Abstract: Noni juice and a protein-free, alcohol precipitate of Noni juice inhibited angiogenesis in in vitro human angiogenesis models. When growth medium contained Noni juice at least over the range from about 2.5% to about 33% (by volume), angiogenesis was blocked. Moreover, Noni juice and an ethanol precipitate were able to destroy a pre-existing angiogenic response as well as prevent the development of new vessels. Noni juice was effective in inhibiting the growth of angiogenic vessels from breast cancer explants. It will also be effective in treating cancers and non-cancerous diseases whose response includes an increase in angiogenesis, e.g., retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and psoriasis. In an initial experiment, Noni juice was effective in treating lesions associated with psoriasis. The primary antiangiogenic component is believed to be a carbohydrate with a molecular weight less than about 6000 Daltons.

Abstract: An extract of Chinese blackberry (Rubus suavissimus) has been found to inhibit angiogenesis, and two active fractions isolated. Gallic acid was shown to be one of the active anti-angiogenic compounds by an in vitro human angiogenesis model. Aqueous extracts from other plants either known or found to have gallic acid were also found to have anti-angiogenic activity. Various derivatives of gallic acid were found to inhibit angiogenesis. The extract from Chinese blackberry also slowed the growth of a pancreatic tumor and of corneal neovascularization in rats. Extracts from pomegranate were shown to inhibit angiogenesis in fat tissue. Extracts from Rubus spp, and other plants with gallic acid, and gallic acid and its derivatives will be useful for treating various diseases associated with neovascularization, including diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, tumors, obesity, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Abstract: Pax3, a member of the paired class homeodomain family of transcription factors and an essential protein for early skeletal muscle development, was shown to be phosphorylated in proliferating mouse primary myoblasts. Furthermore, Ser205, Ser201 and Ser209 were identified as the only sites of phosphorylation on Pax3 in proliferating mouse primary myoblasts. Phosphorylation of Ser205 was shown to be required for the efficient phosphorylation of Ser201 and/or Ser209. Site-specific antibodies were made to each of these three sites when phosphorylated. These three sites are also present and phosphorylated in the Pax3-FOXO1 fusion protein, and phosphorylation of these sites may play a role in ARMS. Thus, these new antibodies may be used in studying the regulation of nerve and muscle development and differentiation and in finding therapeutic solutions for certain disorders, including Waardenburg syndrome and childhood solid muscle tumor alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS).

Abstract: New RNA cap analogs are disclosed containing one or more phosphorothioates groups. The analogs also contain modifications at the 2?-O position of 7-methylguanosine that prevent them from being incorporated in the reverse orientation during in vitro synthesis of mRNA and that hence are “anti-reverse cap analogs” (ARCAs). The ARCA modification ensures that the S atom is precisely positioned within the active sites of cap-binding proteins in both the translational and decapping machinery. The new S-ARCA analogs are resistant to in vivo decapping enzymes. Some S-ARCAs have a higher affinity for eIF4E than the corresponding analogs not containing a phosphorothioate group. When mRNAs containing the various S-ARCAs are introduced into cultured cells, some are translated as much as five-fold more efficiently than mRNAs synthesized with the conventional analog m7GpppG.

Abstract: An attenuated bacteria has been made by an insertion mutation in the iglC gene of Francisella asiatica, by allelic exchange. The attenuated strain proved to be an effective vaccine by providing protection against an infection of F. asiatica in tilapia, and is believed would at least partially immunize fish from other species of Francisella. The vaccine of the attenuated Francisella asiatica ?iglC mutant can also serve as vectors to present antigens from other pathogens to the fish, thereby serving as vaccines against other pathogens as well. In addition, a highly sensitive and specific assay that can be used for the specific identification of F. asiatica in fish has been developed.

Abstract: Noni juice and a protein-free, alcohol precipitate of Noni juice inhibited angiogenesis in in vitro human angiogenesis models. When growth medium contained Noni juice at least over the range from about 2.5% to about 33% (by volume), angiogenesis was blocked. Moreover, Noni juice and an ethanol precipitate were able to destroy a pre-existing angiogenic response as well as prevent the development of new vessels. Noni juice was effective in inhibiting the growth of angiogenic vessels from breast cancer explants. It will also be effective in treating cancers and non-cancerous diseases whose response includes an increase in angiogenesis, e.g., retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and psoriasis. The primary antiangiogenic component is believed to be a carbohydrate with a molecular weight less than about 6000 Daltons. In an initial experiment, oral administration of Noni juice appeared to adversely affect the antioangiogenic component(s) in the juice.

