Abstract:
Disclosed are methods and dietary compositions for the treatment and prevention of neuropathic pain and for pain prognosis. Some embodiments may include the administration of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Methods for the treatment and prevention of neuropathic pain by administering a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, N-acylated ethanolamines, or N-acylated ethanolamine precursors are also provided. Compositions for the treatment and prevention of neuropathic pain are also provided.
Abstract:
Surgical tools for use during scarless or near scarless surgical procedures. At least some of the surgical tools can include a handle portion and a working end removably connected to the handle portion.
Abstract:
Disclosed are systems, devices and methodologies related to calibration of an ion based imaging apparatus such as a proton computed tomography scanner. In some implementations, energy degrader plates having known water-equivalent thickness (WET) values can be introduced to an ion beam to introduce different energy degradation settings. Energy detector responses to individual ions subject to such energy degradation settings can be obtained. Such responses can be normalized and correlated to water-equivalent path lengths (WEPL) of the ions based on the known WET values. Such calibration utilizing degrader plates can be performed relatively quickly and can yield accurate WEPL values that facilitate estimation of, for example, a CT image based on relative stopping power of an object.
Abstract:
Mammalian host cells for use in a cell-mediated transfection process, which contain an RNAi molecule and an expression vector for a pro-apoptotic protein. The method includes inducing apoptotic cell (AC) death in mammalian cells that contain an RNAi molecule capable of down-regulating a chosen target gene. Living cells expressing the target gene are then exposed to the ACs. The ACs are processed by the living cells, and the RNAi molecule in the ACs down-regulates the expression of the target gene in living cells.
Abstract:
An apparatus (430) for closing a vascular wound includes an apparatus that can be threaded over a guidewire(458) into place at or adjacent the wound. The apparatus includes a chamber(520) that encloses a hemostatic material (270) therein. When the apparatus is positioned adjacent the wound as desired, the hemostatic material is deployed from the chamber. Blood contacts the hemostatic material, and blood clotting preferably is facilitated by a hemostatic agent within the material. Thus, the vascular puncture wound is sealed by blood clot formation.
Abstract:
An apparatus (50) processes a surface of an inhabitable structure. The apparatus (50) includes a laser base unit (300) adapted to provide laser light to an interaction region, the laser light removing material from the structure. The laser base unit (300) includes a laser generator (310) and a laser head (1200) coupled to the laser generator (310). The laser head (200) is adapted to remove the material from the interaction region, thereby providing reduced disruption to activities within the structure. The apparatus (50) further includes an anchoring mechanism (1110) adapted to be releasably coupled to the structure and releasably coupled to the laser head (1200). The apparatus (50) further includes a controller (500) electrically coupled to the laser base unit (300). The controller (500) is adapted to transmit control signals to the laser base unit (300) in response to user input.
Abstract:
Methods for preventing, delaying the onset of, or treating rejection of an allograft using a DNA vaccine, where the vaccine can comprise a polynucleotide encoding a pro-apoptotic protein, like BAX and/or a polynucleotide encoding an autoantigen or donor antigen, like secreted glutamic acid decarboxylase 55. Administering one of the DNA vaccines to a transplant recipeint, as described herein, can induce a donor specific tolerogenic response.
Abstract:
A DNA virus in a sample is detected by contacting the sample with host cells that have been transiently transfected with a reporter sequence under the control of a virus-specific promoter, and then detecting the reporter.