1. A method for restoring a data set, comprising:
generating by a computer system a plurality of user-selectable elements for display by a computer device of the computer system, each element associated with a different executable application;
receiving a predetermined sequence of user inputs at the computer device while the plurality of user-selectable elements is displayed;
in response to receiving the predetermined sequence of user inputs:
executing a cryptographic restoration application not associated with any of the displayed user-selectable elements; and
using the cryptographic restoration application, restoring a data set from a plurality of data set shares, each data set share representative of an encrypted portion of the data set.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer device is a handheld computer device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-selectable elements comprise at least one icon.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-selectable elements comprise at least one drop-down menu listing.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence of user inputs comprises a gestural input, a biometric recognition input, an orientation of the computer device, a keypad input, and an acceleration of the computer device.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
in response to restoring the data set from the plurality of data set shares, displaying a graphical element associated with the data set on the display.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data set is associated with an application executable by the computer device, and further comprising:
in response to restoring the data set from the plurality of data set shares, executing the application associated with the data set.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the application is a telephonic communication application.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the application is a virtual machine application.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the data set is representative of virtual machine files, and executing the application associated with the data set comprises starting a virtual machine using the virtual machine files.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the virtual machine files comprise at least one of a log file, a virtual machine BIOS status file, a virtual disk file, a paging file, a snapshot state file, a suspended state file, and a configuration file.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more data set shares of the plurality of data set shares are stored in respective separate storage locations on the computer device.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one data set share of the plurality of data set shares is stored on the computer device and at least one data set share of the plurality of data set shares is stored on a device remote from the computer device.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more data set shares of the plurality of data set shares are stored in separate storage locations on one or more devices remote from the computer device.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a deterministic technique.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a deterministic technique.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a substantially random technique.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a substantially random technique.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises one or more computers in a distributed architecture.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system comprises one or more computers in a cloud computing environment.
21. A method for restoring a data set comprising:
identifying first data set shares stored on a first computer device of the programmed computer system, each first data set share representative of a portion of data from the data set, wherein the data set cannot be restored from the first identified data set shares but can be restored by a threshold number of data set shares;
detecting a communication link between the first computer device and a second computer device different from the first computer device;
in response to detecting the communication link:
receiving second data set shares from the second computer device at the first computer device;
determining that the first and second data set shares comprise at least the threshold number of data set shares; and
in response to determining that the first and second data set shares comprise at least the threshold number of data set shares, restoring the data set using the first and second data set shares.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein detecting a communication link comprises determining that the second computer device is within a communication range of a radio frequency communication device of the first computer device.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the radio frequency communication device comprises a Bluetooth device.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the radio frequency communication device comprises a near-field communication device.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein detecting a communication link comprises determining that the second computer device is connected to a computer communications network to which the first computer device is also connected.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein detecting a communication link comprises determining that the second computer device is within a predetermined geographical distance of the first computer device.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining that the second computer device is within a predetermined geographical distance of the first computer device comprises receiving, at the first computer device, a message from a server indicating a proximity of the second computer device.
28. The method of claim 21, wherein detecting a communication link comprises detecting an electrical communication pathway between the first computer device and the second computer device via a body of a user of the first computer device and a body of a user of the second computer device, the bodies of the users in physical contact with each other and with their respective computer devices.
29. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
prior to identifying the first data set shares, receiving at least some of the first data set shares from a third computer device in response to detecting a communication link between the first computer device and the third computer device.
30. The method of claim 21, wherein the first computer device is a handheld computer device.
31. The method of claim 21, wherein the second computer device is a handheld computer device.
32. The method of claim 21, wherein the second computer device comprises a server.
33. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
in response to restoring the data set from the first and second data set shares, displaying a graphical element associated with the data set on a display of the first computer device.
34. The method of claim 21, wherein the data set is associated with an application executable by the computer device, and further comprising:
in response to restoring the data set from the plurality of data set shares, executing the application associated with the data set.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the application is a gaming application.
36. The method of claim 21, further comprising:
in response to detecting the communication link:
transmitting the first data set shares from the first computer device to the second computer device.
37. The method of claim 21, wherein the second data set shares are received via the communication link.
38. The method of claim 21, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a deterministic technique.
39. The method of claim 21, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a deterministic technique.
40. The method of claim 21, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a substantially random technique.
41. The method of claim 21, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a substantially random technique.
42. The method of claim 21, wherein the first computer device and the second computer device are arranged in a distributed architecture.
