Abstract: The present invention provides novel biomarkers for regulatory T cells (Treg) function and Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for treating or ameliorating symptoms of demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The methods involve administering to subjects in need of treatment a pharmaceutical composition that contains a therapeutically effective amount of taurine and also a compound that induces oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation (e.g., T3, benztropine, clemastine or miconazole). Some of the methods additionally involve administration to the subject a known agent for treating demyelinating diseases (e.g., SIP receptor agonists) or a known disease modifying drug. The invention also provides methods for increasing myelination and methods for promoting OPC differentiation into oligodendrocytes. These methods entail contacting a population of OPCs with a combination of taurine and a known OPC differentiation-inducing agent such as T3, clemastine, benztropine or miconazole.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry techniques for determining the status of sepsis in an individual are provided. A biomarker profile resolved from a biological sample, taken from the individual, using a mass spectrometry technique is compared to a reference biomarker profile. A single such comparison classifies the individual as belonging to or not belonging to a reference population. The individual's biomarker profile and the reference biomarker profile comprise a plurality of ions each having a mass-to-charge ratio of about 100 Daltons to about 1000 Daltons. The plurality of ions can be detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive mode. The comparison uses a decision rule, such as a classification tree, that determines the status of sepsis in the individual without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the biomarker profile from the individual and without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the reference biomarker profile.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry techniques for determining the status of sepsis in an individual are provided. A biomarker profile resolved from a biological sample, taken from the individual, using a mass spectrometry technique is compared to a reference biomarker profile. A single such comparison classifies the individual as belonging to or not belonging to a reference population. The individual's biomarker profile and the reference biomarker profile comprise a plurality of ions each having a mass-to-charge ratio of about 100 Daltons to about 1000 Daltons. The plurality of ions can be detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive mode. The comparison uses a decision rule, such as a classification tree, that determines the status of sepsis in the individual without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the biomarker profile from the individual and without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the reference biomarker profile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting the development of sepsis in a subject at risk for developing sepsis are provided. Features in a biomarker profile of the subject are evaluated. The subject is likely to develop sepsis if these features satisfy a particular value set. Methods and apparatus for predicting the development of a stage of sepsis in a subject at risk for developing a stage of sepsis are provided. A plurality of features in a biomarker profile of the subject is evaluated. The subject is likely to have the stage of sepsis if these feature values satisfy a particular value set. Methods and apparatus for diagnosing sepsis in a subject are provided. A plurality of features in a biomarker profile of the subject is evaluated. The subject is likely to develop sepsis when the plurality of features satisfies a particular value set.

Abstract: A substrate for use in providing an ionized target comprising a structured substrate has a plurality of recesses, at least a portion of the plurality of recesses containing an initiator, the substrate being capable of having a target loaded on it. In one methods, irradiation of the substrate can cause the initiator to restructure, releasing it from the recesses and thereby desorbing and ionizing the target. The target so desorbed and ionized can be detected by mass analyzers. The mass of the targets at a given point on the surface can be recorded to provide a spatial mapping of the targets on the surface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a substrate for performing ionization desorption on porous silicon, methods for performing such ionization desorption and methods of making substrates. One embodiment directed to a substrate for performing ionization desorption on silicon comprises a substrate having a surface having a formula of: As used above, X is H or Y, where at least at least twenty five mole percent of X is Y and Y is hydroxyl, or —O—R1, or O—SiR1, R2, R3 wherein R1, R2, and R3 are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aromatic, amino alkyl, amino alkenyl, amino alkynyl, pyridinyl, pyrridonyl, and carbonyl, alcohol and carboxylic acid derivatives thereof having one to twenty five atoms, and hydroxyl, amino, amide, carboxyl, ester, carbonyl, sulfhydryl, sulfonyl, phosphoral, bromo, iodo, chloro and fluoro derivatives. The letter “n” represents an integer from 1 to infinity and any vacant valences are silicon atoms, hydrogen or impurities.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry techniques for determining the status of sepsis in an individual are provided. A biomarker profile resolved from a biological sample, taken from the individual, using a mass spectrometry technique is compared to a reference biomarker profile. A single such comparison classifies the individual as belonging to or not belonging to a reference population. The individual's biomarker profile and the reference biomarker profile comprise a plurality of ions each having a mass-to-charge ratio of about 100 Daltons to about 1000 Daltons. The plurality of ions can be detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive mode. The comparison uses a decision rule, such as a classification tree, that determines the status of sepsis in the individual without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the biomarker profile from the individual and without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the reference biomarker profile.

Abstract: Mass spectrometry techniques for determining the status of sepsis in an individual are provided. A biomarker profile resolved from a biological sample, taken from the individual, using a mass spectrometry technique is compared to a reference biomarker profile. A single such comparison classifies the individual as belonging to or not belonging to a reference population. The individual's biomarker profile and the reference biomarker profile comprise a plurality of ions each having a mass-to-charge ratio of about 100 Daltons to about 1000 Daltons. The plurality of ions can be detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in positive mode. The comparison uses a decision rule, such as a classification tree, that determines the status of sepsis in the individual without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the biomarker profile from the individual and without requiring knowledge of the identity of the biomarkers in the reference biomarker profile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a substrate for performing ionization desorption on porous silicon, methods for performing such ionization desorption and methods of making substrates. One embodiment directed to a substrate for performing ionization desorption on silicon comprises a substrate having a surface having a formula of: As used above, X is H or Y, where at least at least twenty five mole percent of X is Y and Y is hydroxyl, or —O—R1 or O—SiR1,R2,R3 wherein R1,R2, and R3 are selected from the group consisting C1 to C6 straight, cyclic, or branched alkyl, aryl, or alkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, or a siloxane group, and R6 may be a C1 to C36 straight, cyclic, or branched alkyl (e.g.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography configuration providing at least three dimensions of separation coupled with spectrometry greatly improves the ability to detect ions present in samples, including complex biological samples such as blood. Liquid chromatography columns in one embodiment are connected with an in-line trapping column the alternately communicates with the second and third liquid chromatography columns. The liquid chromatography columns are operably connected either to a mass spectrometer (MS) or a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer. The improved dynamic range of detection allows a method of detecting molecular components present in complex biological samples that serve as biomarkers for a disease state, such as sepsis.

Abstract: The early prediction or diagnosis of sepsis advantageously allows for clinical intervention before the disease rapidly progresses beyond initial stages to the more severe stages, such as severe sepsis or septic shock, which are associated with high mortality. Early prediction or diagnosis is accomplished by comparing an individual's profile of biomarker expression to profiles obtained from one or more control, or reference, populations, which may include a population who develops sepsis. Recognition of features in the individual's biomarker profile that are characteristic of the onset of sepsis allows a clinician to diagnose the onset of sepsis from a bodily fluid isolated at the individual at a single point in time. The necessity of monitoring the patient over a period of time is, therefore, avoided, advantageously allowing clinical intervention before the onset of serious symptoms.

Abstract: A method of making improved substrates for desorbing and ionizing analytes takes an n-type semiconductor substrate and provides a strong light source. By focusing the illumination from the light source onto the n-type semiconductor substrate results in at least one lit region on the n-type semiconductor substrate. The substrate is electrochemically etched with a low current during illumination to form at least one sample reservoir, each sample reservoir being formed at a respective lit region on the n-type semiconductor substrate.