Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and materials for delivering a cargo compound into a cancer cell. Delivery of the cargo compound is accomplished by the use of protein transduction domains derived from cupredoxins. The cargo compound may be a nucleic acid and specifically a DNA, RNA or anti-sense. The invention further discloses methods for treating cancer and diagnosing cancer.

Abstract: Acute myeloid leukemia stem cells (AMLSC) are identified. The cells can be prospectively isolated or identified from patient samples, and are shown to possess the unique properties of cancer stem cells in functional assays for cancer stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, and in cancer diagnosis.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for imaging in an interventional medical procedure that is more advanced than a conventional 2D image processing application and less restrictive than a 3D reconstruction image processing application. In contrast to the prior art 2D imaging application in which a single 2D image is acquired, the inventive method acquires and stores a set of 2D anatomical images while rotating a C-arm/X-ray source using a single injection of contrast agent. In lieu of performing a 3D reconstruction, the multiplicity of anatomical views provided by the set of 2D anatomical images adequately serve as a visual “rotatable roadmap” to perform classical 2D-roadmapping navigation. The “rotatable roadmap” assists a user to locate an ideal working view of the patient's region of operative interest.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes at least a portion of an optical waveguide having a hollow core generally surrounded by a cladding. The cladding substantially confines a first optical signal and a second optical signal within the hollow core as the first optical signal and the second optical signal counterpropagate through the optical waveguide. Interference between the first optical signal and the second optical signal is responsive to perturbation of the at least a portion of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Disclosed are ionic liquids and methods of preparing ionic liquid compositions of active pharmaceutical, biological, nutritional, and energetic ingredients. Also disclosed are methods of using the compositions described herein to overcome polymorphism, overcome solubility and delivery problems, to control release rates, add functionality, enhance efficacy (synergy), and improve ease of use and manufacture.

Abstract: Manzamine compounds have been discovered to decrease cell dissociation and cell migration associated with the metastatic potential of cancer cells and a restoration of cancer cell susceptibility to agents, such as TRAIL, which can induce apoptosis. Specifically, Manzamine A has a formerly unrecognized utility in both blocking tumor cell invasion and tumor metastasis as well in restoring cancer cell susceptibility to standard chemotherapeutic agents which induce apoptosis and, therefore, has utility in treating cancer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining progression and other characteristics of microarray expression levels and similar information, alternatively using a network or communications medium or tangible storage medium or logic processor.

Abstract: A method includes reacting an amino group, a composition including rhodium and an organic ligand, and a substrate having structural formula (I) in a reaction mixture. R1 is an organic group including a sp3 carbon atom bonded to CA. R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and an organic group including a sp3 carbon atom bonded to CA. R3 and R4 independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and an organic group including a sp3 carbon atom bonded to CB. The method further includes forming a hydroaminated product in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor includes at least one photonic crystal structure and an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The at least one photonic crystal structure has at least one optical resonance with a resonance frequency and a resonance lineshape, wherein at least one of the resonance frequency and the resonance lineshape is responsive to acoustic waves incident upon the acoustic sensor. The acoustic sensor further includes an optical fiber in optical communication with the at least one photonic crystal structure. The optical fiber is configured to transmit light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure and to receive at least a portion of the light which impinges the at least one photonic crystal structure.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, constructing a symbolic representation from a portion of a web application that generates a plurality of structured query language (SQL) queries, parsing the symbolic representation into a plurality of trees, and adapting the web application with PREPARE statements according to the plurality of trees. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Adaptive rule-based methods to solve localization problems for ad hoc wireless sensor networks are disclosed. A large problem may be solved as a sequence of very small subproblems, each of which is solved by semidefinite programming relaxation of a geometric optimization model. The subproblems may be generated according to a set of sensor/anchor selection rules and a priority list. The methods scale well and provide improved positioning accuracy. A dynamic version may be used for estimating moving sensors locations in a real-time environment. The method may use dynamic distance measurement updates among sensors, and utilizes subproblem solving for static sensor localization. Methods to deploy sensor localization algorithms in clustered distributed environments are also provided, permitting application to arbitrarily large networks. In addition, the methods may be used to solve sensor localizations in 2D or 3D space. A preprocessor may be used for localization of networks without absolute position information.

