Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, and a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing clinically significant post-prandial hyperglycemia. The methods involve (a) measuring a level of alpha-hydroxybutyrate (AHB) in a single fasting baseline biological sample of the patient; (b) comparing the level of AHB in the single fasting baseline biological sample to a reference AHB level; and (c) determining the presence of or likelihood of developing the disorder in the patient based on the comparison in step (b). An increased AHB level at fasting baseline indicates that a normoglycemic, normo-insulinemic and/or non-dyslipidemic patient has developed or has an increased likelihood of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, and a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing clinically significant post-prandial hyperglycemia. The methods involve (a) measuring a level of alpha-hydroxybutyrate (AHB) in a single fasting baseline biological sample of the patient; (b) comparing the level of AHB in the single fasting baseline biological sample to a reference AHB level; and (c) determining the presence of or likelihood of developing the disorder in the patient based on the comparison in step (b). An increased AHB level at fasting baseline indicates that a normoglycemic, normo-insulinemic and/or non-dyslipidemic patient has developed or has an increased likelihood of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, and a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing clinically significant post-prandial hyperglycemia. The methods involve (a) measuring a level of alpha-hydroxybutyrate (AHB) in a single fasting baseline biological sample of the patient; (b) comparing the level of AHB in the single fasting baseline biological sample to a reference AHB level; and (c) determining the presence of or likelihood of developing the disorder in the patient based on the comparison in step (b). An increased AHB level at fasting baseline indicates that a normoglycemic, normo-insulinemic and/or non-dyslipidemic patient has developed or has an increased likelihood of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, and a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing clinically significant post-prandial hyperglycemia. The methods involve (a) measuring a level of alpha-hydroxybutyrate (AHB) in a single fasting baseline biological sample of the patient; (b) comparing the level of AHB in the single fasting baseline biological sample to a reference AHB level; and (c) determining the presence of or likelihood of developing the disorder in the patient based on the comparison in step (b). An increased AHB level at fasting baseline indicates that a normoglycemic, normo-insulinemic and/or non-dyslipidemic patient has developed or has an increased likelihood of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction.

Abstract: Helmets which harness magnetic forces to reduce the force of impact collisions to helmets during contact sports, thus reducing the likelihood that athletes sustain a physical injury such as a traumatic brain injury and/or a neck injury, are described. The helmets incorporate strong magnets into the shell such that a repulsive magnetic force is generated between opposing helmets, thus reducing impact forces. Each helmet includes a protective shell and at least one magnet which is arranged or configured to provide for a spatially modulated magnetic array.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for assessing a subject's cardiovascular health. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a level of cardiac Troponin I and a level of cardiac Troponin T in a sample, and comparing a combined score determined as a function of the cardiac Troponin levels to reference cardiac Troponin levels associated with a reference population. In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of treating a subject, the method comprising determining a level of cardiac Troponin I and a level of cardiac Troponin T in a sample, comparing a combined score determined as a function of the cardiac Troponin levels to reference cardiac Troponin levels associated with a reference population, and initiating a therapeutic regimen in the subject if the combined score is greater than the reference cardiac Troponin levels.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of assessing cardiovascular risk in a subject and/or of treating a subject having or at risk of developing a cardiovascular disease or disorder. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining an activity level of PCSK9 and/or a level of PCSK9 in a sample obtained from the subject, and initiating or modifying a treatment regimen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for diagnosing prior ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and approximate the time said stroke occurred, comprising measurement of IgG and IgM antibodies to NR2A and/or NR2B NMDA receptor or fragment thereof in a biological sample, and comparing those measurements to reference population standards and to each other. The invention also includes optionally measuring other biomarkers for autoimmune disease for the reduction in false positives and better risk stratification for future stroke events. The method is particularly useful for identifying individuals that are at risk for future stroke or TIA, and for diagnosing previous history of ischemic stroke or TIA. This measurement and comparison enables determination of the risk of future stroke which is by definition higher in those patients who have suffered a previous stroke.

Abstract: This application relates to methods of predicting susceptibility or likelihood of a clinically-relevant mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-deficient subject to develop a cardiovascular disease and/or cardiodiabetes. The methods include measuring MBL mass or concentration and, optionally, measuring MBL activity, at least one other biomarker and/or genotyping of MBL gene and its promoters; combining the information obtained into a calculated MBL-inclusive index score that involves mathematical transformation; and assigning a risk of cardiadiabetic status and clinical endpoints based on the determination and comparison of the MBL inclusive index to reference values from a population.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, and a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing clinically significant post-prandial hyperglycemia. The methods involve (a) measuring a level of alpha-hydroxybutyrate (AHB) in a single fasting baseline biological sample of the patient; (b) comparing the level of AHB in the single fasting baseline biological sample to a reference AHB level; and (c) determining the presence of or likelihood of developing the disorder in the patient based on the comparison in step (b). An increased AHB level at fasting baseline indicates that a normoglycemic, normo-insulinemic and/or non-dyslipidemic patient has developed or has an increased likelihood of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction, and a method for detecting the presence of or likelihood of a patient of developing clinically significant post-prandial hyperglycemia. The methods involve (a) measuring a level of alpha-hydroxybutyrate (AHB) in a single fasting baseline biological sample of the patient; (b) comparing the level of AHB in the single fasting baseline biological sample to a reference AHB level; and (c) determining the presence of or likelihood of developing the disorder in the patient based on the comparison in step (b). An increased AHB level at fasting baseline indicates that a normoglycemic, normo-insulinemic and/or non-dyslipidemic patient has developed or has an increased likelihood of developing occult pancreatic beta cell dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for determining patient compliance with a smoking cessation program, and monitoring the patient for physiological recovery from the deleterious effects of smoking, with particular emphasis on those effects that impact risk of cardiovascular disease and development of cancer. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating a subject according to the patient compliance with the smoking cessation program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to inhibition of viruses, e.g., HIV, using defensins. The invention further relates to methods for identifying and using agents, including small molecule chemical compositions, antibodies, peptides, nucleic acids, antisense nucleic acids, and ribozymes, that increase naturally occurring defensin expression or activity, thereby inhibiting HIV in a cell; as well as to the use of expression profiles and compositions in diagnosis and prophylaxis, and therapy related to HIV infection and related disease states such as AIDS.