Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates generally to methods of treating at least one neurodegenerative disease by administering a medicament comprising an endothelial interrupter.

Abstract: A method to identify a high affinity nucleic acid ligand to inhibit the activity of a lactamase enzyme. The method comprises several steps that initially involve preparing a candidate mixture of nucleic acids. The candidate mixture of nucleic acids is then allowed to make contact with the lactamase enzyme under controlled conditions of temperature, ionic strength and pH; the combination forms a candidate-enzyme mixture. The target nucleic acids are partitioned from the remainder of the candidate mixture. The target nucleic acids that have been partitioned are amplified to yield a pool of nucleic acids enriched with target nucleic acid sequences. The enriched pool of target nucleic acids have a relatively higher affinity and specificity for binding to the lactamase, whereby nucleic acid ligand of the lactamase are identified. Nucleic acid ligands that inhibit an activity of lactamase. The lactamase includes class B, metallo-?-lactamase.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for extending the shelf-life of one or more foods by exposure to one or more pulses of microwave radiation for at least seven (7) seconds. The present invention may also be used to reduce pathogenic organisms in food. The one or more foods may be packaged within a container, sealed and stored.

Abstract: A method to identify a high affinity nucleic acid ligand to inhibit the activity of a lactamase enzyme. The method comprises several steps that initially involve preparing a candidate mixture of nucleic acids. The candidate mixture of nucleic acids is then allowed to make contact with the lactamase enzyme under controlled conditions of temperature, ionic strength and pH; the combination forms a candidate-enzyme mixture. The target nucleic acids are partitioned from the remainder of the candidate mixture. The target nucleic acids that have been partitioned are amplified to yield a pool of nucleic acids enriched with target nucleic acid sequences. The enriched pool of target nucleic acids have a relatively higher affinity and specificity for binding to the lactamase, whereby nucleic acid ligand of the lactamase are identified. Nucleic acid ligands that inhibit an activity of lactamase. The lactamase includes class B, metallo-?-lactamase.

Abstract: Botanical extracts and derivative compositions are described for activating or inhibiting the formation and development of bacterial biofilms. Gymnemic acids and other associated saponins are isolated from botanical extractions of the Gymnema sylvestre plant and are used to modulate bacterial biofilm virulence, especially biofilms associated with Staphylococcus aureus. Gurmarin, a polypeptide isolated from botanical extractions of the Gymnema sylvestre plant are used to inhibit biofilm formation, especially biofilms associated with Staphylococcus aureus. Methods for isolating gurmarin (as well as other peptides from botanical extracts) are described using isoelectric focusing separation techniques. Various uses for both research and health care concerns are described for the biofilm activators (modulators) and for the biofilm inhibitor.

Abstract: Complexes of nucleic acid and cationic polymer, which are encapsulated in liposomes for the purpose of delivering nucleic acid and methods for producing encapsulated complexes.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal antifuse having a lower metal electrode, a lower thin adhesion promoting layer disposed over the lower metal electrode, an amorphous carbon antifuse material layer disposed over the thin adhesion promoting layer, an upper thin adhesion promoting layer disposed over said antifuse material layer, and an upper metal electrode. The thin adhesion promoting layers are about 2 angstroms to 20 angstroms in thickness, and are from a material selected from the group comprising SixCy and SixNy. The ratio of x to y in SixCy is in a range of about 1±0.4, and the ratio of x to y in SixNy is in a range of about 0.75±0.225.

Abstract: Cyclen-based chelates can be used as contrast agents for multi-modal imaging of tissue cells. The cyclen-based chelates are preferably polyazamacrocyclic molecules formed from 1,4,7,10 tetraazacyclododecane (“cyclen”) having varying chelating ions, phosphoester chains, and light harvesting moieties. By changing the chelating ion, phosphoester chain length and/or the light harvesting moiety different imaging techniques, such as MRI, CT, fluorescence and absorption, x-ray and NIR, may be employed to image the tissue cells. Additionally, the cyclen-based chelates may be conjugated to provide for site-specific delivery of the cyclen-based chelate to the desired tissue cells. The cyclen-based chelates may also be delivered to the tissue cells by attaching the cyclen-based chelates to a polymeric delivery vehicle. Although these cyclen-based chelates have a wide variety of application, the preferred use is for imaging of cancer cells, such as brain cancer, for improving resection of a cancerous tissue.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for absolute refractive index measurements are disclosed, wherein a beam of spatially coherent laser light is directed perpendicularly on to a side of a capillary tube (12) and back reflected light is detected (16) over a range of angles (22) with respect to the incident light beam. The refractive index of a liquid contained in the capillary is determined from the angle at which a marked change in the intensity of the interference fringes of the interference pattern formed by said back reflected light is observed or from the amplitude of a low frequency component of the angular variation of the intensity of interference fringes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a virtual-haptic environment that can be used to advantage to simulate and teach surgical procedures. Computer haptics simulates human sense of touch is provides with visual stereoscopy that simulates our natural depth perception and feeling of touch. Integration of these two senses enhances sense of realism. Thus by coupling force-feedback (or haptic) devices with a stereoscopic display, results in the illusion of being “inside” a virtual world, by being able to “see” and “touch and feel” 3D virtual environment. The computer based (on a PC using NT operating system) present invention provides an inexpensive, easy-to-use technique for generating a stereoscopic-haptic environment that provides a realistic virtual touch and see environment and dynamically adding haptic characteristics.

Abstract: A metal-to-metal antifuse having a lower metal electrode, a lower thin adhesion promoting layer disposed over the lower metal electrode, an amorphous carbon antifuse material layer disposed over the thin adhesion promoting layer, an upper thin adhesion promoting layer disposed over said antifuse material layer, and an upper metal electrode. The thin adhesion promoting layers are about 2 angstroms to 20 angstroms in thickness, and are from a material selected from the group comprising SixCy and SixNy. The ratio of x to y in SixCy is in a range of about 1+/?0.4, and the ratio of x to y in SixNy is in a range of about 0.75+/?0.225.

Abstract: A cotton sample is subjected to noninvasive x-ray microtomographic image analysis in order to recognize cotton contaminants in the cotton sample. The cotton contaminants are detected and classified using an x-ray microtomographic system. Once the cotton contaminants in the cotton sample are detected and classified, the cotton sample may be graded based on the type and amount of cotton contaminants present.

Abstract: The application discloses a composition and method for an oral dual controlled release formulation of a protein and absorption modifier. The coprecipitation technique for preparation of microcapsules of insulin as a model protein was evaluated and dissolution stability experiments in the presence of trypsin and &agr;-chymotrypsin using chicken and duck ovomucoids as absorption modifiers were performed. The novel formulation improves the bioavailability of the protein with ovomucoids, while conserving the protein structure even after formulation and processing. An optimization design was used to evaluate critical process variables including the rate of addition of polymeric solution, compression pressure, and volume of water with respect to polymeric solution. The novel formulation incorporates controlled release characteristics of both protein and inhibitor to enhance protein stability and bioavailability with less potential for inhibitor concentration-related toxicity.