Abstract: A compound, a method of imaging a cell, and a method of detecting a cancer, an inflammatory disease, or a neoplastic disease are provided. The compound includes a nitroxide derivative of a fluorophore that is activatable upon exposure to free radicals. The method of imaging a cell includes contacting the cell with an activatable nitroxide derivative of a fluorophore. The method of detecting a cancer, an inflammatory disease, or a neoplastic disease includes administering an activatable nitroxide derivative of a fluorophore and then imaging one or more cells contacted with the compound.

Abstract: A directional-control valve is typically comprised of a valve spool that slides linearly within a valve body. The valve body typically includes five internal ports, which are covered or exposed as the spool slides within the body. The typical five-internal-port architecture precludes certain combinations of port connectivity when the spool is in the center position. For example, when the spool is in the center position, providing connectivity between the actuator ports, while simultaneously providing fluid isolation of the supply and exhaust ports, is not directly achievable with a standard five-port architecture. This application describes three embodiments that enable the aforementioned port connectivity when the spool is in the center position.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and methods for use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides 75 kD transmembrane neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) antagonists and their use in prevention and treatment of loss of function, and adverse remodeling, in cardiac tissues subject to acute or chronic hemodynamic stress. Uses of the antagonists with or without additional cardiotropic agents for improving contractility and for treatment of congestive heart failure are also provided.

Abstract: A peristaltic micropump includes one or more flexible channels configured to transfer one or more pumped fluids, and an actuator configured to engage the one or more flexible channels and rotate about a central axis. The actuator includes a plurality of rolling elements and a driving element configured such that the driving element operably rotates about the central axis and each rolling element operably rolls about a respective axis that is not parallel to the central axis. The plurality of rolling elements is disposed between the one or more flexible channels and the driving element. The driving element includes a cage configured to capture the plurality of rolling elements such that the plurality of rolling elements is located at different radii from a center of the cage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for collecting and processing physical space data for use while performing an image-guided surgical (IGS) procedure are provided. The system and method includes obtaining a computer model of a non-rigid structure of interest in a patient and performing a rigid alignment of the computer model and surface data in a patient space associated with at least a portion of the non-rigid structure. The system and method also include computing a deformation of the computer model that provides a non-rigid alignment of the computer model and surface data, the deformation computed using a set of boundary conditions defined for each node of the computer model based on the rigid alignment and a kernel function. Additionally, the system and method can include displaying data for facilitating the IGS procedure based on the deformation.

Abstract: Methods of detecting immunogenic endogenous retroviruses and treating cancer are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the methods include detecting increased expression of endogenous retroviruses in a tumor sample.

Abstract: Methods and systems for treating sleep disordered breathing by stimulating nerves that innervate the palatoglossus and/or the palatopharyngeus muscle are provided. Such therapy can be used in conjunction with hypoglossal nerve stimulation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling lateral movement of a medical capsule system. A capsule housing is configured to be inserted into an anatomical structure of a patient. The multichannel tether is coupled to a rear of the capsule and includes at least one liquid exhaust channel conveying liquid to the capsule housing. The plurality of liquid exhaust ports are positioned around an outer circumference of the capsule housing and each configured to controllably expel liquid laterally from the capsule housing at varying rates to affect lateral movement of the capsule housing.

Abstract: A device for measuring a tension of a bio-object construct as it is being stretched that includes a microscope, a holding member for accommodating the bio-object, and a probe. The microscope includes a condenser, an objective and a stage positioned therebetween. The stage is movable along a horizontal plane. The holding member is fixable on the stage. The probe has a first end attached to the condenser, and a second end placed in the holding member. The stage operably moves such that the bio-object construct moves toward the second end of the probe and contacts with the second end of the probe, thereby causing a displacement of the second end of the probe and a displacement of the bio-object construct, which are used to measure the tension of the bio-object construct.

Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates a system that can quickly and reversibly block conduction in a nerve. The system can include a first nerve block modality that provides heat to the nerve to block conduction in the nerve. For example, the heat can provide the quick nerve block. The system can also include a second nerve block modality that provides an electrical signal to the nerve to block the conduction in the nerve. For example, the electrical signal can provide the reversibility. In some instances, the heat can be provided by an infrared light signal and the electrical signal can be provided by a kilohertz frequency alternating current (KHFAC) signal or a direct current (DC) signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing trackerless image guided soft tissue surgery. For a patient in need of brain surgery, pre-operative preparation for a patient is performed by generating a three-dimensional textured point cloud (TPC) for the patient's scalp surface, and registering the first three-dimensional TPC to a magnetic resonance (MR) model of the brain. During the surgery, an intra-operative cortical surface registration to the MR model is performed for the MR-to-cortical surface alignment. Then shift measurement and compensation to the MR model is performed by: performing absolute deformation measurement of the brain based on the MR model with the cortical surface registration, and obtaining shift correction to the MR model using the absolute deformation measurements. The shift correction may be used for adjusting an image guidance system (IGS) in the brain surgery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are tricyclic compounds, including thieno[2,3-d:4,5-d?]dipyrimidin-4-amine and pyrido[4?,3?:4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-8-amine compounds, which may be useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 (mAChR M4). Also disclosed herein are methods of making the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions.

Abstract: Continuum robots and similar devices and methods and systems for controlling such devices are provided. The devices can include rods comprising strips, that are pre-curved, or both. Also provided is a system and method for modeling and controlling the configuration and operation of such devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of influencing, and enhancing, cognitive function and memory by increasing, and/or preventing interference with, Reelin levels as well as Reelin signaling. Cognitive function is improved, in a subject in need thereof, by administering a therapeutically effective amount of Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator or an agonist of a lipoprotein receptor to the subject. The lipoprotein receptor can be selected from candidates such as ApoER2 and VLDLR. As disclosed herein, agonists of the lipoprotein receptor for use with the inventive method include APC, Sep and Fc-RAP. In addition to administering exogenous Reelin, a Reelin-specific modulator, such as a recombinant Reelin fragment, can be used to increase Reelin levels and/or signaling.

Abstract: A circuit includes first and second current control sub-circuits connected in series between a DC supply voltage node and a reference voltage node and third and fourth current control sub-circuits connected in series between the DC supply voltage node and the reference voltage node. The circuit also includes a DC/DC converter with a first input terminal coupled to the first load node between the first and second current control sub-circuits, a second input terminal coupled to a second load node between the third and fourth current control sub-circuits, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. The circuit further includes output electrodes, a routing sub-circuit for selectively coupling the output electrodes to the output terminals, and a controller configured for operating the routing sub-circuit and the current control sub-circuits to cause the DC/DC converter to supply biphasic pulses for at least one of the pairs of output electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are composite membranes comprising an omniphobic substrate having a reentrant structure. The omniphobic substrate comprises a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores forming the reentrant structure. The omniphobic substrate further comprises a surface, the surface being coated with a dual functional layer that is hydrophilic in air and oleophobic under water, such that the composite membrane has a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion comprising the coated surface of the omniphobic substrate, such that the top portion of the composite membrane is hydrophilic in air and oleophobic under water and the bottom portion of the composite membrane is omniphobic. The composite membrane can be antiwetting and/or antifouling in the presence of a hydrophobic contaminant, an amphiphilic contaminant, or a combination thereof. The composite membranes can be used for membrane distillation of a contaminated brine solution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cell size imaging using MRI systems are provided. An exemplary method includes obtaining first diffusion MRI data for biological tissues of interest and at least one second diffusion MRI data for the biological tissues of interest having a different diffusion time than the first diffusion MRI data. The method also includes calculating, from the first and at least one second diffusion MRI data, incremental area under curve values of the first and at least one second diffusion MRI data for a chosen diffusion time range. Thereafter, an image for the biological tissues of interest is generated, wherein intensity values for each of the plurality of image voxels is based on a corresponding one of the incremental area under curve values.

Abstract: Compounds which are useful as allosteric potentiators/positive allosteric modulators of the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 4 (mGluR4) of the following formula: synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of using the compounds, for example, in treating neurological and psychiatric disorders or other disease state associated with glutamate dysfunction.

Abstract: The present invention provide chemical modulators of insect olfactory receptors. In particular, compounds and compositions are provided that can inhibit host targeting functions in insects such as mosquitos. Method of employing such agents, and articles incorporating the same, are also provided.