Abstract: A method of chemosensitization which comprises administering at least one chemotherapeutic agent and at least one 3-aryloxy-3-phenylpropylamine to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention teaches novel Eps15 homology (EH) domain containing proteins, polynucleotide sequences encoding the novel EH domain containing proteins, oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs derived from the polynucleotide sequences, a display library displaying short peptides derived from the EH domain containing proteins, antibodies recognizing the EH domain containing proteins, peptides or peptide analogs derived from the EH domain containing proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of employing the peptides or peptide analogs, the oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide analogs, and/or the polynucleotide sequences to up-regulate or down-regulate clathrin coated pit mediated endocytosis and thereby insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1 receptor) signaling.

Abstract: A method for providing partial color constancy of a stimulus represented by an array of picture elements each represented by a color spectrum. The method comprising: (a) assigning to each picture element in the array, for each color, a color value, thereby to provide a plurality of pre-processed single color images each respectively arranged as a series of pre-processed color values one at each picture element; (b) for each picture element, defining at least two regions of picture elements; (c) at each picture element, adapting each one of the pre-processed color values using pre-processed color values from at least one of the two regions of picture elements, thereby to form, at each picture element, a set of center response values; and (d) at each picture element, transforming the set of center response values into a set of center corrected color values, using response values from the two regions of picture elements to provide a plurality of processed single color images having partial color constancy.

Abstract: A parameter estimator for estimating a set of parameters for pattern recognition has a recognizer for receiving a training set having members. The recognizer performs recognition on the members of the training set using a current set of parameters and based upon a predetermined group of elements. A set generator associated with the recognizer generates at least one equivalence set containing recognized members of the training set, which are used by a target function determiner associated with the set generator to calculate a target function using the set of parameters. A maximizer updates the parameter set so as to maximize the calculated target function.

Abstract: Alphabet-partitioned codewords, for example class based codewords, are decoded using a two-part decoder. The first part is a class code decoder that extracts, from the codeword, information for decoding the symbol code. The second part is a symbol code decoder that uses that information to decode the symbol code. If the symbol code is a literal, the symbol is just stripped from the codeword; otherwise, the symbol is retrieved from a symbol memory. Throughput of blocks of even numbers of codewords is enhanced by compressing first and second block halves oppositely and by using two decoders to decompress first and second block halves in parallel. Throughput is enhanced further by using extended codewords, each of which is a concatenation of class codes and symbol codes of several symbols.

Abstract: Apparatus for automated alignment of polymer structures, the polymer structures having predefined or non-predefined rigid portions and flexible portions. The apparatus comprises an input unit and a transforming unit, where the input unit receives a first polymer structure and a second polymer structure, and the transforming unit applies a semi-flexible transformation on at least a portion of the first polymer structure, at least a portion of the second polymer structure or at least portions of both the first and the second polymer structures. The transformation is done so as to at least partially superimpose the first polymer structure and the second polymer structure, hence to provide at least a partial alignment of the first and the second polymer structures.

Abstract: A method for spatial imaging of neuronal biological material using diffusion based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The method is comprised of (i) exposing a neuronal biological material region to a series of diffusion weighted MRI sequences producing plurality of non mono-exponential decay signals; (ii) analyzing the non mono-exponential decay signals and obtaining a parameter reflecting the diffusion characteristic of the slow diffusing component; and (iii) forming an array of these parameters thereby obtaining the spatial image of the neuronal biological material region.

Abstract: A method of compressing a dataset of distinct symbols, such as binary instructions, that all have a common length. The instructions are ranked by frequency. The most common symbols are classified according to a successive-powers-of-two class size scheme, and are compressed as concatenations of respective class codes and respective symbol codes. A literal class code is prepended to the remaining symbols. The associated codebook is a list of the classified symbols in rank order. To decompress the compressed symbols, the compressed symbols are parsed into their class codes and symbol codes, and the symbol codes are used as lookup indices for the codebook. The scope of the invention includes a computer with a fixed-instruction-length processor and one or more instruction storage areas where compressed instructions are stored and decompressed for execution.

Abstract: Methods, devices and pharmaceutical compositions for the controlled, non-surgical removal and retrieval of cells from a plurality of skin lesions and tissue surfaces are disclosed. A synergistic effect of proteolytic digestion of the intracellular matrix and “stripping” flow is achieved by treating a defined area with a controlled, continuous stream of proteolytic enzyme solution, causing gentle but effective tissue erosion. Isolated cells from the skin lesion and/or tissue surface may be collected from the protease solution stream for histological analysis and/or cell culture, affording a method of “enzymatic biopsy”. The protease solution may be supplemented with anesthetics, coagulants, anticoagulants and antibiotics to decrease the discomfort, erythema, bleeding, risk of infection and scarring traditionally associated with surgical treatment of skin lesions.

Abstract: More than 90% of mutations found in the p53 protein produce a conformational change in p53 which results in the exposure of an epitope, which is otherwise hidden in the hydrophobic core of the molecule. A single chain antibody (scFv) which specifically recognizes this common mutant epitope in mutant p53 but not in wild type p53 is disclosed. Also described are a DNA molecule encoding the scFv, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibody and methods of treatment using the pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Human herpes virus (HHV) 7 is capable of binding to the CD4 antigen and the HHV-7 or a binding protein derived therefrom is thus useful as a CD4-ligand for various therapeutic applications. HHV-6 or HHV-7 are lymphotropic and are thus useful as lymphotropic vectors for delivering DNA into lymphocytes.