43. The method of claim 21, wherein the first computer device and the second computer device are in a cloud computing environment.
44. A computer system for restoring a data set, comprising:
processing circuitry in communication with one or more storage locations, the processing circuitry being associated with communications circuitry for receiving communications, the processing circuitry being configured to:
generate a plurality of user-selectable elements for display by a computer device of the programmed computer system, each element associated with a different executable application;
receive a predetermined sequence of user inputs at the computer device while the plurality of user-selectable elements is displayed;
in response to receiving the predetermined sequence of user inputs:
execute a cryptographic restoration application not associated with any displayed user-selectable elements; and
use the cryptographic restoration application to restore a data set from a plurality of data set shares, each data set share representative of an encrypted portion of the data set.
45. The system of claim 44, wherein the computer device is a handheld computer device.
46. The system of claim 44, wherein the user-selectable elements comprise at least one icon.
47. The system of claim 44, wherein the user-selectable elements comprise at least one drop-down menu listing.
48. The system of claim 44, wherein the predetermined sequence of user inputs comprises a gestural input, a biometric recognition input, an orientation of the computer device, a keypad input, and an acceleration of the computer device.
49. The system of claim 44, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
in response to restoring the data set from the plurality of data set shares, display a graphical element associated with the data set on the display.
50. The system of claim 44, wherein the data set is associated with an application executable by the computer device, and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
in response to restoring the data set from the plurality of data set shares, execute the application associated with the data set.
51. The system of claim 50, wherein the application is a telephonic communication application.
52. The system of claim 50, wherein the application is a virtual machine application.
53. The system of claim 52, wherein the data set is representative of virtual machine files, and executing the application associated with the data set comprises starting a virtual machine using the virtual machine files.
54. The system of claim 53, wherein the virtual machine files comprise at least one of a log file, a virtual machine BIOS status file, a virtual disk file, a paging file, a snapshot state file, a suspended state file, and a configuration file.
55. The system of claim 44, wherein two or more data set shares of the plurality of data set shares are stored in respective separate storage locations on the computer device.
56. The system of claim 44, wherein at least one data set share of the plurality of data set shares is stored on the computer device and at least one data set share of the plurality of data set shares is stored on a device remote from the computer device.
57. The system of claim 44, wherein two or more data set shares of the plurality of data set shares are stored in separate storage locations on one or more devices remote from the computer device.
58. The system of claim 44, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a deterministic technique.
59. The system of claim 44, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a deterministic technique.
60. The system of claim 44, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a substantially random technique.
61. The system of claim 44, wherein each data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a substantially random technique.
62. The system of claim 44, wherein the processing circuitry comprises one or more computers in a distributed architecture.
63. The system of claim 44, wherein the processing circuitry comprises one or more computers in a cloud computing environment.
64. A computer system for restoring a data set, comprising:
processing circuitry in communication with one or more storage locations, the processing circuitry being associated with communications circuitry for receiving communications, the processing circuitry being configured to:
identify first data set shares stored on a first computer device of the programmed computer system, each first data set share representative of a portion of data from the data set, wherein the data set cannot be restored from the first identified data set shares but can be restored by a threshold number of data set shares;
detect a communication link between the first computer device and a second computer device different from the first computer device;
in response to detecting the communication link:
receive second data set shares from the second computer device at the first computer device;
determine that the first and second data set shares comprise at least the threshold number of data set shares; and
in response to determining that the first and second data set shares comprise at least the threshold number of data set shares, restore the data set using the first and second data set shares.
65. The system of claim 64, wherein detecting a communication link comprises determining that the second computer device is within a communication range of a radio frequency communication device of the first computer device.
66. The system of claim 65, wherein the radio frequency communication device comprises a Bluetooth device.
67. The system of claim 65, wherein the radio frequency communication device comprises a near-field communication device.
68. The system of claim 64, wherein detecting a communication link comprises determining that the second computer device is connected to a computer communications network to which the first computer device is also connected.
69. The system of claim 64, wherein detecting a communication link comprises determining that the second computer device is within a predetermined geographical distance of the first computer device.
70. The system of claim 69, wherein determining that the second computer device is within a predetermined geographical distance of the first computer device comprises receiving, at the first computer device, a message from a server indicating a proximity of the second computer device.
