Abstract: Nitric oxide adversely affects survival and development of cells such as oocytes and embryos in vitro, particularly in a co-culture system. The addition of a nitric oxide inhibitor such as hemoglobin to such systems eliminates this toxic effect, and promotes mammalian oocytes, embryos, or other cells in vitro.

Abstract: Chiral separations can be enhanced through the use of polymerized dipeptide-surfactant or oligopeptide-surfactant chiral micelles. Because polymerized micelles eliminate much of the complex dynamic behavior associated with conventional micelles, polymerized chiral micelles have stronger chiral recognition properties than do otherwise-identical, “conventional” or non-polymerized chiral micelles. Recovery of chiral ligands from polymerized chiral micelles is often easier, as the chiral ligands may typically be recovered by simple extraction with an appropriate organic solvent. By contrast, recovering the solute from a conventional, non-polymerized micellar medium by extraction with an organic solvent frequently results in the formation of troublesome emulsion systems. Polymerized chiral micelle systems are therefore beneficial in both preparative-scale and process-scale separations.

Abstract: A palladium catalyzed cross-coupling of aryldiazonium salts with organosilanes is disclosed. New reactions that are user friendly and environmentally friendly are now possible, including some reactions that could not be achieved using prior methods. The organosilanes that may be cross-coupled with aryldiazonium salts include, for example, Ar?—Si(L)3, where Ar?=aryl, and where L?CH3, OCH3, F, Cl, R, or OR.

Abstract: A free space all-optical crossbar switches light from a plurality of sources onto a plurality of receivers, in any arbitrary permutation or combination (including one-to-one and many-to-one permutations). The sources and receivers may, for example, be single mode optical fibers. The polarization of the light from each source is controlled by a series of polarization control devices associated with the source so as to obtain desired angular deflections through a series of polarization-dependent angular deflectors in a first deflection unit. A lens may then direct the light from each source towards its desired receiver. An optional second deflection unit containing polarization control devices associated with individual receivers redirects the light so that it is incident normally on the receivers, an advantage if the receivers are single mode optical fibers. Alternative embodiments are described to reduce the number of optical components and to provide uninterrupted high speed data flow.

Abstract: A device and method for improving the identification, localization, and dosimetry of brachytherapy seeds. The device is a brachytherapy seed comprising a therapeutic isotope and a marker isotope having an activity that is a fraction of the activity produced by the therapeutic isotope. The marker isotope emits positrons and/or photons capable of being imaged using radiation detection devices (e.g., positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), gamma camera, computed tomography (CT)). The radiation dose of the marker isotope delivered beyond the immediate vicinity of the brachytherapy seed is low because the marker isotope is adapted to have an activity of at least one to two orders of magnitude lower than the activity of the therapeutic isotope. Thus, the presence of the marker isotope will not alter the therapeutic characteristics of the brachytherapy seed.

Abstract: A blood vessel catheter with a non-planar tip that prevents or inhibits the catheter from adhering to the blood vessel wall or a blood clot when negative pressure is applied to the catheter to withdraw blood. The non-planar tip maintains its shape while in the blood vessel, while allowing blood to flow into the catheter.

Abstract: There is a substantial degree of structural similarity (although not sequence similarity) between the carboxy-terminal one-third of Filovirus glycoprotein and the transmembrane proteins of the very distantly related retroviruses, especially those of avian sarcoma viruses. The high degree of structural similarity implies functional homology as well. A number of compounds that are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of African hemorrhagic fever (“AHF”) are disclosed. AHF infections (e.g., Ebola, Marburg) may be inhibited with low concentrations of peptides or antibodies of low toxicity. For example, analogs of a portion of the natural fusion glycoprotein of a Filovirus may be used to inhibit the normal fusion process of the virus in vivo, thus preventing or limiting infection.

Abstract: Chelating monomers and fluoride-releasing compositions are disclosed that may be incorporated into dental composite restorative materials or other dental materials, to produce materials with high fluoride release rates, and high fluoride recharge capability. Such resins may be used in dental restorative materials to help reduce the level of dental caries in patients, particularly the level of caries occurring on the margins of the restorative materials.

Abstract: A novel composition has been discovered for decontaminating biofilm-contaminated surfaces (the “Biocidal Complex”). The novel composition both kills bacteria and destroys at least a part of the biofilm. The composition comprises an effective amount of a free-radical generating compound (e.g., hydrogen peroxide), a disinfectant from the “GRAS” list of food-safe compounds (e.g., thymol), and an acid sulfate such as sodium bisulfate (NaHSO4) to acidify the solution and help catalyze free radical formation. A preferred method of using this invention employs a multi-component approach that permits long-term storage of the components in a stable, concentrated form. Immediately before use, the components are mixed and then applied to the biofilm-contaminated surface. A separate metal catalyst for the generation of free-radicals may be added to increase the production of free radicals in the Biocidal Complex.

