Abstract: The invention relates to a main valve for a fuel pump nozzle, the main valve comprising a shut-off body for closing a fuel line and a displacement space that is configured to avoid undesirable pressure surges during closing of the main valve. The invention further relates to a fuel pump nozzle comprising a main valve according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treatment of a human or non-human (e.g. mammalian, avian or reptilian) animal subject by the parenteral administration of a lipophilic pharmaceutical agent, the improvement comprising administering said pharmaceutical agent in an oil-in-water emulsion containing a conjugated linoleic acid or a physiologically tolerable derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to prevent photoreceptor death. In particular, the present invention provides peptides which prevent FAS-mediated photoreceptor apoptosis.

Abstract: Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) extracellular domain (ECD) acidic region muteins that have been engineered to exhibit decreased tissue binding by increasing the number of acidic amino acid residues within the D1-D2 linker region are provided. Polynucleotides encoding FGFR ECD acidic region muteins are also provided. Methods of making FGFR ECD acidic region muteins, and methods of using such molecules to treat proliferative disorders, including cancers, disorders of angiogenesis, and macular degeneration, are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are data management systems and methods for storing, cataloging, and protecting data on a computer using software and a portable data storage device. The technology can back up, manage, and protect data for any operating or file system by checking files for block-level or byte-level changes and storing only new data. By storing only new data and cataloging information within a comprehensive backup archive composed of these blocks, the size of each backup is minimized.

Abstract: A pressure controllable incubation system is provided for constantly maintaining a concentration of carbon dioxide while keeping a pressure chamber, in which living organisms to be cultured are placed, at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The pressure controllable incubation system comprise a cylinder that stores air containing high-concentration carbon dioxide to be injected into a pressure chamber and supplies the air into the pressure chamber, and a heat controller that constantly maintains temperature in the pressure chamber. The pressure controllable incubation system constantly maintains culture conditions such as pressure, temperature, and concentration of carbon dioxide which the user wants for a long time, so that it can be effectively applied to the culture of various living organisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. In particular, the present invention provides a MRI contrast agent configured to manipulate both the longitudinal (T1) and transverse (T2) relaxation times of surrounding water proton spins.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing the transfer of nucleic acids into cells. In particular, the present invention provides for the use of inhibitors of HDAC6, a cytoplasmic histone deacetylase present in mammalian cells by, for example, small molecules or siRNA treatment, in increasing gene transfer and/or expression in cells in vitro and in vivo for research and gene therapy applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods, compositions and kits for synthesizing sense RNA molecules from one or more RNA molecules of interest in a sample. In exemplary embodiments, the methods use a terminal tagging oligoribonucleotide (rTTO) to join a DNA sequence tag to the 3?-termini of first-strand cDNA molecules. The use of an rTTO comprising ribonucleotides results in decreased oligonucleotide-derived background synthesis of RNA in the absence of sample RNA and, surprisingly and unexpectedly, also results in significantly increased yields of sense RNA molecules that exhibit sequences that are substantially identical to those of the RNA molecules of interest in the sample. The sense RNA molecules also have an RNA sequence tag on their 5?-termini that is useful for fixing the lengths of sense RNA molecules that are synthesized in a second or subsequent round.