71. The system of claim 64, wherein detecting a communication link comprises detecting an electrical communication pathway between the first computer device and the second computer device via a body of a user of the first computer device and a body of a user of the second computer device, the bodies of the users in physical contact with each other and with their respective computer devices.
72. The system of claim 64, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
prior to identifying the first data set shares, receive at least some of the first data set shares from a third computer device in response to detecting a communication link between the first computer device and the third computer device.
73. The system of claim 64, wherein the first computer device is a handheld computer device.
74. The system of claim 64, wherein the second computer device is a handheld computer device.
75. The system of claim 64, wherein the second computer device comprises a server.
76. The system of claim 64, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
in response to restoring the data set from the first and second data set shares, displaying a graphical element associated with the data set on a display of the first computer device.
77. The system of claim 64, wherein the data set is associated with an application executable by the computer device, and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
in response to restoring the data set from the plurality of data set shares, execute the application associated with the data set.
78. The system of claim 77, wherein the application is a gaming application.
79. The system of claim 64, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
in response to detecting the communication link:
transmit the first data set shares from the first computer device to the second computer device.
80. The system of claim 64, wherein the second data set shares are received via the communication link.
81. The system of claim 64, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a deterministic technique.
82. The system of claim 64, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a deterministic technique.
83. The system of claim 64, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set selected according to a substantially random technique.
84. The system of claim 64, wherein each first data set share represents a portion of data from the data set arranged according to a substantially random technique.
85. The system of claim 64, wherein the processing circuitry comprises one or more computers in a distributed architecture.
86. The system of claim 64, wherein the processing circuitry comprises one or more computers in a cloud computing environment.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
We claim:
1. A method for diagnosing or monitoring a disease or condition comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a biological sample from a patient to be diagnosed or monitored;
(b) determining the quantity of a target marker in said biological sample, wherein said target marker is:
(i) a truncated disease-associated protein lacking its two N-terminal amino acids, wherein said truncated disease-associated protein is not human serum albumin;
(ii) a truncated disease-associated protein lacking its two C-terminal amino acids;
(iii) a truncated disease-associated protein lacking its two N-terminal amino acids and its two C-terminal amino acids;
(iv) a diketopiperazine (DKP) comprising the two N-terminal amino acids of a disease-associated protein; or
(v) a DKP comprising the two C-terminal amino acids of a disease-associated protein; or
(vi) two or more target markers selected from those listed in (i) through (v) above;
provided that when only a single DKP is used as the marker, it will not be His-Pro DKP; and
(c) determining if the quantity(ies) of said target marker(s) in said biological sample is(are) indicative of the presence, absence or status of the disease or condition.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said marker is a truncated disease-associated protein.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said marker is X-Y-DKP, wherein X-Y-DKP is a diketopiperazine composed of amino acids X and Y, and X and Y are the two N-terminal or the two C-terminal amino acids of a disease-associated protein.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein X and Y are the two C-terminal amino acids of a disease-associated protein.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein X-Y-DKP is Arg-Arg-DKP, Gln-Asn-DKP, Lys-Arg-DKP, Glu-Phe-DKP, Ser-Met-DKP, Cys-Asn-DKP, Lys-Ala-DKP, Gln-Asn-DKP, Gly-Leu-DKP, Ala-Ala-DKP, Trp-Pro-DKP, Asn-Ser-DKP, Leu-Pro-DKP, Asp-Arg-DKP, His-Gly-DKP, Gln-Gly-DKP, Glu-Ser-DKP, Asn-Pro-DKP, Lys-Leu-DKP, Pro-Cys-DKP, Asn-Lys-DKP, Asp-Arg-DKP, Ala-Pro-DKP, Arg-His-DKP or combinations of the foregoing.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein X and Y are the two N-terminal amino acids of a disease-associated protein.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein X-Y-DKP is N-acetyl-Ala-Ser-DKP, N-acetyl-Ala-phosphorylated-Ser-DKP, Asp-Ala-DKP, Glu-Ile-DKP, Glu-Val-DKP, Phe-Pro-DKP, Ala-Glu-DKP, Phe-Val-DKP, Gly-Ile-DKP, Met-Ala-DKP, Met-Asp-DKP, Glu-Lys-DKP, Gln-Thr-DKP, Ala-Val-DKP, Gly-Leu-DKP, Ala-Pro-DKP, Glu-Ala-DKP, Pro-Glu-DKP, Lys-Ser-DKP, Ile-Val-DKP, Gln-Tyr-DKP, Lys-Glu-DKP, Glu-Asp-DKP, Ala-Pro-DKP, Ala-Asn-DKP, Ala-Leu-DKP, Ser-Leu-DKP, Val-Leu-DKP, Val-His-DKP, Gly-His-DKP, His-Pro-DKP, Ser-Pro-DKP or combinations of the foregoing.
