Abstract: This disclosure describes the molecular cloning of a pactamycin biosynthetic gene cluster from Streptomyces pactum ATCC 27456, characterization of individual genes in the gene cluster and the proteins encoded thereby as well as uses thereof. The pactamycin gene cluster is located within an 86.35 kilobases genetic locus and includes 53 open reading frames, 26 of which are considered to be the core cluster directly involved in the biosynthesis of pactamycin. The present disclosure also relates to the use of the pactamycin biosynthetic genes located within the identified gene cluster for drug design and development purposes, including the development of pactamycin analogs that are more efficacious and less toxic. Also provided are drugs and antibiotics so produced, as well as methods of their use.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to therapeutic compositions comprising recombinant bacteria. Further, the disclosure elaborates upon methods of utilizing the taught therapeutic compositions to treat autoimmune and inflammatory disease. The present teachings also relate to the disclosed recombinant bacteria and methods of producing the recombinant bacteria utilized in the compositions and methods. Further taught herein are dietary supplements and food additive compositions comprising the taught recombinant bacteria.

Abstract: New methods for synthesizing boron-modified silazanes, their use as polymer-derived ceramic precursors, and polymer-derived ceramics and composites formed therefrom are disclosed. The polymeric ceramic precursors comprise a boron-modified silazane that is a room temperature liquid-phase polymer comprising a backbone having recurring monomeric repeat units comprising boron-nitrogen bonds. Nanocomposites comprising polymer-derived ceramics and carbon nanotubes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the amount of total phosphate in a body of water from reflected light, and also includes systems for the measurement, calculation and transmission of data relating to or carrying out that method. In addition, the invention relates to methods and systems for determining other parameters of water quality from reflected light, for example, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and/or nitrogen.

Abstract: Microbial type rhodopsins, such as the light-gated cation-selective membrane channel, channel-rhodopsin-2 (Chop2/ChR2) or the ion pump halorhodopsin (HaloR) are expressed in retinal ganglion cells upon transduction using recombinant AAV vectors. Selective targeting of these transgenes for expression in discrete subcellular regions or sites is achieved by including a sorting motif in the vector that can target either the central area or surround (off-center) area of these cells. Nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding such rhodopsins and sorting motifs and their use in methods of differential expression of the transgene are disclosed. These compositions and methods provide significant improvements for restoring visual perception and various aspects of vision, particular in patients with retinal disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds of formula I: and salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising of compounds of formula I and methods using compounds of formula I.

Abstract: A composition for sealing defects in structural materials such as roads or paved surfaces, the composition preferably comprising one or more shape memory polymer (SMP) components capable of responding to increased temperature by decreasing in volume. Smart SMP-based sealants of the invention serve to avoid adhesion failure between a sealant and the repaired structure when the repaired structure is subjected to varied temperatures that cause thermal expansion and contraction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds of formula I: and salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising of compounds of formula I and methods using compounds of formula I.

Abstract: A method includes receiving multiple compound muscle action potential values (CMAPs), wherein each CMAP is an onset latency, a peak latency, a conduction velocity, or a response amplitude measured from a baseline; for each of the CMAPs and for each of a number parameters calculated from the CMAPs, determining a corresponding demyelinating boundary value using a normal value from a preselected population; determining whether each of the CMAPs and each of the parameters exceeds the corresponding demyelinating boundary value; determining one or more demyelinated nerve pathways based on which of the CMAPs and the parameters exceeds the corresponding demyelinating boundary value; indicating on a display which of the CMAPs and the parameters exceed the corresponding demyelinating boundary value; and displaying, in pictorial form, an anatomical diagram indicating the demyelinated nerve pathways.

Abstract: A method to generate siRNAs in vivo is described, as are constructs and compositions useful in the method. The method does not depend on the use of DNA or synthetic constructs that contain inverted duplications or dual promoters so as to form perfect or largely double-stranded RNA. Rather, the method depends on constructs that yield single-stranded RNA transcripts, and exploits endogenous or in vivo-produced miRNAs or siRNAs to initiate production of siRNAs. The miRNAs or siRNAs guide cleavage of the transcript and set the register for production of siRNAs (usually 21 nucleotides in length) encoded adjacent to the initiation cleavage site within the construct. The method results in specific formation of siRNAs of predictable size and register (phase) relative to the initiation cleavage site. The method can be used to produce specific siRNAs in vivo for inactivation or suppression of one or more target genes or other entities, such as pathogens.

