Abstract: Zinc finger-nucleotide binding polypeptides having binding specificity for target nucleotides containing one or GNN triplets are provided. Compositions containing such polypeptides and the use of such polypeptides and compositions for regulating gene expression are also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing symptoms associated with oral autoimmune diseases comprises treating a patient with an oral topical formulation of azathioprine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The azathioprine formulation may be used in the form of an oral rinse to topically treat areas of oral tissue inflammation and ulceration caused by the onset of oral autoimmune diseases, such as GVHD. The oral topical formulation of azathioprine may also be used in combination with other topical or systemic immunosuppressants or anti-inflammatory drugs.

Abstract: A urethral suppository comprising a non-meltable base member sized to prevent insertion of the base member into the urethra, a non-meltable reinforcement projecting from the base member, and a meltable portion formed around a portion of the reinforcement. The meltable portion tapers along the reinforcement and is shaped for cooperating with the action of the periurethral musculature to retain the suppository within the urethra. A method of delivering one or more therapeutic agents to the female urinary tract, the method involving insertion of the urethral suppository into the urethra. A method for manufacturing a reinforced urethral suppository.

Abstract: A new method is described for the treatment of cancer. In one alternative, the method utilizes two main compositions. The first composition is Soma, a healing herb described in the Rig Veda, the sacred scriptures of the Hindus. The second composition is a composite of plant-derived substances and a mineral. When they are administered to cancer patients following the recommended therapeutic regimen, regression of the cancer results. Alternatively, the second composition can be used alone.

Abstract: The invention features plant cells and plants that include a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimeric isoprenoid synthase polypeptide including an asymmetrically positioned homologous domain. The chimeric isoprenoid synthases of the invention catalyze the production of isoprenoid reaction products that are not produced when the asymmetrically positioned homologous domain is positioned at its naturally-occurring site in an isoprenoid synthase polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides an assay for the identification of agents which can modulate TOR-mediated phosphorylation of substrate proteins. The assays of the invention utilize substrate proteins whose amino acid sequence contains the Ser/Thr motif recognized by TOR. Naturally occurring TOR which may be used in the methods of the invention include TOR isolated from a variety of species, particularly mammalian tissues.

Abstract: Zinc finger-nucleotide binding polypeptides having binding specificity for target nucleotides containing one or GNN triplets are provided. Compositions containing such polypeptides and the use of such polypeptides and compositions for regulating gene expression are also provided.

Abstract: Polypeptides that contain from 2 to 12 zinc finger-nucleotide binding regions that bind to nucleotide sequences of the formula (ANN)2–12 are provided. Polynucleotides that encode such polypeptides and methods of regulating gene expression with such polypeptides and polynucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: A system that includes a container containing a fluid, a fluid line coupled with the container, and a pump configured to pump the fluid out of the container through the fluid line. The system further includes a sensor that includes a wireless transmitter. The sensor is configured to sense the pressure in the fluid line and to periodically transmit, using the wireless transmitter, an alarm message when the pressure reaches an alarm threshold.

Abstract: A new method is described to produce useful electrical energy from DC electrostatic fields using a pyramid-shaped capacitor. The system uses no moving parts and no mechanical energy is introduced. Also, when a pyramid-shaped electrode is charged with DC high voltage, a propulsive force is generated. This will allow the manufacture of vehicles capable of levitation and flight.

Abstract: In general, a method for removal of pyrogens from plasma or blood according to the present invention comprises: (1) passing the biological fluid through a resin comprising two components: (a) a first component comprising a polymeric support with a multiplicity of ligands comprising a C10-C24 alkylamino group, the ligands specifically binding endotoxin; and (b) a second component comprising a halogenated quinolone moiety immobilized on an amino-group-containing solid support by the formation of an amide linkage, the first component and the second component being present in the resin at a ratio of from about 20:80 (v/v) to about 80:20 (v/v); and (2) collecting the biological fluid from which pyrogens have been removed. Preferably, the alkylamino group is a stearylamino group, and the ligands are cross-linked and quaternized by reaction with a dibromoalkanol. Preferably, the polymeric support of the first component is agarose in particulate form.

Abstract: A number of peptides of from 28 to 44 amino acids, including therein a sequence of L-K-E-K-K (SEQ ID NO: 1), have a physiological activity that can be wound healing activity, immunostimulant activity, or growth factor activity. The peptides can be linear or circular, and, if linear, its amino terminus can be optionally acetylated. The invention also includes nucleic acids encoding these peptides, vectors incorporating these nucleic acid sequences, and host cells transfected with these vectors, as well as methods for producing these peptides by culturing these host cells and purifying the peptides. The invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using these peptides.

Abstract: A new method is described to produce large volumes of low cost sterile, Water-for-Injection (WFI) grade water on-line, on-demand from potable water in order to meet the needs of dialysis therapies and other biological applications for sterile, injectable grade water. The source water is processed by a combination of membrane and column chromatographic methods including reverse osmosis, chemical sterilization, reduction of iodine sterilant to iodide, deionization, endotoxin-specific adsorption and polishing filtration in order to reduce contaminant levels below those specified by the US Pharmacopoeia.

Abstract: A flow meter and method for determining the corrected flow rate of a liquid falling into a predetermined class of liquids based on its viscosity and density is disclosed. The flow meter comprises a flow sensor for measuring an uncorrected flow rate of the liquid, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid, and a microprocessor for calculating the corrected flow rate based on the liquids predetermined class and the measured temperature. The flow sensor can include a restriction in the fluid flow path, first and second pressure sensors positioned one on each side of the restriction and a temperature sensor. The first and second pressure sensors measure the drop in fluid pressure created by the restriction and the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the liquid. By basing the corrected flow rate calculation on the predetermined class of the liquid, the calculation becomes a closed form solution that is deterministic providing for quick and accurate corrected flow rate calculation.