Abstract: A piezoelectric, poly (?-benzyl-?,L-glutamate) (“PBLG”) planar microphone, and method for construction thereof, are disclosed. The microphone includes at least a polyester film, a piezoelectric, hot pressed poly (?-benzyl-?,L-glutamate) (“HPPBLG”) layer, and an aluminum coating for the HPPBLG layer. The coated HPPBLG layer is coupled to the polyester film.

Abstract: Pellets containing an analgesic uniformly dispersed in a lipid carrier such as cholesterol mixed with fatty acid esters, can be used to provide long term pain relief. 5 mg cholesterol-tryglyceride-buprenorphine pellets released the majority of drug in 24-48 hours after implant and provide clinically significant plasma levels of analgesia in mice for 3-9 days. Blood levels of analgesia peak at day-1 and are substantially complete by day-5 depending on the level of buprenorphine. These results demonstrate that post surgical implants provide clinically significant levels of analgesia in the 24-48 hour period following surgery and thus obviate the time consuming, expensive, and high-risk need to inject mice post surgery. The pellets are safe and easy to use. Placed in the surgical wound at the end of surgery, they provide 2-3 days of analgesia and obviate the need for subsequent handling of the animal for pain therapy. The implants have no detectable effect on mouse behavior, hematology, or liver chemistry.

Abstract: AnnexinA2 (ANXA2), a member of the Annexin family of calcium-dependent, phospholipid binding proteins, is one of a panel of identified antigens recognized by the post-vaccination sera of patients who demonstrated prolonged disease-free survival following multiple vaccinations. AnnexinA2 is abundantly expressed in pancreatic adenocarcinomas and cell surface/membrane AnnexinA2 increases with the progression from premalignant lesions to invasive pancreatic adenocarcinomas. The cytoplasmic to cell surface translocation of AnnexinA2 expression is critical for pancreatic cancer cell invasion. In addition, phosphorylation of AnnexinA2 at Tyrosine 23 is important for its localization to the cell surface and for the invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Finally, loss of AnnexinA2 leads to the loss of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

Abstract: Cell-permeant fusion peptides Tat-PDZ can dose-dependently reduce the threshold for anesthesia. PDZ domain-mediated protein interactions at synapses in the central nervous system play an important role in the molecular mechanisms of anesthesia. Moreover, Tat-PDZ cell-permeant fusion peptides are delivered intracellularly into neurons in the central nervous system subsequent to intraperitoneally injection. By in vitro and in vivo binding assays, we found that the Tat-PDZ dose-dependently inhibited the interactions between NMDARs and PSD-95. Furthermore, behavior testing showed that animals given Tat-PDZ exhibited significantly reduced established inflammatory pain behaviors compared to vehicle-treated group. Our results indicate that by disrupting NMDAR/PSD-95 protein interactions, the Tat-PDZ cell-permeable fusion peptides provide a new approach for inflammatory pain therapy.

Abstract: A method and kit for selectively labeling S-nitrosylated cysteines in proteins with a fluorescent tag. The method offers femtomolar sensitivity for the detection, quantification, in situ visualization, and a means for site-specific identification of S-nitrosylation events.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer has a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a third electrode arranged between the first and second electrodes. The third electrode reserves a space for ions to travel between the first and second electrodes. The time-of-flight mass spectrometer further includes a sample probe disposed proximate the first electrode and adapted to hold a sample, and a detector disposed proximate the second electrode. The first electrode is adapted to be connected to a voltage source to cause a difference in voltage between the first and second electrodes to provide an electric field therebetween that changes non-linearly along an ion path between the sample probe and the detector for accelerating ions to be detected.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating a vascular graft that include introducing an effective amount of at least one nucleic acid encoding at least one agent that increases activated protein C (APC), expressing the agent in the cells; and increasing the APC sufficient to treat the blood vessel. Also provided are vascular grafts engineered to resist early and/or late graft failure.