Abstract: The present invention is directed to animal having functionally disrupted endogenous Tpl2. These animals are resistant to Lps induced endotoxin shock and TNF&agr;-mentioned inflammatory disease. A method of identifying Tpl2 specific inhibitors of endotoxin shock or antagonists to inflammation on and a method of treating or preventing TNF&agr;-mediated inflammatory diseases and Lps induced endotoxin shock in animals are also within the scope of this invention. The present invention is also directed to Tpl2 encoding nucleic acid molecules (SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 3) and polypeptides (SEQ ID NOS: 2 and 4) encoded by such molecules.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing and treating cancer are provided that comprise extracts of Inula britannica or compounds isolated therefrom. The compounds of 1-O-acetylbritannilactone or 1,6-O,O-diacetylbritannilactone are isolated and used for inducing apoptosis in cells and for treating cancer in an animal. Induction of apoptosis comprises contacting cells with a composition comprising the compounds in an amount sufficient to induce Bcl-2 protein phosphorylation. Further, treatment of cancer in an animal comprises administering to an animal a composition comprising the compounds in an amount sufficient to induce Bcl-2 protein phosphorylation to treat the cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules, proteins and antibodies are provided which may be used in biological screens to identify therapeutic agents involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptotic cell death.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating diminished visual acuity in a human patient who has been diagnosed as suffering from a disease or disorder of the posterior region of the eye. These involve topical application to the eye, an amount of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor containing composition is carried out so that it is sufficient to provide a therapeutic benefit to alleviate the diminished visual acuity in the human patient. The composition is administered at bedtime after an eye straining work for about 20 minutes.

Abstract: An optical panel includes a transparent serrated first side, and an opposite second side, and a black material provided on the serrated first side for intermittently blocking or absorbing light transmission. Image light may be transmitted through the panel at the serrations, with contrast provided by the black material.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and preventing restenosis by transducing the vascular smooth muscle cells with a viral veactor expressing RB2/p130 are provided.

Abstract: A topical composition for delivering an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable drug, including laureth-4, propylene glycol, dimethylsorbide, and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent is described as an improved drug delivery composition. Further, a method of transepithelial delivery of a drug to a human by topical application to the skin of a human of a composition including laureth-4, propylene glycol, dimethylsorbide, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent of water and ethanol and an effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable drug has beneficial delivery effects.

Abstract: An optical display panel which provides improved viewing contrast is disclosed. The optical panel includes a plurality of stacked optical waveguides, wherein each waveguide has an inlet face and an outlet face at opposing ends of each waveguide, and wherein each waveguide is formed of a core in contact with at least one cladding layer, wherein the at least one cladding layer includes at least one black layer, and at least one redirector connected to the inlet face of each of at least two waveguides. The at least one black layer has a first thickness, and the core has a second thickness, and the first thickness is preferably a multiple of the second thickness. In a preferred embodiment, the first thickness is at least two times greater than the second thickness. In a second preferred embodiment, the first thickness is at least four times greater than the second thickness.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a physiological method for improving vision in a human patient. This method involves topical application to the eye, an amount of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor containing composition so that it is sufficient to provide a therapeutic benefit to improve the visual acuity in the human patient. The composition is administered topically and at bedtime after an eye straining work for about 20 minutes. The method disclosed herein is used for treatment and prevention of congenital and acquired color vision blindness, treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma, prevention of the progression of myopia, treatment of strabismus or squint, potentiation of best visual acuity, neuro-protection, treatment of aberrations secondary to pupil dilation.

Abstract: An ultrathin optical panel, and a method of producing an ultrathin optical panel, are disclosed, including stacking a plurality of glass sheets, which sheets may be coated with a transparent cladding substance or may be uncoated, fastening together the plurality of stacked coated glass sheets using an epoxy or ultraviolet adhesive, applying uniform pressure to the stack, curing the stack, sawing the stack to form an inlet face on a side of the stack and an outlet face on an opposed side of the stack, bonding a coupler to the inlet face of the stack, and fastening the stack, having the coupler bonded thereto, within a rectangular housing having an open front which is aligned with the outlet face, the rectangular housing having therein a light generator which is optically aligned with the coupler. The light generator is preferably placed parallel to and proximate with the inlet face, thereby allowing for a reduction in the depth of the housing.

Abstract: A method for reducing the production of malodor in sulfur containing dermatological compositions by adjusting the pH of the composition to between about 6.5 to about 8.1. Also, sulfur containing dermatological compositions having a pH between about 6.5 and about 8.1.