Abstract: Methods of rapidly prototyping microstructures such as HARMs are disclosed. A high precision process uses polymeric microstructure replication techniques and sacrificial layer etching techniques to mass produce high aspect ratio metallic and polymer micromold inserts. In one embodiment, after fabrication of an initial micromold insert, high aspect ratio replications are created by casting replication material, such as PDMS, directly onto the initial micromold insert. The replicated HARM is coated with a sacrificial layer and then electroplated to replicate another set of micromold inserts. After the electroplating process is completed, the sacrificial layer is etched away to release the replicated micromold inserts.

Abstract: A synthetic device for cornea augmentation and replacement that increases corneal epithelium cell adhesion and migration. Using tethered extracellular matrix proteins (ECMPs), corneal growth factors, and other ligand-specific corneal enhancer species (e.g., laminin, fibronectin, substance P, fibronectin adhesion-promoting peptide sequence, FAP, and insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1]) on the polymeric surface of an artificial cornea, the epithelial cell response can be significantly enhanced. Other proteins of interest include, but are not limited to, k-laminin, talin, integrin, kalinin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and TGF-&bgr;. By tethering a combination of corneal enhancer molecules, a more natural environment can be created.

Abstract: A universal, mobile occupant carrier, restraint device that may be adapted to fit various commercially available mobile occupant carriers. The restraint device allows the occupant to perform self-securement in a transport vehicle while providing resistance against multi-point collisions.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to induce sterility or long-term contraception in mammals. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in mammals in vivo. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) The two components—the ligand and the lytic peptide—may optionally be administered as a fusion peptide, or they may be administered separately, with the ligand administered slightly before the lytic peptide, to activate cells with receptors for the ligand, and thereby make those cells susceptible to lysis by the lytic peptide.

Abstract: A simple, reliable, inexpensive, and efficient anaerobic digester for treating organic wastes at a shortened residence time is described. The anaerobic digester is a multi-chambered digester that can handle wastewater and sludge in a large volume at a high flow rate. The digester also allows collection of methane gas for use as an energy source. The reactor is based on a sequential series of reaction chambers in a design that does not require internal moving parts. The volume of the chambers is adjusted to control the relative residence time of the waste to select an anaerobic microorganism group or groups that can efficiently digest the waste presented to that chamber. Under most conditions, no addition of bacteria is necessary. The digester works efficiently using microbes native to the waste material. After the reaction chambers and just prior to leaving as effluent, a settling chamber is located to reclaim the microbes and remove additional solids.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the nondestructive inspection of dielectric materials are disclosed. Monochromatic, phase coherent electromagnetic radiation, preferably in the 5-50 gigahertz frequency range (i.e., microwaves) impinges on the sample. In accordance with Snell's law, the microwaves are partly transmitted and partly reflected at each interface where the dielectric constant changes (e.g., where there are delaminations, cracks, holes, impurities, or other defects.) A portion of the reflected beam is combined with the signal reflected by the specimen being inspected. These two signals have the same frequency, but may differ in amplitude and phase. The signals combine to produce an interference pattern, a pattern that changes as the specimen changes, or as the position of the specimen changes relative to that of the detector.

Abstract: We have synthesized a series of new derivatives of (2-azinylamino) quinone, that have the general formula shown below. Several compounds of this new series of derivatives have been shown to be inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase, with minimal or no effect on cycloxygenase-1 and 2-(COX-1 and COX-2) activity. where: A is N, CH, or, CCl; B is N, CH, CCH3, or Cph; X is H, Cl, Br, or I; Y is H, or CH3; R1 is H, CH3, OCH3, or Ph; and R2 is H, CH3, OCH3, or Ph; or R1—R2 is (CH═CH)2; and R3 is H or CH3.

Abstract: A new sequence, hGR 1Ap/e, has been isolated from human DNA upstream from the previously known 2.7 kbp human GR promoter region. This new sequence was found to contain a new promoter (the 1A GR promoter) and a new untranslated exon sequence (GR exon 1A) for the human glucocorticoid receptor protein (hGR). Alternative splicing produces three different hGR 1A-containing transcripts, 1A1, 1A2, and 1A3. Exon 1A3-containing GR transcripts appear to be restricted to blood cell cancers and to the human brain. Glucocorticoid hormone treatment caused an up-regulation of exon 1A3-containing GR transcripts in T-lymphoblast cells, and a down-regulation of exon 1A3-containing transcripts in B-lymphoblast cells. Thus detection of exon 1A3-containing transcripts can be used for the diagnosis of patients with blood cell cancers, including T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to identify patients that would benefit from glucocorticoid hormone treatment.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to specifically inhibit cells that are driven by or are dependent upon a specific ligand interaction; for example, to induce sterility or long-term contraception, or to attack tumor cells, or to selectively lyse virally-infected cells, or to attack lymphocytes responsible for autoimmune diseases. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in animals in vivo. Administering in vivo a combination of a ligand and a membrane-active lytic peptide kills cells with a receptor for the ligand. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) Lysis of tumor cells is rapid.

Abstract: A new variety of sweetpotato identified as ‘L96-117’ is disclosed having superior processing qualities and a high total-sugar content. ‘L96-117’ is characterized by an intense orange flesh and an elongated root.

Abstract: A new variety of sweetpotato, identified as ‘Bienville’, is disclosed having superior disease resistance to both southern root-knot nematode and soil rot, and high yield characteristics.