Abstract: An apparatus and method for triaging patients according to radiation exposure measures electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of fingernails, toenails, and/or teeth. In vivo, radiation induced spectra are obtained from intact fingernails, toenails, or teeth placed within a magnet and with pickup coils over nails between the cut edge at the end of the fingernail and proximal skin or placed adjacent to at least one tooth. The system may also operate in vitro with fingernail clippings. At least three spectra are obtained with one after a delay at above twenty degrees Celsius, and at least one at power levels different from the others. The spectra are used to determine and remove a mechanically induced signal from EPR spectra to determine radiation-induced spectra. The radiation induced spectra are used to determine radiation dose, the dose is compared to triage limits, and a radiological triage tag is printed for the patients.

Abstract: A method for producing a conductive molecularly imprinted polymer film for detection of an airborne target molecule includes (a) dissolving a polymer host comprising a structural component and a conductive component in a first solvent to form a first solution, wherein the structural component includes nylon-6 or polyethyleneimine and the conductive component includes polyaniline, (b) adding a target molecule to the first solution, (c) mixing the target molecule into the first solution to form a molecularly imprinted polymer solution, (d) coating the molecularly imprinted polymer solution onto a surface, (e) and removing the target molecule to form the conductive molecularly imprinted polymer film.

Abstract: A method of generating corrected fluorescence data of concentrations of a targeted fluorophore in tissue of a subject includes administering first and second fluorescent contrast agents to the subject, the first contrast agent targeted to tissue of interest, the second agent untargeted. The tissue is illuminated with light of a first stimulus wavelength and first data is acquired at an appropriate emissions wavelength; the tissue is illuminated at a second stimulus wavelength and second data is acquired at a second emissions wavelength associated with the second agent, the first and second emissions wavelength differ. Difference data is generated by subtracting the second data from the first data. A system provides for stimulus and capture at multiple wavelengths, with image storage memory and subtraction code, to perform the method. Corrected data may form an fluorescence image, or is used to generate fluorescence tomographic images.

Abstract: Bicyclic compounds for decreasing the expression of bacterial virulence factors thereby preventing, mitigating, or treating bacterial infection are provided.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for treating Niemann-Pick Type C disease through administration of inhibitors of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 (ACAT1). ACAT inhibitors are used to treat symptoms of Niemann-Pick Type C disease and prolong survival of patients with the disease, either alone or in combination with other treatments.

Abstract: Synthetic triterpenoids and methods of using the same to induce gene expression and differentiation of stem or progenitor cells are provided. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for producing a cell, such as a stem or progenitor cell, with induced gene expression by contacting a stem or progenitor cell with an effective amount of a synthetic triterpenoid to induce the expression of one or more of SOX9 (Sex determining region Y-box 9), COL2A1 (Type II Collagen (alpha1)), TGF-?I, TGF-p2, TGF-33, BMP2, BMP4, BMPRII (Bone Morphogenic Protein Receptor II), SMAD (Small Mothers Against Decapentaplegic) 3, SMAD4, SMAD6, SMAD7, TIMP (Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase)-1 or TIMP-2 in the stem or progenitor cell, wherein the stem or progenitor cell is not a mesenchymal stem cell, periosteium cell or osteoprogenitor cell. In one embodiment, the stem or progenitor cell is multipotent.

Abstract: A method for providing patient registration without fiducials comprises the steps of: spatially placing an ultrasound image of a patient randomly at different starting positions relative to a preoperative image; creating an independent registration corresponding to each different starting positions, by optimizing a spatial transformation between the preoperative image and the ultrasound image to provide a first batch of registrations; executing a second registration to fine-tune the alignment between the preoperative image and the ultrasound image; and concatenating the spatial transformation to obtain spatial transformation between the patient in an operating room and a corresponding preoperative image.

