Abstract: The present invention provides arrays of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes having specified positions, nanotube densities and orientations, and corresponding methods of making nanotube arrays using guided growth and guided deposition methods. Also provided are electronic devices and device arrays comprising one or more arrays of longitudinally aligned carbon nanotubes including multilayer nanotube array structures and devices.

Abstract: Nitroxide free radicals attached to antineoplastic agents can synergize their potencies to cancer cells. This invention relates to any antineoplastic agents and their derivatives chemically attached with nitroxide free radicals, such as TEMPO and its radical derivatives. This invention also relates to precursors of such compounds, as well as the products formed from the adducts after administration.

Abstract: A coherent confocal microscope and methods for measuring elements of the non-linear susceptibility of a nanoparticle, including, more particularly, all of the elements of the second-order susceptibility tensor of a single nanoparticle under permutation and Kleinman symmetry. Using a high numerical aperture lens, two-dimensional scanning and a vector beam shaper, the second-order nonlinear susceptibility is derived from a single confocal image. A forward model for the problem is presented and a computationally efficient data processing method robustly solves the inverse problem.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds and processes that can be used to prepare polymer-based films, particles, gels and related compositions, and processes for delivery of agents, and other uses.

Abstract: Fusion proteins comprising a single chain antigen-binding domain (scFv) of a monoclonal antibody, linked to an anti-thrombotic agent, anti-inflammatory agent, or a pro-drug thereof are provided, where the polypeptide binds to a binding site (antigen) expressed on the surface of a red blood cell at a density greater than 5,000 copies per red blood cell. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these fusion proteins, and methods of delivering an anti-thrombotic agent to the surface of a red blood cell via delivery of these fusion proteins, and methods of treating or preventing thrombosis, tissue ischemia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary embolism, or ischemic peripheral vascular disease via administration of the fusion proteins or compositions comprising same are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel class of substituted macrocyclic metallic compounds. The compounds are useful as peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts. Pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using the compounds, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or prodrug thereof are also described.

Abstract: A hydrogel-metal assembly is provided. An intervening polymer network is used to bond together a water-swollen hydrogel layer and a biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer. The hydrogel layer is a water-swollen hydrogel layer of at least two interpenetrating polymers. The surface of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer is surface-modified with an inorganic material. The intervening polymer network has been chemically grafted to the inorganic material of the biocompatible surface-modified metallic layer through bi-functional linker molecules. The intervening polymer network is further physically or chemically cross-linked with the polymers of the water-swollen hydrogel. The hydrogel-metal assembly can be adapted to form a medical device, medical implant, an artificial implant, an orthopedic implant, or at least as part of a joint.

Abstract: A knee brace (300) has a body (310) supporting first, second, and third expandable members (330). When expanded, the first, second, and third expandable members are positioned on the brace body to provide a counteracting force to the adduction moment of the knee.

Abstract: A computerized method for optimizing parameters is described. A system can initialize a group of parameters to respective values within a set of allowable models and bound a partition function across a number of variable pairs to generate a plurality of bounds. The system can also determine new values for the group of parameters that minimize a sum of the plurality of bounds. The system can set the group of parameters to the new values and optimize the parameters by iteratively performing the bounding, determining and setting. The system can stop optimizing when a termination condition is reached.

Abstract: An apparatus for x-ray imaging of an object is provided. An x-ray source for providing alternating x-ray spectrums is placed on a first side of the object. A spectrum separation fixed filter is placed between the x-ray source and the object. An x-ray detector is placed on a second side of the object opposite the x-ray source. A controller controls the x-ray source and the x-ray detector.

