Abstract: The present invention relates to biomarkers that are predictive of renal disease in patients who have diabetes. The present invention also provides methods of using such biomarkers to predict the risk that a diabetic patient will develop renal disease, and/or to identify a patient who has diabetes as being in need of a therapy to prevent or delay the onset of a renal disease.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods of diagnosing and predicting renal disease, using one, two, or more biomarkers, including sTNFR1, sTNFR2, sFAS, TNF, and IL-6.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of inducing differentiation of stem into myogenic cells without gene manipulation and for inducing proliferation of satellite cells. The cells can be used as a source of cells for transplantation in a subject in need thereof. Also disclosed is a screening assay for screening test compounds using blastomere cultures.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use are provided for improving ? cell function and promoting pancreatic ? cell proliferation in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo. The active agents of the pending invention comprise Serpin family peptides (e.g., SerpinB1), functional and structural analogs of Serpin family peptides and nucleic acids encoding Serpin family peptides, as well as active fragments thereof.

Abstract: A method of determining a level of hypoglycemic unawareness displayed by a patient is provided. The method includes maintaining, in a data storage device in communication with one or more processors, a data structure including one or more glucose concentrations correlated to one or more subject prompts. The method also includes receiving, by the one or more processors, a glucose concentration. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, a query based upon the received glucose concentration and the data structure. The method includes transmitting, to a user interface device in communication with the one or more processors, the query. The method includes receiving, by the one or more processors, a patient response to the transmitted query. The method includes determining, by the one or more processors, level of hypoglycemic unawareness of the patient based at least upon the patient response.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for increasing insulin sensitivity in a subject. A method may comprise administering to a subject in need of increased insulin sensitivity a therapeutically effective amount of a glypican-4 agent. Also provided herein are methods for determining whether a subject is or is likely to become insulin resistant. A method may comprise determining the level of glypican-4 in a subject, wherein an elevated level of glypican-4 indicates that a subject is or is likely to become insulin resistant.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating obesity and related disorders. The methods include the use of stem cells treated with BMP-2, -4, -5, -6 and/or -7.

Abstract: Methods for regenerating thymic tissues, e.g., for the treatment of subjects who have thymic insufficiency, i.e., whose thymic tissues are absent or atrophied due to illness, age, or injury, by administration of growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for providing an enriched population of mature, glucose-responsive insulin secreting cells, and for modulating insulin expression, activity and secretion in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing, predicting risk of, and/or treating diabetic retinopathy and/or diabetic nephropathy.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of use are provided for improving ? cell function and promoting pancreatic ? cell proliferation in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo. The active agents of the pending invention comprise Serpin family peptides (e.g., SerpinB1), functional and structural analogs of Serpin family peptides and nucleic acids encoding Serpin family peptides, as well as active fragments thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating obesity and related disorders. The methods include the use of BMP-2, -4, -6 and -7.

Abstract: Cell populations enriched for human myogenic progenitors are obtained by selection on the basis of expression of specific cell surface markers. The muscle progenitor cells are characterized as being CD45?, Mac-1?, GlycophorinA?, CD31? and CD34?, ITGA7hi and CD56 intermediate and methods of use thereof. Methods are provided for the separation and characterization of human myogenic cells, which are precursor cells having the ability to form muscle. The cells are identified and isolated from cells found within the pool of muscle satellite cells, located beneath the basal lamina of mature muscle fibers in the muscle tissue.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for diagnosing, predicting risk of and/or treating diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Abstract: The present invention is based in part on the discovery of brown and white fat cell specific surface markers. It has been found that the small amino acid transporter Slca10/Asc1 is a specific surface marker for white adipocytes and that the ligand-gated ion channel P2X5 and the small amino acid transporter Slc36a2 are specific surface markers for brown adipocytes. Having identified these specific white and brown cell surface markers, the present invention provides compositions and methods suitable for the targeting of any number of agents to a white or brown adipose tissue and the identification and isolation of white or brown adipocytes for any number of uses including therapeutic, screening and diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for decreasing kallikrein and treating, preventing, or ameliorating metabolic conditions in an individual in need thereof. Examples of disease conditions that can be treated, prevented, or ameliorated with the administration of antisense compounds targeted to kallikrein include obesity and diabetes. Methods for inhibiting kallikrein can also be used as a prophylactic treatment to prevent individuals at risk for developing a metabolic condition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating obesity and related disorders. The methods include the use of stem cells treated with BMP-2, -4, -5, -6 and/or -7.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and composition for the treatment and diagnosis of disorders associated with excessive vascular permeability and edema.

Abstract: Described are methods of improving glycemic control/improving insulin sensitivity by administering an inhibitor of Striated Muscle Activator of Rho Signaling (STARS) activity, and methods of identifying new compounds for use in the described methods of treatment.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating neural dysfunction. A exemplary method comprises administering to a subject having a neuropathy, e.g., a cognitive dysfunction or Alzheimer's, a therapeutically effective amount of an insulin or insulin analog, wherein the insulin or insulin analog crosses the BBB and/or a compound that increases SREBP-2 expression or activity in the CNS of the subject.