Abstract: A multi-clad black display panel, and a method of making a multi-clad black display panel, are disclosed, wherein a plurality of waveguides, each of which includes a light-transmissive core placed between an opposing pair of transparent cladding layers and a black layer disposed between transparent cladding layers, are stacked together and sawed at an angle to produce a wedge-shaped optical panel having an inlet face and an outlet face.

Abstract: An ultrathin optical panel, and a method of producing an ultrathin optical panel, are disclosed, including stacking a plurality of glass sheets, which sheets may be coated with a transparent cladding substance or may be uncoated, fastening together the plurality of stacked coated glass sheets using an epoxy or ultraviolet adhesive, applying uniform pressure to the stack, curing the stack, sawing the stack to form an inlet face on a side of the stack and an outlet face on an opposed side of the stack, bonding a coupler to the inlet face of the stack, and fastening the stack, having the coupler bonded thereto, within a rectangular housing having an open front which is aligned with the outlet face, the rectangular housing having therein a light generator which is optically aligned with the coupler. The light generator is preferably placed parallel to and proximate with the inlet face, thereby allowing for a reduction in the depth of the housing.

Abstract: An optical system for producing an accurate image on an optical panel inlet face surface which is highly tilted relative to the image path. The optical system comprises an image source and an imaging element that creates an image from the image source. The optical system also comprises an anamorphic telescope for reducing anamorphic distortion of the image, and a final element for directing the image toward the optical panel. The anamorphic telescope reduces magnification of the image in a first direction and enlarges magnification of the image in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. The anamorphic telescope includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and a third lens group. The first lens group and the second lens group form a first anamorphic telescopic system, and the second lens group and the third lens group form a second anamorphic telescopic system.

Abstract: A fusion capsid protein comprising a plant virus capsid protein fused to an antigenic polypeptide is used as a molecule for presentation of that polypeptide to the immune system of an animal such as a human. The plant virus capsid protein is that of an alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) or ilarvirus.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting activities of a tRNA of a selected pathogen is provided wherein a cell infected with a selected pathogen is contacted with an effective amount of an oligonucleotide targeted to a region of the cloverleaf structure of a tRNA of the selected pathogen. Compositions for inhibiting activities of a tRNA of a selected pathogen which contain an oligonucleotide targeted to a region of cloverleaf structure of a tRNA of the selected pathogen are also provided. In addition, methods of killing the pathogen with these compositions are provided.

Abstract: Transgenic animals which express human collagen gene and have an inactivated endogenous collagen gene are provided. Compositions comprising humanized chondrocytes isolated from these transgenic animals are also provided. In addition, methods of screening potential therapeutics for cartilage related disorders in these animals are provided.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring the profile of an external surface of a part is provided. The system includes a source of light that directs light onto a region of the external surface of the part. The system also includes a linear, light-sensitive sensor, and a lens used to image locations within the region onto the sensor. The source of light and the sensor are located substantially within the same plane such that the sensor detects substantially only light scattered, diffracted, or reflected from the region and travelling substantially within the plane. The system additionally includes a re-positionable mirror that re-directs the light emitted from the source of light to the plurality of locations within the region and re-directs light scattered, diffracted, or reflected from the plurality of locations within the region to the lens and the sensor.

Abstract: An ultrathin optical panel, and a method of producing an ultrathin optical panel, are disclosed, including stacking a plurality of glass sheets, which sheets may be coated With a transparent cladding substance or may be uncoated, fastening together the plurality of stacked coated glass sheets using an epoxy or ultraviolet adhesive, applying uniform pressure to the stack, curing the stack, sawing the stack to form an inlet face on a side of the stack and an outlet face on an opposed side of the stack, bonding a coupler to the inlet face of the stack, and fastening the stack, having the coupler bonded thereto, within a rectangular housing having an open front which is aligned with the outlet face, the rectangular housing having therein a light generator which is optically aligned with the coupler. The light generator is preferably placed parallel to and proximate with the inlet face, thereby allowing for a reduction in the depth of the housing.

Abstract: A slow-release insect repellent composition comprising an insect repellent, an oleophilic chemical soluble in the insect repellent, and a carbohydrate matrix wherein the combination of the insect repellent and oleophilic chemical is entrapped in the matrix such that the repellent is released from the matrix, a fabric substrate containing the composition and method for preparing the composition.