Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for predicting the development of kidney disease, including acute kidney injury. In certain aspects and embodiments the provided methods and compositions are particularly useful for predicting kidney injury following an event likely to cause kidney injury and/or kidney failure in a patient, such as a cardiac surgery, e.g., a surgery involving a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), such as a coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In some embodiments, the higher the urinary hepcidin-to-urinary creatinine ratio (uHep/uCr) at 6-24 hours following initiation of CPB, the lower is the risk for development of AKI determined by RIFLE criteria in the ensuing four to five days. Conversely, the higher the urinary NGAL to urinary creatinine ratio (uNGAL/uCr) at 6-24 hours following initiation of CPB, the higher is the risk of developing CPB-mediated AKI over the same time period.

Abstract: A swing training device for improving the batting mechanics of baseball players includes a device handle for gripping by a player in the manner of a baseball bat handle and a device barrel having a ball striking surface. The device barrel is interfaced at an angle from about 20° to about 40° to the device handle. At least the ball striking surface of the device barrel is formed in the size and circular shape of a baseball bat barrel. A joint maybe provided for interfacing the device barrel to the device handle at the desired angle of interface, in which case threaded bolts are utilized to attach the device handle and the device barrel to the joint. Longitudinally oriented threaded bores are provided on substantially planar faces of the device handle and the device barrel to matingly receive the bolts.

Abstract: O-(3-piperidino-2-hydroxypropyl)-nicotinic amidoxime or a pharmaceutically suitable acid addition salt thereof (BGP-15) can be used for the prevention or reduction of weight gain or obesity in a patient treated with an antipsychotic drug or an antidepressant drug or an antiepileptic drug.

Abstract: A swing training device for improving the batting mechanics of baseball players includes a device handle for gripping by a player in the manner of a baseball bat handle and a device barrel having a ball striking surface. The device barrel is interfaced at an angle from about 20° to about 40° to the device handle. At least the ball striking surface of the device barrel is formed in the size and circular shape of a baseball bat barrel. A joint maybe provided for interfacing the device barrel to the device handle at the desired angle of interface, in which case threaded bolts are utilized to attach the device handle and the device barrel to the joint. Longitudinally oriented threaded bores are provided on substantially planar faces of the device handle and the device barrel to matingly receive the bolts.

Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for predicting the development of kidney disease, including acute kidney injury. In certain aspects and embodiments the provided methods and compositions are particularly useful for predicting kidney injury following an event likely to cause kidney injury and/or kidney failure in a patient, such as a cardiac surgery, e.g., a surgery involving a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), such as a coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In some embodiments, the higher the urinary hepcidin-to-urinary creatinine ratio (uHep/uCr) at 6-24 hours following initiation of CPB, the lower is the risk for development of AKI determined by RIFLE criteria in the ensuing four to five days. Conversely, the higher the urinary NGAL to urinary creatinine ratio (uNGAL/uCr) at 6-24 hours following initiation of CPB, the higher is the risk of developing CPB-mediated AKI over the same time period.

Abstract: Methods of treating cancer by administering effective amounts of a Ras antagonist comprising FTS, or analogs thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) to a patient are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions useful in treating cancer containing a Ras antagonist comprising FTS, or analogs thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and 2DG are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of treating cancer by administering effective amounts of a Ras antagonist comprising FTS, or analogs thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) to a patient are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions useful in treating cancer containing a Ras antagonist comprising FTS, or analogs thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, and 2DG are also disclosed.

Abstract: O-(3-Piperidino-2-hydroxy-1-propyl)-nicotinic amidoxime or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof is administered to patients suffering from overweight or obesity and treated with a cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist such as rimonabant to reduce overweight or obesity and, preferably, reduce one or more unfavourable psychiatric side effects of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are oligonucleotide microarrays, wherein the microarrays comprise a plurality of target-specific oligonucleotide probes, including both sense and antisense probe pairs for each target nucleic acid. Such arrays are useful for high throughput detection of target nucleic acids in a sample, particularly when coupled to multiplex PCR. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the disclosed microarrays.

Abstract: Methods are provided for labeling nucleic acid molecules for use in hybridization reactions, and kits employing these methods. The level of labeling is increased by including one or more reactive modifications, such as amine-modifications, into the primers used to initiate synthesis of the nucleic acid molecule, for instance through random-primed reverse transcription. Also provided are modified random primers (such as amine-modified random primers) useful in these methods, labeling and hybridization kits comprising such primers, labeled nucleic acid molecules and mixtures of molecules, and methods for using them. Methods are also provided for amplifying a nucleic acid template contained within extremely small samples, in some cases as little as one cell. In particular embodiments, a single random primer is used for all steps of the amplification method. The nucleic acid template can either be of cellular or viral origin.

Abstract: Methods are provided for labeling nucleic acid molecules for use in hybridization reactions, and kits employing these methods. The level of labeling is increased by including one or more reactive modifications, such as amine-modifications, into the primers used to initiate synthesis of the nucleic acid molecule. For instance through random-primed reverse transcription. Also provided are modified random primers (such as amine-modified random primers) useful in these methods, labeling and hybridization kits comprising such primers, labeled nucleic acid molecules and mixtures of molecules, and methods for using them.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting Ras-induced or mediated proliferation of cells associated with a non-malignant disease, disorder or pathological condition. The method entails administering to a patient a Ras antagonist in an amount effective to inhibit the proliferation. The invention is particularly applicable to diseases characterized by a proliferation of T-cells such as autoimmune disease, e.g., type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis, and pathological states such as graft rejection induced by the presentation of a foreign antigen such as a graft in response to a disease condition (e.g., kidney failure). Other non-malignant diseases characterized by proliferations of cells include cirrhosis of the liver and restenosis. Preferred Ras antagonists are S-trans-trans farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) and structurally related compounds (or analogs) thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting Ras-induced or mediated proliferation of cells associated with a non-malignant disease, disorder or pathological condition. The method entails administering to a patient a Ras antagonist in an amount effective to inhibit the proliferation. The invention is particularly applicable to diseases characterized by a proliferation of T-cells such as autoimmune disease, e.g., type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis, and pathological states such as graft rejection induced by the presentation of a foreign antigen such as a graft in response to a disease condition (e.g., kidney failure). Other non-malignant diseases characterized by proliferations of cells include cirrhosis of the liver and restenosis. Preferred Ras antagonists are S-trans-trans farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) and structurally related compounds (or analogs) thereof.