Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions, devices, and methods for isolating human Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) without either electricity or enzymatic digestion. In particular, a paramagnetic immunobead (PIB) for isolating human ASCs is disclosed. In some embodiments, the PIB displays on its surface one or more antibodies that selectively bind ASC-specific antigens. Also disclosed is a method for isolating human ASCs using the disclosed PIBs.

Abstract: Multimodal nanoparticles are nanoparticles containing contrast agents for PAT and one or more of luminescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. The multimodal nanoparticles can have a dielectric core comprising an oxide with a metal coating on the core. The particles can be metal speckled. The multimodal nanoparticles can be used for therapeutic purposes such as ablation of tumors or by neutron capture in addition to use as contrast agents for imaging.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel fluorescent core-shell nanoparticles comprising an encapsulated fluorescent core comprising an ionically bound fluorescent dye and a metal oxide shell. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention a core containing indocyanine green (ICG) with a silica shell that displays excellent photostability for generation of a near infrared fluorescence signal. The fluorescent core-shell nanoparticle can be further modified to act as an MRI, x-ray, or PAT contrast agent. The ICG nanoparticles can also be used as photodynamic therapeutic agent. Other embodiments of the invention directed to methods of making the novel core-shell nanoparticles and to the use of the core-shell nanoparticles for in vitro or in vivo imaging.

Abstract: Multimodal nanoparticles are nanoparticles containing contrast agents for PAT and one or more of luminescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. The multimodal nanoparticles can have a dielectric core comprising an oxide with a metal coating on the core. The particles can be metal speckled. The multimodal nanoparticles can be used for therapeutic purposes such as ablation of tumors or by neutron capture in addition to use as contrast agents for imaging.

Abstract: Hemangioblasts in adult bone marrow participate in new blood vessel formation. By modulating the differentiation of hemangioblasts into blood vessel cells, angiogenesis in a particular tissue can be increased or decreased. The present invention features compositions and methods for reducing tumor vasculogenesis, treating leukemia, and/or treating or preventing leukemia relapse. In particular, the invention provides an SDF-1 binding agent (e.g., antibody, antisense, ribozyme) for the treatment or prevention of a neoplasia, such as leukemia. Intravitreal injection of antibodies that block SDF-1 activity inhibited induced retinal neovascularization mediated by hemangioblasts. Anti-SDF-1 ribozymes and SDF-1 anti-sense RNA expression constructs significantly reduced migration of cells that create new vessels in the eye.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of isolating and propagating self-renewing colonic stem/progenitor cells (CS/PCs) that express aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1), from colon cancer and colitis tissues, as well as from normal colon tissue, methods of identifying agents for modulating the proliferative status of such cells, an methods of screening patients having colitis for an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Novel methods of adherent cell culture propagation of CS/PC involving use of colon-specific fibroblastic stromal cells (CFSt) {i.e. the “niche” cells) as support cells (e.g., “feeder cells”). The present disclosure encompasses an isolated mammalian pluripotent colon epithelial stem/progenitor cell (CS/PC), or a population of said cells, where each CS/PC may comprise a detectable marker, where the detectable marker is aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), and where the isolated population of mammalian pluripotent CS/PCs is substantially free of cells that do not have the detectable ALDH 1 marker.

Abstract: Multimodal nanoparticles are nanoparticles containing contrast agents for PAT and one or more of luminescence imaging, x-ray imaging, and/or MRI. The multimodal nanoparticles can have a dielectric core comprising an oxide with a metal coating on the core. The particles can be metal speckled. The multimodal nanoparticles can be used for therapeutic purposes such as ablation of tumors or by neutron capture in addition to use as contrast agents for imaging.

Abstract: Stem cells repair the marrow vascular niche following bone marrow transplantation. Donor-derived vasculogenesis occurred whether whole bone marrow cells, isolated stem cells, or single stem cells were transplanted. Damaged marrow sinusoids led to hypoxia, followed by upregulation of angiogenic factors hypoxia inducible factor-1 and stromal derived factor-1.

