Abstract: Provided herein are novel agents that modulate AhR activity for use in therapeutic compositions and methods thereof for inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and tumor cell invasion and metastasis. The agents comprise AhR inhibitors or non-constitutive AhR agonists of Formula (I) and (II) for the inhibition of cancer cell growth and parameters that characterize tumor metastasis, such as tumor cell invasiveness.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that certain fermentation products of the marine actinomycete strains CNB392 and CNB476 are effective inhibitors of hyperproliferative mammalian cells. The CNB392 and CNB476 strains lie within the family Micromonosporaceae, and the generic epithet Salinospora has been proposed for this obligate marine group. The reaction products produced by this strain are classified as salinosporamides, and are particularly advantageous in treating neoplastic disorders due to their low molecular weight, low IC50 values, high pharmaceutical potency, and selectivity for cancer cells over fungi.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating, preventing, and/or ameliorating fibrosis syndrome, and in particular cardiac fibrosis, by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of ifetroban, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to egg chambers for use in collection, inspection and selection of eggs for in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures. The egg chamber, in use, provides an effectively closed and fluid filled system which minimizes the environmental changes that a harvested egg is exposed to, thus maximizing viability. The egg chamber comprises a vessel which can be made airtight, comprising at least one side wall, an upper wall and a lower wall, at least a portion of the upper wall being transparent and at least a portion of the lower wall being light permeable; a first inlet with a sealable port; a first outlet with a sealable port; a filter with a pore size appropriate for egg collection disposed within the vessel between the first inlet and the first outlet and configured to separate the vessel into a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber.

Abstract: Featured is a robot and a needle delivery apparatus. Such a robot comprises a plurality of actuators coupled to control locating any of number of intervention specific medical devices such as intervention specific needle injectors. Such a robot is usable with image guided interventions using any of a number of types of medical imaging devices or apparatuses including MRI. The end-effector can include an automated low needle delivery apparatus that is configured for dose radiation seed brachytherapy injection. Also featured is an automated seed magazine for delivering seeds to such an needle delivery apparatus adapted for brachytherapy seed injection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a phototherapy device and a phototherapy method that employ an LED as a light source and are capable of achieving an appropriate therapeutic effect while suppressing a healthy portion of a skin from being damaged by light in a short wavelength band. The phototherapy device comprises a light source unit configured to irradiate an affected area with phototherapeutic light in a UV-B region. The light source unit includes an LED element configured to emit light in the UV-B region, and the LED element emits light having a peak wavelength equal to or greater than 312 nm. Also, the LED element preferably emits light having a peak wavelength equal to or less than 315 nm, and the LED element preferably emits light having a light emission spectrum of which full width at half maximum is equal to or less than 20 nm.

Abstract: A support (26) for a tablet (22) for use in a Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) machine (12) is provided. The support (26) includes a plurality of curved braces (80, 82) configured to mount within a bore (16) of the fMRI machine (12); a channel (90) coupled to one end of the curved braces (80, 82); and a pair of lower braces (86) coupled to another end of the curved braces (80, 82); wherein the channel (90) includes a C-shaped opening (108) configured to receive a mounting bracket (24) coupled to the tablet (22).

Abstract: A filamentous fungus mutant strain showing improved secretory protein production and a method of producing a protein using the filamentous fungus are provided. The method of producing a protein comprises a step of culturing a filamentous fungus mutant strain in which a function of tubulin is reduced or lost and collecting a protein from a culture product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic nonlinearity measuring method generated by a high voltage pulser and more specifically, includes a calibration step of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to and from an object to be inspected having a reception probe attached thereto, by a receiving unit; a harmonic wave measuring step of transmitting a tone burst signal to an object to be inspected having a transmission/reception probe attached thereto and receiving the tone burst signal which passes through the object to be inspected, by the receiving unit; a harmonic wave measuring step of transmitting a tone burst signal to an object to be inspected having a transmission probe attached thereto and receiving the transmitted tone burst signal, by a transmitting unit; a calibration step of transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to and from an object to be inspected having a transmission probe attached thereto, by the transmitting unit; and a step of measuring an ultrasonic nonlinearity of t

Abstract: An improved system for automatically shaping wires includes two movable robotic arms each having a certain degree of freedom of movement, and each having a mechanism for holding a wire in place and a rotational bending unit for creating the desired shape on the wire. Each of the two robotic arms is positioned on a movable unit to enable their linear motion, while various pulleys connected to motors provide for movement of various links that form each arm. The system enables an operator to move the workpiece wire in three-dimensional space using a controller. By positioning the workpiece in the desired position and using a rotational bending unit, highly precise angular bends can be created on the workpiece.

