Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for altering the fate of a cell, tissue or organ type by altering Notch pathway function in the cell. The invention is further directed to methods for altering the fate of a cell, tissue or organ type by simultaneously changing the activation state of the Notch pathway and one or more cell fate control gene pathways. The invention can be utilized for cells of any differentiation state. The resulting cells may be expanded and used in cell replacement therapy to repopulate lost cell populations and help in the regeneration of diseased and/or injured tissues. The resulting cell populations can also be made recombinant and used for gene therapy or as tissue/organ models for research. The invention is directed to methods for of treating macular degeneration comprising altering Notch pathway function in retinal pigment epithelium cells or retinal neuroepithelium or both tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed are biological markers for obesity and methods for diagnosing and treating obesity and related conditions by detecting and modulating the activity of auto-antibodies against the melanocortin-4 receptor or a portion of the melanocortin-4 receptor. Also disclosed are methods for discovering new therapeutics which modulate the activity of auto-antibodies against the melanocortin-4 receptor or a portion of the melanocortin-4 receptor, in particular which prevent the binding of auto-antibodies against the melanocortin-4 receptor or a portion of the melanocortin-4 receptor.

Abstract: SRIF peptide antagonists, which are selective for SSTR2 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors and which bind with high affinity to the cloned human receptor SSTR2 but do not activate the receptor, have many useful functions. Because they do not bind with significant affinity to SSTR1, SSTR3, SSTR4 or SSTR5, their administration avoids potential undesirable side effects. Because they block the receptor function, they can be used therapeutically to block certain physiological effects which SSTR2 mediates. By incorporating radioiodine or the like in these SSTR2-selective SRIF antagonists, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided. Alternatively, for use in therapy, highly radioactive moieties can be N-terminally coupled, complexed or chelated thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved algorithm for estimating the 3D shape of a 3-dimensional object, such as a human face, based on information retrieved from a single photograph by recovering parameters of a 3-dimensional model and methods and systems using the same. Beside the pixel intensity, the invention uses various image features in a multi-features fitting algorithm (MFF) that has a wider radius of convergence and a higher level of precision and provides thereby better results.

Abstract: An apparatus for single analyte molecule detection includes: a light source (20) for generating excitation light; a dichroic mirror (22) disposed on a first path of excitation light generated by the light source, wherein the mirror directs excitation light into a fiber aligner (30); an optical transducer coupled to the light source by the fiber aligner, the optical transducer comprising an optical waveguide (40) made of dielectric material having a first dielectrical index; a photon detector (70) disposed to receive fluorescent back radiation, wherein when a test solution having a second dielectric index lower than the first index is provided and comprises one or more target molecules, excitation light is transmitted by the waveguide and exits a waveguide tip disposed in the test solution so as to excite one or more target molecules; subsequently, the waveguide transmits back radiation along a second path to the photon detector that detects the transmitted back radiation.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor navigation system is disclosed, which includes: (a) a magnetic sensor array, including one or more magnetic non-Faradaic sensors; (b) a sensor interface operatively connected to receive a signal from each sensor of the array, wherein the sensor interface operates to generate a processed signal from one or more signals received from each sensor of the array; and (c) a processing and control unit connected to receive the processed signal, wherein the processing and control unit operates to calculate a spatial position of the sensor array using the processed signal when the sensor array is placed within a magnetic resonance environment of an MR scanner.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for generating susceptibility-related contrast images, as induced, e.g., by marker material interventional devices used for passive MR-guided interventions, or by particles or cells loaded with marker materials used for molecular imaging, cell-tracking or cell-labeling. Near a local magnetic field perturber a positive contrast signal emanates from local gradient compensation to form, e.g., a balanced SSFP type of echo, whereas everywhere else echoes are shifted outside of the data acquisition window.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of generating magnetization transfer contrast images in which signal to noise ratios are improved and/or in which image acquisition times are reduced. In certain embodiments, apparatus and methods which utilize sensitivity and/or non-sensitivity to magnetization transfer effects to improve the contrast of images which are generated. In certain additional embodiments, apparatus and methods for generating magnetization transfer contrast images which exhibit sensitivity to longitudinal and transverse relaxation times of bound and free proton pools, respectively.

Abstract: An optical sensor, in particular for a scanning force microscope, measures the deflection of a cantilever (3) using an optical resonator between the cantilever (3) and an output surface (12b) of a lens assembly (10). In order to form the resonator, output surface (12b) is concave and parallel to the wavefronts of the light within the resonator. This design provides a resonator of high stability and allows to keep the distance between lens assembly (10) and cantilever (3) comparatively large.