Abstract: The present invention relates to analyte detection test systems, including test systems for the oral detection of analytes in saliva. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for storing multiple assay tests and compositions and methods for measuring the concentration of analytes in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel H. polymorpha gene regulating Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) and a method for improving the efficiency of secretory expression of a recombinant protein using the same, more particularly, a method for improving the efficiency of secretory expression of a recombinant protein by identifying, modifying, and optimizing the HpHAC1 gene, which encodes a key transcription regulatory factor of the UPR mechanism in H. polymorpha, and a regulatory mechanism mediated by the gene. According to the present invention, the secretory expression system of H. polymorpha can be used for the mass-production of secretory proteins for industrial and medical applications, thereby producing a large amount of the proteins at low cost. Accordingly, the method is employed in the production of the proteins for industrial and medical use, so as to reduce economic burden for a patient, and contribute to the improvement in the welfare of all mankind.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oral nutritional and therapeutic products which are useful for providing vitamins and minerals required for bone health. The present invention is an oral nutritional and therapeutic composition of calcium succinate, magnesium R-(+)-alpha-lipoate, and Vitamin D for use in the maintenance of bone health, the optimization of bone growth, reducing the risk of bone fracture, and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The pharmaceutical products and methods of the present invention are particularly useful in building bone mass, quality, and density during growth, maintaining bone mass, quality, and density over time, reducing bone fracture risk, and treating osteoporosis in men and women.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of guanidine-based F1F0-ATPase inhibitors, e.g., mitochondrial F1F0-ATPase inhibitors, methods for their discovery, and their use as therapeutic agents for treating certain disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for altering (e.g., enhancing) RNAi. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for identifying regulators of RNAi. For example, the present invention provides RNAi regulators (e.g., HPS1 and HPS4) and methods of altering (e.g., inhibiting) these regulators in order to alter (e.g., enhance) RNAi. The present invention also provides methods of identifying inhibitors (e.g., small molecule, nucleic acid (e.g., siRNA), and antibody) of RNAi regulators and methods of using the same (e.g., to enhance RNAi). Compositions and methods of the present invention find use in research (e.g., functional genomics), therapeutic (e.g., drug discovery and delivery) and clinical applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising yeast cells and/or yeast cell components and methods for producing and utilizing the same. In particular, the invention provides novel yeast comprising altered cell wall structure (e.g., clay and/or clay component(s) integrated (e.g., interlaced) into cell wall(s) and/or cell wall(s) comprising altered glucan:mannan ratio), methods of producing the same, compositions comprising and/or derived from the same, and methods of using the same (e.g., to sequester and/or adsorb bacteria and toxins). Compositions and methods of the invention find use in a variety of applications including dietary (e.g., admixing with feedstuffs or otherwise feeding to animals), therapeutic, prophylactic (e.g. admixing with bedding sources and/or other materials that come into contact with animals, usage during food and beverage processing and manufacture, and usage during filtration of liquids) as well as research applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat for a means of transport, having a supporting structure (1, 2, 3, 4), on which seating surface (5) and backrest (6) are mounted, and having a seat crossbeam (3, 4) of hollow design. The invention provides for the cavity of the seat crossbeam (3, 4) to contain electrical and/or electronic components (7).

Abstract: Microfluidic devices having active features such as valves, peristaltic pumps, and mixing portions are fabricated to have a thin elastomeric membrane over the active features. The active features are activated by a tactile actuator external to the membrane, for example, a commercial Braille display. The display may be computer controlled, for example by simple text editor software, to activate individual Braille protrusions or a plurality of protrusions to actuate the active portions of the microfluidic device. Integral devices can incorporate the tactile actuators in a single device, but still external to the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fully synthetic albumin analog, to a hemocompatible coating for medical devices containing the fully synthetic albumin analog, as well as to medical devices coated with the hemocompatible coating. The albumin analog preferably has two basic structures which are connected with one another via at least one bridging unit, the basic structures respectively having, in a geometrically defined manner, at least two bound joint regions to which at least one residue is covalently bound, wherein the basic structures are, respectively, a benzene carboxylic acid, and wherein the joint regions are formed via acid amide bonds, and wherein each residue, respectively, comprises a lipophilic region and a hydrophilic region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the characterization of odorant receptors. In particular, the present invention relates to the OR7D4 proteins and nucleic acids encoding OR7D4 proteins and cell systems for screening for modulators of OR7D4 receptors. The present invention further provides assays for the detection of OR7D4 polymorphisms and mutations associated with altered olfactory sensation states, as well as methods of screening for therapeutic agents, ligands, and modulators of OR7D4 receptors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the delivery of toxic agents to pathogenic cells, particularly cancer cells. In some embodiments, the toxic agent is a human ribonuclease or similar agent that is toxic to cells.