Abstract: Isolation and amplification of cardiac pacemaking/conduction system cells and development of a pacemaking/conduction system in vitro using the expression of surrogate expression markers. Use of markers to identify and select for clusters of pacemaking “nodes” that are functionally coupled with adjacent contracting regions and generation of cell populations displaying electrical properties characteristic of specialized pacemaking/conducting cardiac myocytes for modeling the cardiac conduction system, testing of pharmaceuticals and for transplantation.

Abstract: A new method was discovered to analyze continuous spectral curves to determine relative hemoglobin oxygen saturation, using spectral curves collected from a continuous range of wavelengths from about 530 nm to about 584 nm, including spectra from transmitted or reflected light. Using isosbestic points and curve areas, a relative saturation index was calculated. With this method, noninvasive, in vivo measurement of relative oxygen saturation was made using light reflected from blood vessels in the eye and to map and measure relative changes in hemoglobin oxygen saturation in primate retinal vessels and optic nerve head in response to controlled changes in inspired oxygen and intraocular pressure (IOP). This method could also measure oxygen saturation from other blood vessels that reflect light sufficient to give a clear spectra from the blood hemoglobin. Changes in blood oxygen saturation can be monitored with this method for early detection of disease.

Abstract: It has been discovered that enterostatin inhibits angiogenesis in an in vitro adipose tissue angiogenesis model. In concentrations from about 10?6 to about 10?9 M, enterostatin effectively blocked the angiogenic response. Enterostatin will be effective in treating noncancerous and cancerous diseases that involve an increase in angiogenesis, e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and psoriasis. This, antiangiogenic activity was confirmed in two additional tissue cells lines (liver and neuronal cells) using a microarray analysis.

Abstract: A down-draft fixed bed gasifier is disclosed that produced clean producer or synthesis gas. The gasifier can be installed at a stationary location or can be scaled down to enable placing the gasifier on a trailer that can be moved to the site of biomass generation. The gasifier is vertically oriented and generally cylindrical, and the design allows for a continual input of feedstock into the gasifier with less clogging and without lowering the gas pressure inside the gasifier. The design incorporates an internal catalyst to clean tars from the produced gas, and uses heat from the combustion chamber of the gasifier to heat the catalyst. The flow of air may be either positive flow or negative flow.

Abstract: The use of ozonation has been discovered to increase the lutein extraction from aflatoxin-free corn and for some batches of alfalfa. In addition, the ozonation will substantially decrease any aflatoxin in the plant source. The structure of lutein as indicated by HPLC elution profile and the function of lutein using an antimutagenic activity was shown not to be affected by the ozonation.

Abstract: Topical application of cholesterol has been found to be effective in preventing, treating or ameliorating the damage to the cornea caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Topical administration of cholesterol caused a significant decrease in the inflammation of the eye. In addition, cholesterol was surprisingly found to be a bactericide to Streptococcus pneumoniae outside the cornea. The effect of cholesterol can be enhanced by further administering a steroid or an antibiotic to the cornea.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the ability of analogues to affect binding of a labeled ?-casomorphin (an enterostatin antagonist) to recombinant rat F1-ATPase ?-subunit was closely correlated with their enterostatin-like biological activity. Using immunohistochemistry and western blots, the presence of the F1-ATPase ?-subunit was demonstrated in plasma membranes of liver, pancreas and amygdala. The effects of enterostatin on the intracellular localization of the proteins were studied using deconvolution or confocal microscopy. Enterostatin did not alter the location of F1-ATPase a-subunit-RFP but induced movement of the F1-ATPase ?-subunit-GFP to the periphery of cells.

Abstract: Isomaltooligosaccharides (IMOs) produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides ATCC 13146 fermentation with a sucrose:maltose ratio of 2:1 have been discovered to be effective prebiotics in mixed cultures of microbial populations, including cultures from chicken ceca. Surprisingly in mixed microbial cultures this IMO composition proved as effective as FOS. Thus, these IMOs can be used as effective prebiotics for both birds and mammals. Moreover, the IMOs were discovered to be effective non-competitive inhibitors of ?-glucosidase. These IMOs also will be useful, as an ?-glucosidase inhibitor, in a therapeutic application for several diseases, including obesity, diabetes mellitus, pre-diabetes, gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, caries, cancer, viral disease such as hepatitis B and C, HIV, and AIDS. A diet with 5-20% IMOs was also shown to reduce the abdominal fat tissue in mammals.

