Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for sealing a container are described and disclosed. A system includes a lid assembly configured to seal an opening of a container and a coupler assembly configured to be disposed within a recessed portion of the lid assembly. The lid assembly includes a recessed portion configured to facilitate coupling the lid assembly with an external vacuum source. The lid assembly includes a hole disposed within the recessed portion and a ball seal disposed in the hole, wherein the ball seal is configured to seal the hole in a closed position when a vacuum pressure is created within the container. The lid assembly includes a gasket cavity disposed within the lid assembly, wherein the gasket cavity is configured to align a gasket for creating a seal between the lid assembly and the container. The coupler assembly includes a coupler body, a coupler seal, and a vacuum port.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for sealing a container are described and disclosed. A system includes a lid assembly configured to seal an opening of a container and a coupler assembly configured to be disposed within a recessed portion of the lid assembly. The lid assembly includes a recessed portion configured to facilitate coupling the lid assembly with an external vacuum source. The lid assembly includes a hole disposed within the recessed portion and a ball seal disposed in the hole, wherein the ball seal is configured to seal the hole in a closed position when a vacuum pressure is created within the container. The lid assembly includes a gasket cavity disposed within the lid assembly, wherein the gasket cavity is configured to align a gasket for creating a seal between the lid assembly and the container. The coupler assembly includes a coupler body, a coupler seal, and a vacuum port.

Abstract: The invention relates to predicting, or aiding in predicting, which individuals are at risk of developing coronary artery disease. The invention provides a method for identifying an individual who has an altered risk for developing CAD. The invention further relates to methods of reducing the likelihood that a subject will develop CAD. The invention further provides reagents, nucleic acids and kits comprising nucleic acids containing a polymorphism in a CAD-determinative gene.

Abstract: Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a kidney disorder of unknown etiology and up to 20% of patients on dialysis have this diagnosis. A large family with hereditary FSGS carries a missense mutation in the TRPC6 gene on chromosome 11q, encoding the ion channel protein Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel 6. The missense mutation is a P112Q substitution, which occurs in a highly conserved region of the protein, enhances TRPC6-mediated calcium signals in response to agonists such as angiotensin II, and alters the intracellular distribution of TRPC6 protein. Previous work has emphasized the importance of cytoskeletal and structural proteins in proteinuric kidney diseases. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for glomerular disease pathogenesis.

Abstract: The LSAMP gene can be used for cardiovascular disease risk assessment, in particular Left Main Disease. The genetic risk attributable to LSAMP adds to known cardiovascular disease risk factors. Assessment of risk attributable to LSAMP permits early initiation of preventive and therapeutic strategies. Given the pronounced clinical risk associated with Left Main Disease, such risk assessment should significantly reduce morbidity and mortality.

Abstract: Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a kidney disorder of unknown etiology and up to 20% of patients on dialysis have this diagnosis. A large family with hereditary FSGS carries a missense mutation in the TRPC6 gene on chromosome 11q, encoding the ion channel protein Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel 6. The missense mutation is a P112Q substitution, which occurs in a highly conserved region of the protein, enhances TRPC6-mediated calcium signals in response to agonists such as angiotensin II, and alters the intracellular distribution of TRPC6 protein. Previous work has emphasized the importance of cytoskeletal and structural proteins in proteinuric kidney diseases. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for glomerular disease pathogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for diagnosing a subject as being or having a predisposition to being asthmatic. The present invention is also directed to methods of detecting whether a subject may be atopic by screening for genetic risk factors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of screening a subject for Alzheimer's disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of a marker or functional polymorphism associated with a gene linked to Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying a subject having an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, comprising: a) correlating the presence of one or more genetic markers in chromosome 3q13.31 with an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease; and b) detecting the one or more genetic markers of step (a) in the subject, thereby identifying the subject as having an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Also provided are methods of identifying subjects with cardiovascular disease as having a good or poor prognosis, as well as methods of identifying effective treatment regimens for cardiovascular disease, based on correlation with genetic markers in chromosome 3q13.31.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for screening a subject for Parkinson disease, for increased risk of developing Parkinson disease and/or for an earlier or later age of developing Parkinson disease, comprising detecting the presence of a genetic marker associated with Parkinson disease.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods of screening a subject for Parkinson's disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of a marker or functional polymorphism associated with a gene linked to Parkinson's disease.

Abstract: Methods are described for screening a subject for risk of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A or for diagnosing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or a predisposition for developing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in a subject, by detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the mitofusin gene in a biological sample collected from the subject. Methods are also described for detecting the presence of a genetic polymorphism associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A in a sample of patient nucleic acid, by amplifying a mitofusin gene sequence in the patient nucleic acid to produce an amplification product; and identifying the presence of a Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A associated polymorphism in the amplification product.