Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for determining blood brain barrier (BBB) damage and treating patients who may have suffered from BBB damage due to an ischemic event are provided. The methods and apparatus involve detecting the presence of cleaved occludin fragments in a sample of blood. According to some embodiments, the method further provides determining the degree of BBB damage based on the concentration of occludin fragments in the sample. In further embodiments the present disclosure provides kits for detecting the presence of occludin fragments in a blood sample.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a test for detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis or TB) infection in a patient or subject, specifically a diagnostic test, including a breath test, whereby patients are provided a small dose of an isotopically labeled TB drug, Isoniazid (INH) orally or directly to the lungs of the patient or subject. If TB is present, a TB enzyme mycobacterial peroxidase KatG oxidizes the INH; and KatG specific metabolites, in particular, isotopically labeled nitric oxide (NO), nitrites, nitrates, carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide converted from carbon monoxide of INH cleavage are measured. Other embodiments relate to a diagnostic breath test for detecting TB utilizing isotopically labeled urea (preferably, carbon-13 labeled urea), alone or in combination with isotopically labeled isoniazid (preferably, nitrogen-15 labeled isoniazid), wherein M. tuberculosis organism, if present in the patient or subject's lungs (or other tissues), will metabolize the isotopically labeled urea to isotopically labeled carbon dioxide (CO2) such that a determination of the residence of M. tuberculosis, including residence of an isoniazid resistant strain of M. tuberculosis, may be made.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a test for detecting a Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis or TB) infection in a patient or subject, specifically a diagnostic test, including a breath test, whereby patients are provided a small dose of an isotopically labeled TB drug, Isoniazid (INH) orally or directly to the lungs of the patient or subject. If TB is present, a TB enzyme mycobacterial peroxidase KatG oxidizes the INH; and KatG specific metabolites, in particular, isotopically labeled nitric oxide (NO), nitrites, nitrates, carbon monoxide (CO) or carbon dioxide converted from carbon monoxide of INH cleavage are measured. Other embodiments relate to a diagnostic breath test for detecting TB utilizing isotopically labeled urea (preferably, carbon-13 labeled urea), alone or in combination with isotopically labeled isoniazid (preferably, nitrogen-15 labeled isoniazid), wherein M. tuberculosis organism, if present in the patient or subject's lungs (or other tissues), will metabolize the isotopically labeled urea to isotopically labeled carbon dioxide (CO2) such that a determination of the residence of M. tuberculosis, including residence of an isoniazid resistant strain of M. tuberculosis, may be made.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods for detecting P aeruginosa infection and bacterial burden in the lungs of patients who are at risk for P. aeruginosa infections, especially including patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The present method provides numerous tests (breath, blood, urine) which are readily administered to a patient that will sensitively and specifically detect the presence and extent of lung infection P. aeruginosa (both mucoid and non-mucoid), and allow monitoring of bacterial load as a parameter in monitoring treatment.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to the use of isotopically labeled citrulline for gnosing the presence or absence of a bacterial infection in the lungs of a patient.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the use of isotopically labeled derivatives of isoniazid, ethionamide and related compounds as effective therapy for the treatment of mycobacterial diseases, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the use of isotopically labeled derivatives of isoniazid, ethionamide and related compounds as effective therapy for the treatment of mycobacterial diseases, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Abstract:
Inhibiting the enzymic action of tyrosinase in the melanocyte prior to, during, or after ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure, including over-exposure causing erythema, or sunburn, prevents the production of melanin and thereby melanoma. Melanoma can be prevented by using a tyrosinase inhibitor agent that inhibits the enzymic action of tyrosinase to prevent damage and/or death of melanocytes. The inhibitor agent can be applied to the skin or ingested.
Abstract:
The present invention is a system and methods of establishing a Melanocyte Protection Factor (MPF), which indicates the level of protection against DNA damage to a target cell, such as the level of protection a particular sunscreen offers against UVA rays when compared to the unprotected case, i.e., no sunscreen. The present invention determines and records levels of stable melanin radicals (SMR) in a target cell. Light is applied to the target cell forming light-induced melanin radicals (LIR). The levels of SMR and intensity of LIR are measured to determine the amount of incident light reaching the target cell. Since LIR is proportional to the square root of light intensity reaching the target cell, the ratio of light reaching the target cell is defined as the MPF: MPF = UV reaching melanocyte without sunscreen UV reaching melanocyte with sunscreen = [ SMR + screen LIR + UV + screen ] 2 [ SMR control LIR + UV control ] 2
Abstract:
Embodiments of methods and apparatus use electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to provide a signal from melanin to image a melanoma. Embodiments of methods and apparatus use electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to provide a signal from melanin to detect metastatic melanoma in a sentinel lymph node. Embodiments of methods and apparatus use electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to provide a signal from melanin to measure light penetration in melanocytes in skin.