Abstract: This document relates to methods and materials involved in fungus-induced inflammation and eosinophil degranulation. For example, isolated nucleic acids encoding fungal polypeptides, fungal polypeptides, methods for assessing fungus-induced inflammation, methods for assessing eosinophil degranulation, and methods for identifying inhibitors of fungus-induced inflammation and/or eosinophil degranulation are provided.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a non-invasive and convenient method of detecting a tumor marker for diagnosing colon cancer which is superior in sensitivity and specificity to the existing fecal occult blood test. More specifically speaking, a method of detecting a tumor marker for diagnosing colon cancer which comprises collecting biological sample which is immediately frozen using liquid nitrogen in some cases, homogenizing the sample in the presence of an inhibitor of an RNA digesting enzyme to give a suspension, extracting RNA from the obtained suspension, subjecting the extracted RNA to reverse transcription to give cDNA, amplifying the obtained cDNA and then detecting the thus amplified cDNA. This method is characterized by involving no procedure of separating cell components from the biological sample.

Abstract: An intestinal submucosa tissue graft construct for use in repairing diseased or damaged tissues is provided. The graft construct comprises vertebrate intestinal submucosa tissue, added endothelial cells, and at least one additional preselected, exogenous population of cells which enhances initiation of the formation of vessel-like structures in the graft. The preselected population of cells can be a population of non-keratinized or keratinized epithelial cells or a population of mesodermally derived cells selected from the group consisting of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, skeletal muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, multi-potential progenitor cells, pericytes, osteogenic cells, and any other suitable cell type, preferably selected based on the tissue to be repaired. Methods for enhancing the vascularization in vivo of these intestinal submucosa tissue graft constructs and for preparing these graft constructs are also provided.

Abstract: The use of screening assays based on the role of human stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (“hSCD1”) in human diseases, disorders or conditions relating to serum levels of triglyceride, VLDL, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, or production of secretions from mucous membranes, monounsaturated fatty acids, wax esters, and the like, is disclosed. Also disclosed are conventions useful in the prevention and/or treatment of such diseases.

Abstract: An implant for articular cartilage repair includes (1) a three-dimensional body formed of cancellous bone having a demineralized section that contains bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP's) that are released by the demineralization but retained in the body, and (2) a cartilage layer formed on a surface of the demineralized section. The cartilage layer is formed by a method including the steps of (a) isolating chondrocytes from articular cartilage of a donor; (b) cultivating the isolated chondrocytes in a medium; (c) suspending the cultivated chondrocytes in agarose; (d) adding the cultivated chondrocytes to the demineralized section of the body, whereby the cultivated chondrocytes are stimulated by the BMP's retained in the body; and (e) incubating the cultivated chondrocytes to form a plurality of layers of chondrocytes on the demineralized section, wherein the plurality of layers of chondrocytes forms the cartilage layer.

Abstract: A computer simulation and virtual reality system simulates the use of a blasting nozzle to remove one or more coatings and/or rust from a virtual surface. The user operates an electronic controller in the form of a blasting nozzle that outputs a signal indicating whether the blasting nozzle controller is in an “on” position or in an “off” position. The system also has a motion tracking system that tracks the position and orientation of the blasting nozzle controller with respect to the virtual surface defined on the display screen. Simulation software in a computer generates virtual blast pattern data, and the removal of the virtual coating(s) and/or rust image from the virtual surface is displayed in real time on the display screen.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations containing of agmatine, congeners, analogs or derivatives thereof for use in preventing or treating epilepsy, seizures and other electroconvulsive disorders are provided. Embodiments include administering an effective amount of agmatine, an agmatine analog or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a human subject in need of treatment or prevention of epilepsy, seizure or other electroconvulsive disorder to treat, reduce, or prevent the disorder in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a screening mechanism for identifying members of the general population at increased risk for alcoholism and premenstrual syndrome. The screening mechanisms may be used to measure the expression of the ?4?2? GABAA receptors, in order to identify members of the general population as having an increased sensitivity to lower concentrations alcohol coupled with a decrease sensitivity to higher concentrations of alcohol, a scenario frequently found in patients suffering from alcoholism and premenstrual anxiety. Methods of screening for drugs which decrease expression of the ?4?2? subunit of GABAA are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium are provided which perform reconstruction of an image from undersampled, multi-image k-space data. A first undersampled image dataset and a second undersampled image dataset defined in a first dimension are received. The first undersampled image dataset and the second undersampled image dataset define a multi-image dimension. An ordering for a plurality of pixels of the first dimension in the multi-image dimension is defined. The first undersampled image dataset and the second undersampled image dataset in the multi-image dimension are sorted based on the defined ordering. A first constraint is defined in the first dimension using the unsorted first and second undersampled image datasets. A second constraint is defined in the multi-image dimension using the sorted first and second undersampled image datasets.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for patterning micro- and/or nano-sized pattern elements on a substrate using field emitted electrons from an element. Disclosed methods and devices can also be utilized to form nano- and micron-sized depressions in a substrate according to a more economical process than as has been utilized in the past. Methods include single-step methods by which structures can be simultaneously created and located at desired locations on a substrate. Methods include the application of a bias voltage between a probe tip and a substrate held at a relatively close gap distance. The applied voltage can promote current flow between the probe and the substrate via field emissions. During a voltage pulse, and within predetermined energy levels and tip-to-surface gap distances, three dimensional formations can be developed on the substrate surface.

