Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus that utilizes an inertia-free diffraction mechanism to control both phase and rotation of the standing wave pattern that results in super-resolution at unparalleled imaging speeds. In some embodiments of the present inventions, AODs are utilized to control period, phase, and rotation of the SW pattern in contrast to the commonly used mechano-optical principles. This allows 2D (and 3D) super-resolution imagining at high stability and speed not limited by mechanical constraints. The present invention can be utilized, for example, for real time observations of dynamic processes in living cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the cleavage of serum response factor as it relates to cardiac disease. In specific embodiments, failing cardiac tissue is diagnosed in tissues comprising elevated cleavage of serum response factor. In further specific embodiments, heart failure is associated with cardiac myocyte apoptosis as a result of an increase in cleaved serum response factor, particularly by caspases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the composition and use of a modified Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) as a medicament in the treatment of cancer. The modified HSV-2 has fusogenic activity, and comprises a modified/mutated ICP10 polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ribonucleotide reductase activity and lacking protein kinase activity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel inducible expression system characterized by undetectable biological effect in the absence of an inducer, but which exhibits efficient inducibility in the presence of an inducer.

Abstract: An adjustable-volume liquid dispenser is disclosed. In one embodiment, an adjustable-volume liquid dispenser includes a spout and a plunger secured to the spout. The dispenser further includes a plunger lock moveable lengthwise along the plunger. The plunger lock is securable to the plunger at a plurality of positions on the plunger to adjust a volume of liquid to be dispensed. The dispenser also includes a spring in contact with the plunger. In addition, the dispenser includes a chamber comprising an interior for containing liquid. The plunger is slidably arranged with the chamber. A portion of the plunger is disposed within the chamber. Moreover, the dispenser includes a chamber cap secured to the chamber, and a valve disposed within the chamber. The dispenser also includes a shaft secured to the chamber.

Abstract: A method of system is provided for assaying specimens. In connection with such system or method, plural multi-pixel target images of a field of view are obtained at different corresponding points in time over a given sample period. A background image is obtained using a plural set of the plural target images. For a range of points in time, the background image is removed from the target images to produce corresponding background-removed target images. Analysis is performed using at least a portion of the corresponding background-removed target images to identify visible features of the specimens. A holding structure is provided to hold a set of discrete specimen containers. A positioning mechanism is provided to position a plural subset of the containers to place the moving specimens within the plural subset of the containers within a field of view of the camera.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for the preparation of pancreatic islet cells for transplantation.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to compositions and methods for plasmid-mediated supplementation. The compositions and methods are useful for treating anemia and other effects that are commonly associated in cancer bearing animals. Overall, the embodiments of the invention can be accomplished by delivering an effective amount of a nucleic acid expression construct that encodes a GHRH or functional biological equivalent thereof into a tissue of an animal and allowing expression of the encoded gene in the animal. For example, when such a nucleic acid sequence is delivered into the specific cells of the animal tissue specific constitutive expression is achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to bone compression devices and bone compression systems, and in particular, to bone compression devices and systems for use in connection with vertebrae. The bone compression devices and bone compression systems are disposed, or installed, along at least one bone to maintain the at least one bone in a desired spatial relationship. Broadly, the invention is directed to a bone compression device for placing in communication with at least one bone having a bone radius of curvature, the bone compression device comprising a plate having a pre-formed shape, a deformed shape, and at least one elastic shape therebetween, the pre-formed shape having a preformed radius of curvature less than the bone radius of curvature, the deformed shape having a deformed radius of curvature greater than the bone radius of curvature, and at least one of the at least one elastic shapes having an elastic radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the bone radius of curvature.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating an autoimmune disease in a subject by administering an interferon antagonist and a Flt3 ligand (Flt3L) antagonist. The invention also provides compositions containing one or more interferon antagonists, and one or more Flt3L antagonists, an in vitro assay for determining a subject's risk for developing an autoimmune disease, and kits for use, inter alia, with the assay.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel tricyclic quinone and catechol compositions, compositions containing prodrugs of tricyclic quinone and catechol compositions, and methods of use for the treatment of solid tumor cancers and other vascular proliferative disorders. In certain aspects, the compositions of the invention are capable of generating both a vascular targeting effect and tumor cell cytotoxicity (e.g., by oxidative stress) in order to achieve an enhanced anti-tumor response in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to defects in periaxin (PRX) associated with myelinopathies, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome and/or Dejerine-Sottas syndrome. Unrelated individuals having a myelinopathy from Dejerine-Sottas syndrome have recessive PRX mutations. The PRX locus maps to a region associated with a severe autosomal recessive demyelinating neuropathy and is also syntenic to the Prx location on murine chromosome 7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizing fatostatin A and/or a derivative and/or analog thereof. In other aspects, the compound for treatment and/or prevention of one or more metabolic disorders utilizes an A-B—C tripartite structure, wherein A, B, and C are identical or non-identical structures and are described in detail herein. In specific aspects, the metabolic disorder includes obesity or diabetes, for example.

Abstract: The invention describes the use of dendritic cell vaccines, wherein SHP-1 expression or activity is modulated in the dendritic cell. In particular, the invention provides dendritic cells (DC) transduced with an SHP1-shRNA adenovirus, or dominant negative (dn-SHP-1) or constitutively active (ca-SHP-1), and pulsed with an antigen. The methods and compositions of the invention are used for the prevention and/or treatment of cancers, other cell proliferation diseases and conditions, diseases caused by a pathogen, or autoimmune disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology called Pulse-Multiline Excitation or PME. This technology provides a novel approach to fluorescence detection with application for high-throughput identification of informative SNPs, which could lead to more accurate diagnosis of inherited disease, better prognosis of risk susceptibilities, or identification of sporadic mutations. The PME technology has two main advantages that significantly increase fluorescence sensitivity: (1) optimal excitation of all fluorophores in the genomic assay and (2) “color-blind” detection, which collects considerably more light than standard wavelength resolved detection. This technology differs significantly from the current state-of-the-art DNA sequencing instrumentation, which features single source excitation and color dispersion for DNA sequence identification.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for modulating cell proliferation using a pharmaceutical effective amount of an isolated and purified polyphenolic composition having one or more polyphenolic compounds extracted from one or more plant tissues, specifically from one or more tissues of the Annurca apple.

Abstract: The present invention concerns particular G-quartet oligonucleotides that are employed for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer. In specific cases, the G-quartet oligonucleotides inhibit HIF-1?.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semicarbazone or thiosemicarbazone inhibitors of cysteine proteases and methods of using such compounds to prevent and treat protozoan infections such as trypanosomiasis, malaria and leishmaniasis. The compounds also find use in inhibiting cysteine proteases associated with carcinogenesis, including cathepsins B and L.

Abstract: Methods for determining the metabolic cost for walking are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for determining metabolic cost per unit time of a walk by an individual is disclosed. The method includes providing a body length of the individual. The method also includes measuring a walking speed of the individual. The metabolic cost per unit time is determined by adding a basal metabolic rate and a metabolic constant for walking to the result of a metabolic coefficient for walking multiplied by the walking speed (squared) and such squared speed divided by the body length of the individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of gene sequences encoding mammalian cell cycle checkpoints, as well as the expression of the encoded proteins using recombinant DNA technology. The expressed proteins are used to generate specific antibodies and to inhibit the growth of cells. The human checkpoint gene sequences are used as a probe for a portion of the chromosome associated with tumors and other malignancies, as well as growth and/or development deficiencies.