8. The method of claim 3, wherein X-Y-DKP is N-acetyl-Ala-Ser-DKP, N-acetyl-Ala-phosphorylated-Ser-DKP, Asp-Ala-DKP, Arg-Arg-DKP, Gln-Asn-DKP or combinations of the foregoing.
9. The method of claim 3, wherein X-Y-DKP is Asp-Ala-DKP, Met-Ala-DKP, Gln-Asn-DKP, Gly-Leu-DKP or combinations of the foregoing.
10. The method of claim 3, wherein X-Y-DKP is Gly-Leu-DKP, Ala-Pro-DKP, Glu-Ala-DKP, Leu-Pro-DKP, Asp-Arg-DKP, His-Gly-DKP or combinations of the foregoing.
11. The method of claim 3, wherein X-Y-DKP is Arg-His-DKP, His-Pro-DKP, Ser-Pro-DKP, or combinations of the foregoing.
12. The method of claim 3, wherein X-Y-DKP is Gly-Leu-DKP, Pro-Glu-DKP, Gln-Gly-DKP, Glu-Ser-DKP, or combinations of the foregoing.
13. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein said disease-associated protein is myelin basic protein, beta-amyloid, Rh factor, pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A, B or D, insulin, tau protein, alpha-synuclein, albumin, C-reactive protein, interleukin 8, S100 proteins, beta-chorionic gonadotropin, fetal erythropoietin, pregnancy-associated protein A, myoglobin, troponin I, troponin T, prostate specific antigen, amylase, lipase, alpha1-antitrypsyn, erthyropoietin, activated protein C, tethal chain, zeta chain, alpha chain, beta chain, delta chain, epsilon chain, gamma AG and brain natriuretic peptide.
14. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the disease or condition is multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, cystic fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, inflammation, ischemia, cerebral ischemia, placental ischemia, myocardial infarction, prostate cancer, pancreatitis, emphysema, renal disease, cancer, chemotherapy, hemoglobinopathies, anemnias or congestive heart failure.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more target markers are quantitated.
16. A method of diagnosing or monitoring multiple sclerosis (MS) in a patient, comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a biological sample from said patient;
(b) measuring the amount of a MS diagnostic compound in said biological sample to diagnose or monitor said MS in said patient.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said MS diagnostic compound is:
(i) a compound having a mass of about 175 as determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry;
(ii) a compound having a mass of about 145 as determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry;
(iii) Asp-Ala diketopiperazine (DA-DKP);
(iv) N-acetyl-alanine-serine diketopiperazine (NAS-DKP); or
(v) combinations of the foregoing;
wherein:
the absence of compounds (i) andor (ii) or an elevated amount of DA-DKP andor NAS-DKP in said biological sample is indicative of MS; and
an elevated amount of DA-DKP andor NAS-DKP in said biological sample is indicative of active MS.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said MS is active MS.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said MS diagnostic compound is DA-DKP, NAS-DKP or both.
20. A method of diagnosing or monitoring Alzheimer’s disease in a patient, comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a biological sample from said patient; and
(b) measuring the amount of an Alzheimer’s diagnostic compound in said biological sample to diagnose or monitor said Alzheimer’s disease.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein said Alzheimer’s diagnostic compound is:
(i) a compound having a mass of about 175 as determined by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry;
(ii) Asp-Ala-DKP; or
(iii) both (i) and (ii).
22. A method of diagnosing or monitoring placental ischemia in a pregnant patient, comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a biological sample from said patient; and
(b) measuring the amount of a placental ischemia diagnostic compound in said biological sample to diagnose or monitor said placental ischemia.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein said placental ischemia diagnostic compound is:
(i) Gly-Leu-DKP;
(ii) Ala-Pro-DKP; or
(iii) both Gly-Leu-DKP and Ala-Pro-DKP.