Abstract: Methods for forming a vertically movable gate field effect transistor (VMGFET) on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer are described. The methods include providing a process of making VMGFET devices without critical alignment of masks between sequential etch and diffusion steps. The oxide layer of the SOI wafer is used for a self-limiting etch stop layer and for a sacrificial layer to form an insulating layer between a gate electrode and a substrate. The proper location of the gate electrode with respect to the source and drain junctions is insured by using a silicon gate structure as a mask layer for the diffusion process for defining the source and drain junctions.

Abstract: An electronic circuit to increase voltages from one or more energy sources. The electronic circuit can include a first set of capacitors and a second set of capacitors, and a first set of switches associated with the first set of capacitors and a second set of switches associated with the second set of capacitors. Also included is at least one energy source and an external load. The first and second set of capacitors, first and second set of switches, the at least one energy source, and the external load are arranged and connected such that the first set of capacitors is connected to the at least one energy source in parallel while the second set of capacitors is connected to the external load in series, and vice versa.

Abstract: A system for providing neurostimulation includes an external device (“external exciter”) and an implanted device. The external exciter includes an energy source which inductively powers the implanted device. Examples of such external exciters include devices having at least one of: ultrasonic transducers, Radio Frequency (RF) transmitters, and solar cells. The implanted device includes circuitry that limits its maximum energy output to a predetermined saturation threshold such that excess stimulation from the external exciter does not raise the output of the implanted device beyond the saturation threshold. The output signal of the external exciter is then pulse-width modulated in order to produce a desired amount of output stimulation from the implanted device to stimulate the bioelectrically excitable tissue at a desired level.

Abstract: In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together in an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal catechol group.

Abstract: Described herein are small peptide domains and consensus sequences that bind small target molecules of industrial importance, e.g., metals such as nickel, ? carotene, and isoflavones such as genistein. Also described are fusion proteins containing such binding domains fused to proteins or to peptide domains like GST or CBD that bind other ligands and can be used to immobilize the target binding domain on a support. One class of fusion proteins that is useful in industrial settings are fusions that contain concatemers of target binding domains, which increases the binding equivalents per molecule.

Abstract: Pyridazine derivatives that activate the excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), and methods use thereof for treating or preventing diseases, disorders, and conditions associated with glutamate excitotoxicity.

Abstract: In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together in an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal sulfur moiety.

Abstract: A sugar-anchor polymer and methods of making and using the same to stabilize a lipid membrane. The sugar-anchor polymer includes a sugar covalently bound to a first anchor and a second anchor wherein the covalent bonds are selected from the group consisting essentially of an oxime bond, a hydrazone bond, an acylhydrazide bond, an aminothioacetal bond, an acetal bond, a thioacetal bond, a dithioacetal bond, a thioether bond and combinations thereof. The method includes reacting a sugar having at least two nucleophilic moieties with at least two anchors, each anchor having at least one electrophilic moiety, to form the polymer. Alternatively, the method includes reacting a sugar having at least two electrophilic moieties with at least two anchors, each anchor having at least one nucleophilic moiety, to form the polymer. The anchors may be lipids or peptides. The sugar-anchor polymers stabilize lipid membranes against serum proteins, dehydration, and cryopreservation.

Abstract: A method for treating cancer tumors, particularly ovarian cancer tumors, is described, where fused cyclic pyrimidine having a cancer treating ability is selectively delivered to an FR expressing cancerous tumor.

Abstract: Methods for managing visceral pain in mammalian subjects are described, in which a NK-1 receptor antagonist is administered to the subject before, during or after administration of general anesthesia. The methods and uses of NK-1 receptor antagonists described herein provide improved visceral pain management and MAC reduction when used with volatile anesthetics for general anesthesia.