Abstract: An access system includes a laterally extending frame, a carriage in operative connection with the laterally extending frame and including a drive to move the carriage laterally on the frame, a seat support attached to the carriage including a seat assembly interface and a lift to raise and lower the seat assembly interface within a range of positions, a seat assembly attached to the seat assembly interface, a controller in operative connection with the drive of the carriage and the lift of the seat support via which the position of the seat support is controllable, and a controller interface in operative connection with the controller.

Abstract: A chimeric antigen receptor is disclosed that includes: (a) an extracellular high affinity streptavidin;(b) a hinge domain from CD8; (c) a CD28 transmembrane domain; (d) an intracellular 4-1BB and/or CD28 signaling domain; and (e) an intracellular CD3 zeta signaling domain, wherein (a)-(e) are in N-terminal to C-terminal order. Nucleic acids encoding this chimeric antigen receptor, and T and natural killer (NK) cells transformed with this chimeric antigen receptor are also disclosed. The use of this chimeric antigen receptor for the treatment of tumors is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions are provided that inhibit histone deacylase activity and which expand renal progenitor cell populations and improve kidney function in a damaged kidney. Methods of use of the compounds and compositions are provided.

Abstract: A method to perform convolutions between arbitrary vectors includes estimating a first degree of match for a difference between a first vector having a plurality of first elements and a second vector having a plurality of second elements using a first cluster of coupled oscillators, estimating a second degree of match for the first vector using a second cluster of coupled oscillators, estimating a third degree of match for the second vector using a third cluster of coupled oscillators, deriving a first squared L2 norm from the first degree of match, deriving a second squared L2 norm from the second degree of match, deriving a third squared L2 norm from the third degree of match, adding the second squared L2 norm and the third squared L2 norm, and subtracting the first squared L2 norm to form a sum, and dividing the sum by two.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of making a cell growth scaffold from adipose tissue, cell growth scaffolds having low lipid content and methods of using the cell growth scaffold.

Abstract: In aspects, the subject innovation can comprise systems and methods capable of automatically labeling cell nuclei (e.g., epithelial nuclei) in tissue images containing multiple cell types. The enhancements to standard nuclei segmentation algorithms of the subject innovation can enable cell type specific analysis of nuclei, which has recently been shown to reveal novel disease biomarkers and improve diagnostic accuracy of computational disease classification models.

Abstract: An immunogenically-enhanced Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus latency-associated nuclear antigen 1 (“KSHV LANA1”) polypeptide and related methods of eliciting an immune response to KSHV LANA1 are provided. Also described herein is a novel polypeptide capable of inhibiting degradation of a protein or retarding synthesis of a protein when attached to or incorporated within that protein.

Abstract: A highly articulated robotic probe (HARP) is comprised of a first mechanism and a second mechanism, one or both of which can be steered in desired directions. Each mechanism can alternate between being rigid and limp. In limp mode the mechanism is highly flexible. When one mechanism is limp, the other is rigid. The limp mechanism is then pushed or pulled along the rigid mechanism. The limp mechanism is made rigid, thereby assuming the shape of the rigid mechanism. The rigid mechanism is made limp and the process repeats. These innovations allow the device to drive anywhere in three dimensions. The device can “remember” its previous configurations, and can go anywhere in a body or other structure (e.g. jet engine). When used in medical applications, once the device arrives at a desired location, the inner core mechanism can be removed and another functional device such as a scalpel, clamp or other tool slid through the rigid sleeve to perform.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a device comprising a catheter. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of removing an agent from blood.

Abstract: A rapid method for preparing stem cell and physiologically acceptable matrix compositions for use in tissue and organ repair is described. Compared with previous tissue engineering materials, the stem cell-matrix compositions of the present invention do not require long-term incubation or cultivation in vitro prior to use in in vivo applications. The stem cells can be from numerous sources and may be homogeneous, heterogeneous, autologous, and/or allogeneic in the matrix material. The stem cell-matrix compositions provide point of service utility for the practitioner, wherein the stem cells and matrix can be combined not long before use, thereby alleviating costly and lengthy manufacturing procedures. In addition, the stem cells offer unique structural properties to the matrix composition which improves outcome and healing after use. Use of stem cells obtained from muscle affords contractility to the matrix composition.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and related methods useful for prevention or mitigation of ionizing radiation-induced esophagitis. The compositions comprise compounds comprising a nitroxide-containing group attached to a mitochondria-targeting group. The compounds can be cross-linked into dimers without loss of activity. The method comprises delivering a compound, as described herein, to a patient in an amount and dosage regimen effective to prevent or mitigate esophageal damage caused by radiation.

Abstract: A versatile and integrated system for telehealth and/or telerehabilitation which is an architecture or platform for developing various telerehabilitation applications is provided. The system can be designed to take into account the environments and requirements of health-related services. The requirements considered in the platform design include minimal equipment beyond what is available in many rehabilitation settings, minimal maintenance, and easy to setup and operate.

Abstract: Follistatin-like protein (FSTL-1) is a secreted glycoprotein of unknown function, first isolated from mouse osteoblastic cells as a transforming growth factor-?1-inducible gene. The inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 is a proinflammatory mediator. As such, the invention provides for composition and methods of using agents that bind to FSTL-1 to modulate various types of inflammation (e.g., autoimmune diseases). Inhibitors and antagonists of FSTL-1, particularly antibodies or antibody fragments, may be used to treat conditions related to inflammation, such as arthritis. In addition, the inventors have discovered that FSTL-1 has a role in the Th17 pathway. Accordingly, the invention provides for compositions and methods of using agents which bind to FSTL-1 to modulate the generation of Th17 cells. Such agents are useful for delaying development of and treating diseases associated with undesired production of Th17 cells, such as autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for urinary incontinence and other urinary tract pathologies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of compounds that are suitable for imaging amyloid deposits in living patients. The invention relates, in part, to a method of imaging amyloid deposits in brain in vivo to allow antemortem diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The present invention also relates to therapeutic uses for such compounds, as exemplified by compounds of the formula (1) in which Y is independently S, O, or N and m is 1, 2, or 3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel, highly lipophilic silatecan intermediates and prodrugs of DB-67 and other silatecans.

Abstract: Methods are provided for preventing or treating risk factors for cardiovascular disease in an individual, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising an estradiol metabolite to said individual. Such risk factors include obesity, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, vascular disorders, and renal disorders. Preferred estradiol metabolites include 2-methoxyestradiol, 4-methoxyestradiol, 2-hydroxyestradiol, and 4-hydroxyestradiol or prodrugs thereof. The compositions may also be in the form of a controlled release formulation. Methods are also provided for use of estradiol metabolites to treat or prevent insulin resistance, vascular endothelial dysfunction, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, proteinuria and reducing leptin levels. In addition, the methods provide a method of stabilizing glucose levels. These treatments may be used in either gender because of their lack of a feminizing estrogenic effect.

Abstract: An aortic balloon catheter including an elongated tube device formed with a first lumen sized to communicate blood between an aortic lumen of an adult human patient and a location external to the aortic lumen. Mounted on the tube device is an inflatable balloon which is sized to resist or block blood flow through the aortic lumen. The associated method of using the aortic balloon catheter includes introducing the catheter into the aortic lumen of an adult human, positioning the first lumen and the balloon, inflating the balloon and withdrawing and perfusing fluids through the first lumen.

Abstract: A human tissue inducible nitric oxide synthase cDNA clone is disclosed. A process for preparing this cDNA clone coding for human tissue inducible nitric oxide synthase and for expressing the human tissue inducible nitric oxide synthase protein are provided.