Abstract: A method for depositing gold on a substrate is provided. By this aspect nucleation centers are bound, deposited or formed at one or more sites on the substrate, the substrate is then contacted with a treatment composition which comprises soluble gold-providing agent from which gold is deposited onto a nucleation center to yield gold metal deposits. The method of the invention may be used for a variety of image enhancing techniques as well as diagnostic and analyte detection techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides saponin mixtures and compounds which are isolated from the species Acacia victoriae and methods for their use. These compounds may contain a triterpene moiety, such as acacic or oleanolic acid, to which oligosaccharides and monoterpenoid moieties are attached. The mixtures and compounds have properties related to the regulation of apoptosis and cytotoxicity of cells and exhibit potent anti-tumor effects against a variety of tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of inhibiting metastasis of a tumor and methods of treating a tumor using a combination of an inhibitor of the activation of nuclear factor NF-?B and a cancer chemotherapeutic agent. In one embodiment of the present invention, combination of curcumin and paclitaxel (taxol) can be used to treat and inhibit metastasis of breast tumor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to targeted killing of a cell utilizing a chimeric polypeptide comprising a cell-specific targeting moiety and a signal transduction pathway factor. In a preferred embodiment, the signal transduction pathway factor is an apoptosis-inducing factor, such as granzyme B, granzyme A, or Bax.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of method of treating an individual having a severe burn, comprising the step of administering to said individual a pharmacologically effective dose of a beta-adrenergic antagonist.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sensing the displacements of micromachined devices and sensors. The method is referred to as the enhanced modulated integrative differential optical sensing (EMIDOS). The target micromachined proof-mass, for which displacements are measured, includes a grid of slits. The micromachined device is bonded to a CMOS chip containing a matching photodiodes array and their readout electronics. The grid is aligned with the photociiodes. An illumination source, such as an LED, is then mounted above the micromachined device. A model for the noise equivalent displacement (NED), including mechanical, electrical and optical domains, as well as all noise sources is derived. The model predicts that displacements below 10?3 [?{square root over ( )}Hz] can be measured. The design comprises innovative inertial sensors, an accelerometer and a rategyroscope employing the EMIDOS. Performance models for the noise equivalent acceleration (NEA) and noise equivalent rate (NER) are also derived.

Abstract: The present invention regards targeted BLyS polypeptides capable of binding to BLyS receptors and that deliver a cytotoxic agent, such as a cytotoxic peptide, for example. In particular aspects, the cytotoxic agent comprises at least part of rGelonin. These compositions are useful for treating, preventing, and/or monitoring therapy for a B-cell proliferative disorder.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods of reducing the antigenicity of a proteinaceous compound while maintaining the compounds biological activity, as well as proteinaceous compositions with biological activity but reduced antigenicity. These methods and compositions have significant benefits to a subject in need of such compounds and compositions. Also included are modified toxin compounds that are truncated and/or possess reduce antigenicity. Such designer toxins have therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventative benefits, particularly as immunotoxins. Methods of treating cancer using these immunotoxins are provided.

Abstract: A method for electronic imaging includes controlling an image sensor to capture a first sequence of first input images at a first frame rate having a first spatial resolution, and to capture a second sequence of second input images, interleaved with the first sequence and having a second spatial resolution lower than the first spatial resolution. The first and second sequences of the input images are processed to generate an third sequence of output images at a second frame rate higher than the first frame rate and having a third spatial resolution higher than the second spatial resolution.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a variable lenslet array system that comprises an acousto-optic medium and at least one acoustic wave generator that is positioned adjacent to the acousto-optic medium. The acoustic wave generator is adapted to generate standing acoustic waves into the acousto-optic medium. The wavelength of the resonant acoustic waves is variable in respect to the medium dimensions or can be varied by changing the driving frequency of the wave generator. The standing acoustic waves within the acousto-optic medium change locally the index of refraction. A wave front of a light beam, which crosses these periodic changes of the index of refraction, becomes corrugated and effectively, an array of lenslets is formed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions suitable for modulating angiogenesis in a mammalian tissue are provided. Further provided are methods suitable for inhibiting metastasis and fibrosis in a mammalian tissue and for assessing the malignancy of colon cancer tumors.

Abstract: A bear derived isolate found in denning black bears or black bears from which food has been withheld for at least two weeks when injected into another mammal produces reduced heart rate, reduced respiratory rate, reduced temperature, and a wakeful tranquility not unlike the phenomena of the denning black bear. The isolate is taken from either the serum or urine of such denning bear. The method of the invention involves the steps of fractionating the serum or urine of a denning black bear to produce fractions of varying potency.

Abstract: A medical device or implant is disclosed. The medical device or implant comprises a body having at least one surface coated with, or including a peptide having at least 9 amino acid residues and less than 51 amino acid residues, the peptide including an amino acid sequence derived from an antimicrobial peptide.

Abstract: A method for depositing gold on a substrate is provided. By this aspect, nucleation centers are bound, deposited or formed at one or more sites on the substrate, the substrate is then contacted with a treatment composition which comprises soluble gold-providing agent from which gold is deposited onto a nucleation center to yield gold metal deposits. The method of the invention may be used for a variety of image enhancing techniques as well as diagnostic and analyte detection techniques.

Abstract: A method for slowing down the increase in pressure drop across a gas filter caused by clogging as a result of a contaminant particles layer being formed on the filter. The method includes applying acoustic waves from an acoustic wave source to a gas to be filtered as it flows into the filter; thereby producing steady secondary acoustic streaming around dust particles already deposited on the filter, thus reducing pressure drop across the filter initially caused by clogging.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel tocopherol associated protein (TAP-38) DNA/protein with a 76 nucleotide base deletion resulting in a 25 amino acid deletion, followed by 90 novel nucleotides that code for 30 novel amino acids that are not expressed by TAP-46. The present invention provides data showing that TAP-38 enhances the apoptotic inducing properties of tocopherol based compounds, and blockage of TAP reduces the effectiveness of tocopherol based compounds. Thus, the present invention claim that expression of TAP-38 by tumor cells enhances the apoptotic inducing properties of tocopherol based compounds. The present invention provides aerosol liposome/transfection/infection methods for delivery of TAP-38 and TAP-46 cDNA plasmids separately and in combination with tocopherol based apoptotic inducing agents as well as with other chemotherapeutic agents as a method for treatment and prevention of cellular proliferative diseases and disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compositions and methods related to stents, such as coronary stents, comprising avicins, which are triterpene saponin compositions. In particular aspects of the invention, the avicins have growth-inhibiting properties and/or anti-inflammatory properties. In specific embodiments of the invention, the stent comprising the avicin reduces at least in part restenosis, such as that associated with stent procedures.

Abstract: A virtual environment for user interaction, and virtual objects for use therein, the virtual objects having an internal co-ordinate system with natural language definition to allow simplified inter-object relationships. The internal co-ordinate system is used to define docking positions for connecting to other objects to allow logical or natural positional relationships. A dynamically defined menu system allows pop-up menus for simple user entry of required relationships.

Abstract: A composition-of-matter comprising an antibody or antibody fragment including an antigen-binding region capable of specifically binding an antigen-presenting portion of a complex composed of a human antigen-presenting molecule and an antigen derived from a pathogen is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating polyamine pathway activity as a means for ameliorating neurodegenarative disorders. In particular, for ameliorating the symptoms or onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by modulating the gene and protein products involved the polyamine pathway, such as by inhibiting the enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), involved in the synthesis of the polyamine, putrescine. Compositions and methods are disclosed for inhibiting the polyamine pathway producing lower polyamine levels resulting in a beneficial effect on ALS. This can be accomplished by using modulating agents such as analogs, or polyamine analogs, and antiproliferative drugs. In particular, the polyamine analog N(1),N(11)-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) is disclosed as a useful modulating agent in the treatment of ALS. Screening assays for pharmacological agents that are capable of decreasing polyamine levels and/or reducing cell proliferation are also disclosed.