Abstract: A system for the high-throughput screening of mechanical properties of cells and/or particles is provided. In certain embodiments the system comprises a first structure comprising a plurality of sample receiving wells; a second structure comprising a plurality of exit ports; a porous structure disposed between said plurality of sample receiving wells and said plurality of exit ports and in communication with said plurality of sample receiving wells and in communication with said plurality of exit ports, and said first structure, said second structure and said porous structure are sealed or configured such that when sufficient pressure is applied to sample receiving wells in said first structure said cells or particles migrate through the porous structure into said exit ports, and wherein the mean or the median pore size of said porous structure is smaller than the mean or median cross-section of a cell or particle that is to be screened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shape memory polymers (SMP) and especially to shape memory polymer containing a water soluble non-reactive plasticiser and to uses thereof.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating acute suicidality by administration of buprenorphine are disclosed herein. An exemplary method is effected by administering to a subject determined as having acute suicidality a first therapeutically effective amount of buprenorphine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, whereby the administration is ceased once the subject is no longer determined as having acute suicidality. The first therapeutically effective amount is less than 0.2 mg per day. A higher therapeutically effective amount may optionally be administered if the subject is determined as not fully responsive to the first therapeutically effective amount. Unit dosage forms of buprenorphine, comprising less than 0.2 mg (e.g., 0.1 mg) buprenorphine are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing transgenic plants having increased resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stress and comprising an exogenous nucleotide sequence encoding a cysteine protease inhibitor.

Abstract: Apparatus for a manually-powered wheelchair comprising a frame and first and second wheel rotatably coupled to the frame. Each wheel includes a hand rim and a drive wheel. For each of the first and second wheels, a multiple speed transmission coupled to the wheel comprises a transmission output coupled to the drive wheel, a transmission input coupled to the hand rim, and at least two gears selectively coupling the transmission output to the transmission input. The transmission allows the drive wheel and the hand rim to rotate concentrically with one another but at different speeds. A selector is provided for selecting one of the at least two gears. A controller controls the selector to operate the transmission for the first and/or second wheel.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor includes a plurality of pixel elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, analog signal multiplexers, over-sampling A/D converters and an activation code generator. The sensor is configured to construct an image by using less number of A/D conversions, thereby reducing the power consumption of the sensor. The activation code generator generates a bit stream of random binary sequences which determine which A/D converter is activated. The image sensor offers digitally compressed data, the number of which is significantly less than the total number of pixels. Further, the image sensor not only reduces the power consumption of the A/D converters (by reducing the number of A/D conversions) but also reduces the I/O power consumption. An original image focused on the sensor is recovered from the compressed data by using principles of compressed sensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving function in lung tissue by administering a population of multipotent adult progenitor cells (“MAPCs”) or differentiated progeny thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a general methodology to create nanofibers of therapeutic molecules that have a dual role, as both the delivery vehicle and the drug itself. It is shown that with proper molecular design, the integration of enzymatic reaction and self-assembly provides a powerful method to create molecular hydrogels of clinically-used therapeutics without compromising their bioactivities. In addition, the results disclosed herein demonstrate enzyme-instructed self-assembly as a facile strategy for generating the supramolecular hydrogels of molecules that inherently have poor solubility in water. For example, by covalently connecting paclitaxel with a motif that is prone to self-assemble, a hydrogel of paclitaxel can be formed without compromising the activity of the paclitaxel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the discovery of a novel family of enzymes designated herein as mRNA interferases that exhibit endoribonuclease activity. The novel finding of the present inventors, therefore, presents new applications for which mRNA interferase nucleic and amino acid sequences, and compositions thereof may be used to advantage. The invention also encompasses screening methods to identify compounds/agents capable of modulating mRNA interferase activity and methods for using such compounds/agents. Also provided is a kit comprising mRNA interferase nucleic and/or amino acid sequences, mRNA interferase activity compatible buffers, and instruction materials.

