Abstract: A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of enhancing TGF-? signaling in a subject comprising administering to said subject a clathrin-dependent endocytosis inhibitor in an amount sufficient to enhance TGF-? signaling. In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of treating a condition associated with decreased TGF-? signaling in a patient in need thereof comprising administering to said patient a clathrin-dependent endocytosis inhibitor in a therapeutically effective amount.

Abstract: There are disclosed agents that inhibit Blood Brain Barrier Proteins (BBBP). Such agents are useful in controlling agents entering and exiting the CNS. This allows for drugs to be more effective and/or allowing side effects of the drugs to be lowered.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping a brain electrode extending through a burr hole formed in a skull of a patient. The clamp includes a first retainer element having a flange extending around an outer end for engaging an outer table of the skull and a jaw extending across the inner end. The clamp includes a second retainer element shaped complementarily to the first retainer element. The second retainer element has a flange extending around an outer end for engaging the outer table of the skull and a jaw extending across the inner end for cooperating with the jaw of the first retainer to clamp the electrode. The clamp has a cap for maintaining the jaws of the first and second retainer elements in cooperation to clamp the electrode adjacent an inner table of the skull. The cap includes an opening for receiving the electrode to hold the electrode against movement.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of determining the effectiveness of an antimicrobial agent in reducing or inhibiting microbial growth on a substrate. The disclosed methods may be used to determine microbial growth at time points subsequent to antimicrobial treatment of the material surface and exposure to microorganisms. The disclosed invention also measures visible microbial growth using a semi-quantitatively method that is more accurate and less subjective than estimates of growth used previously. The disclosed method that provides an accurate assessment of antimicrobial efficacy with reduced variability.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the efficacy of antimicrobial agents used in the treatment of building materials after microbial contamination has occurred, for the purpose of killing existing microbial growth and reducing or inhibiting recurrent or subsequent microbial growth. The disclosed methods may be used to determine microbial growth at time points subsequent to antimicrobial treatment of the material surface. The disclosed invention also measures visible microbial growth in a semi-quantitatively analysis. In addition, the Inventors disclosure a method with reduced variability and a more accurate assessment of antimicrobial efficacy.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved dental composition useful in the repair of cavities, apex repairs, root perforations and root canals. Disclosed is a dental composition and dental composition additive which have improved handling characteristics, for example improved viscosity and setting time. The addition of effective amounts of a modified cellulose and calcium chloride to available dental repair compounds, such as mineral trioxide compound, results in the improved dental composition without affecting the other characteristics of the dental repair compound.

Abstract: The invention generally provides three-component molecular biosensors. The molecular biosensors are useful in several methods including in the identification and quantification of target molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating sepsis comprising administering to an individual an effective amount of a chimeric protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecular biosensors capable of signal amplification, and methods of using the molecular biosensors to detect the presence of a target molecule.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to compositions and methods which utilization nuclear receptors for regulating adipogenesis in cells. Specifically, the invention is directed to compositions which regulate transcription factor PPAR?, and enhance or inhibit the transcription of genes responsible for directing cell differentiation towards a pathway of adipogenesis. More specifically, disclosed herein is a novel polypeptide coactivator of PPAR?, and fragments thereof, which possess coactivator or corepressor activity. Also related are nucleotide sequences which express these polypeptides. Also disclosed is an interfering RNA that may be used to inhibit adipogenesis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the treatment of lysosomal storage disease in mammals wherein the mammal is administered a therapeutically effective amount of an isolated, modified recombinant ?-glucuronidase whereby said storage diseased disease is relieved in the brain and visceral organs of the mammal. There is also disclosed an isolated, modified recombinant ?-glucuronidase wherein the modification is having its carbohydrate moieties chemically modified so as to reduce its activity with respect to mannose and mannose 6-phosphate cellular delivery system while retaining enzymatic activity. Also disclosed are other lysosomal enzymes within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Provided are a pharmaceutical composition and a method for reducing, preventing, or delaying the development of a biological condition associated with administration of an opioid drug, in particular, tolerance to and/or physical dependence on an opioid drug. The pharmaceutical composition includes an opioid drug, a ceramide biosynthesis inhibitor and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The method of treatment involves administration of an opioid drug and a ceramide biosynthesis inhibitor. Also provided are a method of screening for an agent that reduces, prevents or delays the development of tolerance to and/or physical dependence on an opioid drug as well as compositions comprising a dsRNA for inhibiting ceramide biosynthesis in a cell and a vector for expressing a shRNA for inhibiting ceramide biosynthesis in a cell.

Abstract: A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions.

Abstract: A method of predicting weather-exacerbated threats, said method comprising inputting localized weather measurement data into a weather threat prediction system; predicting future localized weather conditions based on said localized weather measurement data combined with modeling from National Weather Service Data; inputting natural environment and infrastructure data into said weather threat prediction system; correlating said infrastructure data with said predicted future localized weather conditions; and determining a threat level index over a region, a threat level indicating an area having a certain probabilistic likelihood of being harmed by said future weather conditions.

Abstract: An input device for use in controlling medical equipment controlled by a mouse. The device includes an elastic finger cot having an interior sized and shaped for selectively receiving and retaining a user's finger. The device has a light emitting diode for emitting a beam of light to illuminate a selected surface and a light sensor for sensing a light reflected from the selected surface to detect movement of the sensor and finger cot relative to the surface and producing a signal corresponding to the detected movement. The device includes a transmitter for receiving the signal from the light sensor corresponding to the detected movement and generating an electromagnetic signal corresponding to the light sensor signal for receipt by the medical equipment. A power supply connected to the diode, the sensor, and the transmitter provides power. The medical equipment views the input device as the mouse controlling the medical equipment.

Abstract: Methods for predicting a response of a virus to an antiviral therapy are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a fusion protein comprising enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase and a short peptide consisting of 4-15 acidic amino acids attached to the enzyme on its N-terminal side, a pharmaceutical composition containing the fusion protein, and a method for treatment of type A Morquio disease using the fusion protein. Compared with the native enzyme protein, the fusion protein exhibits higher transferability to bone tissues and improved, higher stability in the blood.

Abstract: A method of treating neuropathic pain in a subject is provided. The method comprises administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an A3AR agonist.

Abstract: An antiviral vaccine that encodes costimulation molecules for increasing immune response to the particular virus at issue is provided herein. In an illustrative embodiment, in mice lacking both B7-1 and B7-2 (B7KO), the increased severity of HSV infection has confirmed the importance of these molecules in generation of HSV-specific immunity. To test the concept that B7-1 or B7-2 expression by replication-defective HSV could augment its immunogenicity and protective capacity, the present inventors constructed replication-defective HSV-2 encoding B7-1 or B7-2. Both viruses partially reconstituted immune responses to HSV compared with replication-defective virus alone when used to immunize B7KO mice, indicating that the increased responsiveness to virus could be attributed to virus-encoded B7 molecules.