Abstract: This invention relates to methods of lubrication for biological tissue, especially joint and cartilage surfaces, and to methods of treating osteoarthritis using high molecular weight, hydrophilic polymer brushes, which mimic the structure and activity of lubricin. These synthetic lubricin analog polymer brushes (termed herein graft brush polymers), include poly(acrylic acid) backbones grafted with polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of lubrication for biological tissue, especially joint and cartilage surfaces, and to methods of treating osteoarthritis using high molecular weight, hydrophilic polymer brushes, which mimic the structure and activity of lubricin. These synthetic lubricin analog polymer brushes (termed herein graft brush polymers), include poly(acrylic acid) backbones grafted with polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: Polymer compositions having the following chemical structure: wherein L1 represents a polymeric linker having the structure shown connecting ethylene oxide oligomers and their use in surgical devices containing the above composition is also described.

Abstract: A packaged food product and methods of making and using it. In some embodiments. The packaged food product may comprise a cup containing multiple ingredients in sealed pouches suitable for use in making an omelet or other egg-based entrées, with the cup being suitable for microwave cooking of an egg-based entrée. The ingredients may include vegetable components that offer organoleptic properties similar to those of fresh vegetables after an extended period of time. Ideally, time required for processing, shipment, storage, etc., which may be, e.g., several weeks, may pass without unacceptable degradation of taste, texture, mouth feel, flavor, aroma, color, nutritional content or other important qualities. In some embodiments, the ingredients may also include additional components, such as, for example, one or more meats, and/or one or more varieties of cheese.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probiotic cell transformed with a construct suitable to overexpress and display on the surface of the probiotic cell a fusion protein comprising at least a portion of a transport protein coupled to at least a portion of one or more antigenic proteins or peptides. Probiotic-derived vesicles displaying this fusion protein as well as methods of inducing an immune response using the probiotic cells or vesicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wastewater pump station venting system includes at least one wastewater discharge conduit; a wastewater pump station having a station interior disposed in fluid communication with the wastewater discharge conduit; at least one fresh air inlet conduit disposed in fluid communication with the station interior; at least one gas vent conduit having a vent conduit inlet segment disposed in fluid communication with the station interior and a vent conduit outlet segment disposed in fluid communication with the vent conduit inlet segment; at least one vent air inlet conduit disposed in fluid communication with the gas vent conduit between the vent conduit inlet segment and the vent conduit outlet segment, the vent air inlet conduit disposed at an acute angle relative to the vent conduit inlet segment and an obtuse angle relative to the vent conduit outlet segment; at least one vent fan disposed in fluid communication with the vent air inlet conduit; and at least one power source electrically interfacing with the ve

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probiotic cell transformed with a construct suitable to overexpress and display on the surface of the probiotic cell a fusion protein comprising at least a portion of a transport protein coupled to at least a portion of one or more antigenic proteins or peptides. Probiotic-derived vesicles displaying this fusion protein as well as methods of inducing an immune response using the probiotic cells or vesicles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Poly(?-amino esters) prepared from the conjugate addition of bis(secondary amines) or primary amines to a bis(acrylate ester) are described. Methods of preparing these polymers from commercially available starting materials are also provided. These tertiary amine-containing polymers are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the poly(amine) nature of these polymers, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Nanoparticles containing polymer/polynucleotide complexes have been prepared. The inventive polymers may also be used to encapsulate other agents to be delivered. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides injectable synthetic and biodegradable polymeric biomaterials that effectively prevent seroma, a common postoperative complication following ablative and reconstructive surgeries. Provided biomaterials include physically crosslinked hydrogels that are thixotropic, display rapid chain relaxation, are easily extruded through narrow gauge needles, biodegrade into inert products, are well tolerated by soft tissues, and effectively prevent seroma in a radical breast mastectomy animal model.

