Abstract: The various embodiments herein relate to systems, devices, and/or methods relating to surgical procedures, and more specifically for accessing an insufflated cavity of a patient and/or positioning surgical systems or devices into the cavity.

Abstract: The invention provides fluorescent sensors for the selective detection of a metal such as copper. The sensors may be considered to be derivatives of cyanine, fluorescein, rhodamine, rhodol, Tokyo green, or BODIPY. The sensors find particular use in detecting copper in cells and living animals.

Abstract: A balancing circuit for a plurality of series connected cells or substrings of cells is provided. In one implementation, the balancing circuit includes a plurality of primary ports; an isolated secondary port; and one or more DC-DC converters connected between the primary ports and the isolated secondary port. Each DC-DC converter includes at least one power switch. The DC-DC converters are configured to adjust a primary port current received at one or more of the plurality of primary ports based upon a difference between a voltage at the one of the primary ports and a reference voltage. Also provided are an electrical power system including such as balancing circuit and a method of balancing a plurality of electric cell substrings using such a balancing circuit.

Abstract: Methods of treating cancer by targeting tumor vasculature using an enzyme prodrug cancer therapy treatment are provided.

Abstract: High throughput screening of crystallization of a target material is accomplished by simultaneously introducing a solution of the target material into a plurality of chambers of a microfabricated fluidic device. The microfabricated fluidic device is then manipulated to vary the solution condition in the chambers, thereby simultaneously providing a large number of crystallization environments. Control over changed solution conditions may result from a variety of techniques, including but not limited to metering volumes of crystallizing agent into the chamber by volume exclusion, by entrapment of volumes of crystallizing agent determined by the dimensions of the microfabricated structure, or by cross-channel injection of sample and crystallizing agent into an array of junctions defined by intersecting orthogonal flow channels.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating cancer via administering to a patient having a solid tumor a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody against Delta-like ligand 4(Dll4) or other Notch pathway components. The solid tumor may comprise solid tumor stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides galacto-oligosaccharide compositions that preferentially stimulate growth of specific Bifidobacterium species and subspecies.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various medical device components, including components that can be incorporated into robotic and/or in vivo medical devices. Certain embodiments include various medical devices for in vivo medical procedures.

Abstract: Provided are methods, devices and systems for analyte detection using a microfluidic device.

Abstract: A millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength receiver imaging apparatus and method which directly generates a time encoded digital signal for an imaging pixel in response to interoperation of a digital quench circuit, an envelope detector, and a regenerative oscillator coupled to an antenna. The device utilizes the fact that oscillator startup time in a regenerative oscillator is inversely proportional to injected pixel image power. A digital quench circuit, such as a latch, is coupled for activating and deactivating the regenerative oscillator in response to receiving an output from an envelope threshold circuit, and for generating a time encoded digital signal in response to pixel amplitude during millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength imaging. Receiver embodiments are described for both fundamental frequency operation (DRR) and for multi-frequency imaging (IRR).

Abstract: Method for modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired insulin sensitivity in a subject by using a grape seed extract, the method being useful in modulating post-prandial oxidative stress, inflammation, and impaired insulin sensitivity in patients suffering from Metabolic Syndrome (MetS).

Abstract: Human cystathionine ?-synthase variants are disclosed, as well as a method to produce recombinant human cystathionine ?-synthase and variants thereof. More particularly, the role of both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of human CBS has been studied, and a variety of truncation mutants and modified CBS homologues are described. In addition, a method to express and purify recombinant human cystathionine ?-synthase (CBS) and variants thereof which have only one or two additional amino acid residues at the N-terminus are described.

Abstract: A method and system that is directed to the local delivery of growth factors to the mammalian CNS to treat CNS disorders associated with neuronal death and/or dysfunction is described.

Abstract: The invention described in the application relates to a panel of gene expression markers for node-negative, ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients. The invention thus provides methods and compositions, e.g., kits and/or microarrays, for evaluating gene expression levels of the markers and methods of using such gene expression levels to evaluate the likelihood of relapse of a node-negative, ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patient. Such information can be used in determining treatment options for patients.

Abstract: More realistic neural networks are disclosed that are able to learn to solve complex problems though a decision making network, modeled as a virtual entity foraging in a digital environment. Specifically, the neural networks overcome many of the limitations in prior neural networks by using rewarded STDP bounded with rules to solve a complex problem.

Abstract: Materials and methods related to diagnosing and/or determining prognosis of prostate cancer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the in vitro detection of proteases using a single peptide-conjugate nanocrescent surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probes with at least nanomolar sensitivity. The probe enables detection of proteolytic activity in extremely small volume and at low concentration. In certain embodiments the probes comprise an indicator for the detection of an active protease, where the indicator comprises a nanocrescent attached to a peptide, where said peptide comprises a recognition site for the protease and a Raman tag attached to the peptide.

Abstract: Novel methods of synthesis of ethylenedicysteine-sugar conjugates and therapeutic and diagnostic applications of such conjugates are disclosed. Methods of synthesizing these conjugates in high purity are also presented as using starting materials such as thiazolidine carboxylic acid. Also disclosed are methods of imaging, treating and diagnosing disease in a subject using these conjugates prepared herein, such as methods of imaging a tumor within a subject and methods of diagnosing myocardial ischemia.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein relate to various robotic medical devices, including robotic devices that are disposed within a body cavity and positioned using a support component disposed through an orifice or opening in the body cavity. Additional embodiments relate to devices having arms coupled to a device body wherein the device has a minimal profile such that the device can be easily inserted through smaller incisions in comparison to other devices without such a small profile. Further embodiments relate to methods of operating the above devices.

Abstract: The invention provides articles of manufacture comprising biocompatible nanostructures comprising nanotubes and nanopores for, e.g., organ, tissue and/or cell growth, e.g., for bone, kidney or liver growth, and uses thereof, e.g., for in vitro testing, in vivo implants, including their use in making and using artificial organs, and related therapeutics. The invention provides lock-in nanostructures comprising a plurality of nanopores or nanotubes, wherein the nanopore or nanotube entrance has a smaller diameter or size than the rest (the interior) of the nanopore or nanotube. The invention also provides dual structured biomaterial comprising micro- or macro-pores and nanopores. The invention provides biomaterials having a surface comprising a plurality of enlarged diameter nanopores and/or nanotubes.