Abstract: A wireless energy transfer system includes a first energy transfer unit having at least one resonant frequency, a second energy transfer unit having the at least one resonant frequency, and a load. The first wireless energy transfer unit includes a first coil magnetically coupled to a first wireless energy transfer cell, and the second wireless energy transfer unit includes a second coil magnetically coupled to a second wireless energy transfer cell. The first coil receives first energy and through the magnetic coupling between the first coil and the first wireless energy transfer cell, the first wireless energy transfer cell is caused to generate second energy, wherein the second wireless energy transfer cell receives the second energy and through the magnetic coupling between the second wireless energy transfer cell and the second coil, the second coil is caused to provide third electromagnetic wave energy to the load.

Abstract: An electronic device including a first conducting layer, a second conducting layer, and an insulating layer provided between the conducting layers. At least one side wall extends from the first conducting layer to the second conducting layer and includes at least a portion of the first conducting layer, the second conducting layer and the insulating layer. A bias voltage is applied between the first and second conducting layers, wherein responsive to the bias voltage, a two dimensional electron system is induced at least in one of the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer, and wherein electrons from the two dimensional electron system are emitted from the side wall side wall as a result of Coulombic repulsion and travel in air from the one of the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer to the other of the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating infectious, inflammatory and post-traumatic disorders by administering various compounds newly discovered to have TLR4 inhibitory activity. In addition to methods of treatment, the present invention further provides for pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds, together with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. Because TLR4 is the most upstream receptor in the pro-inflammatory LPS signaling cascade, treatments of the invention, which inhibit or antagonize TLR4 action, may avoid the pitfalls associated with other cytokine inhibitors that act further down the pathway and accordingly play a less specific (and perhaps non-critical) role.

Abstract: Described herein is a mitochondrial-targeted RNA expression system (mtTRES) for delivery of RNA molecules to mitochondria. mtTRES vectors generate RNAs in vivo that are un-capped, non-polyadenylated, and actively directed to mitochondria. The disclosed vectors are capable of delivering either non-coding RNA molecules or RNA molecules encoding a protein of interest to the mitochondria. In particular, the disclosed vectors include (1) an RNAPIII initiation (promoter) sequence, (2) a non-coding leader sequence (NCL), (3) a mitochondrial translation initiation sequence and an ORF encoding a protein of interest, or a sequence encoding a non-coding RNA, and (4) an RNAPIII termination sequence.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that osteoprotegerin increases human beta cell proliferation and survival. Methods are provided for increasing beta cell proliferation, but contacting a beta cell with an effective amount of osteoprotegrin, a functional fragment, variant or fusion protein thereof. Methods are also provided for treating a human subject with diabetes, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of osteoprotegerin, functional variant or fusion protein thereof.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring and regulating physiological states and functions are disclosed. Several embodiments include application of one or more microelectrode arrays to a dorsal root ganglion for measurement of sensory neuron activity, or stimulation of sensory reflex circuits. The methods and apparatuses can be used, for example, for monitoring or controlling bladder function in a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiparametric method of assessing the reaction of a patient's immune system to a test subject. The invention compares a patient sample reacted with a test sample and a third party sample and combines the assessments of the multiple parameters to correlate the test reaction with a clinical event.

Abstract: It has previously been demonstrated that positive 8F1 immunohistochemistry is an indicator of a poor cancer prognosis and poor response to chemotherapy. The 8F1 antibody was generated by immunization against ERCC1, a DNA repair protein, but recognizes a second, previously unidentified protein in cells and tissues. Disclosed herein is the finding that in addition to ERCC1, the 8F1 antibody recognizes the choline phosphate cytidylyltransferase-? (CCT?) protein. Thus, provided herein is a method of determining the prognosis of a patient with cancer by specifically detecting expression of CCT? in a sample obtained from the subject. Also provided is a method of predicting the response of a cancer patient to treatment with a genotoxic therapy by specifically detecting expression of CCT? in a sample obtained from the subject.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a device comprising a catheter. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of removing an agent from blood.

Abstract: An implantable medical device including at least one double-walled microsphere containing an active agent, and a biodegradable polymer layer containing the at least one double-walled microsphere.

