Abstract: Pyrimido[4,5-b]indole derivatives are provided. These compounds are useful to expand hematopoietic stem cell populations, particularly, human hematopoietic stem cell populations. The compounds are also useful in the medical treatment of diseases that involve hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Pyrimido[4,5-b]indole derivatives are provided. These compounds are useful to expand hematopoietic stem cell populations, particularly, human hematopoietic stem cell populations. The compounds are also useful in the medical treatment of diseases that involve hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Method for determining the relative amplitude of eye and head movements of an individual, comprising: —a target providing step during which a list of visual targets comprising at least two different visual targets is provided; —a reference positioning step; —a reference target providing step during which a reference target comprising a visual and auditory target is provided; —a reference target gazing step during which the individual gazes at the reference target; —a peripheral target providing step during which a peripheral target comprising a visual and auditory target is provided; —a peripheral target gazing step during which the individual gazes at the peripheral target; and, —a rotation measurement step during which the angle of rotation of the individual's head and the angle or rotation of the individual's eyes are measured.

Abstract: Pyrimido[4,5-b]indole derivatives are provided. These compounds are useful to expand hematopoietic stem cell populations, particularly, human hematopoietic stem cell populations. The compounds are also useful in the medical treatment of diseases that involve hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: A shoulder orthosis for long term support of a patient's arm in postoperative shoulder immobilization posture for rotator cuff tears, comprising a waist belt, an arm splint, and a piston and cylinder assembly interconnecting the waist belt to the splint and biasing the splint to an abduction upper limit position. The orthosis provides stable support of the forearm about a horizontal plane, while enabling both pivotal movement of the arm about a vertical axis intersecting the patient's elbow and towards or away from the patient's torso within this horizontal plane. This orthosis also enables cyclical up and down motion of the splint, the downward motion being healthy adductor-assisted against the bias of the piston and cylinder assembly. A lock system releasably locks the piston and cylinder at a selected retracted position of the piston rod.

Abstract: Method for measuring the visually-induced postural instability of a person is described, the method comprising a display providing step (S1) during which a visual display device is provided. The display device is arranged so as to display a dynamic visual pattern in at least 50% of the lower half of the visual field of the person, leaving an upper half of the visual field of the person free. The method also comprises a display step (S2) during which a dynamic visual pattern is displayed on the visual display device. The method further comprises a measuring step (S3) during which a parameter representative of the postural instability is measured when the person is gazing at a fix target straight in front while having the dynamic visual pattern displayed on the visual display device.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions which are useful for inhibiting prostaglandin F2? receptor. The compositions include, but are not limited to, linear peptides, peptide analogs, and peptidomimetics. Methods of using the compositions of the invention to treat preterm labor and dysmenorrhea are disclosed.

Abstract: There are provided herein transgenic non-human animals and cells comprising a transgene encoding either a mutated human melanocortin type-4 receptor (hMC4R) protein, wherein the mutated protein is misfolded and retained intracellularly, or a wild-type human melanocortin type-4 receptor (hMC4R) protein. Transgenes and targeting constructs used to produce such transgenic animals and cells are also provided, as well as methods for using the transgenic animals in pharmaceutical screening and as commercial research animals for modeling obesity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are substantially pure nucleic acids encoding mutated SUMO isoforms, polypeptides, vectors, cells and methods of their use to identify and quantify protein SUMOylation in mammalian cells. Also disclosed is a dual affinity method for detecting a mutated SUMOylated protein substrate fragment.

