Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions, systems and methods for treating a non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) solid tumor comprising a population of tumor cells are described. In some aspects, administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic amount of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence YARAAARQARAKALARQLGVAA (SEQ ID NO: 1) or functional equivalent thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, is effective to inhibit a kinase activity in the population of tumor cells and to reduce cancer cell proliferation, to reduce tumor size, to reduce tumor burden, to induce tumor cell death, to overcome tumor chemoresistance, to enhance tumor chemosensitivity, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The described invention provides compositions and methods for treating asthma, a disease, condition or pathologic process whose progression is characterized by one or more of aberrant fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition producing constriction in an airway, airway remodeling, and airway obstruction in lung tissue. The method includes administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutic amount of a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence YARAAARQARAKALARQLGVAA (SEQ ID NO: 1) or functional equivalent thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the therapeutic amount of the polypeptide is effective to reduce the constriction of small airway dimensions and airway obstruction, treat airway remodeling, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The described invention provides compositions and methods for preventing or treating a disease, condition, or pathologic process characterized by aberrant fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition in a tissue of a subject. The method includes administering a therapeutic amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence YARAAARQARAKALARQLGVAA (SEQ ID NO: 1) or functional equivalent thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A power line Ethernet adaptor is suitable to be applied to an external module including a first connector. The power line Ethernet adaptor includes a housing, a cover and a circuit board. The housing has an accommodating space. The cover is movably connected to the housing to move between an on-position and an off-position. When placed at the off-position, the cover covers the accommodating space. The circuit board is disposed in the accommodating space and has a power line Ethernet module and a second connector. When at least a part of the external module is disposed in the accommodating space, the first connector and the second connector are electrically connected to each other to establish the signal connection between the external module and the power line Ethernet module, and the cover also covers the external module when placed at the off-position.

Abstract: The described invention provides compositions and methods for reducing progression of a fibrosis in a tissue of a subject selected from liver, kidney or vascular fibrosis, the progression of the fibrosis being characterized by aberrant fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition in the tissue. The method includes administering a therapeutic amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence YARAAARQARAKALARQLGVAA (SEQ ID NO: 1) or functional equivalent thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the therapeutic amount of the polypeptide is effective to reduce progression of the fibrosis, to treat remodeling of the tissue, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A flat self-curling permeable sheet membrane containing a matrix formed of crosslinked biopolymeric fibers. The matrix self-curls into a predetermined shape upon absorption of an aqueous fluid and is permeable to molecules having molecular weights not greater than 1×106 daltons. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a flat self-curling permeable membrane.

Abstract: A re-rollable membrane for wrapping around and protecting a cylindrical tissue having an injury site. The membrane includes a sheet of a porous matrix formed of cross-linked biopolymeric fibers. In one implementation, the sheet can be spirally rolled so that at least one portion overlaps another portion of the sheet and, upon absorption of a fluid, the overlapping portions adhere to each other closely so as to exclude penetration of cells. In another implementation, the sheet can be helically rolled to form a helix having a pitch of 2 mm to 40 mm and an inner diameter of 1 mm to 50 mm. Also disclosed are methods for making and using such re-rollable membranes.

Abstract: The described invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing adhesions in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising the step of (a) administering an adhesion-reducing amount of a composition comprising a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence YARAAARQARAKALARQLGVAA [SEQ ID NO: 1] or a functional equivalent thereof and a carrier. The methods are clinically useful for reducing formation of adhesions initially and for therapeutic treatment of existing scars.

Abstract: A trigger signal generating device outputs a trigger signal activating an IC tag. The trigger signal generating device includes first and second trigger coils placed at a predetermined separation distance and each having predetermined magnetic field intensity distribution. Each of the first and second trigger coils includes attenuating means for attenuating intensity of a magnetic field generated by the first and second trigger coils to a predetermined level that allows the ID tag to detect trigger IDs of the first and second trigger coils on a side on which the first and second trigger coils are provided, and that does not allow the ID tag to detect the trigger ID of the first trigger coil on an opposite side to the side on which the first and second trigger coils are provided.

