Abstract: The microphthalmia transcription factor Mitf has been shown to regulate B cell activation and tolerance. However, the underlying B cell-specific mechanisms responsible, and those that distinguish Mitf from closely related Mitf/TFE (MiT) transcription factors Tfe3, Tfeb, and Tfec, remain obscure. Two complementary mouse models of Mitf and B-cell specific MiT family deficiency were used to define how MiT family candidate target genes and pathway dysregulation can occur in pathogenic B cells due to Tfec-like overexpression and subsequent loss-of-protective functions of Mitf for autoimmune tolerance. These findings underscore the critical role of Mitf in maintaining B cell homeostasis and self-tolerance, and highlight the potential for therapeutics to either decrease the functionality of Tfec and/or increase the functionality of Mitf to treat autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: Provided is a method of reducing autoimmunity, including reducing an amount of self-reactive B cells in a subject expressing elevated levels of an autoantibody, wherein reducing includes administering 2-hydroxyoleic acid to the subject. Also provided is a method of treatment including administering 2-hydroxyoleic acid to a subject expressing elevated levels of an auto-antibody. Also provided is a method of promoting B cell tolerance, including promoting apoptosis of self-reactive B cells in a subject, wherein promoting includes administering 2-hydroxyoleic acid to the subject.

Abstract: Provided is a method of reducing autoimmunity, including reducing an amount of self-reactive B cells in a subject expressing elevated levels of an autoantibody, wherein reducing includes administering 2-hydroxyoleic acid to the subject. Also provided is a method of treatment including administering 2-hydroxyoleic acid to a subject expressing elevated levels of an auto-antibody. Also provided is a method of promoting B cell tolerance, including promoting apoptosis of self-reactive B cells in a subject, wherein promoting includes administering 2-hydoxyoleic acid to the subject.

Abstract: The turntable platter configuration of the present invention includes a groove on the platter edge about its periphery to allow for an improved ergonomic finger control for a DJ to alter the speed of the platter rotation. The turntable platter configuration also includes a regularly spaced shape about the periphery of the platter to be used with a strobe for allowing the user to ensure the rate of the rotation is at the appropriate speed, such as 33 RPM or 45 RPM.

Abstract: A wireless DJ controller includes an accelerometer, a control button, and a wireless transceiver. The wireless DJ controller detects when the control button has been depressed and accesses an output value from the accelerometer. Based on the accessed output value, the DJ controller generates a control signal and transmits the control signal to manipulate an audio signal. Methods of manipulating audio signals using the DJ controller are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disc jockey controller for a handheld computing device is disclosed. The controller includes a body with a top surface. A cradle is configured and arranged to hold a handheld computing device in a desired orientation. A main output configured and arranged to be electrically connected to a handheld computing device. A left platter control and a right platter control are provided on the top surface of the body. The platters are rotatable and pressable to generate control data for the handheld computing device. A DJ application running on a handheld computing device is configured and arranged to use a communication protocol to receive control data from the controller. The DJ application is further configured and arranged to use the control data to apply special effects and to manipulate the first audio source and second audio source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention, for the first time, provide methods for financing an asset management firm, by using participating debt securities as the investment engine and then collecting those interests and selling the resultant securities into a Business Development Company.

Abstract: A combined computer media player and computer controller is disclosed. The apparatus includes a main housing with media controls thereon and a processor therein. An input port for connecting a mass storage device to the processor so the processor has access to media files thereon. An optical disc reader located in the housing and connected to the processor so the processor has access to media files thereon. The media files are playable, controllable, mixable and modifiable by the media controls. The apparatus further includes media output ports on the main housing that are connected to the processor to output a media files for listening or viewing. An input port for connecting the apparatus to a computer is included so the apparatus can control software running thereon.

Abstract: A media player for disc jockeys is disclosed. The media player includes a housing including a front face, a rear face, a left side and a right side. A plurality of input ports configured to connect a digital storage device containing a number of media tracks. A first and a second media output are included. The media player includes a first deck having a first media control interface configured to cue and play media tracks, and a second deck having a second media control interface configured to cue and play media tracks, and a global control interface including a main display screen divide into three portions. A digital mixing controller for accessing and controlling the digital storage device through the respective one of the respective input ports is also included.

Abstract: A media player for a disc jockey is disclosed. The media player includes a housing with a top surface with a surface defining a seat configured to received a portable media device with a library of media tracks stored thereon. The seat includes an input port for connecting to the portable media device. The media player includes a master output, a first and a second deck having a first and second media control interface configured to cue and play media tracks on a first and second channel, respectively, and a global control interface including a main display, a rotatable and pressable select knob and a number of multifunction controls having contextual function labels associated therewith for navigating menus and selecting menu choices contained therein.

Abstract: Techniques for treating immune dysfunction in a patient by regulation of CD40 Ligand (CD40L) expression are provided. For example, one technique includes suppressing TFE3 and/or TFEB in the patient to thereby suppress CD40L expression in the patient. In addition, the technique may include administering a TFE3 inhibitor and/or a TFEB inhibitor for suppressing TFE3 and/or TFEB, respectively, in the patient.

Abstract: The video player for disc jockeys has a playback unit (100) and a control unit (200) in separate housings (102, 202). The playback unit has two video drives (110, 112) contained therein. Each drive (110, 112) has a signal. The control unit has two user interfaces (210, 212) to control the video drives (110, 112) and selectively mix the signals.

Abstract: A docking system and mixer for portable media devices includes two control interfaces that correspond to two dock seat to receive two media storage devices, such as a portable music player, therein. A microcontroller resides in the housing and the media controls on the housing for each of the players are electrically interconnected to the microcontroller. Media items are stored on storage components, such as a hard drive, in each of the portable media devices. Manipulation of the control surfaces commands the operation of the media storage devices, such as playback of an audio or video file thereon. The outputs of both of the media storage devices are controlled and mixed via a disc jockey style interface.

Abstract: An all-in-one media player and mixer for a disc jockey has a fixed storage device capable for storing media thereon. The media player also has two interfaces having independent selectable settings and corresponding removable media devices attached thereto. Each interface is connected to the fixed storage device and generates its own signal by playing media from the fixed storage device or its corresponding removable media device. The media player also has a mixer the selectively mixes the signal of the interfaces into a mixed signal and communicates it through an output.

Abstract: An audio/video mixer (10) for disc jockeys includes a number of video inputs (28, 30, 36, 38), a number of audio inputs (24, 26), a video output (46, 48), an audio output (42, 44), and controls (100, 200) thereon for selectively mixing the respective audio and video signals, applying special effects thereto and routing them through the respective video and audio outputs.