Abstract: A system configured to be at least partially implanted along an aorta includes an inelastic, static member and a pinching member. The pinching member is configured to receive an activation signal at an activation rate and in response to the activation signal, repeatedly compress the aorta at the second location at the activation rate to pump fluid within the aorta in a desired pumping direction. The system is configured to selectively control wave reflections in order to achieve both improved wave dynamics to reduce cardiac load and increased (or at least non-diminished) blood flow to targeted organs within the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the growth of cells in culture under conditions that promote differentiation, cell survival, and/or cellular proliferation. More particularly, culturing neural crest stem cells in low oxygen conditions is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the growth of cells in culture under conditions that promote cell survival, proliferation, and/or cellular differentiation. The present inventors have found that proliferation was promoted and apoptosis reduced when cells were grown in lowered oxygen as compared to environmental oxygen conditions traditionally employed in cell culture techniques. Further, the inventors found that differentiation of precursor cells to specific fates also was enhanced in lowered oxygen where a much greater number and fraction of dopaminergic neurons were obtained when mesencephalic precursors were expanded and differentiated in lowered oxygen conditions. Thus at more physiological oxygen levels the proliferation and differentiation of CNS precursors is enhanced, and lowered oxygen is a useful adjunct for ex vivo generation of specific neuron types. Methods and compositions exploiting these findings are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the growth of cells in culture under conditions that promote cell survival, proliferation, and/or cellular differentiation. The present inventors have found that proliferation was promoted and apoptosis reduced when cells were grown in lowered oxygen as compared to environmental oxygen conditions traditionally employed in cell culture techniques. Further, the inventors found that differentiation of precursor cells to specific fates also was enhanced in lowered oxygen where a much greater number and fraction of dopaminergic neurons were obtained when mesencephalic precursors were expanded and differentiated in lowered oxygen conditions. Thus at more physiological oxygen levels the proliferation and differentiation of CNS precursors is enhanced, and lowered oxygen is a useful adjunct for ex vivo generation of specific neuron types. Methods and compositions exploiting these findings are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating, maintaining, and/or enriching for stem or progenitor cells derived from diverse organ or tissue sources. The invention specifically teaches that these can be accomplished by the controlled use of subatmospheric oxygen culture, and that the precise oxygen level or levels must be determined empirically and/or by reference to physiologic levels within intact functioning organ or tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating, maintaining, and/or enriching for stem or progenitor cells derived from diverse organ or tissue sources. The invention specifically teaches that these can be accomplished by the controlled use of subatmospheric oxygen culture, and that the precise oxygen level or levels must be determined empirically and/or by reference to physiologic levels within intact functioning organ or tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating, maintaining, and/or enriching for stem or progenitor cells derived from diverse organ or tissue sources. The invention specifically teaches that these can be accomplished by the controlled use of subatmospheric oxygen culture, and that the precise oxygen level or levels must be determined empirically and/or by reference to physiologic levels within intact functioning organ or tissue. In particular, culturing skeletal muscle progenitor cells in less than 12% oxygen conditions or under 1% oxygen level.