Abstract: A recombinant arginine deiminase including a fluorescent group attached via an optional linker to the side chain of a cysteine residue useful for qualitative and quantitative detection of L-arginine in a sample, and methods of use and preparation thereof.

Abstract: Filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z (FtsZ) protein plays a crucial role in the bacterial cell division machinery and is a validated drug target for antibacterial agents. The present invention relates to FtsZ-interacting compounds that possess a 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidine scaffold. Some of these compounds possess potent anti-staphylococcal properties and potent antibacterial activities against clinically isolated MRSA strains. Compounds have been identified to exhibit low spontaneous frequency of resistance, low toxicity as well as the ability to rescue G. mellonella larvae infected with lethal dose of the MRSA ATCC 43300 strain. Characterization by saturation transfer difference NMR, light scattering assay and GTPase hydrolysis assay with purified S. aureus FtsZ protein verified the interaction of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidine with the FtsZ protein, further confirmed by observations of iconic filamentous cell phenotype and mislocalization of the Z-ring formation.

Abstract: This invention discloses 3-aminobenzamide derivatives as ?-lactam antibiotic adjuvants of chemical formula (I), processes for preparing them and their use. The derivatives can act as ?-lactam antibiotic adjuvants for the treatment of methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections.

Abstract: Filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z (FtsZ) protein plays a crucial role in the bacterial cell division machinery and is a validated drug target for antibacterial agents. The present invention relates to FtsZ-interacting compounds that possess a 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidine scaffold. Some of these compounds possess potent anti-staphylococcal properties and potent antibacterial activities against clinically isolated MRSA strains. Compounds have been identified to exhibit low spontaneous frequency of resistance, low toxicity as well as the ability to rescue G. mellonella larvae infected with lethal dose of the MRSA ATCC 43300 strain. Characterization by saturation transfer difference NMR, light scattering assay and GTPase hydrolysis assay with purified S. aureus FtsZ protein verified the interaction of 2,4,6-trisubstituted pyrimidine with the FtsZ protein, further confirmed by observations of iconic filamentous cell phenotype and mislocalization of the Z-ring formation.

Abstract: Fast and simple method of detecting the presence of chloramphenicol, a harmful compound if present in food products. The method makes use of a mutant chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and a fluorophore-linked chloramphenicol in a system where chloramphenicol and the fluorophore-linked chloramphenicol competes for the active site of the mutant CAT. Because the fluorophore-linked chloramphenicol reduces its fluorescence upon binding to the active site and vice versa increases its fluorescence upon being displaced from the active site by the presence of unmodified chloramphenicol in a sample, the increase of fluorescence caused by a testing sample indicates the presence of chloramphenicol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cyclometalated iridium complexes for detecting poly(amino acids) including peptides, polypeptides, and proteins. Poly(amino acids) are detected in solution, in electrophorectic gels, and on solid supports, including blots. The method of the present invention is rapid, highly sensitive, and extremely facile.

Abstract: Fast and simple method of detecting the presence of chloramphenicol, a harmful compound if present in food products. The method makes use of a mutant chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and a fluorophore-linked chloramphenicol in a system where chloramphenicol and the fluorophore-linked chloramphenicol competes for the active site of the mutant CAT. Because the fluorophore-linked chloramphenicol reduces its fluorescence upon binding to the active site and vice versa increases its fluorescence upon being displaced from the active site by the presence of unmodified chloramphenicol in a sample, the increase of fluorescence caused by a testing sample indicates the presence of chloramphenicol.

Abstract: Metal chelates are useful for improving the contrast of X-ray, ultrasound, radionuclide and magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, the metal complexes must be stable and inert so that toxicity resulting from dissociation in the body can be minimized. This invention provides 16-member ring metal chelates that can provide a charge balanced metal complex having improved stability, especially for gadolinium(III) and samarium (III).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of cyclometalated iridium complexes for detecting poly(amino acids) including peptides, polypeptides, and proteins. Poly(amino acids) are detected in solution, in electrophorectic gels, and on solid supports, including blots. The method of the present invention is rapid, highly sensitive, and extremely facile.

Abstract: A tool that can screen bacteria for ?-lactamases against a panel of various antibiotics is desirable. A biosensor incorporating an indicator molecule into ?-lactamases may achieve this purpose, but it requires that the attached indicator molecule must not impair the binding affinity of the protein to a great extent to provide a higher sensitivity. A modified ?-lactamases with a residue on the ?-loop or outside the ?-loop but close to the active site of ?-lactamase being replaced by a reactive residue is developed in this invention.

Abstract: An open-faced spinning reel assembly having a two-piece frame and leg assembly in which the leg has a tab extending therefrom that is secured to the frame so as to be concealed in the final assembly. The frame can be attached to the tab with screws or other fasteners, or by insertion molding, and the entire assembly of a frame, leg, and cover finished for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The leg can be made from metal or metal alloy and the frame from glass-filled nylon.

Abstract: Metal chelates are useful for improving the contrast of X-ray, ultrasound, radionuclide and magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, the metal complexes must be stable and inert so that toxicity resulting from dissociation in the body can be minimized. This invention provides 16-member ring metal chelates that can provide a charge balanced metal complex having improved stability, especially for gadolinium(III) and samarium (III).

Abstract: A luminescent sensory material for the detection of the presence of organo-halogen compounds is described. This material is based on a platinum chromophore functionalized with pyridylacetylide ligands, as shown in Formulae I and II below. These complexes exhibit positive luminescence upon exposure to the vapors of organ-halogen compounds like CH2Cl2 or CHCl3 with high selectivity over non-chlorinated common organic vapors. Direct relationships between vapor concentration and luminescence intensity are established using thin films prepared from these complexes.

Abstract: A tool that can screen bacteria for ?-lactamases against a panel of various antibiotics is desirable. A biosensor incorporating an indicator molecule into ?-lactamases may achieve this purpose, but it requires that the attached indicator molecule must not impair the binding affinity of the protein to a great extent to provide a higher sensitivity. A modified ?-lactamases with a residue on the ?-loop or outside the ?-loop but close to the active site of ?-lactamase being replaced by a reactive residue is developed in this invention.

Abstract: A luminescent sensory material for the detection of the presence of organo-halogen compounds is described. This material is based on a platinum chromophore functionalized with pyridylacetylide ligands, as shown in Formulae I and II below. These complexes exhibit positive luminescence upon exposure to the vapors of organ-halogen compounds like CH2Cl2 or CHCl3 with high selectivity over non-chlorinated common organic vapors. Direct relationships between vapor concentration and luminescence intensity are established using thin films prepared from these complexes.

Abstract: A spincast fishing reel has a reel frame to which front and rear covers are attached. The rear cover includes a pivotable thumb button which is depressed by a user when fishing line is to be cast. The front cover closes the face of the reel, but defines a forward opening through which the fishing line extends. A normally nonrotatable line spool is located inside of the front cover on a mounting hub of the reel frame. Fishing line is wound onto the line spool by a rotatable pickup head located forward of the line spool. An annular shroud element at least partially covers the outer circumferential surface of the pickup head when fishing line is being wound. As a result, the fishing line will travel between the pickup head and the inside surface of the shroud element to facilitate engagement thereof by the pickup head.