Abstract: A method of deploying a space based occulter is provided. The occulter comprises a base portion and a blanket section extending radially from the base portion. A plurality of starlight blocking petals are attached to the base portion and attached to the blanket section, the petals extending radially from the base portion, each of the petals being hingedly connected to an adjacent petal.

Abstract: Vented precipitation guarding manhole cover assemblies include a manhole cover having a manhole cover protrusion. The manhole cover protrusion has a protrusion edge, a protrusion surface contiguous with and extending from the protrusion edge and a protrusion apex contiguous with the protrusion surface. A manhole cover vent opening extends through the manhole cover protrusion and the manhole cover.

Abstract: A composition having general structure (1); wherein the P-gp substrate is a substrate for P-glycoprotein; the linker is a biocompatible polymeric moiety; the drug-loaded carrier comprises a biocompatible framework carrying at least one drug; and the straight line shown in Formula (1) between the drug-loaded carrier and linker represents a first bond, and the straight line shown in Formula (1) between the linker and P-gp substrate represents a second bond. Also described herein are pharmaceutical compositions containing the above compositions, as well as methods for using these compositions for targeted delivery of a drug to cells expressing higher levels of P-glycoprotein compared to other cells in a mammal, for the treatment of various diseases or conditions, such as cancer and neurological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for displaying proteins and polypeptides on the surface of cells and cellular vesicles. Methods and compositions for drug and vaccine delivery using cell surface display systems of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Poly(?-amino esters) prepared from the conjugate addition of bis(secondary amines) or primary amines to a bis(acrylate ester) are described. Methods of preparing these polymers from commercially available starting materials are also provided. These tertiary amine-containing polymers are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the poly(amine) nature of these polymers, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Nanoparticles containing polymer/polynucleotide complexes have been prepared. The inventive polymers may also be used to encapsulate other agents to be delivered. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for displaying proteins and polypeptides on the surface of cells and cellular vesicles. Methods and compositions for drug and vaccine delivery using cell surface display systems of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of lubrication for biological tissue, especially joint and cartilage surfaces, and to methods of treating osteoarthritis using high molecular weight, hydrophilic polymer brushes, which mimic the structure and activity of lubricin. These synthetic lubricin analog polymer brushes (termed herein graft brush polymers), include poly(acrylic acid) back-bones grafted with polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: Poly(?-amino esters) prepared from the conjugate addition of bis(secondary amines) or primary amines to a bis(acrylate ester) are described. Methods of preparing these polymers from commercially available starting materials are also provided. These tertiary amine-containing polymers are preferably biodegradable and biocompatible and may be used in a variety of drug delivery systems. Given the poly(amine) nature of these polymers, they are particularly suited for the delivery of polynucleotides. Nanoparticles containing polymer/polynucleotide complexes have been prepared. The inventive polymers may also be used to encapsulate other agents to be delivered. They are particularly useful in delivering labile agents given their ability to buffer the pH of their surroundings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for displaying proteins and polypeptides on the surface of cells and cellular vesicles. Methods and compositions for drug and vaccine delivery using cell surface display systems of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The application relates to a device and method for preparing and testing a fluid sample using a filtration procedure for analysis of a filterable constituent of the fluid. In particular the process employs an enclosed pathway whereby the fluid sample may be put into a sealable flexible containment-vessel, and can then be passed through a fluid passageway to a removable enclosable filter cartridge, wherein the filterable constituent may be removed and the resultant filtrate fluid discharged from the cartridge. Once introduced to the flexible vessel, the enclosed pathway system thereby enables the fluid to be filtered and the filterable constituent examined with minimal complications of contamination of the sample through exposure to environmental pollutant external to the fluid sample. A useful objective of the device and method is to enable analyses of microbiological content of a fluid sample.

Abstract: The present application is related to compounds represented by Formula I, which are novel positive allosteric modulators of al nAChRs. The application also discloses the treatment of disorders that are responsive to enhancement of acetylcholine action on al nAChRs in a mammal by administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula I.