Abstract: An extract of Chinese blackberry (Rubus suavissimus) has been found to inhibit angiogenesis, and two active fractions isolated. Gallic acid was shown to be one of the active anti-angiogenic compounds by an in vitro human angiogenesis model. Aqueous extracts from other plants either known or found to have gallic acid were also found to have anti-angiogenic activity. Various derivatives of gallic acid were found to inhibit angiogenesis. The extract from Chinese blackberry also slowed the growth of a pancreatic tumor and of corneal neovascularization in rats. Extracts from pomegranate were shown to inhibit angiogenesis in fat tissue. Extracts from Rubus spp, and other plants with gallic acid, and gallic acid and its derivatives will be useful for treating various diseases associated with neovascularization, including diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, tumors, obesity, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Abstract: A method and medical composition for the treatment and/or prevention of a functional Vitamin B12 deficiency in an individual that is brought about as a consequence of oxidative stress on biochemical pathways. The functional Vitamin B12 deficiency may eventually present as dementia, other neuropsychiatric abnormality and/or vascular disease. The method involves the administration of a medical composition that supplies a cobalt-sulphur bond in the upper ?-ligand of an intracellular cobalamin molecule thereby facilitating intracellular processing of cobalamin. The cobalt-sulphur bond may be provided directly by administration of a thiolatocobalamin, such as glutathionyl-cobalamin or indirectly by the co-administration of Vitamin B12 (or a derivative thereof) with a sulphur-containing molecule, such as glutathione or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: A method has been discovered to produce a resistant starch product that retains the same cooking quality as found in untreated rice starch or flour, but has a higher percentage of starch resistant to ?-amylase digestion. This method uses a debranching enzyme, e.g., pullulanase, to digest the starch, but does not require pre-treating the starch source prior to enzymatic treatment. This method produced resistant starch from low amylose starches, rice starch (24%) and rice flour (20%). Surprisingly the resistant starch product formed by this method retained the pasting characteristics of the untreated flour or starch, and was heat stable. This method may also be used to produce resistant starch from other botanical sources, e.g., corn, wheat, potato, oat, barley, tapioca, sago, and arrowroot. Resistant starch produced by this method has a variety of uses in food products.

Abstract: An oxidative solution (Ox-B, a solution of no less than 5:1 sodium hypochlorite: hydrogen peroxide) was found to remove both lignin and hemicellulose from sugarcane bagasse. After treatment the cellulosic residue readily separated from the lignin and hemicellulose by sedimentation. The residue (the pulp) contained up to 80% by weight cellulose, and was easily degradable by cellulase enzyme. A treatment of oxidation with low concentrations of Ox-B, followed by a caustic wash, produced a cellulose residue that was able to be almost completely hydrolyzed to simple sugars by cellulase. Due to the low amount chemical used and the efficiency of the degradation, this process has commercial potential.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of conditioning humidity and temperature in the process air stream of a desiccant dehumidifier used to dry moisture-laden spaces and structures by replacing moisture-laden air with dehumidified air to increase the rate of water evaporation within the affected areas. An air-dehumidifier comprises a dehumidification assembly having a desiccant rotor assembly, a shielded radiant burner assembly, and a control system. The shielded radiant burner assembly is used to regenerate the desiccant rotor by removing moisture from the reactivation quadrant, where high velocity (at least 500 ft/min) air streams are often flowed, by projecting radiant heat onto the rotor, while minimizing the potential for the high velocity air streams interrupting the combustion of air and fuel in the radiant burner.

Abstract: Apolipoprotein A-I-rich Lhigh-density Lipoprotein 2 (HDL2) and Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) was discovered to inhibit angiogenesis in an in vitro human angiogenesis model, the human placental vein angiogenesis model. Apolipoprotein A-I was able to destroy a pre-existing angiogenic response as well as prevent the development of new vessels. Application of Apolipoprotein A-I will be effective in inhibiting tumor growth dependent on angiogenesis, and in decreasing existing blood vessels formed by tumors. It will also be effective in treating non-cancerous diseases which symptoms include an increase in angiogenesis, e.g., psoriasis, retinopathy of prematurity, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, obesity, and psoriasis.