Abstract: An inexpensive, stereoselective synthesis for nootkatone, tetrahydronootkatone, and their derivatives is disclosed utilizing ozonolysis. The starting materials used in the synthesis are inexpensive and the reactions are commercially feasible and amenable to scaling up. The principal starting material, (?)-?-Pinene, is on the GRAS list (generally recognized as safe).

Abstract: Described herein are methods of transdifferentiating preadipocytes, populations of transdifferentiated preadipocytes, and methods of using the transdifferentiated preadipocytes.

Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.

Abstract: The low temperature cracking and high temperature rutting of polymer-modified asphalt concrete pavement can be reduced. The composite includes asphalt and at least one polymer that expands at low temperature, triggered by cooling-induced tensile stress, to reduce thermal cracking. The composite includes at least one polymer that expands at high temperature, so that the composite recovers after compression induced by traffic loading at higher temperatures, thereby reducing rutting. The system reduces thermal stress, and reduces or even eliminates thermal cracking and rutting. Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are used to improve asphalt compositions so that they better resist both thermal cracking and rutting. The SMP(s) can be incorporated into the asphalt, or a portion of fine aggregates can be replaced with SMP particles or SMP fibers, or aggregate replacement and asphalt modification can be combined.

Abstract: Microdevices are disclosed to efficiently, accurately, and rapidly isolate and enumerate rare cells, such as circulating tumor cells, from liquids such as whole blood. The system employs multiple parallel meandering channels having a width on the order of 1-2 cell diameters. The microdevices can be produced at low-cost, may readily be automated, and in many instances may be used without pre-processing of the sample. They may be used to isolate and enumerate rare cells, including for example the detection and diagnosis of cancers, cancer staging, or evaluating the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention, or detecting pathogenic bacteria. The device may optionally be used to nondestructively capture and later to release target cells.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compounds are provided that are polymerizable. The compounds include monomers with antimicrobial properties. The compounds have cross-linking properties. The compounds may be utilized in dental and/or medical applications, including dental composites, dentures, bonding agents, sealants, resins and medical devices.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device that comprises a biomolecular processor and one or more nanotubes. Each biomolecular processor comprises a bioreactor chamber defined by a solid substrate, a plurality of spaced support structures within said bioreactor chamber and attached to the solid substrate, and one or more capture molecules immobilized to some or all of said plurality of spaced support structures, said one or more capture molecules suitable to bind to a portion of a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The device also comprises one or more nanotubes defined by the solid substrate and fluidically coupled to the bioreactor chamber.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for delivering lutein or other antioxidant to target tissues such as the eye, in bioactive form, while protecting the antioxidant from degradation. The antioxidant is encapsulated in nanoparticles comprising a protein such as zein or a polymer such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Preferably a surfactant is associated with the nanoparticles as well, further helping to protect the antioxidant. After the nanoparticles are administered to the target tissue, bioactive antioxidant is released to the tissue over time. Optionally, the nanoparticles are admixed with a thermosensitive, bioadhesive gel to promote slow release of antioxidant. The methods and compositions are useful for treating or preventing conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.

Abstract: A sealant composition and method for its manufacture are disclosed. A two-way shape memory polymer (2W-SMP) sealant expands upon cooling and contracts upon heating, and thus provides improved sealing for pavements and other structures. The base resin for the sealant is polybutadiene with a high cis content.

Abstract: An intervention for sleep disorders comprises: collagen, a gelatin peptide, or the amino acid glycine; L-theanine; lactucopicrin, deoxylactucopicrin, or another lactucopicrin derivative; hyaluronic acid; epigallocatechin gallate; and quinic acid. The intervention helps regulate pro-inflammatory biomarkers that are often associated with insomnia development and progression. These biomarkers include cytokines and enzymes associated with tryptophan degradation. Inhibition of these enzymes and cytokines improves tryptophan availability and sleep quality, and allows individuals to sleep better with fewer side effects. The composition promotes high-quality, deep sleep.

