Abstract: Certain embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a method of producing endoderm cells, such as definitive endoderm cells by exposing stem cells such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells to an effective amount of at least one compound described herein to differentiate the stem cells into the endoderm cells such as definitive endoderm cells. Differentiated endoderm cells produced by the methods disclosed herein can be differentiated into pancreatic epithelium, and other endoderm derivatives such as thymus, liver, stomach, intestine and lung. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of producing pancreatic progenitor cells, such as Pdx1-positive pancreatic progenitor cells by exposing endoderm cells, such as definitive endoderm cells to an effective amount of at least one compound described herein to differentiate the definitive endoderm cells into Pdx1-positive pancreatic progenitor cells.

Abstract: Fluidics-induced localized deposition and assembly of materials using a superhydrophobic surface structure is described. A method of localized deposition of a material includes contacting a superhydrophobic substrate comprising raised surface structures with a non-wetting fluid comprising a material to be locally deposited or a precursor thereto, said surface and said fluid selected such that the fluid wets only an upper portion of the raised surface structure; and allowing the material to deposit at the tips of the surface structure.

Abstract: A system for targeted delivery of agents (e.g., molecular probes, diagnostic agents, therapeutic agents, imaging agents, research or analytical compounds, enzymes, peptides, proteins, lipids, lipoproteins, sugars, hormones, vitamins, nucleic acids, viruses, bacteria, and/or cells) including use of a composition containing the agent and a targeting moiety, specific for a determinant at the target location. An exemplary composition of the system includes a targeting moiety of one of peptides ?3, 2?3, 3?3, A1, B7, B8, B9, B1O, and D6, specific for targeting ICAM-I. The system enables effective, versatile, and safe targeting and transport of agents. The system is useful in research applications, as well as in the context of translational science and clinical interventions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizing fatostatin A and/or a derivative and/or analog thereof. In other aspects, the compound for treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizes an A-B-C tripartite structure, wherein A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures and are described in detail herein. In specific aspects, the metabolic disorder includes obesity or diabetes, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for differentiating human neural progenitor cells into dopaminergic neurons, comprising the step of culturing human neural progenitor cells in a medium containing fusaric acid. In addition, the present invention provides a medium for differentiation of human neural progenitor cells into dopaminergic neurons.

Abstract: A targeted osmotic lysis (TOL) of tumor cells that over-express voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) has been developed that uses a combined therapy of a drug that blocks sodium, potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na+, K+-ATPase) that is then followed by an activation of VGSCs, for example, by electrical or pharmacological stimulation. Activation of VGSCs conducts sodium into the cancer cells in much greater amounts than non-cancer cells. Water follows this sodium gradient into the cancer cells, causing swelling and lysis. Because non-cancerous cells do not over-express VGSCs, less sodium and less water will enter the cells, and the non-cancerous cells will not lyse. This method is applicable to all cells that over-express VGSCs, including, but not limited to, highly invasive breast cancer, prostate cancer, small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung carcinoma, lymphoma, mesothelioma, neuroblastoma, and cervical cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides triterpenoids produced from natural compounds such as oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, and hederagenin.

Abstract: Paper-based microfluidic systems and methods of making the same are described.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of a synthetic triterpenoid to induce gene expression and differentiation of stem or progenitor cells in the treatment of bone/cartilage diseases or conditions.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a lipophilic derivative of a hydrophilic drug and an amphiphile compound for use in therapy of the human or animal body are provided. Methods of medical treatment, wherein a composition according to the invention is administered to a human or animal body also form part of the invention. It is preferred that the drug is delivered to the brain.

Abstract: Cost efficient, lightweight and rapid windshield deicing systems and methods are disclosed. The systems utilize step-up converters or inverters, or dual-voltage batteries, to provide a voltage high enough to deice a windshield in less than thirty seconds at ambient temperatures above ?10 C. Some of the disclosed systems include sensors for deicing element and ambient temperatures, and in some embodiments windspeed. All embodiments have a controller for limiting deicing time to that sufficient to melt a boundary layer of ice. The controller of embodiments with sensors computes deicing time as a function of ambient temperature. Embodiments interact with wiper systems to enable wipers to clear ice once the boundary layer is melted.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an illumination device for illuminating a target. A surgical microscope receives light from the target, the surgical microscope comprising at least one optical output port at which at least a portion of the received light is provided as an output from the surgical microscope. A tunable filter receives the portion of the received light provided as the output from the surgical microscope, the tunable filter being tunable to pass a filtered portion of the received light, the filtered portion of the received light having a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter and provided as output from the tunable filter. A high-resolution, broad-bandwidth electronic camera receives the light of a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter, the electronic camera converting the light of a plurality of wavelengths selected by the tunable filter to a plurality of electrical signals. A processor processes the plurality of electrical signals to form an image of the target.

Abstract: A styrylquinoline derivative of structure I or IV or a benzodioxol isoquinoline of structure II or III for use in the treatment of an angiogenesis-related disease or disorder. The invention also provides a composition comprising a styrylquinoline derivative of structure I or IV or a benzodioxol isoquinoline of structure II or III for use as a medicament.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of cancer using an inhibitor of 5?-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP). The invention particularly relates to the treatment of prostate cancer and head and neck cancer.

Abstract: Inexpensive semiconductors are produced by depositing a single crystal or large grained silicon on an inexpensive substrate. These semiconductors are produced at low enough temperatures such as temperatures below the melting point of glass. Semiconductors produced are suitable for semiconductor devices such as photovoltaics or displays.

Abstract: Method and systems for design and operation of a prediction market. A plurality of security bundles and a plurality of payoff vectors may be defined, such that each payoff vector in the plurality of payoff vectors is associated with at least one outcome in a plurality of outcomes. A prediction market engine may be provided for determining a price for each security bundle in the plurality of security bundles by using at least one processor to minimize a convex function over a convex set comprising a convex hull of the plurality of payoff vectors.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter can provide a nanotube-reinforced polymer composite material comprising a plurality of nanotubes, each nanotube being formed of a plurality of cyclic peptide molecules, disposed within a polymer matrix, such as a biodegradable polymer matrix. A cyclic polymer, such as a cyclic 8-mer, composed of amino acid residues of alternating absolute configurations (D/L, R/S), can self-assemble into nanotubes useful for preparation of the composite polymer material of the invention. For example, the cyclic peptide (QL)4, wherein the glutamine and leucine residues are of opposite absolute configuration, self-assembles into nanotubes, which when formed into a reinforced polymer composite including poly(caprolactone), provides a biocompatible material of greater tensile strength and Young's modulus compared to the poly(caprolactone) material alone. The nanotubes can be prepared by a vapor equilibration technique or by a solvent-nonsolvent precipitation technique.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of inhibiting angiogenesis in a malignant tumor, inhibiting metastasis of a malignant tumor and of inhibiting transformation of a benign tumor to a malignant tumor. The present invention also provides assays for identifying inhibitors of angiogenesis in a malignant tumor, inhibitors of metastasis of a malignant tumor and of inhibitors of transformation of a benign tumor to a malignant tumor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to protein and peptide chemistry. More particularly, it relates to compounds, compositions and uses thereof for promoting and inhibiting angiogenesis. The peptides of the present disclosure include peptides comprising SEQ ID NOs: 1-4 which promote angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Further, the anti-angiogenic compounds of the present disclosure include antisense oligonucleotides that hybridize or are complementary to the polynucleotides of SEQ ID NOs: 5-16, and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for diagnosing cancer, particularly bladder or prostate cancer using compounds of general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 X, Y and z are as defined herein.