Abstract: Nano-encapsulated photosensitizers and their use in the treatment of tumors and/or imaging is described. Preferably, the photosensitizers are encapsulated in a calcium phosphate nanoparticle (CPNP). Encapsulating the PS in a CPNP increases the half-life of the PS, increases absorption of the PS into the target cell tissue, increases the photostability of the PS, increases the photoefficiency of the PS, increases in vivo retention of the PS, or combinations thereof, ultimately making it a highly efficacious agent for use in photodynamic therapy, imaging target tissues, vessels, or tumors, and/or detecting or locating tumors.

Abstract: A number of human disorders are characterized by degeneration or loss of specific cells, resulting in pathology associated with reduction or absence of cell function. Such diseases include neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. Methods are described for obtaining a substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells including incubating a population of human embryonic stem cells with an amount of a selection agent. The selection agent is effective to reduce or eliminate differentiated embryonic stem cells from the population of cells such that a substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells is obtained. The substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells may be produced without use of feeder cells.

Abstract: Diabetic retinopathy is a debilitating complication of diabetes and a leading cause of vision loss, however the fundamental mechanisms contributing to vision loss remain undefined. Several novel observations are described: 1) diabetic retinas demonstrate decreased total ceramide levels; 2) with a concomitant increase in glucosylceramides; 3) which mediates decreased insulin receptor signaling and; 4) cell death in vitro and in vivo. Inhibition of this dysfunctional glycosphingolipid metabolism restores insulin sensitivity. Moreover, elevation in diglycerides and reduction in concentrations of phosphatidic acid or ceramide-1-phosphate also contribute to diabetic complications and insulin resistance. The mechanism responsible for dysfunctional lipid metabolism in diabetic tissues involves reduced caveloin-1-expression within structured membrane microdomains and suggest another target for molecular and pharmacological intervention.

Abstract: A method for treating and preventing diseases associated with neutrophil infiltration, particularly ocular diseases, is provided, which method comprises administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of ceramide or a derivative thereof. Also provided is a composition for treating diseases associated with neutrophil infiltration, the composition comprising ceramide or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: A number of human disorders are characterized by degeneration or loss of specific cells, resulting in pathology associated with reduction or absence of cell function. Such diseases include neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes. Methods are described for obtaining a substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells including incubating a population of human embryonic stem cells with an amount of a selection agent. The selection agent is effective to reduce or eliminate differentiated embryonic stem cells from the population of cells such that a substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated human embryonic stem cells is obtained. The substantially homogeneous population of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells may be produced without use of feeder cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the synthesis of unagglomerated, highly dispersed, stable core/shell nanocomposite particles comprised of preparing a reverse micelle microemulsion that contains nanocomposite particles, treating the microemulsion with a silane coupling agent, breaking the microemulsion to form a suspension of the nanocomposite particles by adding an acid/alcohol solution to the microemulsion that maintains the suspension of nanocomposite particles at a pH of between about 6 and 7, and simultaneously washing and dispersing the suspension of nanocomposite particles, preferably with a size exclusion HPLC system modified to ensure unagglomeration of the nanocomposite particles. The primary particle size of the nanocomposite particles can range in diameter from between about 1 to 100 nm, preferably from between about 10 to 50 nm, more preferably about 10 to 20 nm, and most preferably about 20 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rational basis for combining targeted therapies together with selected chemotherapeutics, which does not currently exist for the treatment of melanoma. The present invention is based on the present inventors' discovery that Akt3 regulates apoptosis and V599E B-Raf regulates growth and vascular development in melanoma. Inventors are the first to recognize an effective combined targeted therapeutic for treating melanoma. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell by reducing Akt3 activity. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a melanoma tumor cell comprising contacting a melanoma tumor cell with an agent that reduces Akt3 activity. Consequently, the method provided restores normal apoptotic sensitivity to a melanoma tumor cell, thereby allowing the administration of a lower concentration of chemotherapeutic agents resulting in decreased toxicity to a patient.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the systemic delivery of growth-arresting lipid-derived bioactive drugs or gene therapy agents to an animal or human in need of such agents utilizing nanoscale assembly systems, such as liposomes, resorbable and non-aggregating nanoparticle dispersions, metal or semiconductor nanoparticles, or polymeric materials such as dendrimers or hydrogels, each of which exhibit improved lipid solubility, cell permeability, an increased circulation half life and pharmacokinetic profile with improved tumor or vascular targeting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and device for preventing stenosis and/or restenosis after an invasive procedure in a body vessel or cavity having an inner wall surface, the system comprising inserting a device coated with a growth arresting, lipid-derived, bioactive substance at a desired location along the inner wall surface of the body vessel or cavity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and device for preventing stenosis and/or restenosis after an invasive procedure in a body vessel or cavity having an inner wall surface, the system comprising inserting a device coated with a growth arresting, lipid-derived, bioactive substance at a desired location along the inner wall surface of the body vessel or cavity.

Abstract: A patellar component of a prosthetic knee joint includes a domed portion having a peak offset from the center of the patellar component for effecting compensation for the displacement of the mechanical joint line upon implant of the prosthetic knee joint so as to enable affixation of the patellar component within the natural patella with sufficient bone coverage while attaining appropriate sliding engagement of the patellar component with a patellar groove in the femoral component of the prosthetic knee joint during articulation of the knee.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis in which engagement between the femoral component and the tibial component of the knee prosthesis takes place at a contact area along articular surface areas including complementary medial-lateral surface profile contours having a single medial-lateral articular radius defining an arcuate profile, and anterior-posterior surface profile contours along the femoral component and the tibial component, the anterior-posterior surface profile contour of the femoral component having an essentially constant anterior-posterior articular radius throughout regions of the femoral component which contact the tibial component within a primary range of flexion, the center of the anterior-posterior articular radius being located along a line extending laterally between the medial and lateral attachment points of the collateral ligaments of the knee, such that the contact area along the articular surface areas is maintained at a maximum throughout at least the primary range of flexion for minimizing stresses