Abstract: Provided are an organic thin film transistor (OTFT) and a fabrication method thereof, an organic semiconductor device having the OTFT, and a flexible display device having the OTFT. The OTFT includes a substrate, a gate electrode, an insulating layer, an active layer, and a source/drain electrode. The gate electrode may be made of a nanocrystalline carbon layer.

Abstract: In some aspects, the invention relates to methods for increasing insulin-sensitivity and/or decreasing insulin secretion in an individual by reducing or inhibiting corticotropin releasing factor 2 (CRFR2) signaling. CRFR2 antagonists may block agonism by one or more CRFR2 agonist, for example Ucn 2 or Ucn 3. Methods according to the invention may be use to treat a variety of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome and obesity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel plexin family like DNA, a gene containing the DNA, novel polypeptide encoded by the DNA, a recombinant protein containing the polypeptide or heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides, methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. Conditions that can be diagnosed, screened, prevented, or treated by the compositions herein include prophylactic, angiogenesis and conservation of functions in various organs, angiogenesis at the time of tumor and regeneration of various organs, proliferation, differentiation and preservation of function of the cells in various organs, aging, and dysfunction of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods for sensing and building sensors provide for adding nanotubes to a sensor to improve characteristics such as the Q-factor associated with the sensor. Mass loading and damping characteristics of micromachined quartz crystal resonators on which a thin film of debundled single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) has been deposited are disclosed. An absolute mass sensitivity of ˜100 fg was experimentally measured by monitoring the continuous desorption of gases from SWNT surfaces in a vacuum ambient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polarized light emitting diode (LED) capable of emitting polarized light in the front direction thereof by forming a first grating layer on a quantum well layer and forming a second grating layer on a substrate. The polarized LED includes a nitride thin film formed on a substrate, a quantum well layer formed on the nitride thin film, a first grating layer formed on the quantum well layer to allow a part of light generated from the quantum well layer to pass through the first grating layer and to reflect remaining light, and a second grating layer formed on the substrate to rotate the light reflected from the first grating layer such that the reflected light passes through the first grating layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of a grafted, UV photo-polymerized silica-based monolithic column and the use of such column for the extraction of DNA. In one embodiment, a method is provided for fabricating a silica-based monolithic column, wherein a vessel is filled with a polymerization mixture that is formed into monolithic solid phase for DNA extraction through in situ photo-polymerization.

Abstract: It has now been found that N-L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine 1-methyl ester (APM) and/or one of its lower alkyl derivatives can be used to treat allergic contact dermatitis associated with irritating oils such as catechol-containing plant-derived antigens such as poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac and Asian lacquer tree and oils containing capsaicin. Topical application of APM and/or derivative can reduce or alleviate the symptoms associated with irritation of the skin and/or mucous membranes caused by contact or inhalation of these oils or fumes from burning vegetation containing these oils.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of processing a polycrystalline nanoparticle. The method includes exposing a polycrystalline nanoparticle that includes at least two metal oxide crystallites bonded to each other to a chemical composition that includes a catalyst in order to at least partially separate the at least two metal oxide crystallites of the polycrystalline nanoparticle at an interface thereof.

Abstract: A therapeutic method is provided to treat neutrophil-associated pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, by locally administering to a mammal in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a topical anesthetic, such as lidocaine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: Compositions, systems and methods are described for condensed phase conversion and growth of nanorods and other materials. A method includes providing a condensed phase matrix material; and activating the condensed phase matrix material to produce a plurality of nanorods by condensed phase conversion and growth from the condensed phase matrix material instead of from vapor. The compositions are very strong. The compositions and methods provide advantages because they allow (1) formation rates of nanostructures necessary for reasonable production rates, and (2) the near net shaped production of component structures.