Abstract: Co-culturing of mesenchymal stem cells or tissues comprising mesenchymal stem cells with myocytes or myocyte containing tissues provide for the long term culture and expansion of myocytes. The co-culture gives rise to three-dimensional functioning cardiac tissue grafts or constructs.

Abstract: A novel transcriptomic biomarker for prognosis in heart failure has a direct clinical application in prediction of prognosis in new onset heart failure, heart disease, heart disorders and associated heart conditions. This approach should improve individualization of cardiac care and help identify patients at highest risk for circulatory collapse within the first years of presentation with heart failure.

Abstract: A novel renal precursor cell is identified from kidney tissue. The cell is multipotent capable of forming renal epithelial and endothelial tissues. The cell can be amplified in culture and maintains stemness over multiple passages. This cell fulfills a major unmet need as a cell-based source for kidney regeneration or repair. Treatment of kidney diseases and disorders (e.g., glomerularpathies and acute tubular necrosis) may be improved thereby.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions of GHRH agonists and peptides, and methods to treat disorders, such as ischemia and reperfusion injury. In one embodiment, a method of treating a reperfusion injury in a subject in need may involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one GHRH agonist peptide to the subject. In additional embodiment, a method of promoting vasculogenesis in a mammal may involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one GHRH agonist peptide to the subject. In a further embodiment, a method of promoting differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into endothelial cells may involve contacting mesenchymal stem cells with at least one GHRH agonist peptide.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods demonstrating that growth-hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) directly activates cellular reparative mechanisms within the injured heart, in a GH/IGF-I independent fashion. Following experimental myocardial infarction (MI), rats were randomly assigned to receive, during a 4 week period, either placebo (n=14), rat recombinant GH (rrGH, n=8) or JI-38 (n=8; 50 ?g/Kg/day), a potent GHRH-agonist. JI-38 did not elevate serum levels of GH or IGF-I, but markedly attenuated the degree of cardiac functional decline and remodeling after injury. In contrast, GH administration markedly elevated body weight, heart weight, circulating GH and IGF-I, but did not offset the decline in cardiac structure and function. Whereas, both JI-38 and GH augmented levels of cardiac precursor cell proliferation, only JI-38 increased anti-apoptotic gene expression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that within the heart, GHRH-agonists can activate cardiac repair following MI.

Abstract: Methods for the isolation of CD271+ stem cell populations are important in the prevention or treatment of cardio-vascular diseases and repair of cardiac tissue. The methods are applicable to stem cells from different sources and can be used to treat or prevent diseases or repair of tissues elsewhere in the organism's body.

Abstract: Molecular signatures that function as very sensitive diagnostic biomarker for myocarditis, heart disease and disorders thereof, are identified.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gene expression prediction profile for distinguishing ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy comprises the steps of obtaining clinical specimens from patients suffering from ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy, isolating nucleic acid sequences from at least a plurality of said specimens, obtaining a gene expression level corresponding to each individual of said nucleic acid sequence by a gene expression profiling method, identifying genes having differences in gene expression by comparing the gene expression level of an ischemic specimen with the gene expression level of a nonischemic specimen, and identifying a gene expression prediction profile comprises genes identified as having differences in gene expression so that said prediction profile distinguishes ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A reactive oxygen generating enzyme inhibitor with NO donor bioactivity, e.g., nitrated allopurinol, is useful to treat heart failure, stable angina, ischemic disorder, ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS and asthma and to obtain proper contraction of heart, skeletal and smooth muscle.

Abstract: Nitric oxide synthase deficiency causes diminished ryanodine receptor S-nitrosylation leading to increased diastolic calcium (Ca2+) and reduced intra sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium (Ca2+) content. Compositions for treatment of cardiac failure and cardiac disorders such as arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are described.

Abstract: Novel gene and protein targets are described for treatment of cardiac disorders, anti-aging therapies and tissue repair. Identified biomarkers are prognostic of long term survival of patients suffering from heart diseases and related disorders.

Abstract: Molecular signatures that function as very sensitive diagnostic biomarker for myocarditis, heart disease and disorders thereof, are identified.

Abstract: A novel transcriptomic biomarker for prognosis in heart failure has a direct clinical application in prediction of prognosis in new onset heart failure, heart disease, heart disorders and associated heart conditions. This approach should improve individualization of cardiac care and help identify patients at highest risk for circulatory collapse within the first years of presentation with heart failure.

Abstract: A reactive oxygen generating enzyme inhibitor with NO donor bioactivity, e.g., nitrated allopurinol, is useful to treat heart failure, stable angina, ischemic disorder, ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS and asthma and to obtain proper contraction of heart, skeletal and smooth muscle.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gene expression prediction profile for distinguishing ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy comprises the steps of obtaining clinical specimens from patients suffering from ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy, isolating nucleic acid sequences from at least a plurality of said specimens, obtaining a gene expression level corresponding to each individual of said nucleic acid sequence by a gene expression profiling method, identifying genes having differences in gene expression by comparing the gene expression level of an ischemic specimen with the gene expression level of a nonischemic specimen, and identifying a gene expression prediction profile comprises genes identified as having differences in gene expression so that said prediction profile distinguishes ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The instant invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment of cardiac dysfunction. Specifically, the invention provides methods and compositions for modulating Arginase II for the treatment of cardiac dysfunction.

Abstract: A reactive oxygen generating enzyme inhibitor with NO donor bioactivity, e.g., nitrated allopurinol, is useful to treat heart failure, stable angina, ischemic disorder, ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS and asthma and to obtain proper contraction of heart, skeletal and smooth muscle.

Abstract: Blockade of stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1), a stem cell mobilizer and/or its receptor, chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) attenuates and reverses hypoxia-induced cardiopulmonary remodeling in vivo. Compositions for treating hypoxia-induced cardiovascular disorders modulate the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gene expression prediction profile for distinguishing ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy comprises the steps of obtaining clinical specimens from patients suffering from ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy, isolating nucleic acid sequences from at least a plurality of said specimens, obtaining a gene expression level corresponding to each individual of said nucleic acid sequence by a gene expression profiling method, identifying genes having differences in gene expression by comparing the gene expression level of an ischemic specimen with the gene expression level of a nonischemic specimen, and identifying a gene expression prediction profile comprises genes identified as having differences in gene expression so that said prediction profile distinguishes ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: A reactive oxygen generating enzyme inhibitor with NO donor bioactivity, e.g., nitrated allopurinol, e.g., 1,5-bis(3-nitrooxypropyyl)-1,5-dihydro-4H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4-one is useful to treat heart failure, stable angina, ischemic disorder, ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS and asthma and to obtain proper contraction of heart, skeletal and smooth muscle. Where the disorder is heart failure, administration of the enzyme inhibitor mediates amelioration of acute coronary symptoms and/or myocardial infarction.