Abstract: In various aspects the present inventions provide compositions and methods for treatment of cardiac conditions. In various embodiments, the present inventions provide methods for treating a cardiac condition comprising the step of administering in a therapeutically effective amount the substantially cell free solution of an amphiphilic self-assembling peptide to a site of cardiac tissue that has been injured due to one or more of atrial fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction; valve disease, pericardial disease, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, and embolism.

Abstract: A method for preparing carbonate apatite from natural bones. The method includes obtaining cancellous bone particles; treating the bone particles with hot water and an organic solvent; repeating the treating step at least once; drying the bone particles; and heating the bone particles at 500° C. to 620° C. for 10 to 50 hours.

Abstract: A compressed implant composite for repairing mineralized tissue. The compressed implant composite includes a matrix formed of biopolymeric fibers and a plurality of calcium- and/or silicate-based mineral particles dispersed in the matrix. The matrix constitutes 4 to 80% by weight and the mineral particles constitute 20 to 96% by weight of the composite. The composite is free of soluble collagen and is expandable to a volume 2 to 100 times of its compressed volume (e.g., upon absorption of water). Also disclosed are methods of preparing the above-described composite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sheet membrane for repairing a damaged tissue. The membrane includes an isotropic layer of cross-linked biopolymeric fibers in which the fibers are 10 to 1,000 cm in length. This invention also relates to a method of making an isotropic layer of cross-linked biopolymeric fibers. The method includes: (1) coacervating biopolymeric fibers (e.g., collagen-based fibers) having lengths of less than 1 cm dispersed in an aqueous solution to obtain coacervated biopolymeric fibers having lengths of 10 to 1,000 cm; (2) flattening the coacervated biopolymeric fibers into a layer; (3) drying the layer; and (4) cross-linking the biopolymeric.

Abstract: An implant for the repair of bone and cartilage that includes a cell conductive zone that contains biopolymeric fibers and an osteoconductive zone that contains biopolymeric fibers and calcium-containing mineral particles. The biopolymeric fibers from one zone overlaps with the fibers in the other zone forming a stable physical and mechanical integration of the two zones thus conferring in vivo stability to the implant.

Abstract: A compression and kink resistant tubular implant for nerve repair. The implant includes a tubular biopolymeric membrane and a polymeric supporting filament. Also provided is a shaped compression resistant implant for ridge augmentation in dental surgery. Methods for producing the implants are also provided.

Abstract: A collagen-coated tissue based membrane that is smooth on both sides so as to inhibit cell and tissue adhesion. Also disclosed are methods for making a collagen-coated tissue-based membrane.

Abstract: A method for preparing carbonate apatite from natural bones. The method includes obtaining cancellous bone particles; treating the bone particles with hot water and an organic solvent; repeating the treating step at least once; drying the bone particles; and heating the bone particles at 500° C. to 620° C. for 10 to 50 hours.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency synthesizer includes a phase detector, a low pass filter coupled to the phase detector, an amplifier coupled to the low pass filter, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) coupled to the amplifier, a power splitter coupled to the VCO, and a switch configured to select between a first branch and a second branch through which to couple the power splitter to the phase detector. The first branch includes a frequency divider while the second branch includes a mixer. The PLL frequency synthesizer also includes a frequency accuracy indicator that compares a frequency in the first branch with a frequency generated in the second branch, and confirms that the PLL frequency synthesizer is locked to a desired frequency upon receiving a phase lock signal, if the frequency generated in the first branch is the same as the frequency generated in the second branch.

Abstract: A flat self-curling permeable sheet membrane containing a matrix formed of crosslinked biopolymeric fibers. The matrix self-curls into a predetermined shape upon absorption of an aqueous fluid and is permeable to molecules having molecular weights not greater than 1×106 daltons. Also disclosed is a method of preparing such a flat self-curling permeable membrane.