Abstract: In the various embodiments, cell size imaging is performed using a method that relies upon the acquisition of gradient echo and spin echo data during contrast agent (CA) passage through tissue and estimation of “perturber” size using the ratio of ?R2* and ?R2. When measured at CA equilibrium, the magnetic field perturbations, and associated MRI signal changes, are determined by the cellular features and not the vasculature. Thus, in cell size imaging the cells act as the perturbers.

Abstract: The present invention provides small molecule inhibitors of BMP signaling. These compounds may be used to modulate cell growth, differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, and thus may be useful for treating diseases or conditions associated with BMP signaling, including inflammation, cardiovascular disease, hematological disease, cancer, and bone disorders, as well as for modulating cellular differentiation and/or proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards isolated antibodies that bind to GRP78 and TIP-1.

Abstract: A method of actuating a surgical device is described. A surgical tool is inserted into a body cavity of a patient through a natural orifice. A distal end of an actuation tool is inserted through a surgical access port in the body of the patient. The distal end of the actuation tool is positioned proximal to an external wall of the body cavity opposite the surgical tool. A magnetic coupling is established between the distal end of the actuation tool and the surgical tool. When the magnetic coupling is established, distal end of the actuation tool is located at the external wall of the body cavity and the surgical tool is located at the internal wall of the body cavity. The surgical tool is manipulated using the actuation tool through the magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A method for operating a grasping device and grasping devices therefrom are provided. The grasping device is configured to use a plurality of parallel, bi-directional state flow maps each defining a sequence of poses for a plurality of joints in the grasping device. The method include receiving at least one control signal, determining a current pose of the grasping device within the one of the plurality of state flow maps currently selected for the grasping device, and selectively actuating the plurality of joints to traverse the sequence of poses, where a direction for traversing the sequence of poses is based on the at least one control signal.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated mutant erythropoietin (EPO) polypeptides, functional fragment thereof, nucleic acid encoding such peptides, vectors including such nucleic acids and compositions including such peptides and nucleic acids. The mutant EPO peptides are unique in that they include a substitution at amino acid position number 76, such as a glutamic acid for arginine substitution at position 76. This substitution inhibits erythropoietic activity while retaining their neuroprotection. Also disclosed are methods of treating or inhibiting neuronal degeneration, reducing or inhibiting one or more symptoms associated with neuronal degeneration and/or glaucoma in a subject. The methods include administering a therapeutically effective amount of a isolated mutant erythropoietin EPO polypeptide, an expression vector encoding such a mutant erythropoietin EPO polypeptide, a viral particle including an expression vector, or a composition, thereby treating or inhibiting neuronal degeneration in the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides integrated Organ-on-Chip microphysiological systems representations of living Organs and support structures for such microphysiological systems.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inhibiting thrombosis without compromising hemostasis are described. Compositions include anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies (aXIMabs) capable of binding to an epitope on the heavy chain of human FXI, particularly the A3 domain of the heavy chain of human FXI. Compositions also include epitope-binding fragments, variants, and derivatives of the monoclonal antibodies, cell lines producing these antibody compositions, and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the amino acid sequences of the antibodies. The disclosure further includes pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed anti-factor XI monoclonal antibodies, or epitope-binding fragments, variants, or derivatives thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Heterogeneous iridium catalysts for nuclear spin polarization enhancement in solution via signal amplification by reversible exchange are provided. Also provided are methods for preparing heterogeneous iridium catalysts, and methods of using heterogeneous iridium catalysts for nuclear spin polarization enhancement in solution via signal amplification by reversible exchange.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to N-substituted 3,4-dihydro-benzo[£][1,4]oxazine-2-carboxamide analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (mAChR M1); synthesis methods for 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. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

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: A apparatus includes an a exoskeleton system with a plurality of sensors for generating signals indicating a current motion and a current arrangement of at least the exoskeleton system, a hip segment, and at least one lower limb. The lower limb includes thigh and shank segments for coupling to a lateral surface of a user's leg. The thigh segment includes a first powered joint coupling the thigh segment to the hip segment, a second powered joint coupling the thigh segment to the shank segment, and a controller coupled to the sensors, the first powered joint, and the second powered joint. The controller is configured for determining a current state of the exoskeleton system and a current intent of the user based on the signals and generating control signals for the first and second powered joints based on the current state and the current intent.

Abstract: A rotatable wrist connecting a gripper tool to the distal end of a continuum robot shaft. The rotatable wrist includes a wrist hub that is non-rotatably connected to the distal end of the shaft. A wrist capstan is rotatably connected to the wrist hub and non-rotatably connected to the gripper. A flexible wire loop extends through the wrist hub and partially contacts the wrist capstan. Linear movement of the flexible wire loop through the shaft of the continuum robot causes rotation of the wrist capstan due to friction between the flexible wire loop and the wrist capstan. The wrist also supports selective detachability and control of roll, pitch and roll, pitch yaw and roll according to different embodiments.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns improved capabilities for evaluating pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A system and method of evaluating PAH in a subject may include measuring end tidal partial pressure of exhaled carbon dioxide in the subject, wherein the measurement is made orally using described systems or devices. Integrated sensors enable the measurement and characterization of other respiratory gas components, some of which may be indicative of disease. The system and method can be used to monitor a course of treatment for PAH.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a process for intra-operatively providing anatomical guidance in endocrine surgery. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of illuminating tissues in the neck area of a living subject with a beam of light having a predetermined wavelength, obtaining Raman data from light scattered from the illuminated tissues, finding Raman signatures corresponding to thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the obtained Raman data, and identifying the thyroid or parathyroid tissues from the corresponding Raman signatures.

Abstract: A apparatus includes an a exoskeleton system with a plurality of sensors for generating signals indicating a current motion and a current arrangement of at least the exoskeleton system, a hip segment, and at least one lower limb. The lower limb includes thigh and shank segments for coupling to a lateral surface of a user's leg. The thigh segment includes a first powered joint coupling the thigh segment to the hip segment, a second powered joint coupling the thigh segment to the shank segment, and a controller coupled to the sensors, the first powered joint, and the second powered joint. The controller is configured for determining a current state of the exoskeleton system and a current intent of the user based on the signals and generating control signals for the first and second powered joints based on the current state and the current intent.

Abstract: The present invention provides therapeutic and prophylactic compositions for use in treating and preventing disorders involved epithelial cell apoptosis, such as gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) in a subject, such as a human patient.

Abstract: Described are negative allosteric modulators of metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 (mGlu3), pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, and methods of using the compounds and compositions for treating depression, cognitive disorders, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, or cancer in a subject.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for isolation, separation and detection of a molecular species using a low resource device for processing of samples. Methods include isolation, separation and detection of a molecular species for protein-protein, DNA-DNA and other chemical interactions.

Abstract: A method of detecting and measuring the condition of intraluminal esophageal mucosa. An esophagus is intubated with a catheter including an inflatable and deflatable balloon and one or more impedance sensing electrodes on an exterior surface of the catheter. The balloon is inflated to press the impedance sensing electrode(s) into a mucosa of the interior esophageal wall. An electric current is directed through the mucosa via the impedance sensing electrode(s) while the impedance sensing electrode(s) is/are pressed by the balloon against the mucosa and measure impedance of the mucosa.