Abstract: An adaptive imaging method of monitoring intrafraction target motion during radiation therapy is provided that includes using a simultaneous Mega-Voltage (MV) imaging process and Kilo-Voltage (KV) imaging process to determine an initial 3D target position. 2D target position is monitored using the MV imaging process during a radiation therapy treatment delivery, and is in combination with an online-updated characterization of target motion that are disposed to estimate if the target has moved beyond a 3D threshold distance. The simultaneous MV imaging and KV imaging processes are for accurately determining a new 3D target position for intrafraction motion compensation and for further 2D imaging by the MV imaging process, where another simultaneous MV and KV imaging process is initiated when the target has potentially moved beyond the threshold distance as measured by the MV imaging process. The intrafraction target motion monitoring is achieved at the cost of ultralow patient imaging dose.

Abstract: In general, the present invention is related to collagen compositions and thin films, and to methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to “woven pattern” or “basket pattern” collagen compositions and thin films, and methods of making.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of ?-2-microglobulin (B2M or ?2M) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels as biomarkers of peripheral artery disease and/or atherosclerosis.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia. Some other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for selective neurostimulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia as well as techniques for applying neurostimulation to the spinal cord. Still other embodiments of the present invention provide stimulation systems and components for selective stimulation and/or neuromodulation of one or more dorsal root ganglia through implantation of an electrode on, in or around a dorsal root ganglia in combination with a pharmacological agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of site-specifically integrating a polynucleotide sequence of interest in a genome of a eucaryotic cell, as well as, enzymes, polypeptides, and a variety of vector constructs useful therefore. In the method, a targeting construct comprises, for example, (i) a first recombination site and a polynucleotide sequence of interest, and (ii) a site-specific recombinase, which are introduced into the cell. The genome of the cell comprises a second recombination site. Recombination between the first and second recombination sites is facilitated by the site-specific recombinase. The invention describes compositions, vectors, and methods of use thereof, for the generation of transgenic cells, tissues, plants, and animals. The compositions, vectors, and methods of the present invention are also useful in gene therapy techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising peptides that may be variants, derivatives and structural equivalents of cupredoxins that inhibit the development of premalignant lesions in mammalian cells, tissues and animals. Specifically, these compositions may comprise azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and/or the 50-77 residue region of azurin (p28). The present invention further relates to compositions that may comprise cupredoxin(s), and/or variants, derivatives or structural equivalents of cupredoxins, that retain the ability to inhibit the development of premalignant lesions in mammalian cells, tissues or animals. These compositions may be peptides or pharmaceutical compositions, among others. The compositions of the invention may be used to prevent the development of premalignant lesions in mammalian cells, tissues and animals, and thus prevent cancer.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a composition for regulating smooth muscle cells. In particular, the invention encompasses a vector comprising a smooth muscle promoter operably-linked to a nucleic acid encoding a calcium-activated potassium channel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for predicting meat tenderness, particularly with respect to raw meat, is disclosed. The invention does not require the removal or destruction of any cuts of meat from the carcass to which the method is applied. The method allows for the identification of tender meat product that might not be identified as tender using conventional United States Department of Agriculture quality grading methods. The method includes the insertion of one or more blunt, flat-tipped blades into a meat sample, measuring a value such as stress, force, or energy upon insertion of the blade, and calculating a tenderness factor therefrom based on a tenderness threshold.

Abstract: In a vehicle-to-vehicle communication network utilizing PKI security methods to protect communications and in which the PKI encryption utilizes a Certificate Authority having both a private key and a publicly distributed key, a method for allocating multiple certificates for each vehicle which are assigned to each vehicle in the communication network. The method includes the step of assigning a unique secret key k to each vehicle in the communication network. The Certificate Authority then creates a plurality of public key and private key encryption pairs for each vehicle and each encryption pair is associated with an index i. A plurality of certificates are then created with one certificate for each value of the index. A revocation list comprising the secret keys is maintained by the Certificate Authority so that all encryption pairs assigned to a particular vehicle may be revoked by the secret key k corresponding to that vehicle.