Abstract: Hemangioblasts in adult bone marrow participate in new blood vessel formation. By modulating the differentiation of hemangioblasts into blood vessel cells, angiogenesis in a particular tissue can be increased or decreased. The present invention features compositions and methods for reducing tumor vasculogenesis, treating leukemia, and/or treating or preventing leukemia relapse. In particular, the invention provides an SDF-1 binding agent (e.g., antibody, antisense, ribozyme) for the treatment or prevention of a neoplasia, such as leukemia. Intravitreal injection of antibodies that block SDF-1 activity inhibited induced retinal neovascularization mediated by hemangioblasts. Anti-SDF-1 ribozymes and SDF-1 anti-sense RNA expression constructs significantly reduced migration of cells that create new vessels in the eye.

Abstract: Hemangioblasts in adult bone marrow participate in new blood vessel formation. By modulating the differentiation of hemangioblasts into blood vessel cells, angiogenesis in a particular tissue can be increased or decreased. Intravitreal injection of antibodies that block SDF-1 activity inhibited induced retinal neovascularization mediated by hemangioblasts.

Abstract: Hemangioblasts in adult bone marrow participate in new blood vessel formation. By modulating the differentiation of hemangioblasts into blood vessel cells, angiogenesis in a particular tissue can be increased or decreased. Intravitreal injection of antibodies that block SDF-1 activity inhibited induced retinal neovascularization mediated by hemangioblasts.

Abstract: An interactive applications generator is utilized to generate an interactive application environment for use on a single server multi-client network computer system. The interactive applications generator permits a user to define a graphical user interface (GUI), that contains one or more display screens, for a customized interactive application environment. The interactive applications generator contains a screen template editor, a media frame editor, a screen editor, and an interactive presentation editor. The screen template editor is utilized to create generic screen templates, that contain generic screen template elements. The media frame editor is utilized to generate media frames by combining multimedia component elements in a time synchronized manner. The screen editor is utilized to generate the display screens including assigning functionality.

Abstract: Digital data is stored in a buffer, and a data buffer CRC word is generated for error detection. Error correction is provided by a set of XPQ circular queues ("XPQs") used to compute an error correction syndrome. As each word is loaded into the data buffer, it is also XORed into each of the XPQs. An XPQ CRC is generated for error detection in the XPQs. The complete data packet may be transmitted or stored for later retrieval. Upon receipt or retrieval, the packet is decoded and checked for errors. The incoming data is read into a second buffer and a new CRC is generated. If the incoming CRC matches the new CRC, no errors exist and no further checking or correction is needed. If the CRCs do not match, the incoming data is used to generate new XPQ' queues and a new XPQ CRC. If the incoming XPQ CRC matches the new XPQ CRC, then the error may be correctable. XPQ imprinter circular queues ("IQ") are formed by XORing each word of the incoming XPQs with the words of the new corresponding XPQs.

Abstract: A detector and locator system monitors sequential signals to detect and locate events. In a fault detector and locator embodiment, the system monitors the sequential states of multiples signals to detect a fault and to locate the source of a fault. A Hamming encoder compresses the sequential signal to reduce the number of signature generators. Signature generators further compress the encoded signals to reduce an enormous number of states contained in the sequence of monitored signals to a relatively small set of signatures. A parity detector monitors the signature signals to generate a fault detection signal. A location circuit monitors the signature signals to generate a fault location signal.

Abstract: An error correcting system involves the addition of parity type correction bits to each word in a series of digital word forming data to be transmitted or processed. When a person is passing an orchard where a field of partially grown trees are planted, you can look directly down the rows of trees perpendicular to the side of the field, and you can also look at an angle 45 degrees forward and down an open path 45 degrees to the rear of your path along the side of the orchard. In the present system, the error correction parity bits are summed over digits representing more then one vector through the words of data information, which are quite similar to the prospect along three different vectors in an orchard, as mentioned above.