Abstract: Nitric oxide synthase deficiency causes diminished ryanodine receptor S-nitrosylation leading to increased diastolic calcium (Ca2+) and reduced intra sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium (Ca2+) content. Compositions for treatment of cardiac failure and cardiac disorders such as arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are described.

Abstract: Novel gene and protein targets are described for treatment of cardiac disorders, anti-aging therapies and tissue repair. Identified biomarkers are prognostic of long term survival of patients suffering from heart diseases and related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention identifies the changes in gene expression associated with Parkinson's Disease by examining multiregional gene expression from normal brain and brain of Parkinson's Disease. The present also identifies the changes in gene expression associated with Parkinson's Disease by examining the expression of genes from normal blood and from the blood of patients with Parkinson's Disease. In another aspect, the present invention identifies expression profiles which serve as useful diagnostic markers as well as markers that can be used to monitor disease states, disease progression, drug toxicity, drug efficacy and drug metabolism.

Abstract: The present invention directs to compositions and methods for modulating immune system. One aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators. Another aspect of the 5 present invention relates to biodegradable microparticles, such as a chitosan microparticic, or PLGA/PEI microparticle, designed to deliver nucleic acids and/or proteins, such as FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators, to boost different pathways of an immune response. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the method of making biodegradable microparticles. The further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of the chitosan and other polycationic microparticles to deliver FADD-dependent signaling pathway modulators to modulate immune system for the prevention and/or treatment infectious diseases and cancers.

Abstract: Compositions comprising stem cells delivered into infarcted myocardium by endocardial injection, engraft and differentiate into myocytes, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle, and do so without the requirement for survival enhancing modification. These cells engraft whether injected acutely (days) or late (months) after myocardial infarction, and the efficiency of engraftment correlates with the functional recovery of the heart. The stem cells also recruit endogenous cardiac precursor cells, reconstitute myocardial stem cell niches, and enhance endogenous cell differentiation into myocytes.

Abstract: Described herein are post natal, multilineage inducible cells (MIAMI cells). In some examples, the cells are isolated from non fractionated, adult (males and females 3 to 72 years old) human bone marrow under cell culture conditions, which are believed to resemble an in vivo niche microenvironment in which primitive multipotent cells exist. MIAMI cells have a unique profile of molecular markers, and can be maintained in vitro (for more than 50 population doublings) without detectable changes in their characteristic molecular profile. MIAMI cells can be differentiated into mesodermal, neuroectodermal, and endodermal cell lineages. Methods of isolating, differentiating and using MIAMI cells are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for harvesting wind energy. The system may include a wind turbine disposed subjacent to a roof assembly of building. A plurality of conduits are adjacent to and extending below the wind turbine, wherein each of the plurality of conduits defines a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion defines a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion.

Abstract: Compositions for countering immune attenuating/suppressive pathways comprise targeting agents or aptamer targeted RNAi-mediated gene silencing (siRNA/shRNA). These compositions have broad applicability in the treatment of many diseases.

Abstract: An organ transportation device includes a fluid-tight organ container and structure within the organ container for engaging an organ within the organ container. A base assembly is provided, and structure for rotating the organ engaging structure and the organ relative to the base assembly. The base assembly can have a motor and a battery to provide for rotation of the organ container during shipping.

Abstract: We have designed a molecular switch based on the photoinduced opening and thermal closing of a [1,3]oxazine ring. A substituted [1,3]oxazine compound described as having a general (i.e., unsubstituted) structure with fused indoline and benzooxazine fragments such that they share a common bond in the [1,3]oxazine compound: (i) the bond connecting positions 1 and 2 of the indoline fragment and (ii) the bond connecting positions 2 and 3 of the benzooxazine fragment. Irradiation by light of suitable wavelength and intensity of this photochromic compound induces cleavage of a [C—O] bond of the [1,3]oxazine ring to form a phenolate chromophore. The photogenerated (e.g., colored) isomer may revert thermally to the starting (e.g., colorless) oxazine. Alternatively, the switch may be between isomers of the compound that absorb at different wavelengths. Reversible coloration of silica or polymeric materials and switching optical signals may involve many cycles of interconversion between different colored states.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for anatomical mapping utilizing optical coherence tomography. In the present invention, 3-dimensional fundus intensity imagery can be acquired from a scanning of light back-reflected from an eye. The scanning can include spectral domain scanning, as an example. A fundus intensity image can be acquired in real-time. The 3-dimensional data set can be reduced to generate an anatomical mapping, such as an edema mapping and a thickness mapping. Optionally, a partial fundus intensity image can be produced from the scanning of the eye to generate an en face view of the retinal structure of the eye without first requiring a full segmentation of the 3-D data set. Advantageously, the system, method and apparatus of the present invention can provide quantitative three-dimensional information about the spatial location and extent of macular edema and other pathologies.