Abstract: Ex vivo cell culture, especially the culture of stem cells, is a valuable and widely used technique. The appearance of unlabeled cultured cells contains significant information about the cell's identity, including its differentiation status and lineage. However, mere visual inspection of cells is a subjective process subject to inconsistencies between microscopists. This disclosure provides methods of quantifying cells' appearance, validating identity with known biomarkers, allowing automated classification of cells as well as automated segmentation and delineation of the borders of a cell colony. Also provided are systems and methods for comparing and standardizing cells cultured by different scientists using different cell culture methods.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for electrokinetic transport of fluids to patients. Drug-containing solutions may be placed in vial-like reservoir, which is connected to an apparatus such as a traditional catheter or other device capable of holding a drug-containing solution. Instead of a vial-like reservoir, a doped infusion pad or a gel may be used as a source of the drug-containing solution. The reservoir and apparatus may thus be the same component. The methods and apparatuses disclosed herein may also be used to transport fluid alone to achieve a clinical effect. The apparatus is placed at the point of drug delivery. The counter-electrode may be placed in or on a patient. Current is passed from the reservoir to the counter-electrode. Through electrokinetic transport, drug-containing solution is delivered along a current path from the drug source to the counter-electrode. A hollow fiber catheter for use in electrokinetic transport is also disclosed.

Abstract: A means and method to connect multiple IC chips to a single apparatus where the IC chips may function as a passive system or network in space. The collection of antennae and coupled near field devices form a pool of energy in which multiple devices may be introduced so as to provide a pool of energy and/or to function as a network or networks of devices including IC chips.

Abstract: Cannabionid receptor-2 inverse antagonists include compounds represented by Formula IV, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein: R1 and R2 are independently H, alkyl, or alkenyl; R3 is alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl; R4 and R5 are independently a bond, alkylenyl, or alkenylenyl; each R6 and R7 is independently selected from the group consisting of OH, F, Cl, Br, I, (C1-C6)alkyl, alkoxy, amino, COOH, CONH2, SO3H, PO3H2, CN, SH, NO2 and CF3; and p and q are independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Such compounds may be used to treat osteoporosis or multiple myeloma.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment non-soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of non-soft tissue (e.g. bone). Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, bone tissues in the treatment of various functional conditions, including osteoporosis, Paget's Disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, bone fracture, osteomalacia, decrease in bone trabecular strength, decrease in bone cortical strength and decrease in bone density with old age.

Abstract: The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration of symptoms for gastro-esophageal pathologies like gastro-esophageal reflux.

Abstract: This invention provides the field of therapeutics. Most specifically present invention provides methods of generating in vitro engineered dendritic cells conditionally expressing interleukin-12 (IL-12) under the control of a gene expression modulation system in the presence of activating ligand and uses for therapeutic purposes in animals including human.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for diagnosis of inflammatory disorders, and in non-limiting embodiments, of inflammatory disorders associated with elevated interleukin-1? (“IL-1?”), based on increased levels of follistatin-like protein 1 (“FSTL-1”). In particular non-limiting embodiments, the invention further provides for methods of identifying subjects with systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (“SOJIA”) who are at increased risk for developing macrophage activation syndrome (“MAS”) comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1. In additional non-limiting embodiments, the invention provides for methods of identifying subjects with Kawasaki disease who are at increased risk of developing aortic aneurysms comprising detecting, in said subjects, hyper-increased levels of FSTL-1.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are presented that facilitate electronic manipulation and detection of submicron particles. Time-multiplexed dielectrophoresis can be employed by cycling between two or more disparate electric fields during separate portions of a duty cycle. By cycling between these two or more disparate electric fields, two or more disparate particle types can be separated from one another based on differences in electrical properties of the two or more disparate particle types.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions that inhibit the effects of nitric oxide for inhibiting post-traumatic immunodepression. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that, in a murine model system of trauma, genetic or chemical reduction of nitric oxide inhibited the development of immunodepression. Accordingly, the present invention provides for methods and compositions to be administered to subjects, post-trauma, that inhibit the effects of nitric oxide by inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and/or scavenge nitric oxide.