Abstract: A transgenic non-human aquatic organisms, such as piscine, crustacea, mollusks, and the like, having a transgene which results in disrupting the production of and/or activity of growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8) chromosomally integrated into the germ cells of the animal is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for making such organisms and nucleic acid sequences encoding GDF-8 polypeptides from such aquatic organisms.

Abstract: A bandage for autolytic debridement includes a fluid-impermeable enclosure having a sidewall forming a margin defining an opening, and a skin-facing surface that surrounds the opening. An attachment means is disposed on the skin-facing to attach the enclosure to the skin, with the margin extending outside of and surrounding at least the bed of a wound. When the enclosure is attached to the skin it creates a closed, fluid-impermeable chamber over a wound, substantially without contacting the wound. The bandage includes a fluid absorbent material disposed in the fluid-impermeable enclosure at or near the continuous margin, and out of the opening. The fluid absorbent material is thus positioned to receive and retain exudated fluid that originates in the wound, thereby by promoting autolytic debridement. The closed, fluid-impermeable chamber maintains a near-100% humid atmosphere about the wound, thereby promoting healing of the wound.

Abstract: A head suspension assembly for use in a magnetic disk drive includes a magnetic head constituted by a magnetoresistive element for reading data and a head element for writing data, a slider for holding the magnetic head above a surface of a rotating magnetic recording medium, a suspension for supporting the slider, and a head integrated circuit mounted on the suspension. The head integrated circuit having a built-in protection circuit electrically connected with the magnetoresistive element to protect the magnetoresistive element from electrostatic breakdown. Thereby, the magnetic head can be efficiently prevented from suffering electrostatic breakdown due to, e.g., electrostatic discharge occurring during the assembly process of incorporating the head suspension assembly into the magnetic disk drive.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Exemplary peptides of the invention include KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLALIS (SEQ ID NO: 3) and KGWGSFFKKAAHVGKHVGKAALTHYL (SEQ ID NO: 15). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. Such methods are useful for the treatment of respiratory infections, such as in cystic fibrosis patients. Such methods are further useful for accelerating wound healing.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device having emitter follower outputs with adjustable output currents includes a variable bias generator that produces a bias voltage. The bias voltage is connected to the bases of current source transistors in order to program the output currents. The variable bias generator is connected to an electrical connection area of the integrated circuit device. An external programming circuit can be connected to the electrical connection area in order to set the bias voltage, to thereby program the desired amount of current in the output current sources. The external programming circuit typically can be a resistance or an external voltage source. The variable bias generator can be any of a number of circuits that produce a bias voltage that is dependent upon the external programming circuit connected to the electrical connection area.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods to modulate plant lignification. For example, the level of the enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), a key enzyme in the production of lignin precursors, can be increased or decreased, as desired, to increase or decrease lignification levels. Alternatively, the level of lignin precursors in the plant can be modulated either by enhancing the plant's ability to produce such precursors, or by causing the compounds which are required for the production of lignin precursors to undergo alternative chemical conversions (which prevent the incorporation of such compounds into lignin by diverting the lignin precursors to other chemical pathways). In addition, there is provided a method for producing plants having modified lignin composition and content, by converting a portion of the cinnamic acid in said plant to styrene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a normalized genomic DNA library from an environmental sample by (a) isolating a genomic DNA population from the environmental sample; (b) at least one of (i) amplifying the copy number of the DNA population so isolated and (ii) recovering a fraction of the isolated genomic DNA having a desired characteristic; and (c) normalizing the representation of various DNAs within the genomic DNA population so as to form a normalized library of genomic DNA from the environmental sample. Also disclosed is a normalized genomic DNA library formed from an environmental sample by the process.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the archael bacterium Thermococcus GU5L5. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 68.5 kilodaltons and has cellulase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used for the removal of arginine, phenylalanine, or methionine amino acids from the N-terminal end of peptides in peptide or peptidomimetic synthesis. The enzyme is selective for the L, or `natural` enantiomer of the amino acid derivatives and is therefore useful for the production of optically active compounds. These reactions can be performed in the presence of the chemically more reactive ester functionality, a step which is very difficult to achieve with nonenzymatic methods.