Abstract: A series of carbohydrate-dye conjugates, as well as a method for detection of pathogenic or other organisms (e.g., bacteria) using the same are provided. The carbohydrate-dye conjugate can be enzymatically incorporated into live and active (viable) bacteria of interest for facile detection of said bacteria. The conjugate incorporation is achieved by utilizing one or more of the enzymes that are endogenous to the bacteria of interest, which can incorporate the conjugate via the conjugate's carbohydrate. A detectable signal is produced by the conjugate's dye only upon incorporation into the bacteria of interest, due to the changes in the dye's local environment upon incorporation. The conjugate may be metabolically incorporated into the fatty outer membrane of a bacterial cell wall, which provides a distinctly hydrophobic environment for the conjugate's dye, causing it to produce a detectable signal.

Abstract: Techniques for making fluid flow devices are described. The technique is based on radiation-induced conversion of a radiation-sensitive substance from a first state to a second state. With adjustment of the radiation parameters such as power and scan speed we can control the depths of barriers that are formed within a substrate which can produce 3D flow paths. We have used this depth-variable patterning protocol for stacking and sealing of multilayer substrates, for assembly of backing layers for two-dimensional (2D) lateral flow devices and for fabrication of 3D devices. Since the 3D flow paths can be formed via a single laser-writing process by controlling the patterning parameters, this is a distinct improvement over other methods that require multiple complicated and repetitive assembly procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetically-actuated articular cartilage regeneration system for efficiently and nonsurgically regenerating articular cartilage.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant CTLA-4 binding proteins, which are, inter alia, useful for the treatment of cancer. The recombinant proteins provided herein are, inter alia, capable of binding CTLA-4 proteins on a tumor cell. In a first aspect, there is provided a recombinant CTLA-4 binding protein including (i) a CTLA-4 binding domain; (ii) a CTLA-4 binding domain masking peptide; and (iii) a cleavable peptide linker connecting the CTLA-4 binding domain masking peptide to the CTLA-4 binding domain. In another aspect, there is provided a dimerizing domain covalently attached to the CTLA-4 binding domain, wherein the binding protein domains are bound together.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to stress-responsive compositions comprising (1) at least one (co)polymer comprising at least one mechanophore comprising at least one thiocarbonylthio functional group or derivative thereof and (2) at least one compound comprising at least one functional group capable of reacting with a free radical, The present disclosure is also directed to articles, coatings, and 3D printing binders comprising such stress-responsive compositions, as well as to processes of imparting the abilities of forming and maintaining protective barriers and mechanical self-healing to such articles, coatings, and 3D printing binders by incorporating such stress-responsive compositions therein.

Abstract: Changes in Reelin levels as well as Reelin signaling alter cognitive function. This can be accomplished by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a repeat fragment of Reelin, or a construct formed from fragment repeats of Reelin to a patient or subject. Changes to Reelin levels can be used to treat various neurodegenerative diseases, neuronal insults, or stroke, such as fragile X syndrome, William's syndrome, Rett syndrome, Down's syndrome, Angelman syndrome, autism, ischemia, hypoxia, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia. Reelin can also be used to alter dendritic spine density, diminished long-term potentiation, and diminished synaptic plasticity and associative learning deficits. Constructs formed from repeat region 3 of full length Reelin and repeat region 5 of full length Reelin, or repeat region 3 of full length Reelin and repeat region 6 of full length Reelin have been found particularly useful.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods embodied in a system that can be applied to genetic information comprising an individual genome to assess the regulatory impact of specific genetic variants and their possible impact on biological function or disease pathology.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the placement of elongate medical members within a patients body using coaptive ultrasound. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a flexible tube includes a first balloon at a distal end of the tube, and a second balloon at the distal end of the tube and positioned within the first balloon. The first and second balloons are inflatable to form one or more echogenic windows between them, which echogenic window may be detected from within a patient's body by an ultrasound probe that is external to the patient's body. Detection of such echogenic window is used to identify an acceptable location on the patient's body at which to insert a guidewire configured to receive an elongate medical member without damage to surrounding patient tissues or organs.

Abstract: An implant (30) for a mammalian bone joint (3) for spacing a first bone (2) of the joint from a second bone (1) of the joint while allowing translational movement of the second bone in relation to the first bone is described. The implant comprises (a) a distal part (31) configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the second bone, (b) a proximal part (34) having a platform (15) configured for non-engaging abutment of an end of the first bone and translational movement thereon, and (c) an articulating coupling (10, 16) provided between the distal and proximal ends allowing controlled articulation of the first and second bones. The bone-abutting platform is shaped to conform to and translate upon the end of the first bone. A kit for assembly to form the implant of the invention, and the use of the implant to treat osteoarthritis in a bone joint, are also described.

Abstract: A dental device includes a rounded flexible device configured to attach onto a head of a dental drill. The rounded flexible device has a first pair of opposing horizontal protrusions positioned at a first end of the rounded flexible device; a second pair of opposing horizontal protrusions positioned at a mid-portion of the rounded flexible device, wherein the first pair of opposing horizontal protrusions extend horizontally beyond the second pair of opposing horizontal protrusions; and a central vertical protrusion positioned at a second end of the rounded flexible device. The first pair and the second pair of opposing horizontal protrusions are configured to partially encircle the head of the dental drill, and the central vertical protrusion is configured to extend a length of a rotating drill bit of the dental drill.