Abstract: Flavor encapsulation is generally performed by mixing flavor with a prolamin solution and drying the mixture into powdered forms of encapsulated flavor. In one embodiment, flavor and zein are separately dispersed in an alcohol-water mixture of appropriate ratio prior to mixing. In another embodiment, an aqueous food comprising bioactive components is mixed with the prolamin solution, thereby initiating precipitation of the prolamin and concentration of the bioactive components in said aqueous food. Resulting powdered forms of encapsulated flavor comprise the bioactive components from the aqueous food. In another embodiment, a two-phase drying process may be employed comprising removal of alcohol for evaporation-induced-self-assembly of zein microstructures, followed by removal of remaining water to produce said powdered form.

Abstract: Methods for creating a transient nanoscale opening in a cell membrane and methods for transporting a desired species through the nanoscale opening are provided. A nano-sized needle-like tip can be used to mechanically slice the cell membrane to create a transient, localized nanoscale slit. The nanoscale slit may be used for transferring exogenous molecules into a living cell.

Abstract: Bisphosphonate compounds and related methods of making and using are disclosed, including pyridinium-1-yl, quinolinium-1-yl, and related compounds. The activity of compounds is disclosed in the context of functional assays such as Leishmania major farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) inhibition, Dictyostelium discoideum growth inhibition, human gamma delta T cell activation, and bone resorption. The applicability of bisphosphonate compounds in the context of parasitic infections, for example against trypanosomes, is disclosed. Further potential applications of the invention are disclosed regarding the treatment of one or more conditions such as bone resorption disorders, cancer, bone pain, infectious diseases, and in immunotherapy.

Abstract: Flavor encapsulation is generally performed by mixing flavor with a prolamin solution and drying the mixture into powdered forms of encapsulated flavor. In one embodiment, flavor and zein are separately dispersed in an alcohol-water mixture of appropriate ratio prior to mixing. In another embodiment, an aqueous food comprising bioactive components is mixed with the prolamin solution, thereby initiating precipitation of the prolamin and concentration of the bioactive components in said aqueous food. Resulting powdered forms of encapsulated flavor comprise the bioactive components from the aqueous food. In another embodiment, a two-phase drying process may be employed comprising removal of alcohol for evaporation-induced-self-assembly of zein microstructures, followed by removal of remaining water to produce said powdered form.

Abstract: The membrane scaffold proteins (MSP) of the present invention assemble with hydrophobic or partially hydrophobic proteins to form soluble nanoscale particles which preserve native structure and function; they are improved over liposomes and detergent micelles, in terms of stability and preservation of biological activity and native conformation. In the presence of phospholipid, MSPs form nanoscopic phospholipid bilayer disks, with the MSP stabilizing the particle at the perimeter of the bilayer domain. The particle bilayer structure allows manipulation of incorporated proteins in solution or on solid supports, including for use with such surface-sensitive techniques as scanning probe microscopy or surface plasmon resonance. The nanoscale particles, which are robust in terms of integrity and maintenance of biological activity of incorporated proteins, facilitate pharmaceutical and biological research, structure/function correlations, structure determinations, bioseparations, and drug discovery.

Abstract: Adipose-derived stromal cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells possess multiple differentiation potentials and can provide tissues for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The present invention provides a method of enhancing the differentiation and proliferation of adult stem cells, such as adipose-derived stromal cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, by contacting the adult stem cells with an effective amount of one or more estrogen receptor ligands. In particular, the present invention provides methods of enhancing osteogenesis and adipogenesis by contacting adipose-derived stromal cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with 17-? estradiol.

Abstract: Composition and methods of treating pain and reducing, reversing, or preventing tolerance to opiate analgesics are disclosed. The composition and method utilize an opiate analgesic and a calcium calmodulin kinase (CaMKII) inhibitor as active agents to treat pain in mammals, including humans.

Abstract: A dual compartment, dual open mouth tool bag is fabricated from flexible material forming the side and top panels of the bag and the dual access openings. Each of the separate open mouth openings provides separate access to an individual compartment within the bag. The compartments may, in an alternative embodiment, be connected one to the other or may be separated by an intermediate open top storage compartment.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for determining the effectiveness of ongoing antidepressant therapy via analysis of the association of Gs? with components of the plasma membrane or cytoskeleton of cells from peripheral tissues of the depressed individual as well as to methods involved in screening for effective antidepressant agents via their ability to cause a difference in the association of Gs? with components of the plasma membrane or cytoskeleton of cells.

Abstract: A relatively high carbon, water-atomized, steel shot is softened via annealing to render it suitable for ballistic use. The annealing preferably includes decarburization from a surface layer or throughout and preferably provides the shot with a surface Knoop hardness of less than 250.

Abstract: Thin-walled rubber articles for use contact with living tissue or with materials to be delivered to living tissue are prepared from aqueous latex of either natural rubber or synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene by vulcanization to produce both carbon-carbon and carbon-(sulfur)n-carbon crosslinks, the vulcanization being performed in the absence of any compounding components that contain secondary amine groups or any components that have a tendency to produce nitrosamines. While sulfur activators may be included, it is preferable that no sulfur accelerators at all be included. Thin-walled rubber articles formed from the latex surprisingly exhibit a combination of high tensile strength, high ultimate percent elongation, and low 500% tensile modulus. The process is particularly effective in the manufacture of thin-walled articles from synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for securing an object to a support structure. The apparatus generally comprises a rod-shaped anchoring member provided with a longitudinal aperture therethrough. The anchoring member is externally threaded at a first end and at a second end is provided with a spiral groove adapted for receipt of a flexible wire. The anchoring member is also provided at the first end with a one-way valve.In practicing the method of the present invention, the anchoring member is positioned in an anchoring hole, or void, existing in the support structure. A hardenable and cementitious material is injected through the one-way valve until the anchoring hole is substantially filled with the hardenable and cementitious material. Thereafter the assembly is allowed to remain undisturbed until the hardenable and cementitious material sets and hardens.