Abstract: A thoracic catheter system comprises a flexible thoracic catheter for inserting into a thoracic cavity of a human. A distal end of the thoracic catheter has a plurality of apertures. A proximate end of the thoracic catheter is designed to extend out of the thoracic cavity. A three way valve is one of fused with and removably attached to the proximal end of the thoracic catheter.

Abstract: Aspects of the application relate to methods and compositions for delivering therapeutic nucleic acids to neural cells or tissue in a subject. Additional aspects of the application relate to therapeutic nucleic acids, for example therapeutic ribozymes, that are useful for inhibiting viral reactivation in a subject.

Abstract: A method of treating a disease condition in a mammal comprising administering a pharmacologically effective amount of a therapeutic, wherein the therapeutic includes a bioisosteres of caffeic acid. A pharmaceutical composition for treating a disease condition in a mammal comprising a first therapeutic that includes a bioisosteres of caffeic acid, wherein the condition may be breast cancer, and the pharmaceutical composition may include a second therapeutic for the disease condition that is not a bioisosteres of caffeic acid.

Abstract: Compositions of either the Rm86Texas protein from a Texas outbreak strain of the southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, or a nucleic acid construct incorporating a nucleic acid sequence encoding this Rm86Texas protein, are effective for eliciting a protective immune response in non-bovine animals. The Rm86Texas protein is immunogenic and can be administered as a protein vaccine, or in the alternative, the nucleic acid construct can be utilized as a DNA vaccine. Induction of the immune response significantly reduces or eliminates the infestation of treated, non-bovine animals with ticks. Moreover, as ticks are vectors of a variety of pathogens, the reduction in the incidence of tick infestation afforded by the vaccines may concurrently reduce the incidence of diseases caused by these pathogens in susceptible animals.

Abstract: A dental implant including a base, a central shaft and a shock absorber spacing and allowing limited movement between the base and the central shaft. The shock absorber may also contain a plurality of flex struts. The dental implant may further include an index collar covering an upper portion in the base.

Abstract: A composition comprising thermoset polymer, shape memory polymer to facilitate macro scale damage closure, and a means for molecular scale healing is disclosed; the composition has the ability to resolve structural defects by a bio-mimetic close-then heal process. In use, the shape memory polymer serves to bring surfaces of a structural defect into approximation, whereafter use of the means for molecular scale healing allowed for movement of the healing means into the defect and thus obtain molecular scale healing. The means for molecular scale healing can be a thermoplastic such as fibers, particles or spheres which are used by heating to a level at or above the thermoplastic's melting point, then cooling of the composition below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic. Compositions of the invention have the ability to not only close macroscopic defects, but also to do so repeatedly even if another wound/damage occurs in a previously healed/repaired area.

Abstract: Catalysts are disclosed having metal oxide support structures and acidic reaction sites. The reaction sites may be according to the general formula MxOyAlBrzX]?H+ where x is one or two; y is one or two; z is one or two; X is selected from Br or Cl; M is Al or Si and one or more of M, O and Al has a molecular bond with the metal oxide support structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of nucleic acids comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a live-attenuated chimeric Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) VC2 virus and a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide operably linked to a promoter. The nucleotide sequence encoding the heterologous polypeptide can be operably linked to a promoter encoding the glycoprotein D (gD) of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) or a fragment thereof. Also provided is a live-attenuated recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus Type-1 (HSV-1) VC2 virus comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a nucleotide sequence encoding a heterologous polypeptide operably linked to a promoter.

Abstract: A method for determining an increased risk of death of a patient includes receiving ECG data of the patient generated during a first time period; receiving EEG data of the patient generated during the first time period; composing a feature of the ECG data and a feature of the EEG data over a common time frame and determining a statistical measure of association between the ECG data and the EEG data; and determining whether the degree of association exceeds a predetermined threshold, thereby indicating whether an increased risk is present.

Abstract: An electroluminescent LED device comprising a hole transport layer, an electron transport layer, an active emissive layer between the hole transport layer and the electron transport layer, and carbon dots forming the active emissive layer.