Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying an acetyltransferase substrate in a sample that includes the steps of: (a) contacting the sample with (i) a reagent comprising a thiol-containing compound, a halo-acetyl-CoA or a halo-acetyl-pantetheine, and (ii) an acetyltransferase, under conditions suitable for acetyltransferase enzyme activity, and (b) identifying a substrate that has formed a base-stable covalent bond to the reagent, wherein the reagent is labeled with a label and/or the acetyltransferase is labeled with an affinity tag, and the substrate is the acetyltransferase substrate.

Abstract: A novel compound, 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, is provided. The compound is a mixture of the 2? and 3? regioisomers of O-acetyl-ADP ribose, and is formed nonenzymatically from 2?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, which is the newly discovered product of the reaction of Sir2 enzymes with acetylated peptides and NAD+. Analogs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided. Additionally, methods of preparing 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, methods of determining whether a test compound is an inhibitor of a Sir2 enzyme, methods of detecting Sir2 activity in a composition, methods of deacetylating an acetylated peptide, and methods of inhibiting the deacetylation of an acetylated peptide are provided. Prodrugs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided.

Abstract: A stem connecting the handlebars and steerable fork of a cycle has one tube attached to the handlebars and another tube attached to the steerable fork with the tubes capable of being rotated and locked with respect to one another. This arrangement allows for various configurations of the handlebars and fork including the typical riding configuration as well as an alternate configuration where the handlebars are ‘folded’ with respect to the fork. Change in configuration is accomplished without tools by way of a biased locking arrangement for the tubes.

Abstract: A weapon (104) including a stock, a barrel assembly (105) slidably mounted on said stock whereby, on discharging said weapon, the barrel assembly (105) slidably recoils relative to said stock, and a damper (107) for decelerating the recoiling barrel assembly, wherein said barrel assembly (105) includes a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within a barrel (108) wherein each of said projectiles is associated with a discrete propellant charge for propelling said projectile from the barrel. Suitably the weapon further includes a breech block (109) which slidably recoils relative to said stock and a further damper (106) for decelerating the recoiling breech block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital motion picture camera comprising at least one optoelectronic sensor device for the recording of motion pictures. The sensor device has, in an areal arrangement, a plurality of sensor elements for the production of a respective received signal in dependence on a light exposure. The camera further has a control device for the controlling of the read-out of the received signals of the sensor elements as well as a digitizing device for the digitizing of the received signals. A part of the sensor elements is associated with a central areal region of the sensor device for the production of received recording signals and another part of the sensor elements is associated with a frame-shaped areal region of the sensor device for the production of received monitoring signals, said frame-shaped areal region surrounding the central areal region.

Abstract: Provided are compounds capable of covalently binding to a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP). The compounds comprise Formula A: Also provided are compositions comprising one of the above compounds covalently bound to a member of the PTP superfamily, methods of labeling a PTP using the compounds, methods of isolating a PTP from a mixture of proteins using the compounds, methods of evaluating whether a substance is an inhibitor of a PTP using the compounds, methods of evaluating the specificity of an inhibitor of a PTP using the compounds, methods of identifying a PTP involved in a disease in a mammal using the compounds, and methods of diagnosing a disease in a mammal using the compounds.

Abstract: A frangible connection for connecting parts of a knitted textile into a single panel is disclosed. The frangible connection is formed of a yarn having a lower tensile strength than that used to knit the parts of the panel so that the parts can be readily disconnected by tearing the frangible connection without damaging the structure of the parts themselves. Thus, a plurality of vertical blind louvers may be knitted into a single panel on a single knitting machine and separated later, preferably prior to installation. Knitted patterns which extend across multiple louvers may thus be practically manufactured without the difficulties in alignment which might be present if each louver were manufactured separately. The frangible connection also functions as a hinge for pivotably connecting the louvers of a combination blind together.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent garment subassembly for attaching to an absorbent garment, the absorbent garment having a front portion, a back portion and two side portions. The subassembly has a first carrier layer and an elastic member operatively associated with the first carrier layer. The elastic member has a center portion and two end portions. The center portion has a greater area than either of the end portions.

Abstract: Non-naturally occurring mycobacteria in the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are provided. These mycobacteria have a deletion of an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin, and exhibit attenuated virulence in a mammal when compared to the mycobacteria without the deletion. Also provided are non-naturally occurring mycobacteria that have a deletion of a region controlling production of lysine, and mycobacteria comprising two attenuating deletions. Vaccines comprising these mycobacteria are also provided, as are methods of protecting mammals from virulent mycobacteria using the vaccines. Also provided are methods of preparing these vaccines which include the step of deleting an RD1 region or a region controlling production of a vitamin from a mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex.

