Abstract: A human CD40L-specific Tn3 molecule and therapeutic uses thereof for the treatment of lupus nephritis are provided herein. Also provided are therapeutic regimens that comprise a CD40L-specific Tn3 scaffold.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to devices, systems, or kits of color-coded dilation probes and corresponding sheath or jacket catheters that dilate tissue in an atraumatic manner to a desired depth and diameter for the insertion of a cannula. A jacketed catheter may be engaged to the probes and inserted into the dilated tissue to form a fluid-tight seal. An infusate is then introduced into the tissue through the catheter and held in the tissue for a desired period of time.

Abstract: The identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in patients with Sjögren's syndrome is disclosed herein. Provided is a method of diagnosing a subject as having Sjögren's syndrome by measuring the level of at least one differentially expressed miR gene product identified herein. An alteration in the level of the at least one miR gene product in the biological sample of the subject relative to a control indicates the subject has Sjögren's syndrome. Also provided is a method of treating a patient with Sjögren's syndrome by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits expression of a miR gene product that is up-regulated in the patient with Sjögren's syndrome relative to a control, or by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated miR gene product that is down-regulated in the patient with Sjögren's syndrome relative to a control. A method of restoring salivary flow in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome is also provided.

Abstract: The identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in patients with Sjögren's syndrome is disclosed herein. Provided is a method of diagnosing a subject as having Sjögren's syndrome by measuring the level of at least one differentially expressed miR gene product identified herein. An alteration in the level of the at least one miR gene product in the biological sample of the subject relative to a control indicates the subject has Sjögren's syndrome. Also provided is a method of treating a patient with Sjögren's syndrome by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an agent that inhibits expression of a miR gene product that is up-regulated in the patient with Sjögren's syndrome relative to a control, or by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated miR gene product that is down-regulated in the patient with Sjögren's syndrome relative to a control. A method of restoring salivary flow in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are diagnostic methods for oral diseases such as oral cancer. In the methods, expression data of a plurality of genes associated with an oral disease is examined and compared to signature expression profile indicative of an oral disease. Also disclosed are systems, methods and kits for allowing a dentist to provide for detection of oral disease at the point of patient care.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of methods and computer systems for use in the analysis of gene and protein expression data. Also disclosed are methods for the definition of the cellular state of cells and tissues from multidimensional physiological data such as those obtained from gene expression measurements with DNA microarrays. A variety of classification methods can be applied to expression data to achieve this goal. Demonstrated is the application of several statistical tools including Wilks' lambda ratio of within-group to total variance, Fisher Discriminant Analysis, and the misclassification error rate to the identification of discriminating genes and the overall classification of expression data. Examples from several different cases demonstrate the ability of the method to produce well-separated groups in the projection space representing distinct physiological states. The method can be augmented and is useful in disease diagnosis, drug screening and bioprocessing applications.