided herein are methods, compounds, and compositions for preventing or decreasing diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetic dyslipidemia, and/or hypertriglyceridemia in an animal. Such methods, compounds, and compositions are useful to treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate any one or more of diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetic dyslipidemia, and/or hypertriglyceridemia, or a symptom thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of pharmaceutically acceptable zinc salts, in particular, zinc chloride and zinc acetate alone or optionally, in combination with one or more of a protein pump inhibitor (PPI), H2-blocker, cytoprotective agent or a combination of agents as otherwise described herein for providing fast action with optional long duration effect in reducing gastric acid secretion, including acid secretion in the fundus (by inhibiting vacuolar H+-ATPase or H+/K+-ATPase) and upper body region of the stomach (by inhibiting H+/K+-ATPase), thus raising the pH of gastric juices in rapid fashion and decreasing the duration of stomach acid release during a secretagogue phase. The method is also directed to treating conditions including gastroesophogeal reflux disease, non-erosive reflux disease, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, ulcer disease, and gastric cancer, as well as preventing or reducing the likelihood of ulcer disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds, in particular, dual antagonists comprising a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) or a nucleoside competitive reverse transcriptase inhibitor and a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), linked together using a chemical linker, which may be used to inhibit HIV (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase and in the treatment of HIV infections, more severe cases of HIV infections, including ARC and AIDS, including reducing the likelihood of these infections and disease states.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for increasing AMPK activity and glucose uptake comprising administering a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) pathway agonist in a subject in need thereof. The invention also relates to methods for selecting a subject for treatment with an agonist of MIF, identifying a subject at risk for developing a condition in which increased AMPK activity is desirable, and for predicting whether a subject is susceptible to a condition in which increased AMPK activity is desirable.

Abstract: Spine stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided in which a single resilient member or spring is disposed on an elongate element that spans two attachment members attached to different spinal vertebrae. The elongate element passes through at least one of the two attachment members, permitting relative motion therebetween, and terminates in a stop or abutment. A second resilient member is disposed on the elongate element on an opposite side of the sliding attachment member, e.g., in an overhanging orientation. The two resilient members are capable of applying mutually opposing urging forces, and a compressive preload can be applied to one or both of the resilient members.

Abstract: The method of the invention pertains to determining signal transduction activity in a tissue section by immunohistochemistry techniques. The expression level of the receptor of interest is determined as well as the expression levels of one or more effector molecules of the receptor signal transduction pathway. Furthermore a combined ratio of expression levels of effector molecules in subcellular compartments with the receptor expression was found to have prognostic significance.

Abstract: Many GTPases such as Ras, Ral and Rho require post-translational farnestylation or geranylgeranylation for mediating malignant transformation. Dual farnesyltransferase (FT) (FTI) and geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGT-1) inhibitors (GGTI) were developed as anticancer agents from based on an ethylenediamine scaffold. On the basis of a 4-fold substituted ethylenediamine scaffold, the inhibitors are structurally simple and readily derivatized, facilitating extensive structure-activity relationship studies. The most potent inhibitor is compound exhibited an in vitro hFTase IC50 value of 25 nM and a whole cell H-Ras processing IC50 value of 90 nM. Several of the inhibitors proved highly selective for hFTase over the related prenyltransferase enzyme geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I).

Abstract: A system and method for trapping a charged particle is disclosed. A time-varying periodic multipole electric potential is generated in a trapping volume. A charged particle under the influence of the multipole electric field is confined to the trapping volume. A three electrode configuration giving rise to a 3D Paul trap and a four planar electrode configuration giving rise to a 2D Paul trap are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating schizophrenia prodrome in human subjects using a NMDA glycine site agonist, a glycine transporter-1 inhibitor or mixtures thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable additive, carrier or excipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel heterocyclic compounds, including oxadiazole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and their use in the inhibition of reverse transcriptase and the treatment of HIV (1 and 2) infections, AIDS and ARC and other viral infections.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymeric microparticle compositions containing one or more active agents, especially those useful for treating or preventing one or more diseases or disorders of the eye, and methods of making and using thereof, are described. In a preferred embodiment, the microparticle compositions contain one or more active agents useful for managing elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in the eye. Relatively hydrophilic, and preferably carboxylated, polymeric materials such as PLGA are used for a drug such as timolol maleate, which is relatively water soluble, to increase drug loading. Higher molecular weight polymers, as well as the ratio of LA (which has a longer degradation time, up to one to two years) to GA (which has a short degradation time, as short as a few days to a week), are used to provide release over a longer period of time.