Abstract: The present invention is a biomarker of chemotherapeutic drug-resistant cancer stem cells and a method of inhibiting the growth of drug-resistant cancer stem cells. In one embodiment the cancer stem cells are testicular cancer germ cells. In another embodiment the present invention is a method of overcoming drug resistance in cancer treatment where the combination of low dose decitabine and administration of a chemotherapeutic drug to which cancer cells were resistant results in successful cancer treatment.

Abstract: A system for measuring oxygen consumption uses a chamber holding culture medium with a biological material. A resistively gas-permeable membrane has a first side contacting culture medium in the chamber and a first sensor for measuring oxygen in the culture medium. A second sensor measures oxygen in gas adjacent a second side of the membrane. The sensors provide data to a processor having a memory with machine readable instructions for determining oxygen consumption from the data. Alternatively, a method of measuring oxygen flux begins with placing biological material, with fluid, in the chamber; exposing the fluid to a resistively-permeable membrane with oxygen-containing gas on a second side of the membrane; measuring oxygen in the fluid; measuring oxygen in the gas, and calculating the oxygen flux of the biological material from an oxygen permeability constant of the membrane and a difference between the oxygen concentrations of the fluid and gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel molecular markers for diagnosis and classification of human breast cancer and lung cancer.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a transformation of ultrasound data in an imaging system from a first coordinate system into a second coordinate system, the method including applying a transformation having parameters. The parameters are calibrated by imaging a planar object, extracting points corresponding to ultrasound rays intersecting the planar object, and fitting the parameters such that the points when transformed by the transformation describe a planar surface in the second coordinate system.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a recombinant prokaryotic host cell containing nucleic acids encoding an eukaryotic UDP-GaINAc:UDP-GaINAc polypeptide transferase and expressing an UDP-GIcNAc C-4 epimerase and methods for using the same to produce an O-glycosylated protein.

Abstract: A system for measuring analyte concentrations has porous-walled nanocontainers containing multiple magnetic nanoparticles, the magnetic nanoparticles coated with a selective binder that is analyte-responsive and binds a the analyte, an indicator substance releasable from the selective binder by the analyte, or an indicator substance cleavable by the analyte, apparatus for exposing the nanocontainers to a fluid potentially containing the analyte, and magnetic spectroscopy of Brownian motion sensing apparatus for detecting agglutination of the nanoparticles or binding of analyte to the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor including a substrate, two or more electrodes, a conductive layer applied to the substrate and a molecularly imprinted polymer layer applied to the conductive layer is disclosed herein The MIP sensor may form part of an MIP sensor system that can be used to detect and quantify target molecules.

Abstract: Improved anti-CD154 antibodies are provided herein which have ablated FcR binding and/or complement binding/activation. The use of these antibodies for inducing tolerance and treating immune diseases including autoimmunity, inflammation and allergic disorders is disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention is directed to modified T cells, methods of making and using isolated, modified T cells, and methods of using these isolated, modified T cells to address diseases and disorders. In one embodiment, this invention broadly relates to TCR-deficient T cells, isolated populations thereof, and compositions comprising the same. In another embodiment of the invention, these TCR-deficient T cells are designed to express a functional non-TCR receptor. The invention also pertains to methods of making said TCR-deficient T cells, and methods of reducing or ameliorating, or preventing or treating, diseases and disorders using said TCR-deficient T cells, populations thereof, or compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: The invention is directed to T cells and other cells that express chimeric NK-p30 receptors (“chimeric NKp30 T cells”), methods of making and using chimeric NKp30 T cells, and methods of using these chimeric NKp30 T cells, isolated populations thereof, and compositions comprising the same. In another aspect, said chimeric NKp30 T cells are further designed to express a functional non-TCR receptor. The disclosure also pertains to methods of making said chimeric NKp30 T cells, and methods of reducing or ameliorating, or preventing or treating, diseases and disorders using said chimeric NKp30 T cells, populations thereof, or compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention features monocyclic cyanoenone compositions and methods for using the same in the treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for increasing the cell surface expression of degradation-prone CFTR proteins and preventing or treating cystic fibrosis. The invention provides peptides and peptidomimetics that selectively inhibit the interaction between CAL and mutant CFTR proteins, thereby stabilizing the CFTR and facilitating transport of the same to the cell surface.

Abstract: Nanostructured Mn—Al, Mn—Al—C permanent magnets are disclosed. The magnets have high coercivities (about 4.8 kOe and 5.2 kOe) and high magnetization values. An intennetallic composition includes a ternary transition metal modified manganese aluminum alloy Mn—Al—Fe, Mn—Al—Ni, or Mn—Al—Co having at least about 80% of a magnetic ? phase and permanent magnetic properties. The alloy may have a saturation magnetization value of at least 96 emu/g with approximately 5% ternary transition metal replacing Al. The alloy may also have a saturation magnetization value of at least 105 emu/g with 10% ternary transition metal replacing Al.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for preparing triterpenoids such as 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoolean-1,9-dien-28-methyl ester and derivatives thereof from oleanic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, sumaresinolic acid or hederagenin.

Abstract: The present invention is bis-acridine or bis-quinoline intercalators having a modified bis(4-aminophenyl)ether tether to improve activity, selectivity, solubility and bioavailability of the antitumor compound.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing cycloalkanyl[b]indoles, as well as related cycloalkanyl[b]benzofurans and cycloalkanyl[b]benzothiophenes is provided. The method is a single, multicomponent reaction that combines (1) an indole, benzofuran, or benzothiopene, (2) an aldehyde, ketone, or ketal, and (3) a diene in the presence of an acid, in particular a Ga(III) or In(III) salt. Compositions and methods of using these compounds to stimulate secretion and/or production of glucagon-like peptide-1 or inhibit the activity of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide receptor are also provided.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing certain types of cancers provides a nanoparticle agent to be uptaken by cancer cells for diagnosis and treatment of certain cancers. A compound containing nanoparticles is directed toward a tumor site, and then a predetermined time period passes to allow the nanoparticles to be uptaken by the cancer cells. Imaging is then performed on the nanoparticles by an appropriate imaging device to determine the concentration of nanoparticles uptaken by the cancer cells. Finally, image data provided by the imaging device is analyzed to determine the concentration of nanoparticles and thereby determine whether a tumor is present. The nanoparticle agent can further be employed as a treatment of certain cancers. After the uptake of nanoparticles into the cells, a predetermined field applied to the nanoparticles for a sufficient period of time activates the magnetic cores of the nanoparticles to include hyperthermia-mediated destruction of the cancer cells.

Abstract: A biopsy sampling device has an inner trocar having a sampling opening, an outer needle with 4 or more electrodes on it, an impedance measuring apparatus coupled to drive current through a first and a second electrode, while measuring voltages through a third and fourth electrodes to measure an impedance of tissue adjacent to the electrodes, the inner trocar slideably engaged within the central cavity of the outer needle such that its sharpened tip and sampling opening can protrude from an end of the outer needle and be removed to capture a sample in the sampling opening. The device is used to obtain biopsy samples by advancing the device into an organ while observing impedance of tissue near or adjacent the device before the operator withdraws the trocar to obtain a biopsy sample of an inclusion in the organ.

Abstract: An electroencephalographic electrode and optode positioning device has the form of a cap suitable for placement on a subject's head. The cap has semirigid telescopic structures that stiffen it to provide accurate electrode and optode spacing, and stability during subject activity. The cap is intended for use in functional neuroimaging and, although its materials are compatible with fMRI, is usable without fMRI to permit study of physically as well as mentally active subjects.

Abstract: A tomographic fluorescent imaging device for imaging fluorophores in biological tissues has a scanned laser for scanning the tissue and a camera for receiving light from the biological tissue at an angle to the beam at a second wavelength ten or more nanometers greater in wavelength than the wavelength of the laser. Use of both intrinsic and extrinsic fluorophores is described. Images are obtained at each of several positions of the beam. An image processing system receives the series of images, models a path of the beam through the tissue, and determines depth of fluorophore in tissue from intersections of the modeled path of the beam and the path of the received light. The laser is of 600 nm or longer wavelength, to provide penetration of tissue. The imaging device is used during surgery to visualize lesions of various types to ensure complete removal of malignant tumors.