Abstract: A drug screening assay for identifying compounds for their potential effects on the long chain fatty acid dependant intracellular membrane anchorage sites of lipoproteins. Membranes-anchoring-target are incubated in the presence of the compound to be tested and the proportion of the target that is released by the compound is detected and quantitated. The benchmark for this assay are the prenylated proteins such as the farnesylated and palmitoylated oncogenic ras trigger proteins which are displaced from their anchorage at the intracellular plasma membrane by derivatives of Farnesyl Thiosalicylic Acid (FTS). The assay is adaptable to flexibly assay a large variety of anchored targets using a wide range of labeling and detection techniques in test wells, tissue culture, and in animals as injected cells or transgenic, thereby directly addressing a wide range of pharmacologically relevant needs.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved, low-cost fuel cells having reduced fuel crossover, reduced sensitivity to metal ion impurities and ability to operate under a broad range of temperatures. Additionally, new effective organic fuels are described for use in such fuel cells. The invention further provides improved methods for catalyst preparation and a new integrated flow field system for use in H2/O2 fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for automatic partial correction of the color contrast and intensity of color images. The images are processed in a manner similar to that by which the visual system processes signals related to color vision, to achieve better color contrast and to enhance achromatic contrast intensity for both still and video images.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for desorbing bacteria from solid surfaces and from living tissues, which is in the form of a two-phase preparation, and which upon shaking forms a temporary oil-in-water emulsion of limited lifetime, the composition comprising: a) about 50 to about 97% w/w of an aqueous phase; b) about 3 to about 50% w/w of a water immiscible oily phase, comprising a vegetable oil, a mineral oil, a pharmacologically acceptable aliphatic hydrocarbon or a mixture thereof; and c) about 0.003 to about 2.0% w/w of an amphipathic cationic moiety in an effective amount to enable the formation of the temporary oil-in-water emulsion which emulsion breaks down and separates within a period of about 10 seconds to thirty minutes of the formation thereof.

Abstract: A nucleic acid accumulation analyzing chip comprising an optical waveguide having a radiation input port and a radiation output port, the optical waveguide being formed with at least one optical microcavity along its optical path, at least one oligonucleotide being immobilized to the optical waveguide in the microcavity, such that when the at least one oligonucleotide is contacted with reaction reagents under conditions allowing a nucleic acid accumulation reaction to take place, accumulated nucleic acid is detectable by providing radiation at the radiation input port of the optical waveguide and monitoring radiation signal modulation at the radiation output port of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: Peptide inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) have an amino acid sequence motif of XZXXXS(p)X, wherein S(p)=phosphorylated serine or phosphorylated threonine, X=any amino acid, and Z=any amino acid except serine or threonine. These inhibitors, which are about 7 to 50 amino acids long, are specific for GSK-3 and strongly inhibit the enzyme with an IC50 of about 150 &mgr;M. Also provided are methods of treating biological conditions mediated by GSK-3 activity, such as potentiating insulin signaling in a subject, treating or preventing type 2 diabetes in a patient, and treating Alzheimer's Disease by administering peptide inhibitors. Compositions of these peptide inhibitors and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided, as is a method for identifying inhibitors of GSK-3. The invention further relates to a computer-assisted method of structure based drug design of GSK-3 inhibitors using a three-dimensional structure of a peptide substrate of GSK-3.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting Ras-induced or mediated proliferation of cells associated with a non-malignant disease, disorder or pathological condition. The method entails administering to a patient a Ras antagonist in an amount effective to inhibit the proliferation. The invention is particularly applicable to diseases characterized by a proliferation of T-cells such as autoimmune disease, e.g., type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis, and pathological states such as graft rejection induced by the presentation of a foreign antigen such as a graft in response to a disease condition (e.g., kidney failure). Other non-malignant diseases characterized by proliferations of cells include cirrhosis of the liver and restenosis. Preferred Ras antagonists are S-trans-trans farnesylthiosalicylic acid (FTS) and structurally related compounds (or analogs) thereof.

Abstract: A waveguide for guiding electromagnetic radiation of a given range of wavelengths includes a transparent substrate made from non-polymer material, preferably glass, into which at least one elongated channel is etched. A polymer material with a higher refractive index than that of the substrate is deposited within, and extends along, the channel, so as to define a waveguide. The regions of the substrate adjacent to the ends of the channel are preferably treated, such as by ion-exchange, to form secondary waveguide portions, optically coupled to the polymer waveguide, for input and output optical coupling with the waveguide. Also disclosed is a production method for such waveguides.

Abstract: Human herpes virus (HHV) 7 is capable of binding to the CD4 antigen and the HHV-7 or a binding protein derived therefrom is thus useful as a CD4-ligand for various therapeutic applications. HHV-6 or HHV-7 are lymphotropic and are thus useful as lymphotropic vectors for delivering DNA into lymphocytes.