Abstract: Therapeutic compositions and methods for treatment of late-onset Gaucher disease are described herein. The compositions comprise compounds having activity as pharmacological chaperones for mutant forms of the beta-glucocerebrosidase. Methods of treatment involve providing therapeutically effective amounts of such compositions to subjects in need thereof.

Abstract: The disclosure provides mutant ribonucleotide reductase strains of poxviruses including for example vaccinia viruses. The disclosure also provides methods and for the use of these mutant ribonucleotide reductase strains of vaccinia viruses in oncolytic virotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, improved compositions and methods for the treatment of tissue damage (e.g., acute or chronic) and related diseases, disorders or conditions based on the use of pathfinder cells, extracellular secretomes thereof, and/or pathfinder cell-associated microRNAs. In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for treating tissue damage (e.g., acute or chronic) comprising a step of administering a population of cells to an individual suffering from a disease, disorder or condition characterized by acute damage to one or more tissues, wherein the cells are originated from an adult tissue and wherein the cells induce tissue repair, regeneration, remodeling, reconstitution or differentiation.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a novel serine/threonine protein kinase, specifically to hormonally up-regulated, neu-tumor-associated kinase (HUNK); and to the role of HUNK in tumor metastasis, primary tumor development, and the prediction of tumor behavior.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a human immunosuppressant protein (HISP) to a subject is presented. The inventors have discovered a novel immunosuppressive protein purified from the supernatant of hNT cell culture. The immunosuppressant protein has a molecular weight of about 40-100 kDa, an isoelectric point of about 4.4, a net ionic charge and is capable of suppressing T-cell activation, T-cell proliferation and the production of IL-2. This protein can be used in treating inflammation, preventing graft rejection after transplantation, treating autoimmune diseases and suppressing allergic responses as well as other uses.

Abstract: An anti-diabetic composition is disclosed. The anti-diabetic composition includes a Smilax china L. leaf extract having no toxicity to human bodies, no side effects such as increase or decrease in body weight, and a very high ability to inhibit the activity of ?-glucosidase.

Abstract: Benzamide compounds and derivatives thereof, as can be used for selective inhibition of the SIRT2 enzyme and/or therapeutic use in the treatment of Huntington's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea and diarrheal related diseases and disorders in both animals and humans. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the treatment of said diarrhea and diarrheal related diseases and disorders with a vaccine. In still further embodiments, the invention relates to the treatment of constipation using the disclosed methods and compositions.

Abstract: A device for generating a virtual network user that can be used, for data protection purposes, as a pseudonym by which a physical person or legal entity can gain access to the Internet and engage services that can be implemented via the network. The network user is defined by a freely specifiable combination of real and/or arbitrarily specifiable attributes. The input of these attributes into the network access device (PC) of the user activates a transformation system which facilitates the generation of the data flows that implement the virtual network user and that can be saved with the temporal sequence of the data flow in a storage device of the transformation system. An access system allocated to an independent authority is provided, which upon activation can initiate the readout of such data from a memory allocated to the storage device of the transformation system.

Abstract: A production unit for purifying water is provided. The production unit has a fluid intake and a heating basin fluidly connected to the fluid intake by a connector such that a layer of water with a depth of less than about 30 mm is provided. A transparent dome is mounted to the top surface of the base that defines an interior perimeter. A trough in the base is contiguous with an interior surface of the transparent dome. A fluid output is fluidly connected to the trough and extends away from the base. A plurality of lenses is configured to focus sunlight onto a corresponding plurality of focal points located on the layer of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for programming mammalian cells to perform desired functions. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for programming stem cells to differentiate into a desired cell type. A quorum sensing systems that regulates the expression of cell fate regulators is introduced into mammalian host cells, such as stem cells. The quorum sensing systems generally comprises vectors that express the components of a bacterial quorum sensing pathway, including proteins which catalyze the synthesis of an autoinducer and a gene encoding a regulatory partner of the autoinducer, and vectors in which genes encoding cell fate regulators are operably linked to a promoter induced by the autoinducer/regulatory partner complex.