Abstract: A method of epitaxial growth of a material on a crystalline substrate includes selecting a substrate having a crystal plane that includes a plurality of terraces with step risers that join adjacent terraces. Each terrace of the plurality or terraces presents a lattice constant that substantially matches a lattice constant of the material, and each step riser presents a step height and offset that is consistent with portions of the material nucleating on adjacent terraces being in substantial crystalline match at the step riser. The method also includes preparing a substrate by exposing the crystal plane; and epitaxially growing the material on the substrate such that the portions of the material nucleating on adjacent terraces merge into a single crystal lattice without defects at the step risers.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of producing a crosslinked lipid coating on a metal sulfide-containing material using a chemical initiator. The crosslinked lipid coating attached to the surface of the material prevents dissolution or oxidation of the material. The methods may be useful to prevent oxidation and leaking of sulfide-containing material in the environment and may be used in the control of environmental pollution.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating securement of a vascular graft within a blood vessel, includes a shaft dimensioned for passage within a blood vessel and having an expansion member movable between a contracted condition and an expanded condition and a fastener array comprising at least one fastener disposed about a peripheral portion of the expansion member. The one fastener is deployable into a wall of the blood vessel upon movement of the expansion member to the expanded condition thereof, to thereby engage the vascular graft to secure the vascular graft to a wall of the blood vessel. The fastener array preferably includes a plurality of fasteners. The fasteners may be operatively connected to each other and releasably secured to the peripheral portion of the expansion member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel nucleotide sequence and the amino acid sequence encoded therein which comprise a novel gene and protein called Mustang. The present invention also relates to methods and compositions based on these sequences. These sequences are useful in the medical diagnosis, growth and regeneration of bone.

Abstract: Migration-inducing peptide fragments or domains from native human fibronectin are attached through a linker to hyaluronic acid. Such agents are useful for in vivo wound healing, including but not limited to deep wounds and chronic wounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved means of treating tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia in the nosocomial patient, preferably with aerosolized anti gram-positive and anti-gram negative antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim in reliably sufficient amounts for therapeutic effect. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when aerosol is delivered into the ventilator circuit. In one embodiment the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the ventilator circuit. The treatment means eliminates the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the ventilator circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral composition containing a zinc compound containing free available zinc ion and at least one stabilized or stable Eh raising compound distributed in an oral vehicle. The present invention further relates to a method of inhibiting the formation of sulfur containing anions and preventing a reduction in the Eh of the oral cavity. A method of reducing oral malodor and gingivitis and periodontitis is also provided by this invention.

Abstract: A multichannel electrophoretic cassette structure is disclosed comprising distinct regions for loading and detection with different spacing between channels. A method and an apparatus are further disclosed enabling multicolor fluorescent detection from a non-coplanar bundle of multiple channels. A method for fabricating monolithic multichannel cassettes for electrophoresis and fluorescent detection is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification of a novel class of therapeutic agents which selectively target and kill tumor cells and certain other types of diseased cells, and to compositions comprising lipoic acid derivatives which poison the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex specifically in such cells. This invention also provides for methods of using therapeutically effective amounts of the lipoic acid derivatives for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. The lipoic acid derivatives described herein have a wide range of preventive and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Taxol (I) is a complex deterpene which is currently considered the most exciting lead in cancer chemotherapy. Taxol possesses high cytotoxicity and strong antitumor activity against different cancers which have not been effectively treated by existing antitumor drugs. However, taxol has a problem with solubility in aqueous media, which may impose some serious limitation in its use. Taxotére (III) seems to have antitumor activity superior to taxol with better bioavailability. Taxotére has a modified taxol structure with a modified C-13 side chain. This fact strongly indicates that modification on the C-13 side chain would provide a new series of taxol and Taxotére analogues which may have higher potency, better bioavailability and less unwanted toxicity. The present invention provides efficient and practical methods for the syntheses of Taxotére and its analogues through &bgr;-lactam intermediates and their coupling with baccatin III.

Abstract: A rotator for agitating materials disposed within a sealed container incls a base having opposite ends, first and second opposite spaced apart side portions extend up from the base, a substantially triangular shaped drum having first, second and third side surfaces, a pair of opposing end surfaces, and a central axis passing through the end surfaces. At least one side surface receives the sealed container. The drum is rotatably coupled to the side portions and is rotatable about the central axis.

Abstract: A method for detecting an interaction between an RNA-binding protein and a test RNA molecule is disclosed. This method comprises providing a host cell containing a detectable gene. The detectable gene expresses a detectable protein when the detectable gene is activated by an amino acid sequence including a transcriptional activation domain when the transcriptional activation domain is in sufficient proximity to the detectable gene. First, second and third chimeric genes are also provided. The first chimeric gene comprises a DNA-binding domain that recognizes a binding site on the detectable gene in the host cell and a first RNA-binding domain. The second chimeric gene comprises a transcriptional activation domain and a second RNA-binding domain. The third chimeric gene comprises a first RNA sequence capable of binding to either the first or second RNA-binding and a second RNA sequence to be tested for interaction with the RNA-binding protein not bound to the first RNA sequence.