Abstract: The invention relates to amphiphilic C-glycoside derivatives, to methods of using them and to processes for synthesizing them. Specifically, the invention relates to novel cyclic and linear enone-glycolipids and cyclic ketone-glycolipids.

Abstract: Described herein are compositions and methods for enhancing peripheral macrophage A? phagocytosis activity. The methods include inhibiting the TGF-? signaling pathway and activating the BMP signaling pathway in peripheral macrophages to promote central nervous system infiltration and enhance macrophage A? phagocytosis activity. Inhibition of TGF-? signaling and activation of BMP signaling in peripheral macrophages represents an advantageous anti-amyloid therapeutic approach for Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding mutant elongation factor proteins (EF-Sep), phosphoseryl-tRNA synthetase (SepRS), and phosphoseryl-tRNA (tRNASep) and methods of use in site specific incorporation of phosphoserine into a protein or polypeptide are described. Typically, SepRS preferentially aminoacylates tRNASep with O-phosphoserine and the tRNASep recognizes at least one codon such as a stop codon. Due to the negative charge of the phosphoserine, Sept-tRNASep does not bind elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu). However, mutant EF-Sep proteins are disclosed that bind Sep-tRNASep and protect Sep-tRNASep from deacylation. In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acids are on vectors and are expressed in cells such as bacterial cells, archeaebacterial cells, and eukaryotic cells. Proteins or polypeptides containing phosphoserine produced by the methods described herein can be used for a variety of applications such as research, antibody production, protein array manufacture and development of cell-based screens for new drug discovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, device, and method for the high throughput multiplexed detection of a wide number of compounds. The invention comprises of a microwell array coupled to a capture agent array to form a plurality of interfaces between a microwell and a set of immobilized capture agents. The set of capture agents comprises a plurality of distinguishable features, with each feature corresponding to the detection of a particular compound of interest. In certain embodiments, each microwell is configured to contain a single cell. The invention is therefore capable of performing a high throughput analysis of single cell profiles, including profiles of secreted compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification and characterization of specific cellular responses which are associated with tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR2). Selective modulation of these tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRs) Selective modulations of these responses may be useful in the promotion or inhibition of cell growth, for example, in the treatment of disease conditions, including cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Therapeutic methods employed selective TNFR1 and TNFR2 modulators are provided, along with screening methods for the identification of selective TNFR1 and TNFR2 modulators useful in such methods.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include a sensor for suitable for sensing chemical and biological substances. The sensor comprises a semiconductor layer formed in or on a substrate and a channel having nano-scale dimensions formed in the semiconductor layer, where the structure creates an electrically conducting pathway between a first contact and a second contact on the semiconductor layer. In certain preferred embodiments, the nano-scale channel has a trapezoidal cross-section with an effective width and exposed lateral faces, where the effective width is selected to have same order of magnitude as a Debye length (LD) of the semiconductor material of which the semiconductor layer is formed.

Abstract: A spiral wound membrane module for forward osmotic use is disclosed. The membrane module may generally include a forward osmosis membrane in a spiral wound configuration. The module may include two inlets and two outlets, and may define first and second fluid flow paths. The inlets to each of the fluid flow paths may be generally isolated so as to prevent mixing. In some embodiments, the membrane module may include a distributer region and a collector region.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for diagnosis and treatment of age related macular degeneration.

Abstract: Many GTPases such as Ras, Ral and Rho require post-translational farnestylation or geranylgeranylation for mediating malignant transformation. Dual farnesyltransferase (FT) (FTI) and geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGT-1) inhibitors (GGTI) were developed as anticancer agents from based on an ethylenediamine scaffold. On the basis of a 4-fold substituted ethylenediamine scaffold, the inhibitors are structurally simple and readily derivatized, facilitating extensive structure-activity relationship studies. The most potent inhibitor is compound exhibited an in vitro hFTase IC50 value of 25 nM and a whole cell H-Ras processing IC50 value of 90 nM. Several of the inhibitors proved highly selective for hFTase over the related prenyltransferase enzyme geranylgeranyltransferase-I (GGTase-I).

Abstract: Described is a method of controlling the absorption of light in a cavity, a system in which absorption is so controlled, and an interferometer embodying the underlying physical concept. Materials can be made to completely absorb incident light when the light is imposed in a specific pattern of illumination. Coherent perfect absorption, as the process is referred to, is achieved when a cavity is illuminated coherently and monochromatically by the time-reverse of the output of a lasing mode. Varying the parameters of the incident light and/or of the cavity allows the absorption of the incident light by the cavity to be controlled; enhanced or even reduced.