Abstract: A method of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging is proposed for the rapid detection of oscillatory motion of spins or charged particles to generate shear waves or oscillating electrical currents to induce alternating magnetic fields to the object being imaged, subjected to a fast train of radio-frequency (RF) pulses to induce within the sample a steady-state NMR signal. A scan using an NMR imaging system is carried out with a RF repetition time (TR) matched to the externally imposed oscillatory motion. Small oscillatory displacements of spins in combination with imaging gradients or oscillating magnetic fields related to charge motion generating alternating spin phase dispersions during the rf pulse train disturb the steady-state magnetization.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging method that utilizes a LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence, comprising the steps of: generating a LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence comprising a read gradient, a RF excitation pulse, a slice gradient, and a phase encoding gradient; generating substantially monotonous gradient noise as a result of generating the LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence, wherein the substantially monotonous gradient noise is substantially without banking and minimizes confounding BOLD effects during imaging; and imaging a test subject using the LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence.

Abstract: A method of steady-state free precession MR imaging is provided that includes the steps of: (a) providing a balanced steady-state free precession imaging sequence that includes a plurality of phase encoding steps, wherein each phase encoding step comprises a phase encoding gradient and a slice selection gradient; and (b) acquiring imaging data by performing the plurality of phase encoding steps in sequence, wherein the imaging data is acquired is compensated for one or more effects due to eddy-currents, flow, or motion related artefacts due to the implementation of one or more artefact compensation strategies that consist of (i) “pairing” of consecutive phase encoding steps and of (ii) “through slice equilibration” of eddy-current and motion or flow related signal oscillations.

Abstract: A method of steady-state free precession MR imaging is provided that includes the steps of: (a) providing a balanced steady-state free precession imaging sequence that includes a plurality of phase encoding steps, wherein each phase encoding step comprises a phase encoding gradient and a slice selection gradient; and (b) acquiring imaging data by performing the plurality of phase encoding steps in sequence, wherein the imaging data is acquired is compensated for one or more effects due to eddy-currents, flow, or motion related artefacts due to the implementation of one or more artefact compensation strategies that consist of (i) “pairing” of consecutive phase encoding steps and of (ii) “through slice equilibration” of eddy-current and motion or flow related signal oscillations.

Abstract: A magnetic sensor navigation system is disclosed, which includes: (a) a magnetic sensor array, including one or more magnetic non-Faradaic sensors; (b) a sensor interface operatively connected to receive a signal from each sensor of the array, wherein the sensor interface operates to generate a processed signal from one or more signals received from each sensor of the array; and (c) a processing and control unit connected to receive the processed signal, wherein the processing and control unit operates to calculate a spatial position of the sensor array using the processed signal when the sensor array is placed within a magnetic resonance environment of an MR scanner.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging method that utilizes a LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence, comprising the steps of: generating a LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence comprising a read gradient, a RF excitation pulse, a slice gradient, and a phase encoding gradient; generating substantially monotonous gradient noise as a result of generating the LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence, wherein the substantially monotonous gradient noise is substantially without banking and minimizes confounding BOLD effects during imaging; and imaging a test subject using the LINA-EPI gradient pulse sequence.

Abstract: This invention relates to the controlled two-dimensional structural transition of a dipole monolayer at a metal, semi-conducting or insulating interface. The dipole monolayer consists of objects/molecules with a permanent electric dipole moment. A transition between the structures of the molecular layer can be performed locally and reversibly by applying an electrical field and the structures/patterns can be reversibly switched many times between two different structures/states. Both of the two structures, the ordered and the disordered structures, are intrinsically stable without the presence of the switching electrical field. This controlled switch of the local layer structure can be used to change layer properties (i.e., mechanical, electrical, optical properties). The controlled reversible modifications of the dipole monolayer structures are usable as bit assignments in data storage applications for example.

Abstract: This invention relates to the controlled two-dimensional structural transition of a dipole monolayer at a metal, semi-conducting or insulating interface. The dipole monolayer consists of objects/molecules with a permanent electric dipole moment. A transition between the structures of the molecular layer can be performed locally and reversibly by applying an electrical field and the structures/patterns can be reversibly switched many times between two different structures/states. Both of the two structures, the ordered and the disordered structures, are intrinsically stable without the presence of the switching electrical field. This controlled switch of the local layer structure can be used to change layer properties (i.e., mechanical, electrical, optical properties). The controlled reversible modifications of the dipole monolayer structures are usable as bit assignments in data storage applications for example.