Abstract: An oral combination therapy or oral composition that protects orally administered exogenous leptin from the environment of the gastrointestinal tract, allowing delivery of the exogenous leptin to the bloodstream. The oral combination therapy includes (a) leptin or a leptin functional derivative; (b) a stomach acid-neutralizing agent such as a buffer; and (c) a pancreatic protease inhibitor that protects the exogenous leptin from degradation by pancreatic enzymes; and (d) a bile acid or a bile acid analog that facilitates absorption of the exogenous leptin. The oral combination therapy or oral composition may also include at least one agent that stimulates endogenous leptin secretion; as well as at least one agent capable of promoting, enhancing or improving adherence to treatment such as a sweetener or a satiety triggering agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel biosensors that are based on bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). These biosensors may be used to monitor rapid interaction and conformational changes within G protein-coupled receptor/G protein complexes and, in this way, reflect the activation status of the receptor. Advantageously, the biosensors may be used as a highly sensitive and quantitative assay for the identification of ligands (agonists, antagonists, inverse agonists, partial agonists, etc.) targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) as well as for the analysis of the activation status of these receptors. Moreover, multiplexing different biosensors within receptors/G protein complexes allows for mapping ligand textures. Additionally, the biosensors permit the direct, real-time examination of interactions between receptors and G protein in their natural environment, the living cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a compound of Formula I: wherein X, R1, R2, and R3 are as defend herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to allow the drug to penetrate the cell membrane; or a prodrug, or the compound is labeled with a detectable label or an affinity tag thereof. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition, a method of treating a disorder mediated by melanocortin-4 receptors, and a method of treating obesity using the compounds described.

Abstract: Pyrimido[4,5-b]indole derivatives are provided. These compounds are useful to expand hematopoietic stem cell populations, particularly, human hematopoietic stem cell populations. The compounds are also useful in the medical treatment of diseases that involve hematopoietic stem cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are mutated RAF and KSR nucleic acids and polypeptides. Also disclosed are methods of using the mutated RAF and KSR to inhibit the dimerization of RAF/RAF and RAF/KSR. Also disclosed are methods of using the mutated RAF and KSR to screen for inhibitors of dimerization.

Abstract: A method for characterizing ultrasound scatterers in a medium comprises receiving ultrasound data representing a region of interest comprising a plurality of scatterers in a medium, the plurality of scatterers including aggregates of the scatterers. The ultrasound data is modeled data using an effective medium theory combined with the structure factor model, the structure factor model defining the spatial organization and concentration of the aggregates. The modeled ultrasound data is compared to theoretical data obtained with the effective medium theory combined with the structure factor model. From the comparison, dimensional data of the aggregates of the scatterers and the volume concentration of scatterers in the medium is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and combination therapies for treating patents having a neoplasm or proliferative disorder, the combination comprises an inhibitor of the eIF4E gene product and a chemotherapeutic agent, wherein said combination therapy overcomes resistance developed in patients during anti-neoplastic treatment. The present invention also provides for the use of a combination therapy for treating patients having a neoplasm, a proliferative disorder, pre-neoplasm or a precancerous lesion, comprising an inhibitor of the eIF4E gene product, a chemotherapeutic agent, and a therapeutically effective amount of a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, and the method of using said combination therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel biosensor. A resonance energy transfer (RET) biosensor comprising a beta(?)-arrestin tagged with a first and a second chromophore, wherein said first chromophore is a fluorophore and said second chromophore is a fluorophore or a bioluminophore is described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injectable pharmaceutical composition with gelling properties containing: -an active principle; a hydrophobic and bio-compatible organic liquid; and an organogelling substance, the molecules of which have the capacity to bind together via bonds of low energy, wherein the organogelling substance is chosen among L-tyrosine derivatives responding to the following formula (I) wherein: R1 is an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, linear or branched; and R2 is a hydrophobic group chosen among aliphatic saturated or unsaturated fatty chains or aryl or arylalkyl groups. Its use as a vector for the release of active principles, as well as its process of preparation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing or preventing graft-versus-host disease associated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation are described. A method includes harvesting hematopoietic cells from a patient with an immunologic disorder and harvesting hematopoietic cells from a donor. The harvested hemaptopoietic cells from the patient and the donor are mixed ex vivo for a period of time sufficient to activate lymphocytes within the hematopoietic cells harvested from the donor such that an immune reaction occurs and an activated portion and an unactivated portion is produced. A rhodamine B derivative is then added to the mixture of cells and the mixture is irradiated at a suitable wavelength and intensity for the selective destruction and/or inactivation of the activated portion without substantially affecting the unactivated portion or causing systemic toxicity in said patient. The irradiated cells are then infused into the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making an alkali metal oxyanion comprising iron. In one aspect of the invention, hydrothermal methods are used with a nanoscale iron precursor in order to provide desirably low particle size and high purity and crystallinity.