Abstract: A medical device is disclosed for monitoring and modulating uterine contractions. The medical device may include a uterine pacemaker and an intravaginal electrode carrier, which may both be located within the body. The intravaginal electrode carrier includes sensing and modulating electrodes that measure uterine electroactivity and apply electrical modulation, respectively. The uterine pacemaker receives the measured uterine electroactivity from the intravaginal electrode carrier and generates the electrical modulation applied by the modulating electrodes. The electrical modulation may be used to inhibit or induce uterine contractions. The intravaginal electrode carrier may be used in addition or as an alternative to an external uterine muscle activity monitor (e.g., a tocodynamometer) for a more accurate measure of uterine contractions that is noninvasive.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method for controlling uterine contractions is disclosed including receiving data from at least one sensor by a wireless apparatus inserted into the patient's vagina adjacent the cervix. The data includes an indication that a contraction of the uterus is imminent. The method further includes in response to receiving the data, causing a generator circuit of the wireless apparatus to supply electrical energy to an energy applicator of the wireless apparatus that is configured to apply the supplied electrical energy to the uterus of the patient via the cervix of the patient to control contractions of the patient's uterus.

Abstract: The methods of the present invention provide a new diagnostic marker for proliferative conditions and cancers, such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and others. A truncation of MAP1a, CSP80 is an oncoprotein identified as being present in bodily fluids, or contents thereof, of a subject when afflicted with a proliferative condition. The present invention disclosed diagnosis and monitoring of a proliferative condition by detection of CSP80. Additionally, the present invention discloses a targeted treatment of proliferative conditions utilizing CSP80 binding agents, via a variety of delivery vehicles such as nanoparticles.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method for controlling uterine contractions is disclosed including receiving data from at least one sensor by a wireless apparatus inserted into the patient's vagina adjacent the cervix. The data includes an indication that a contraction of the uterus is imminent. The method further includes in response to receiving the data, causing a generator circuit of the wireless apparatus to supply electrical energy to an energy applicator of the wireless apparatus that is configured to apply the supplied electrical energy to the uterus of the patient via the cervix of the patient to control contractions of the patient's uterus.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method for controlling uterine contractions is disclosed including receiving data from at least one sensor by a wireless apparatus inserted into the patient's vagina adjacent the cervix. The data includes an indication that a contraction of the uterus is imminent. The method further includes in response to receiving the data, causing a generator circuit of the wireless apparatus to supply electrical energy to an energy applicator of the wireless apparatus that is configured to apply the supplied electrical energy to the uterus of the patient via the cervix of the patient to control contractions of the patient's uterus.

Abstract: In an aspect of the present disclosure, a system and method for controlling uterine contractions is disclosed including receiving data from at least one sensor by a wireless apparatus inserted into the patient's vagina adjacent the cervix. The data includes an indication that a contraction of the uterus is imminent. The method further includes in response to receiving the data, causing a generator circuit of the wireless apparatus to supply electrical energy to an energy applicator of the wireless apparatus that is configured to apply the supplied electrical energy to the uterus of the patient via the cervix of the patient to control contractions of the patient's uterus.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for predicting the viability of an embryo or for predicting the likelihood of a negative outcome during pregnancy by identifying the presence or absence of or determining the amount of one or more pregnancy associated markers such as molecular isoforms of hCG in a sample. In many instances, the invention is applicable to embryos generated by in vitro fertilization techniques, for instance, to embryos developing in a growth media. The present invention further provides methods for determining the amount of a pregnancy associated markers such as molecular isoforms of hCG (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for predicting the viability of an embryo or for predicting the likelihood of a negative outcome during pregnancy by identifying the presence of or determining the amount of one or more pregnancy associated markers such as molecular isoforms of hCG in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of post source decay (PSD) or collision induced dissociation (CID) direct tissue (DT) MALDI-TOF or DT-MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrographic identification of biological molecules in a tissue or cellular sample without the need for further protein extraction. This method provides for studying cells or tissues by direct tissue MALDI (DT-MALDI), thereby substituting in situ protein release for further protein extraction. Mass/intensity data was processed with Mascot© software interrogation of the NCBI database. These results are proof of principle that DT-MALDI, combined with bioinformatics, can directly identify proteins in cells and tissues from their mass spectra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of post source decay (PSD) or collision induced dissociation (CID) direct tissue (DT) MALDI-TOF or DT-MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrographic identification of biological molecules in a tissue or cellular sample without the need for further protein extraction. This method provides for studying cells or tissues by direct tissue MALDI (DT-MALDI), thereby substituting in situ protein release for further protein extraction. Mass/intensity data was processed with Mascot© software interrogation of the NCBI database. These results are proof of principle that DT-MALDI, combined with bioinformatics, can directly identify proteins in cells and tissues from their mass spectra.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of post source decay (PSD) or collision induced dissociation (CID) direct tissue (DT) MALDI-TOF or DT-MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrographic identification of biological molecules in a tissue or cellular sample without the need for further protein extraction. This method provides for studying cells or tissues by direct tissue MALDI (DT-MALDI), thereby substituting in situ protein release for further protein extraction. Mass/intensity data was processed with Mascot© software interrogation of the NCBI database. These results are proof of principle that DT-MALDI, combined with bioinformatics, can directly identify proteins in cells and tissues from their mass spectra.

Abstract: The methods and compositions of the invention provide new diagnostic markers for cancers (e.g., ovarian cancer, PPC, etc.) and other proliferative diseases or conditions such as psoriasis and endometriosis. The methods and compositions of the invention further provide new treatments for such proliferative diseases or conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for predicting the viability of an embryo or for predicting the likelihood of a negative outcome during pregnancy by identifying the presence or absence of or determining the amount of one or more pregnancy associated markers such as molecular isoforms of hCG in a sample. In many instances, the invention is applicable to embryos generated by in vitro fertilization techniques, for instance, to embryos developing in a growth media. The present invention further provides methods for determining the amount of a pregnancy associated markers such as molecular isoforms of hCG (hCG) in a sample. The present invention also provides a diagnostic kit for predicting the viability of an embryo or for predicting the likelihood of a negative outcome during pregnancy by identifying the presence of or determining the amount of one or more pregnancy associated markers such as molecular isoforms of hCG in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of post source decay (PSD) or collision induced dissociation (CID) direct tissue (DT) MALDI-TOF or DT-MALDI-TOF-TOF mass spectrographic identification of biological molecules in a tissue or cellular sample without the need for further protein extraction. This method provides for studying cells or tissues by direct tissue MALDI (DT-MALDI), thereby substituting in situ protein release for further protein extraction. Mass/intensity data was processed with Mascot© software interrogation of the NCBI database. These results are proof of principle that DT-MALDI, combined with bioinformatics, can directly identify proteins in cells and tissues from their mass spectra.

Abstract: A minimally invasive procedure for perfusion-impregnation of tissues, organs and cells is provided that aids in the retention of tissue and cellular architecture without the formation of artifacts. The procedure allows for monitoring drug disposition, for detecting diseased tissue and for monitoring the presence of target molecules in a sample using various imaging techniques, including matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS).