Abstract: Provided are methods and compositions for inhibiting expression of one or more target genes. The compositions contain RNA polynucleotides that can inhibit expression of a target gene via RNA interference (RNAi) electrostatically complexed with surface functionalized gold nanorods (GNRs). The RNA polynucleotides are not covalently bound to the surface functionalized GNRs. The method involves inhibiting expression of a target gene in an individual. The method is performed by administering to the individual an effective amount of a composition containing surface functionalized GNRs electrostatically complexed with RNA polynucleotides, such as siRNA, that can inhibit expression of the target gene via RNAi. The siRNA is not covalently bound to the surface functionalized GNRs.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are point mutations in the LMNA gene that cause HGPS. These mutations activate a cryptic splice site within the LMNA gene, which leads to deletion of part of exon 11 and generation of a mutant Lamin A protein product that is 50 amino acids shorter than the normal protein. In addition to the novel Lamin A variant protein and nucleic acids encoding this variant, methods of using these molecules in detecting biological conditions associated with a LMNA mutation in a subject (e.g., HGPS, arteriosclerosis, and other age-related diseases), methods of treating such conditions, methods of selecting treatments, methods of screening for compounds that influence Lamin A activity, and methods of influencing the expression of LMNA or LMNA variants are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flash memory device having a high degree of integration and high performance. The flash memory device has a double/triple gate structure where a channel is formed in a wall-shaped body. The flash memory device has no source/drain regions. In addition, although the flash memory device has the source/drain regions, the source/drain region are formed not to be overlapped with a control electrode. Accordingly, an inversion layer is induced by a fringing field generated from the control electrode, so that cell devices can be electrically connected to each other. The flash memory device includes a charge storage node for storing charges formed under the control electrode, so that miniaturization characteristics of cell device can be improved. According to the present invention, there is proposed a new device capable of improving the miniaturization characteristics of a MOS-based flash memory device and increasing memory capacity.

Abstract: A method of enhancing heterologous protein secretion in a yeast cell is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprising the steps of engineering a yeast cell to overexpress at last one gene selected from the group consisting of CCW12, CWP2, SED1, RPP0, ERO1 and their homologs, supplying the yeast cell with a nucleic acid encoding a heterologous protein and obtaining increased expression of the heterologous protein, wherein the expression is increased relative to the protein expression in a yeast cell that does not overexpress a gene selected from the group consisting of CCW12, CWP2, SED1, RPP0, ERO1 and their homologs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated protein comprising a pro-domain of a proneurotrophin, methods for producing the protein, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the isolated protein. The invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes the protein and a vector containing the nucleic acid molecule. The present invention further provides a method for cleaving a proneurotrophin protein to a mature neurotrophin. In addition, the invention relates to methods for inducing apoptosis in a cell of a mammal expressing p75 surface receptors or p75 and trk receptors. The methods include causing the p75 receptor to bind a pharmaceutical composition containing a pro-domain of a proneurotrophin or administering to the mammal an effective amount of a cleavage-resistant proneurotrophin and an inhibitor of trk activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human obesity and diabetes predisposing gene, specifically the TBC1D1 gene, some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to obesity and/or diabetes. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the TBC1D1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to obesity and diabetes. Finally, the invention relates to the screening of the TBC1D1 gene for mutations/alterations, which are useful for diagnosing the predisposition to obesity.

Abstract: Disclosed are ?-amino acids that are unsubstituted in the ? position; that are substituted in the ? position with an aryl group; that are substituted in the ? position with an aryl group; that bear two substituents in the ? position; and/or that are substituted in the ? and ? positions with groups which, together with the carbon atoms at the ? and ? positions, form a ring. Also disclosed are methods for making the above-mentioned ?-amino acids and other ?-amino acids which involve providing an ?,?-unsaturated imide; converting the ?,?-unsaturated imide to a 2-substituted-isoxazolidin-5-one; and converting the 2-substituted-isoxazolidin-5-one to a ?-amino acid.

Abstract: Latent fluorescent compounds, comprising a fluorescent molecule with one or more blocking groups attached and optionally one or more urea-containing groups are provided. The urea-containing group can be used to further attach one or more molecules of interest, such as proteins, peptides or nucleic acids. The blocking group(s) is released from the latent fluorescent compound by reaction with a trigger, forming the fluorescent molecule which can be detected. Also provided herein are methods of using latent fluorescent compounds to detect triggers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a free radical initiator and a method for peptide sequencing using the same. Compared with diazo or peroxy functionalized precursors, the precursors using the present compounds are chemically more robust and can generate radical species by homolytic cleavage upon thermal activation, enabling sequencing of a wider variety of peptides. In addition, the present invention makes it feasible to sequence peptides carrying disulfide bonds.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing an evaporator for a loop heat pipe system including a condenser, a vapor transport line, and a liquid transport line, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing an evaporator for a loop heat pipe system which provides a simple manufacturing process capable of improving a contact state between a sintered wick and a heating plate.

Abstract: Mutual prodrugs of glucosamine, and derivatives and analogs of glucosamine and an anti-inflammatory agent, compositions thereof, and methods for, e.g., treating disorders and conditions by administration of the compositions are provided. Topical compositions of glucosamine, and derivatives and analogs of glucosamine are also provided.

Abstract: An accelerator sensor that is mounted on an engine block may be used to detect vibration of a compression ignition engine, and the detected vibration signal is analyzed to determine the combustion timing of the engine. A method for detecting combustion timing may include measuring a block vibration signal generated in a combustion process of an engine, setting up a frequency area that is to be analyzed in the block vibration to divide the frequency area into wavelet scales, executing continuous wavelet transformations of the divided wavelet scales to extract respective result values thereof and to calculate differences between former result values and latter result values, comparing the calculated difference value with a predetermined value to store crank angles of pertinent timing if the calculated difference values exceed the predetermined value, and averaging the stored crank angles to determine combustion timing in a case that all wavelet scales are processed.

Abstract: This invention relates to hematopoietic precursors derived from human embryonic stem cells. In the culture of differentiated cells from human ES cells, the fully committed hematopoietic precursors are CD34+ and CD43+ but not CD45+. If the cells are cultured until they express CD45, then the cells lose the ability to produce differentiated cells of the lymphoid lineages.

Abstract: An intermediate product in the fabrication of a MOSFET, including a silicon carbide wafer having a substrate and a drift layer on said substrate, said drift layer having a plurality of source regions formed adjacent an upper surface thereof; a first oxide layer on said upper surface of said drift layer; a plurality of polysilicon gates above said first oxide layer, said plurality of polysilicon gates including a first gate adjacent a first of said source regions; an oxide layer over said first source region of greater thickness than said first oxide layer; and, an oxide layer over said first gate of substantially greater thickness than said oxide layer over said first source region.

Abstract: Disclosed is the structure of a persistent current switch and a control method for the same. In the switch structure, a portion of a superconducting wire to be used as a switch is formed with slits such that the flow of current is controlled by the switch, to facilitate a transition between the superconducting state and the normal state of the superconducting wire. The structure of the persistent current switch includes a first slit longitudinally extending from a first point on one end of a superconducting wire to a second point and from a third point to a fourth point, the second, third, and fourth points being arranged sequentially in a longitudinal line, and second and third slits provided at opposite sides of a region between the second point and the third point where no first slit exists.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one polypeptide of the following (a) to (d): (a) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; (b) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence comprising one or more amino acid deletions, insertions, substitutions or additions in the amino acid sequence of the above (a) and having a platelet aggregation inhibitory activity and/or a platelet adhesion inhibitory activity; (c) a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:3; and (d) a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence comprising one or more amino acid deletions, insertions, substitutions or additions in the amino acid sequence of the above (c) and having a platelet aggregation inhibitory activity and/or a platelet adhesion inhibitory activity, as an active component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pyridine oxide compound represented by formula (I), an optically active compound thereof, a salt thereof and a hydrate thereof, and, in the presence of the compound as a catalyst, performing 1) a method for producing an ester compound or an amide compound from a carboxylic acid equivalent and an alcohol or an amine, 2) an asymmetric esterification reaction or 3) an asymmetric amidation reaction.

Abstract: Probe sets and methods of using probes and probe sets for selectively detecting high grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma or low grade dysplasia from biologic samples are described. Methods of the invention include contacting a biological sample obtained from a subject with a set of chromosomal probes to selectively detect an esophageal carcinoma or precursor lesion in the sample, if any, under conditions for specifically hybridizing the probes to their nucleic targets present in the sample. The presence or absence of high grade dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma or low grade dysplasia is thereafter specifically determined from the hybridization pattern detected for the set of chromosomal probes to the biological sample.

Abstract: A method is provided for carrying out multi-step separations of objects bearing at least two binding sites. In the first step, a first binder/bead composition is bound to objects that bear the first binding site, and then unbound objects, i.e. objects not bearing the first binding site, are separated from bound objects. In the second step, a second binder/bead composition is bound to the remaining objects that bear the second binding site, and then the objects that are bound to both beads are removed from those objects that are bound to only one bead. The beads can differ in magnetic responsiveness, charge, size, color, and the like, and these differences can be used to carry out the separation steps.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The invention also provides methods of identifying anti-AML agents.