Abstract: A dynamic spine stabilizer moves under the control of spinal motion providing increased mechanical support within a central zone corresponding substantially to the neutral zone of the injured spine. The dynamic spine stabilizer includes a support assembly and a resistance assembly associated with the support assembly. The resistance assembly generates greater increase in mechanical force during movement within the central zone and lesser increase in mechanical force during movement beyond the central zone. A method for using the stabilizer is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating or ameliorating the symptoms of inflammatory or autoimmune disease or disorder are described herein. The compositions contain a nanolipogel for sustained delivery of an effective amount of one or more active agents of choice, preferably a drug for treating or ameliorating the symptoms of inflammatory or autoimmune disease or disorder. The nanolipogel includes a lipid bilayer surrounding a hydrogel core, which may optionally include a host molecule, for example, an absorbent such as a cyclodextrin or ion-exchange resin. In preferred embodiments at least one of active agents is an immunosuppressant.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices and products to identify suitable donor sites for harvesting bone-cartilage grafts and to implant such bone-cartilage grafts. In some embodiments, a method includes providing a computer having access to a donor database, the donor database comprising information on each of a plurality of donor joint sites of the body, receiving first data relating to a defect of a joint of a patient, the defect comprising an area of bone, a portion of which includes at least one of, for example, missing and/or damaged cartilage, and identifying, based on the first data, at least one donor site from the donor database of joints for harvesting a graft of bone and cartilage to repair the defect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds according to the formula I: Where Ra is H or an optionally OH-substituted C1-C3 alkyl; R1 is OR1, an optionally substituted C4-12 carbocyclic group which may be saturated or unsaturated (including aromatic) or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; R1 is an optionally substituted C1-C14 hydrocarbyl group or an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; R2, R3 and R4 are each independently H, an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl group (preferably CH3, CH2CH3 or CF3), halogen (preferably F, Cl, Br), OR, CN, NO2, a C1-C6 thioether, a C1-C6 thioester group, an optionally substituted CO2R group, an optionally substituted COR group or an optionally substituted OCOR group (preferably R4 is H); R is H or an optionally substituted C1-C6 alkyl group; RHET is an optionally substituted heterocyclic group; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or polymorphs thereof.

Abstract: An intrauterine device for occluding orifices of fallopian tubes includes a resilient body having an elongated member with a first end and a second end. The elongated member further includes a first leg ending with the first end of the elongated member, a second leg ending with the second end of the elongated member and a connection member positioned therebetween. A first orifice plug is secured at the first end of the elongated member and a second orifice plug is secured at the second end of the elongated member. The first and second orifice plugs are shaped and dimensioned to seat at the orifices of the fallopian tubes or within the fallopian tubes as the elongated member spreads outwardly with the first end and second end moving apart.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chimeric chemical compounds which are used to recruit antibodies to cancer cells, in particular, prostate cancer cells or metastasized prostate cancer cells. The compounds according to the present invention comprise an antibody binding terminus (ABT) moiety covalently bonded to a cell binding terminus (CBT) and Toll-like receptor agonist (TLR) through a linker and a multifunctional connector group or molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) or (II), which are thought to be able to inhibit mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway, induce UPR (unfolded protein response), and/or perturb mitochondrial function of a cyst cell (e.g., a cyst cell causing polycystic kidney disease (PKD, e.g., autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) or autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD)) or polycystic liver disease (PLD, e.g., autosomal dominant PLD (ADPLD) or autosomal recessive PLD (ARPLD)). The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods involving the compounds described herein for use in treating PKD or PLD, inhibiting the growth of a cyst cell, and/or killing a cyst cell.

Abstract: A system, method and a computer-readable medium for creating texture exemplars from images are provided. The texture exemplars are created by receiving an image containing a plurality of pixels representing a plurality of textures, wherein each texture in the plurality of textures is configured to be selectable by a user, determining a desired texture in the plurality of textures contained within the image and defining a scale of the desired texture, generating a heat mapping of the image, wherein the heat mapping indicates location of the desired texture, generating, based on the heat mapping, a plurality of tiles corresponding to the defined scale of the desired texture, and generating an exemplar of desired texture.

Abstract: Spine stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided in which a single resilient member or spring is disposed on an elongate element that spans two attachment members attached to different spinal vertebrae. The elongate element passes through at least one of the two attachment members, permitting relative motion therebetween, and terminates in a stop or abutment. A second resilient member is disposed on the elongate element on an opposite side of the sliding attachment member, e.g., in an overhanging orientation. The two resilient members are capable of applying mutually opposing urging forces, and a compressive preload can be applied to one or both of the resilient members.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating chronic nervous system diseases or injuries, e.g., chronic spinal cord injury, using Nogo receptor antagonists, including Nogo receptor-1 (NgR1) polypeptides, Nogo receptor-1 antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof, soluble Nogo receptors and fusion proteins thereof, and polynucleotides. Also disclosed are methods of noninvasively monitoring axonal growth during and after treatment with an axonal growth promoting agent.