Abstract: The present disclosure provides a scope carrier that contains a channel for a scope to be inserted therethrough. The scope can be coupled to the scope carrier so that during insertion of the carrier, the objective lens of the scope is used to guide the scope carrier. When the carrier is properly positioned, the scope can be released from the carrier and continue further through the body passages to the intended tissue or structure. The scope carrier can have a relatively much larger channel as a percentage of the carrier outer diameter than a typical scope. The carrier channel can be at least 50% of the scope carrier outer diameter. The carrier channel allows use of a larger scope to be inserted therethrough than has typically been available. The corresponding larger channel of the larger scope allows instruments to be inserted therethrough that heretofore have been unavailable in such combinations.

Abstract: A contrast marker having a casing and a novel MRI contrast agent comprising metal complexes disposed around, within, or abuting the casing is provided. Such contrast markers may be placed in a strand, with or without a therapy seed, to produce a seeded strand useful for imaging and in connection with brachytherapy.

Abstract: A disclosure provides a removable intraluminal stent for treating injuries or other conditions inside a body lumen. The stent can include a seam, such as a helical seam, for supporting the structure of the stent, which can be unseamed, for example, during removal of the stent from a lumen. The stent can include an elongated tubular member, or stent body, for positioning inside a lumen. The stent can be flexible and can include one or more other stent components coupled to the body. The stent can be formed from an obliquely-angled-parallelogram-shaped sheet. The stent can include a peripheral wire, which can be memory shape-retaining wires, for coupling the stent in place and/or a longitudinal support wire for supporting one or more components of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hyperproliferative diseases. Specifically, the present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising a modified Reoviridae virus, wherein the Reoviridae virus is conjugated to a hydroxylated hydrocarbon or a polycationic polymer to reduce the clearance of the composition and reduce the immunogenicity of the composition. Yet further, the invention relates to methods of treating a hyperproliferative disease by administering to a patient an effective amount of the modified Reoviridae virus.

Abstract: A cellular mobile communication system using multiple antennas reselects a plurality of transmission antennas of base stations connected to a mobile station. The system includes measuring a channel quality parameter used for estimation of channel performance, determining whether to reselect the transmission antennas using the measured channel quality parameter, reselecting transmission antennas of the base stations connected to the mobile station, and connecting the reselected transmission antennas to the base station.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for delivering an enzyme to a subject's brain or bone. The methods include administering a hyaluronidase to the subject and administering the enzyme to the subject. The hyaluronidase and the enzyme are administered to the subject under conditions effective to deliver the enzyme to the subject's brain or bone. Compositions and kits which include hyaluronidase and an enzyme are also disclosed, as are methods for increasing blood-brain barrier permeability in a subject. Also disclosed are methods, compositions, and kits for delivering genes or other nucleic acid molecules to a subject's brain or bone, as well as methods, compositions, and kits for delivering enzymes to a subject's tissues. The methods, compositions, and kits are disclosed as being useful in treating or preventing a variety of enzyme deficiency diseases, such as those affecting brain and/or bone, e.g., as Canavan's disease, Fabry disease, Gaucher's disease, various forms of mucopolysaccharidosis (e.g.

Abstract: As described herein, signaling events occurring in neurons or at neuronal synapses have been identified that involve Cdk5 and various other molecules which bind to, are activated by, and/or activate Cdk5. Of particular relevance are interactions that stimulate calpain cleavage of p35 into p25, which binds Cdk5 in pathologic states. Assays to identify modulators of these interactions are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions related to diagnosing and treating hormone resistant cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid virus entry/binding detection assay. An enzyme such as luciferase was incorporated at the C-terminal end of viral envelope proteins of the HIV Nef protein that would specifically associate with cell membranes to deliver the enzyme into viral particles upon viral assembly. Virus entry/binding can then be assayed by determining the enzymatic activities in infected cells. The assay allows high-throughput non-radioactive detection of virus entry within 30 minutes after virus-cell contact. This assay provides high signal to noise ratio and is useful for screening compounds that affect virus-cell binding and entry. The design also permits packaging of potential therapeutic proteins into functional virus particles and delivering them to specific cellular targets.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of opioid receptors in the subject's dorsal root ganglion neurons. Also disclosed are methods of treating neuropathic and/or chronic pain in a subject. The method includes upregulating expression of ?-opioid receptors in the subject's large dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for detecting that a functional model execution is out-of-order with respect to a target execution. A value of a store instruction to be stored in a memory address, where the store instruction is executed by the functional model, is received by the timing model. This value is stored by the timing model in a target oracle memory at a time when the target system would execute the store instruction. The timing model compares the value in the target oracle memory with the value of a load instruction to be loaded from the same memory address, which is received from the functional model, at a time when the target system would execute the load instruction. The timing model detects an out-of-order instruction stream with respect to the target instruction stream if there is a miscomparison.

