Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for administering antibody therapeutic agents. The methods include administering one or more (e.g., two or three) binding agents, wherein each of the binding agents has one or more monomers that have a binding region that is specific to a portion of a disease agent and one or more copies of a tag. The binding agents can be specific to one or more portions of the same or different disease agents. The tag is the same for each of the binding agents. The methods include administering an anti-tag antibody, wherein the anti-tag antibody has an anti-tag region that is specific to the tag, and can have an immunoglobulin (e.g., IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM). Disease agents include bacteria, bacterial proteins, viruses, viral proteins, cancer cells, and proteins or toxins produced therefrom or from other sources such as snakes, insects, plants, etc.

Abstract: Devices, methods of manufacture, kits and methods of use for attracting aquatic animals to be caught are provided. In various embodiments the device includes a body, with an interior bar extending lengthwise in a channel in the body, an anterior loop and exterior loop on the anterior end and posterior ends of the bar respectively, a plate set into a transverse dorsal exterior slot in the body, and a weight in an interior chamber. The anterior loop of the device is attached to a vessel and the posterior loop is attached to one or more lures for hooking aquatic animals. In various embodiments the device is manufactured and/or painted to resemble a bait fish.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating a subject having age-related macular degeneration (AMD), methods of assaying human macular degeneration (MD), and methods and kits for assaying potential therapeutic agents for treatment of human MD are provided herein.

Abstract: (Problems) To provide a coating film which excels in corrosion resistance and processability as well as high durability and little suffers from electrification. (Means for Solving Problems) A fluororesin composite material including: a fluororesin microencapsulating silicon carbide, an amount of the silicon carbide being 5 to 9% by weight with respect to a total of the fluororesin composite material; and at least one of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether sulphone (PES) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

Abstract: Cell-based methods for rapid real time assay of a presence of Clostridium difficile toxin and/or cells are provided, using an assay having a toxin-enhancing antibody and a sensitive cell line carrying FcyR receptors, and kits for this assay. An ultrasensitive cell based immunocytotoxicity assay for detecting less then 1 pg/ml of C. difficile toxins in clinical samples. A TcdA-specific monoclonal antibody, AIH3, was found to significantly enhance the cytotoxicity of TcdA to macrophages and monocytes. The AIH3-dependent enhancement of glucosyltransferase activity, cytoskeleton disruption, and TNF-a production induced by TcdA was demonstrated also in RAW 264.7 cells. Methods for high level recombinant expression of C. difficile toxins in Bacillus cells, and vectors for expression, strains of Bacillus carrying the vectors are provided.

Abstract: Bacterial virulence is repressed by compositions and methods for activating permanently a repressor of virulence factors. Compositions provided contain at least one non-metabolizable analog of guanine, guanosine, isoleucine and valine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions devices and methods for treating bone and/or cartilage defects, and a method for manufacturing such a composition or device. In a certain embodiment, the invention provides a device and/or composition for treating bone and/or cartilage defects, having at least one collagen, for example of animal origin, and further containing at least one substance having an osteo-inductive or chondro-inductive activity, at least one differentiation and/or growth factor having osteo-stimulative and/or chondro-stimulative effect, and at least one filling material, in which the composition is in the form of a lyophil.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for sensitizing multi-drug resistant cancer or radiation resistant cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents are provided. Compositions include ligands of hyaluronan receptors, including glycosaminoglycans such as hyaluronan oligomers and derivatives of these oligomers, hyaluronan binding proteins, antibodies specific for hyaluronan receptors, hyaluronan mimetics, inhibitors of hyaluronan synthesis, and stimulators of hyaluronan degradation.

Abstract: A desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) system delivers a primary ion beam composed of an inert, high velocity gas and solvent ions to a surface to effect desorption and ionization of both volatile and non-volatile species present on surfaces. A electrode having a tapered tip is connected to a high voltage power supply. The tapered tip projects outward from a capillary carrying a high-speed flow of gas. A vapor of a solvent is mixed into the annular gas flow surrounding the needle. The gaseous solvent vapor is ionized in close proximity to the tapered tip by virtue of the high voltage applied to the electrode. The high-speed flow of gas and solvent vapor ions extending outward from the capillary is directed toward a substrate on which an analyte of interest may have been deposited.

