Abstract: Compositions and methods are described herein for transdifferentiation of multipotent stromal cells into cells that can express insulin.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of, and assay and kits for, detecting and diagnosing methods of detecting, diagnosing, vulnerable carotid artery disease capable of becoming acutely symptomatic using the levels of Resolvin D1 (RvD1), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and arachidonic acid (AA). Also disclosed are methods of treating carotid artery disease and methods of identifying agents for use in the treatment of carotid artery disease.

Abstract: A composition for sealing defects in structural materials such as roads or paved surfaces, the composition preferably comprising one or more shape memory polymer (SMP) components capable of responding to increased temperature by decreasing in volume. Smart SMP-based sealants of the invention serve to avoid adhesion failure between a sealant and the repaired structure when the repaired structure is subjected to varied temperatures that cause thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described herein for transdifferentiation of multipotent stromal cells into cells that can express insulin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a biomolecular processor. Each biomolecular processor has one or more bioreactor chambers defined by a solid substrate; a support structure within each bioreactor; a cleaving enzyme immobilized to the support structure and operatively positioned within the bioreactor chamber to cleave monomer or multimer units of a biopolymer molecule operatively engaged by the cleaving enzyme; and one or more time-of-flight channels formed in the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to said one or more bioreactor chambers. Each of the time-of-flight channels have two or more sensors including at least (i) a first sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the input end of the channel and (ii) a second sensor contacting the time-of-flight channel proximate to the output end of channel. The present invention further relates to methods of sequencing and identifying biopolymer molecules using the device.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydrogel has been made based on high concentrations of whey protein isolate (WPI). WPI gels of different compositions were fabricated by thermally inducing gelation of high-concentration suspensions of protein, and characterized for compressive strength and modulus, hydration swelling and drying properties, mechanical behavior change due to polysaccharide additives, and intrinsic pore network structure. The gels were shown to be compatible with bone cells and could be used as bone tissue scaffolds. In addition, WPI fibers were produced by electrospinning. Several additives could be incorporated into the WPI gels, including structural additives, growth factors, amino acids, etc. The WPI hydrogels can be made with glycerol to increase flexibility and stability.

Abstract: A composition for sealing defects in structural materials such as roads or paved surfaces, the composition preferably comprising one or more shape memory polymer (SMP) components capable of responding to increased temperature by decreasing in volume. Smart SMP-based sealants of the invention serve to avoid adhesion failure between a sealant and the repaired structure when the repaired structure is subjected to varied temperatures that cause thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: A system and method of management of communication in a potentially unreliable wide-area network that contains one or more nodes connected to said network, each potentially having access to one or more inputs and/or outputs and capable of evaluating said inputs and directing said outputs, a global address space (GAS) accessible by said nodes, and a communication system using said GAS that provides communications between said nodes.

Abstract: Administration of an HNO/NO? donating compound, such as Angeli's salt, increases myocardial contractility while concomitantly lowering left ventricular preload in subjects experiencing heart failure. Moreover, administration of the HNO/NO? donating compound isopropylamine (IPA)/NO(Na(CH3)2CHNHN(O)NO) surprisingly exhibited positive inotropic effects in subjects experiencing heart failure that were superior to those caused by the HNO/NO? donating compound Angeli's salt. Additionally, in contrast to the effects observed with NO? donors, administration of an HNO/NO? donor in combination with a positive inotropic agent did not impair the positive inotropic effect of the positive inotropic agent. Further, HNO/NO? exerts its positive inotropic effect independent of the adrenergic system, increasing contractility even in subjects receiving beta-antagonist therapy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bioartificial lacrimal gland which contains at least one unit that includes (a) a permeable housing having an interior and an exterior; (b) an outlet connecting the housing interior to the housing exterior; and (c) a population of lacrimal epithelial cells within the housing interior.

Abstract: A novel rice cultivar, designated ‘Cheniere,’ is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar ‘Cheniere,’ to the plants of rice ‘Cheniere,’ and to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Cheniere’ with itself or another rice variety. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘Cheniere’ with another rice cultivar.

Abstract: Small, polybasic peptides are disclosed that are effective as furin inhibitors, e.g. hexa- to nona-peptides having L-Arg or L-Lys in most positions. Removing the peptide terminating groups can improve inhibition of furin. High inhibition was seen in a series of non-amidated and non-acetylated polyarginines. The most potent inhibitor identified to date, nona-L-arginine, had a Ki against furin of 40 nM. Non-acetylated, poly-D-arginine-derived molecules are preferred furin inhibitors for therapeutic uses, such as inhibiting certain bacterial infections, viral infections, and cancers. Due to their relatively small size, these peptides should be non-immunogenic. These peptides are efficiently transported across cell membranes.

Abstract: We have produced a hybridoma cell line that produces monoclonal antibodies (MAb) that bind effectively to 2-methylisoborneol (MIB). The MAbs were produced using a structurally related molecule, borneol, whose structure was minimally changed when complexed to the protein carrier. These MAbs detected MIB at approximately 0.01 to 1 ppb (or lower) when used in ELISA assays. Because these antibodies were produced as MAbs, their affinity characteristics remained constant. With access to MAb's, MIB can be easily detected at low levels using immunological techniques that are adapted to fast and easy field assays of large samples. For example, catfish could easily be assayed in the field for the presence of MIB prior to marketing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a method of weight and/or body-fat reduction comprising a (preferably moderate) reduction in the caloric intake of a subject in need of such treatment in combination with administration to said subject of a prolactin inhibitor. Additionally, the present invention is directed to an improvement in a method for altering and/or resetting prolactin profiles (and thereby controlling one or more metabolic disorders such as obesity, excessive body fat, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and Type II diabetes) comprising administration to a subject in need of such treatment of a prolactin inhibitor at a predetermined time or times during a 24-hour period in combination with a (preferably moderate) reduction of the caloric intake of said subject.

Abstract: A new variety of sugarcane, identified as ‘L97-128’, is disclosed having superior sugarcane rust disease resistance, and high sugar/sucrose content and cane yield characteristics.