24. The method of claim 1, 16, 20 or 22, wherein step (b) is conducted by mass spectrometry, chemical assay or immunoassay.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein step (b) is conducted by immunoassay.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein said immunoassay is conducted by using one or more binding partners specific for a target marker, MS diagnostic compound, Alzheimer’s diagnostic compound or placental ischemia diagnostic compound.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the binding partner is an antibody or an aptamer.
28. The method of claims 1, 16, 20 or 22, wherein said biological sample is a body fluid.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein said body fluid is serum, plasma, blood, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, tears, semen, vaginal secretion, amniotic fluid or cord blood.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein said body fluid is plasma or serum.
31. The method of claims 1, 16, 20 or 22, wherein said patient is an animal.
32. The method of claims 31, wherein said patient is a human.
33. An isolated binding partner having specificity for a target marker selected from the group consisting of:
(a) a truncated disease-associated protein lacking its two N-terminal amino acids, wherein said truncated disease-associated protein is not human serum albumin;
(b) a truncated disease-associated protein lacking its two C-terminal amino acids;
(c) a truncated disease-associated protein lacking its two N-terminal amino acids and its two C-terminal amino acids;
(d) a diketopiperazine (DKP) comprising the two N-terminal amino acids of a disease-associated protein, wherein the DKP is not His-Pro DKP; and
(e) a DKP comprising the two C-terminal amino acids of a disease-associated protein, wherein the DKP is not His-Pro DKP.
34. The isolated binding partner of claim 33, wherein the binding partner has specificity for a DKP.
35. The isolated binding partner of claim 34, wherein the binding partner has specificity for Arg-Arg-DKP, Gln-Asn-DKP, Lys-Arg-DKP, Glu-Phe-DKP, Ser-Met-DKP, Cys-Asn-DKP, Lys-Ala-DKP, Gln-Asn-DKP, Gly-Leu-DKP, Ala-Ala-DKP, Trp-Pro-DKP, Asn-Ser-DKP, Leu-Pro-DKP, Asp-Arg-DKP, His-Gly-DKP, Gln-Gly-DKP, Glu-Ser-DKP, Asn-Pro-DKP, Lys-Leu-DKP, Pro-Cys-DKP, Asn-Lys-DKP, Asp-Arg-DKP, Ala-Pro-DKP or Arg-His-DKP.
36. The isolated binding partner of claim 34, wherein the binding partner has specificity for N-acetyl-Ala-Ser-DKP, N-acetyl-Ala-phosphorylated-Ser-DKP, Asp-Ala-DKP, Glu-Ile-DKP, Glu-Val-DKP, Phe-Pro-DKP, Ala-Glu-DKP, Phe-Val-DKP, Gly-Ile-DKP, Met-Ala-DKP, Met-Asp-DKP, Glu-Lys-DKP, Gln-Thr-DKP, Ala-Val-DKP, Gly-Leu-DKP, Ala-Pro-DKP, Glu-Ala-DKP, Pro-Glu-DKP, Lys-Ser-DKP, Ile-Val-DKP, Gln-Tyr-DKP, Lys-Glu-DKP, Glu-Asp-DKP, Ala-Pro-DKP, Ala-Asn-DKP, Ala-Leu-DKP, Ser-Leu-DKP, Val-Leu-DKP, Val-His-DKP, Gly-His-DKP, His-Pro-DKP or Ser-Pro-DKP.
37. The isolated binding partner of any one of claims 33-36, wherein said binding partner is an antibody.
38. The isolated binding partner of claim 35, wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
39. The isolated binding partner of any one of claims 33-36, wherein said binding partner is an aptamer.
40. A composition comprising the binding partner of any one of claims 33-39 in a physiologically-acceptable carrier.
41. A kit comprising the binding partner of claim 33 and associated reagents for quantitating the target marker.
42. A kit comprising the binding partner of any one of claims 34-36 and associated reagents for quantitating the DKP.
43. The kit of claim 41 or 42, wherein said binding partner is an antibody.
44. The kit of claim 43, wherein said antibody is a monoclonal antibody.
45. The kit of claim 41 or 42, wherein said binding partner is an aptamer.
46. The kit of claim 41 or 42, wherein said binding partner is specific for a MS diagnostic compound, an Alzheimer’s diagnostic compound or a placental ischemia diagnostic compound.