Abstract: The invention provides novel recombinant G?5 complex proteins, novel methods of identifying compounds that modulate the conformation of G?5 complex, novel methods of treating disorders, including neurological and metabolic disorders, with modulators of G?5 complex activity, and a mouse model of obesity, where the expression level of G?5 complex is reduced by targeted deletion of one allele of a gene encoding a member of the G?5 complex.

Abstract: A prosthetic device and method to restore extraocular muscle function. The device includes a housing; a biasing component disposed in the housing; a proximal connector operatively connected to a proximal end of the biasing component; and a distal connector operatively connected to a distal end of the biasing component, wherein the proximal connector is configured for being secured with respect to an orbital bone and the distal connector adapted to be secured to the paralyzed or absent muscle stump, e.g. on the globe, or to the eyelid.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for suppressing the immune system of a mammal using ubiquitin and derivatives and analogs thereof.

Abstract: An aerodynamic system providing an airfoil having a chord length, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. The airfoil further includes a first airfoil surface extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, a second airfoil surface opposite the first airfoil surface, extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, an injection opening in the first airfoil surface, and a recovery opening in the first airfoil surface located between the injection opening and the trailing edge. A pressurized fluid source is in fluid communication with the injection opening and a vacuum source is in fluid communication with the recovery opening. An exemplary use of the aerodynamic system of the present invention provides the ejection of a mass of fluid out of the injection opening along a surface of the airfoil and drawing a mass of fluid into the recovery opening.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to CTGF fragments comprising at least exon 2 or exon 3 of CTGF and having the ability to induce extracellular matrix synthesis, in particular, collagen synthesis and myofibroblast differentiation. The present invention is further directed to methods using said CTGF fragments to identify compositions which modulate the activity of said CTGF fragments and to the compositions so identified. The invention also relates to methods of treating CTGF-associated disorders and diseases associated with the overproduction of the extracellular matrix.

Abstract: An organ preservation container includes a gas impermeable housing for containing an organ. At least two liquids having different densities and forming a liquid-liquid interface are also contained in the housing. A closure for hermetically sealing the housing is provided. A structure is provided within the housing for engaging the organ and for maintaining a portion of the organ at the liquid-liquid interface such that the organ will be maintained partially in both of the liquids. A method for preserving the organ is also described.

Abstract: A novel transcriptomic biomarker for prognosis in heart failure has a direct clinical application in prediction of prognosis in new onset heart failure, heart disease, heart disorders and associated heart conditions. This approach should improve individualization of cardiac care and help identify patients at highest risk for circulatory collapse within the first years of presentation with heart failure.

Abstract: A fuel cell system comprises at least one fuel source (e.g., methanol or methanol solution) In a storage tank, tubes and/or flow channels that provide the fuel to the fuel cells via tubes and/or flow channels, which are used to connect the different fuel cells and/or supply the fuel to all or some of the fuel cells, one or more ultrasonic transducers, which are set inside or are associated with the tubes and/or flow channels through which the fuel (e.g., methanol or methanol solution) is supplied to the fuel cells. The transducers can optionally be integrated with the tubes and/or flow channels of the fuel cell systems. The ultrasonic transducers are able to generate high frequency vibration, and the fuel is able to transmit the high-frequency vibration through the liquid fuel body, to increase the performance of the fuel fed fuel cell system.