Abstract: Techniques for the production of flow-oriented collagen gels using hydrodynamics to influence the assembly of collagen fibers. Highly concentrated monomeric solutions of collagen are subjected to shear and extensional flow as they are drawn onto a substrate to induce fibrillogenesis under a high Ph buffer. The produced gel captures the flow induced ordering of molecular collagen upon fibril formation. The depositing or the induction of fibrillogenosis occurs without the application of a magnetic field to the concentration of collagen. These highly oriented 3D scaffolds are capable inducing contact guidance and guiding mammalian cell growth. The collagen fibers mimic the construction of in vivo fibers with the characteristic D-periodicity and the integrin receptors on the fibroblasts respond to this organization. The industrial applications of three-dimensional collagen gels as a biomaterial are widespread from drug delivery to burn repair or tissue engineering system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for measuring and mapping oxygen tension in a tissue and, in particular, permit direct non-invasive measurement of retinal tissue oxygen tension. In one aspect, the invention is directed to methods for determining oxygen tension in a target tissue sensitized with an oxygen sensitive probe by imaging the target tissue. In one embodiment, the invention provides a noninvasive method for monitoring oxygen tension in a chorioretinal tissue sensitized with an oxygen sensitive probe. In another aspect, apparatus is disclosed that can determine oxygen tension in tissue by quantifying a signal emitted by an oxygen sensitive probe within the three-dimensional map of a tissue to determine oxygen tension and provide a three-dimensional map of oxygen tension variations.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method for crystallizing a GPCR. The method may employ a fusion protein comprising: a) a first portion of a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), where the first portion comprises the TM1, TM2, TM3, TM4 and TM5 regions of the GPCR; b) a stable, folded protein insertion; and c) a second portion of the GPCR, where the second portion comprises the TM6 and TM7 regions of the GPCR.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions related to the discovery that the Follistatin-like 1 protein (Fstl-1) has metabolic and cardioprotective effects in vivo. Fstl-1 and portions and derivatives or variants thereof can be used to treat or prevent metabolic diseases or disorders and to treat or prevent cardiac damage caused by interrupted cardiac muscle blood supply.

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 provides a radiotherapy treatment apparatus that includes a treatment beam, a magnetic field disposed parallel collinear to the treatment beam, and a target that is disposed along the treatment beam. The treatment beam can be a charged particle beam, a proton beam, an electron beam, or a linear accelerator (Linac) beam. The magnetic field is from a magnetic resonance imager (MRI), a megavolt x-ray imager, or a kilovolt x-ray imager and is disposed to operate in coordination with operation of the treatment beam and to narrow the beam. The tumor is disposed to rotate with respect to the treatment beam and the magnetic field, or the treatment beam and the magnetic field are disposed to rotate up to 360° with respect to the target when mounted to a ring gantry. The apparatus can include a rotation angle dependent shim disposed to account for Earth's magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel peptide sequence named PIMAP39 (herein referred to as SEQ ID NO.: 1) and methods of use of the novel sequence and functional variants thereof. The present invention also relates to methods for reducing and/or modulating inflammatory responses by administration of the peptide of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the modulation of the expression of cytokines effected as part of an inflammatory response by administration of the peptide of the present invention.

Abstract: Surface modification methods for an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel to provide a basis for cell or tissue attachment are provided. The method involves the activation of functional groups on the surface of the IPN hydrogel. The activated functional groups are then reacted with amine-containing molecules or hydroxyl-containing molecules. The methods (i) can be performed in an aqueous environment and do not require the use of any organic solvent, (ii) do not require UV treatment, thereby avoiding denaturation of the IPN hydrogel or proteins, and/or (iii) can be performed as a one pot reaction.

Abstract: A vascular clip for use in end-to-side anastomoses having a handle connected to a lower ring and an upper ring. The handle includes a resilient element biasing the two rings together so that the rings are closely juxtaposed when the clip is closed. The respective facing surfaces of each of the rings may be provided with a rough surface. A graft vessel or an artificial aneurysm may be sutured to the lower ring. The graft vessel or artificial aneurysm may be autologous or heterologous material or may be made of synthetic material. The handle may fit into a clip applier that facilitates the application of the clip. The handle and the clip applier may be of different shapes depending on the various applications of the clip.

Abstract: The present invention provides implants comprising a therapeutic drug and a polymer containing polylactic acid (PLA) and optionally polyglycolic acid (PGA). The present invention also provides methods of maintaining a therapeutic level of a drug in a subject, releasing a therapeutic drug at a substantially linear rate, and treating schizophrenia and other diseases and disorders, utilizing implants of the present invention.