Abstract: Optical methods, devices, and systems for noninvasively detecting transient surface displacements in a neuron are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems provided may employ a phase-sensitive optical low coherence reflectometer. In addition, surface displacements due to action potential propagation in neural tissues may be detected in some embodiments using back-reflected light. According to some embodiments, exogenous chemicals or reflect ion coatings are not required. Transient neural surface displacement of less then 1 nm in amplitude and 1 ms in duration may be detected and may be generally coincident with action potential arrival to the optical measurement site. The systems and methods may be used for noninvasive detection of various neuropathies such as retinal neuropathies. They may also be useful in detecting the effects of various pharmacological agents.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for preparing micron-sized or submicron-sized particles by dissolving a water soluble effective ingredient in one or more solvents; spraying or dripping droplets solvent such that the effective ingredient is exposed to a vapor-liquid interface of less than 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 200, 400 or 500 cm?1 area/volume to, e.g., increase protein stability; and contacting the droplet with a freezing surface that has a temperature differential of at least 30° C. between the droplet and the surface, wherein the surface freezes the droplet into a thin film with a thickness of less than 500 micrometers and a surface area to volume between 25 to 500 cm?1.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods related to the structure and function of the cellular polyadenylation and specificity factor 30 (CPSF30) binding site on the surface of the influenza A non-structural protein 1 (NS1). Specifically, critical biochemical reagents, conditions for crystallization and NMR analysis, assays, and general processes are described for (i) discovering, designing, and optimizing small molecule inhibitors of influenza A (avian flu) viruses and (ii) creating attenuated influenza virus strains suitable for avian and human flu vaccine development.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor (100, 300, 400) that includes a thin and substantially flat flexible substrate (102, 406) having one or more sensor arrays (104, 302), a power source (106, 416), an output interface (108, 418) and a processor or analog circuit (304), all of which are disposed on the substantially flat flexible substrate (102, 406). The substrate (102, 406) can be any shape (e.g., rectangular, circular, a polygon, an irregular shape that is decorative) and made from a polymer, metal film or other suitable material. Note that the substrate can be rigid or semi-flexible instead of flexible. A protective layer may cover the sensor array (104, 302), the power source (106, 416), and the processor or analog circuit (304). Alternatively, a protective covering can be used to encapsulate the device. The one or more sensor arrays (104, 302) measure acceleration, force or pressure.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes compositions operable for releasing nitric oxide under photochemical conditions. The compositions include a titanium dioxide nanomaterial and a nitric oxide-releasing compound deposited on the titanium dioxide nanomaterial that is operable to release nitric oxide under photochemical conditions. Titanium dioxide nanomaterials include, for example, titanium dioxide nanotubes. To facilitate the photochemical release of nitric oxide, some embodiments of the compositions further include a semiconductor that is deposited on the titanium dioxide nanotubes. Both the semiconductor and the nitric oxide-releasing compound may be deposited on the interior surface, exterior surface, or both of the titanium dioxide nanotubes. A polymer may wrap the titanium dioxide nanotubes to protect the nitric oxide-releasing compounds from moisture. Also disclosed herein are methods for producing such compositions and medical devices obtained therefrom.

Abstract: An implant for use in biological/biomedical applications may be prepared by subjecting a substrate to a gas-plasma treatment. The substrate may be a biocompatible material, including metals, ceramics, and polymers. More specifically, the substrate may be a bioresorbable polymer. The gas-plasma treatment may include subjecting the substrate to a plasma formed by a reactive gas. The gas-plasma treatment may be performed for a chosen duration at a radio frequency within a temperature range, a pressure range, and a supplied energy range. The substrate may be exposed to living cells, such that some of the living cells become coupled to the substrate. Gas-plasma treatment parameters may be chosen such that the living cells coupled to the treated substrate produce more of a cellular product than living cells coupled to an untreated substrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, there is disclosed a method of inducing an immune response in a subject comprising administering to the subject a Francisella bacterium that includes an alteration in the nucleic acid sequence encoding the mglA, iglA, iglB, iglC, or iglD gene of the bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting a Trichomonas antigen in a fixed sample and for diagnosing Trichomonas infection by detecting a Trichomonas antigen in a fixed sample.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and apparatus for altering a modulation transfer function of an imaging system. The described methods, systems and apparatus can be used to temporarily alter visual acuity of a subject.