Abstract: Novel LHRH antagonist peptides, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed. The LHRH antagonist comprise a peptide compound, wherein a residue of the peptide compound corresponding to the amino acid at position 6 of natural mammalian LHRH comprises a hydrophilic N-acyl moiety, a dipolar moiety, a sulfonium moiety, a receptor-modifying moiety or a small polar moiety.

Abstract: A method of evolving a neural network that includes a plurality of processing elements interconnected by a plurality of weighted connections includes the step of obtaining a definition for the neural network by evolving a plurality of weights for the plurality of weighted connections, and evolving a plurality of activation function parameters associated with the plurality of processing elements. Another step of the method includes determining whether the definition for the neural network may be simplified based upon at least one activation function parameter of the plurality of activation function parameters. Yet another step of the method includes updating the definition for the neural network in response to determining that the definition for the neural network may be simplified. The method utilizes particle swarm optimization techniques to evolve the plurality of weights and the plurality of activation parameters.

Abstract: An aortic stent-graft model is provided. A hollow Y-frame is cast from polyurethane to form a core. After silicone aortic wall thickness and aneurysmal segments are applied to the contour of the core, the polyurethane core is removed to leave a hollow aortic model of silicone. Marking indicia are applied to the aortic model to effect selected dimensional measurements. The model can be utilized to calibrate the equipment of testing modalities such as contrast aortography (CA), spiral computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS). Dimensional measurements from the marking indicia are compared to corresponding images of the model to detect any variation needed for calibration. An aortic stent-graft model can also be utilized to simulate introduction of a guidewire and catheter for deployment of a stent for repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Abstract: An ion separation instrument includes an ion source coupled to at least a first ion mobility spectrometer having an ion outlet coupled to a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment, the ion source includes a molecule separation instrument operable to separate ions in time according to a molecular characteristic such as ion retention time. The resultant instrument is thus operable to provide molecular information separated in time as functions of retention time, ion mobility and ion mass/charge. In another embodiment, the ion separation instrument includes first and second ion mobility instruments disposed in a cascade arrangement between the ion source and mass spectrometer, wherein the two ion mobility instruments are operable to separate ions in time each according to different ion mobility functions.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for detecting a defect in a populated sample having a thickness dimension substantially smaller than the length and width dimensions thereof, the populated sample having a first side and an opposite second side, at least said first side of said populated sample having one or more Surface Mounted Components.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding a fibroblast growth factor-23(FGF23) and proteins encoded thereby, mutations in which are associated with autosomal dominant rickets (ADHR). The invention further relates to methods of diagnosing and treating hypophosphatemic and hyperphosphatemic disorders comprising inhibiting or stimulating, respectively, the biological activity of FGF23 in a patient. The invention also relates to methods of treating osteoporosis, dermatomyositis, and coronary artery disease comprising stimulating the biological activity of FGF23 in a patient.

Abstract: A wave rotor detonation engine and method are provided. The wave rotor detonation engine includes a rotor rotatably mounted within a housing, an inlet port, an exhaust port, and an igniter for igniting the gases within the rotor. The rotor includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending combustion chambers in which detonative combustion occurs. The inlet port has a plurality of separate inlet zones for supplying fuel and air mixtures to the inlet end of the rotor. The inlet zones are circumferentially spaced about the perimeter of the rotor so that the combustion chambers interact with these inlet zones sequentially. Each inlet zone is capable of introducing a different combustible mixture sequentially to a given combustion chamber as it rotates past the inlet zones. This results in the stratification of differing concentrations of combustible material within the combustion chambers which is particularly suited to create detonative combustion within the wave rotor.

Abstract: Methods of treating a subject having a disorder associated with LHRH activity are disclosed.

Abstract: The method for scanning a turbid medium involves displacing an optical signal source over a first face of the medium and a corresponding optical detector over an opposite face from one respective spatial location to another. Each spatial location is associated with a corresponding input region on the first face and a corresponding output region on the opposite second face. The optical detector in response to optical signals detected from each of the output regions generates a primary set of image data, secondary and/or tertiary image data by scanning the turbid medium using input regions and output regions of different sizes. The various sets of image data obtained may be manipulated in any manner, namely subjected to a data processing technique, so as to, for example, highlight the differences or similarities between the images.

Abstract: The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanning module for imaging through scattering media is provided. The scanning module image through scattering media while alleviating adverse effects of the weak transmission through highly scattering media. The injection of photons is optimized so that the overall transmission is increased compared to the conventional art. Cross-talk effects in a multi-port geometry are eliminated thereby increasing parallelism.

Abstract: The inventors have cloned and expressed the chemokine-like genes from MCV type 1 and the closely related MCV type 2 in order to determine a potential role for these proteins in the viral life cycle. These are the first viral chemokines that have been shown to antagonize the chemotactic activity of human chemokines and the first viral chemokines that have been shown to have inhibitory activity on human hematopoietic progenitor cells. Methods and compositions for exploiting these proteins are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a body structure with radiation and a method for using the same. The apparatus comprising a concentrator for receiving a solution comprising a radioactive material and for increasing the concentration of the radioactive material in solution; a calibrator operatively associated with the concentrator for measuring a level of radiation associated with the radioactive material; and a delivery unit for transferring the solution directly from the apparatus to a balloon catheter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing a male with erectile dysfunction to participate in normal coitus is disclosed. A two piece device forms a male erectile prosthesis which can be utilized to allow a man with erectile dysfunction to participate in sexual activity. The prosthesis includes a penile wrap for providing rigidity to the penis and a thrust plate which is operable to provide resistance against any backward movement of the penis.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining mu opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding mu opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptide in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with mu opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for constructing image slices through a selected object undergoing a cyclic motion wherein a scanner is used for collecting image data associated with the selected object. A probe is provided for detecting a signal from the selected object, the signal being indicative of the cyclic motion of the object. The scanner and the probe are operatively connected with a controller. The controller receives the signal from the probe and generates therefrom a command for enabling the scanner to collect image data for producing one or more image slices through the selected object with minimized radiation exposure and data acquisition time.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for identifying, monitoring and treating premalignant and malignant conditions in a human subject. The present invention further discloses methods and compositions for determining cells undergoing apoptosis, and for increasing the efficacy of a cancer therapy. The methods involve the use of apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APE), independently, as a marker for (pre)malignant conditions and for apoptosis. Also described are polyclonal antibody preparations for use in methods for detecting APE and methods for modulating expression susceptibility of cells to apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane. The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: Analogues of RNA and DNA compounds contain a neutral, stereoregular linking group based on replacement of the phosphoryl with a sulfonyl group. Precursors to the analogues are also described, as are methods for preparing the precursors and analogues.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.