Abstract: ELF3 gene compositions associated with cancer are provided, including ELF3 mRNA intron retention, a novel ELF3 5? untranslated region, and a novel Alu, Alukwd. Methods and kits using primers or probes to detect the presence of these ELF3 gene compositions are also provided. Methods for determining whether a cell comprises a virus are also provided.

Abstract: A protective undergarment is provided according to exemplary aspects of this invention. The undergarment includes a waist portion adapted to encircle the waist of a user. The undergarment also includes a crotch portion having an end segment extending from the waist portion, a central segment, and a terminal end segment attachable to the waist portion. The terminal end segment of the crotch portion extends substantially perpendicular to the waist portion.

Abstract: A stimulating needle and catheter system is provided for delivery of an anaesthetic drug to a nerve having a fascia sheath. The position of the stimulating needle may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. When a specific nerve is located, the catheter is inserted through the needle such that the distal tip of the catheter is located at a point slightly beyond the distal tip of the needle. The distal tip of the catheter may then be manipulated and the optimum position within the nerve determined by applying an electrical impulse through a wire located within the catheter from the proximal end to the distal tip of the catheter. A tunneling device is inserted into the skin of the patient to form a subcutaneous tunnel through which the proximal end of the catheter is inserted.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of using Rhenium radioisotopes to detect and treat tumors that express a Na+/I? symporter. The invention also provides compositions and methods of making compositions comprising Rhenium radioisotopes for detection and treatment of tumors that express a Na+/I? symporter.

Abstract: Methods of reducing food intake and glucose production in a mammal, or restoring hepatic autoregulation are provided. The methods involve increasing long-chain fatty acyl-Co-A (LC-CoA) levels in the hypothalamus, or stimulating efferent fibers in the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve. Also provided are methods of increasing food intake and glucose production in a mammal. The methods involve decreasing long-chain fatty acyl-Co-A (LC-CoA) levels in the hypothalamus of the mammal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for structure-based prediction of properties of peptides and peptide analogs in complex with major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and class II molecules. The properties mainly relate to the three-dimensional structure of an MHC/peptide complex and the binding affinity of a peptide for an MHC receptor. The invention further relates to a computer program and a device therefor. The invention further relates to data produced by a method of the invention. The invention further relates to peptides and peptide analogs predicted to bind to target-MHC molecules. The present invention thus relates to the field of immunology, with possible applications in manufacture of vaccinates, de-immunization of proteins, and manufacture of therapeutic agents, especially immunotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: Provided are RNA oligonucleotides having an aptamer flanked by two self-cleaving ribozymes. Vectors encoding the oligonucleotides, and cells transfected with these vectors are also provided. Additionally, methods of inhibiting replication of a virus in a cell, methods of treating an organism with an aptamer, methods of determining whether a test aptamer is effective in inhibiting the function of a target of the aptamer in a cell, and methods of expressing an RNA aptamer in a cell are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite concrete building material comprising cementatious materials; and foam glass aggregates. The cementatious materials may comprise cement, sand and fly ash. The cementatious materials may also comprise other materials, including, for example, reinforcing fibers. In one embodiment the reinforcing fibers are comprised of one or more of the following materials: glass, steel, titanium, other metals, carbon, or Kevlar. The foam glass aggregates may have a closed pore structure and average pore size of 1.0 mm or less, wherein said average pore size is measured based on the distance between two farthest points of pore surface. The foam glass aggregate may have an average density of 30 to 100 PCF. The foam glass aggregate may have a compression strength of 2000 PSI or greater. The foam glass aggregates may be on average between 0.1 inches and approximately 2.0 inches in their largest diameter.

Abstract: A surface cleaning pad comprising a pad body and an attachment surface associated with the pad body and positioned to face a cleaning implement is provided. The attachment surface comprises a substantially hydrophilic portion and a substantially hydrophobic portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides oxygenated hemoglobins in powdered form and methods of preparing a powdered form of a protein, such as hemoglobin, which comprise (a) mixing a solution of the protein with inulin, and optimally with a reducing sugar such as glucose or tagatose, and (b) drying the mixture. Also provided are blood substitutes formed from reconstituted powdered hemoglobins, and methods of treatment using the blood substitutes.