Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for treating and preventing renal/kidney disease, insulin resistance/diabetes, fatty liver disease, and/or endothelial dysfunction/cardiovascular disease using synthetic triterpenoids, optionally in combination with a second treatment or prophylaxis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive regulatory T cells from effector T cells by contacting the effector T cells with retinoic acid. Adaptive regulatory T cells produced by this method are Foxp3+, home to the gut, and are refractory to reversion in vivo. As such, such cells find application in the treatment of autoimmune disease and facilitating transplantation tolerance.

Abstract: The present specification provides RXR agonist compounds, compositions comprising such RXR agonists, and methods using such compounds and compositions to treat an autoimmune disorder, inflammation associated with an autoimmune disorder and/or a transplant rejection as well as use of such RXR agonists to manufacture a medicament and use of such compounds and compositions to treat an autoimmune disorder, inflammation associated with an autoimmune disorder and/or a transplant rejection.

Abstract: A system or module has a 3-or-more layer current-controlled switching device, such as a bipolar power transistor, for driving a load and a base driver circuit coupled to drive it. The driver has a buck-converter configuration for efficiently driving the switching device. In an embodiment, the driver has an inductor, the inductor having a first terminal coupled to a base of the bipolar junction transistor, a high-side switching device coupled to drive a second terminal of the inductor; and a rectification device coupled to the second terminal of the inductor. The driver also has a control circuit for providing a sequence of pulses through the high-side switching device when a control signal indicates the bipolar junction transistor is to be turned on.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate a 3D model of a surface of an object immersed in a transparent liquid within a stationary cylindrical transparent tank. First and second laser line projectors and a camera are rotated around a central axis of the cylindrical tank. The first and second laser line projectors each generate a laser line perpendicular to a plane or rotation and aligned with the center of rotation. The camera images the object. An image from the camera is captured at each of several angular positions of the camera relative to a reference position of the stationary cylindrical tank. The captured images are processed to determine, for each laser line within each image, a plurality of 3D positions where the laser line is incident upon a surface of the object. In embodiments, images are corrected with ray tracing or image warping and registration functions.

Abstract: A method is provided for automatically providing a digital image rating of photo retouching. The method includes the step of receiving at a computer, including a processor, a first set of pixel data of an original image and a second set of pixel data of a retouched image. The method also includes using the processor to determine a plurality of geometric statistics and a plurality of photometric statistics from the first and second sets of pixel data. The method further includes the step of using the processor to quantify a rating of the retouched image based upon the geometric statistics and photometric statistics to indicate deviation of the retouched image from the original image. A system is also provided to perform the steps.

Abstract: In a magnetic particle heating method for occlusion of the Fallopian tubes, biocompatible magnetic particles are delivered transcervically to the entrance of the Fallopian tube. Placement of the particles (e.g., magnetic nanoparticles) in the Fallopian tube is confirmed, and a coil is positioned about or proximate the patient's abdomen. Alternating current is applied to the coil to couple magnetic energy into the nanoparticles, heating the nanoparticles and causing thermal injury to the Fallopian tube. Temperature within the Fallopian tube may be monitored during heating, to prevent overheating, or alternating current may be applied for a predetermined treatment time, with or without temperature monitoring. Each Fallopian tube may be treated with nanoparticles and the two tubes heated simultaneously, or the tubes may be sequentially treated and heated. Treatment may be visualized via in-office hysteroscope, fluoroscopy or ultrasound.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for stimulating the growth and repair of bone and cartilage using synthetic triterpenoids and tricyclic-bis-enones. Examples of suitable triterpenoids include CDDO, CDDO-Me, CDDO-Im, and CDDO-Ethylamide. Examples of tricyclic-bis-enones include TBE-31 and TBE-34.

Abstract: The present invention provides immunostimulatory combinations. Generally, the immunostimulatory combinations include a TLR agonist and a TNF/R agonist. Certain immunostimulatory combinations also may include an antigen.

Abstract: The present invention is an inhibitor of the trypsin-like ?2/?2i sites of the proteasome. The inhibitor is characterized as being a peptide-based epoxyketone or vinyl sulfone that contains an arginine or 4-aminomethylene-L-phenylalanine at the C-terminus (i.e., at the P1 position). Methods for using the inhibitor to inhibit the activity of the ?2/?2i site of a proteasome and treat a proteasome-mediated disease or condition are also described.

Abstract: A conductor of a power transmission line has its effective resistance to flow of direct current or low-frequency current (such as, for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz) varied in a wide range to pass current and/or to generate heat for melting ice. Increasing the initial resistance of a conductor is accomplished by modulating the current at a high frequency (HF), such as about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz. The current through the conductor then becomes a mixture of a DC (or low-frequency current) and a high-frequency current. Because the latter flows in a thin skin-layer region of the conductor of depth dependent on frequency, the conductor's resistance to the HF current is higher than its resistance value for low frequency or DC current. By varying the frequency of current modulation in accordance with the present invention, the conductor's resistance is adjusted to a desired value for ice removal.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of a synthetic triterpenoid to induce gene expression and differentiation of stem or progenitor cells in the treatment of bone/cartilage diseases or conditions.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for increasing the cell surface expression of degradation-prone CFTR proteins and preventing or treating cystic fibrosis. The invention provides peptides and peptidomimetics that selectively inhibit the interaction between CAL and mutant CFTR proteins, thereby stabilizing the CFTR and facilitating transport of the same to the cell surface.