Abstract: The invention is directed to modified T cells, methods of making and using isolated, modified T cells, and methods of using these isolated, modified T cells to address diseases and disorders. In one embodiment, this invention broadly relates to TCR-deficient T cells, isolated populations thereof, and compositions comprising the same. In another embodiment of the invention, these TCR-deficient T cells are designed to express a functional non-TCR receptor. The invention also pertains to methods of making said TCR-deficient T cells, and methods of reducing or ameliorating, or preventing or treating, diseases and disorders using said TCR-deficient T cells, populations thereof, or compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunostimulatory combinations. Generally, the immunostimulatory combinations include a TLR agonist and a TNF/R agonist. Certain immunostimulatory combinations also may include an antigen.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for stimulating clearance of amyloid beta in microglia, decreasing cognitive decline associated with amyloid pathology, and treating Alzheimer's disease by selectively inhibiting the expression or activity of Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase 1, but not Acyl-CoA:Cholesterol Acyltransferase 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides applicators for performing thermokeratoplasty. One embodiment of such applicators includes a pair of electrical conducting elements electrically separated by a selected distance and extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The electrical conducting elements define, at the distal end, a contact surface that is positionable at a cornea. At least one of the electrical conducting elements is divided into a plurality of discrete sections extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The discrete sections are selectively and separately actuated by a controller according to one or more variable characteristics to deliver energy to the cornea.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes geometry of a two-fluid heat exchanger to provide higher energy efficiency than conventional heat exchangers. The geometry is based upon sequential branching of nearly circular passages in sets, followed by some deformation and twisting of the sequential branches that intermingle flow passages of one fluid with flow passages of another fluid. The flow passages gradually vary in dimension from larger branching at fluid entrance and exit to smaller branching in the middle section of the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is substantially symmetric, with the sequential branching in the first half being mirrored as serial regrouping in the second half. The present disclosure also provides stacking methods and layered manufacturing methods for fabricating the three-dimensional geometry of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically providing a digital image rating of photo retouching. The method includes the step of receiving at a computer, including a processor, a first set of pixel data of an original image and a second set of pixel data of a retouched image. The method also includes using the processor to determine a plurality of geometric statistics and a plurality of photometric statistics from the first and second sets of pixel data. The method further includes the step of using the processor to quantify a rating of the retouched image based upon the geometric statistics and photometric statistics to indicate deviation of the retouched image from the original image. A system is also provided to perform the steps.

Abstract: A combination therapy and kit including an agent that inhibit the interaction between CAL and mutant CFTR proteins, in combination with a CFTR corrector, CFTR potentiator, mucolytic, anti-inflammatory agent or a combination thereof are provided as is a method for preventing or treating cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for regulating CD154 gene expression are provided that rely on the interaction of hnRNP L with the CA-dinucleotide rich sequence of the 3?-untranslated region of CD154.

Abstract: 2-Cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid amino acid derivatives having antiinflammatory properties are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating inflammation or a disease or condition mediated by inflammation are described.

Abstract: A system and methods are presented for emulating the appearance of prominent features captured in ultrasound through directional dilation of a magnetic resonance gradient image along a direction determined by the relative ultrasound scan-head location with respect to the magnetic resonance gradient image in order to improve the robustness and reliability of registration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing neuroendocrine cancers via detecting the presence of N-methyl D-asparate-associated (NMDA) glutamate receptors type 1 and/or type 2. Methods for preventing and treating neuroendocrine cancers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a gene expression panel of chemotherapeutic drug-resistant cancer stem cells comprising RIN1, SOX15 and TLR4. In one embodiment the cancer stem cells are testicular cancer germ cells. The present invention provides for a kit and method for determining response to treatment with decitabine at low doses.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) isoform 23 in methods of increasing plasmin activity, inhibiting angiogenic vasa vasorum, promoting plaque regression and treating atherosclerosis by administering to a subject in need of treatment an effective amount of recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor type isoform 23 (rPAI-123). In some embodiments, rPAI-123 is set forth in SEQ ID NOs:5-8. In other embodiments, rPAI-123 is administered at a dose in the range of approximately 2.5 ?g/kg/day to 20 ?g/kg/day. In further embodiments, the effective amount achieves a ratio of rPAI-123 to PAI-1 is in the range of approximately 1:2 to 3:1.