Abstract: Random three- and four-amino acid copolymers having lengths of 14-, 35- and 50-amino acid residues are provided. Fifty-mers of FEAK were effective inhibitors of MBP 85-99- or proteolipid protein (PLP) 40-60-specific HLA-DR-2-restricted T cell clones. These copolymers efficiently suppressed the mouse disease EAE, which was induced in a susceptible SJL/J (H-2s) strain of mice with either whole spinal cord homogenate (WSCH) or with the encephalitogenic epitope PLP 139-151 (SEQ ID NO:4). YFAK 50-mer having a molar ratio of about Y 0.8:F 0.2 inhibited binding of biotinylated MBP 85-99 epitope to HLA-DR-2 molecules more efficiently than either unlabeled MBP 85-99 or Copaxone®. YFAK and FAK copolymers efficiently suppressed EAE induced in SJL/J (H-2S) mice with the encephalitogenic epitope PLP 139-151.

Abstract: A structured drug system that is useful for delivering a drug payload to a specific tissue or cell type is disclosed. The system is based on purified polymalic acid. This polymer isolated from natural sources is biocompatible, biodegradable and of very low toxicity. The polymer is extremely water soluble and contains a large number of free carboxyl groups which can used to attach a number of different active molecules. In the examples disclosed N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of the carboxyl groups are used to attach such molecules. The active molecules include monoclonal antibodies to promote specific cellular uptake and specific pro-drugs such as antisense nucleic acids designed to modify the cellular metabolism of a target cell. The pro-drugs are advantageously linked by a somewhat labile bond so that they will be released under specific conditions. In addition, the system contains amide-linked valine to encourage membrane disruption under lysosomal conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatuses that utilize mass spectrometry for preparation of a surface to have catalytic activity through molecular soft-landing of mass selected ions. Mass spectrometry is used to generate combinations of atoms in a particular geometrical arrangement, and ion soft-landing selects this molecular entity or combination of entities and gently deposits the entity or combination intact onto a surface.

Abstract: An improvement to Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI), the process of creating ions directly from sample surfaces for mass spectrometric (MS) analysis by impinging a liquid spray onto the surface. The improvement is brought about by enclosing the spray and sample surface and MS-inlet capillary in a pressure tight enclosure. The invention includes methods of sampling a larger or smaller area of surface by impacting and collecting droplets from such an area. The invention allows DESI to be performed without need for careful control of the geometry of the sprayer and MS-inlet capillary positions and angles relative to the sample surface.

Abstract: In a messaging system adapted to operate in a television environment, the invention teaches a method and apparatus for allowing a user to enter textual outgoing message, which is translated to speech by text to speech module. The speech is than delivered to a target server such as a voice mail or e-mail server, for listening by the message recipient.

Abstract: A system for managing a prescribed drug regimen for a user, the system including at least one electronic device (Pod) for interactive communication with at least one user, a Pod server coupled via a communication link to each Pod, said Pod server including an analysis unit, the analysis unit including a database of drug characteristics, and a processor for comparing sensed characteristics of a drug in one of the Pods with characteristics in the drug characteristics database, so as to identify the drug, and to provide to the Pod an indication of compatibility of the drug with the drug regimen.

Abstract: A method for user assisted association between a television and a telephony device is provided. A set-top box requests an identification code from a server. The server identifies the set-top box, generates the code and transmits it to the set-top box. The set-top box displays the code and a user transmits the code back to the server via a telephony device. The server identifies the telephony device, and using the code, associates between the set-top box and the telephony device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for remote viewing of selected messages at a subscriber remote receiving location, the apparatus including at least one messaging server (such as, but not limited to, a unified messaging system, voice-mail system, fax server system, or any other message store and management system) and a television set as an output device for messages stored or displayed by the messaging server, and a television messaging gateway coupling the messaging server to the television set.

Abstract: The invention provides peptide compositions, and methods of making and using therapeutic compositions for treatment of a subject for an autoimmune or an inflammatory disease. The invention also provides kits for assaying binding of a composition to a water-soluble MHC protein.

Abstract: Methods and kits for identifying novel anti-tumor agents are provided.

Abstract: A desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (DAPCI) system delivers a primary ion beam composed of an inert, high velocity gas and solvent ions to a surface to effect desorption and ionization of both volatile and non-volatile species present on surfaces. A electrode having a tapered tip is connected to a high voltage power supply. The tapered tip projects outward from a capillary carrying a high-speed flow of gas. A vapor of a solvent is mixed into the annular gas flow surrounding the needle. The gaseous solvent vapor is ionized in close proximity to the tapered tip by virtue of the high voltage applied to the electrode. The high-speed flow of gas and solvent vapor ions extending outward from the capillary is directed toward a substrate on which an analyte of interest may have been deposited.