Abstract: Red blood cell-derived vesicles (RDV) as a nanoparticle drug delivery system. The RDV are smaller than one micrometer, capable of encapsulating and delivering an exogenous substance into cells. The substance may be at least one selected from the group consisting of fluorophores, nucleic acids, superparamagnetic compounds and therapeutic agents. The RDV are capable of delivering encapsulated substances into cells including stem cells. The delivered substance within the cell or stem cell may be traced or tracked using a suitable device either in vitro or in vivo.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a composition comprising non-ionic, radioactive gold nanoparticles (R-GNPs) are disclosed. The method comprises: a) providing an aqueous composition comprising gold (Au-197) ions in the absence of a template; and b) exposing the aqueous composition in the absence of the template to neutron irradiation to generate the composition comprising the non-ionic R-GNPs. Alternatively, the method comprises: a) providing an aqueous composition comprising gold (Au-197) nanoparticles (GNPs) in the absence of a template; and b) exposing the aqueous composition comprising the GNPs in the absence of the template to neutron irradiation and thereby generating the composition comprising the non-ionic R-GNPs. Compositions that comprises mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) and non-ionic R-GNPs encapsulated within pores and/or channels and further anchored to the surfaces of the MSNs, and methods of making the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein are homing polypeptides that home to atherosclerotic plaque(s) in mammals and nucleic acids that encode such polypeptides. Also described are methods for detecting and treating conditions or disorders associated with, or characterized, by elevated levels of homing polypeptides that home to atherosclerotic plaque and/or vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: This invention provides combinations of novel oligonucleotides and their use in detecting a deletion(s) in the Pre-S region of HBV. Such a deletion(s) is associated with an increased risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic composition, fusion proteins, and related methods for inducing immune response to dengue virus infection.

Abstract: A medical system and method for treating a disorder of a subject by thermal ablation, e.g., focused ultrasound thermal ablation, are provided. The method includes obtaining medical images that include at least one image of subject's chest and ribs to reconstruct a three-dimensional chest-rib distribution; and applying ultrasound waves on a target point beyond the subject's ribs by selectively activating one or more elements of an ultrasound phased array to avoid ultrasonic energy absorption or reflection by an intervening rib based on a calculation of a relationship between the three-dimensional chest-rib distribution and an acoustic emission direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for promoting respiratory development, reducing the incidence of respiratory distress, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and/or hayfever in an infant by administration of fatty acids and compositions comprising same, wherein the fatty acids are enriched with respect to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing a random copolymer of polyethyleneimine and polyethylene glycol, comprising exposing ethanolamine in a solution to electromagnetic radiation for a sufficient time to polymerize the ethanolamine (OHCH2CH2NH2) and thereby resulting in formation of the randome copolymer comprising polyethyleneimine and poly(ethylene glycol), wherein the polyethyleneimine comprises ethyleneimine (—CH2CH2NH—) unit and the polyethylene glycol comprises ethylene glycol (—CH2CH2O—) unit, and the polyethylenimine of the random copolymer has a substantially linear backbone.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): wherein A, B, D, X, Y, R1, R2, R3, m, p, and q are defined herein. Also disclosed is a method for inhibiting FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3, aurora kinase, or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor.

Abstract: A charged mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN)-based drug delivery system for controlled release and enhanced bioavailability is disclosed. The system comprises a positively charged MSN, which has a silica matrix and an array of pores and/or nanochannels in the matrix. The entire substance of the matrix, all the surfaces and the pores and/or nanochannels comprise a plurality of silanol (Si—OH) and quaternary ammonium functional groups. The bioavailability of a negatively charged bioactive compound can be increased by loading it into the pores and/or nanochannels. The silanol (Si—OH) functional groups on the surfaces lining the walls of the pores and/or nanochannels are free to deprotonate in a fluid having pH above the pI of the positively charged MSN and lead to a sustained release of the negatively charged drug from the pores and/or nanochannels, and thereby enhance the bioavailability of the drug.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel stem cells, nucleotide sequences and proteins therefrom. More specifically, the present invention provides Pax7+/Myf5? stem cells and methods for identifying and isolating them. Also provided is a MEGF10 nucleotide sequence and protein.

Abstract: The present invention describes a recombinant construct for detection of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon compounds. A method for detecting halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon compounds using the recombinant construct is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to manufacture of whey protein extracts, to infant formula and to reducing or preventing food allergy. The whey protein extract is produced from a whey protein-containing composition by contacting a whey protein-containing composition with an aqueous solution to form a sample including a soluble protein-containing component and an insoluble component; recovering the soluble protein-containing component from the sample; and acidifying the soluble protein-containing component, thereby producing the whey protein extract. Extracts produced by the method of the invention may be used in infant formula, as a dietary supplement or foodstuff.

Abstract: Provided herein are a hybridoma cell line producing monoclonal antibody against foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), the monoclonal antibody therefrom, reagent and kit for ELISA, and immunoassay method. The hybridoma cell line CmA40 as deposited under American Type Culture Collection patent deposit number PTA-11304 is produced by cell fusion of a parental cell and a myeloma cell line. The parental cell is a splenocyte isolated from the spleen of a mouse immunized by an antigen derived from a 3ABC non-structural protein (NSP) of FMDV. The antigen used here is expressed by a prokaryotic cell. The monoclonal antibody produced by the hybridoma cell line CmA40 as deposited under American Type Culture Collection patent deposit number PTA-11304 can specifically recognize a 3ABC polypeptide and does not cross-react with an antiserum of swine vesicular disease virus.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse expressing JSRV Env transgene that is operably linked to a surfactant protein C promoter (SPCp) is disclosed. The transgenic mouse is prone to developing a lung tumor and serves as an animal model for human lung carcinoma.

Abstract: A blood flow control system, tension adjustable instrument and a method are disclosed. The blood flow control system comprises a detecting unit, a computing and a tension adjustable instrument. The detecting unit real-time monitors the biomolecular response condition of a living organ, and the computing unit dynamically controls the tension adjustable instrument to adjust the tension of the blood vessel based on the detecting result. Therefore the blood flow control system can maintain the biomolecular response condition over a predetermined range to reduce the risk of the liver organ being damaged and augment the curability.

Abstract: In one aspect, in general, a method is provided for detecting temperature and protein denaturation of a tissue during thermal therapy. The method includes generating a plurality of MR pulse sequences that include a first group of pulse sequences and a second group of pulse sequences, and receiving a plurality of response signals that include a first and second group of response signals in response to the first and second groups of pulse sequences, respectively. A first information associated with a degree of protein denaturation of the tissue is determined based on the first and second groups of response signals. A second information associated with a temperature of the tissue is determined based on at least some of the plurality of response signals.

Abstract: A quantum dot (QD) conjugate comprises a QD and a ligand conjugated with the QD, in which the ligand has at least one thiol and at least one other functional group. The QD conjugate may further comprise a bioactive agent covalently coupled to the ligand to form a bioactive agent-tagged QD conjugate. A method for preparing a QD conjugate comprises the steps of: (1) providing a solution comprising a QD encapsulated within a dendrimer; (2) adding into the solution a ligand; and (3) allowing an exchange between the ligand and the dendrimer for the QD to obtain a ligand-QD conjugate, in which the ligand is covalently conjugated to the surface of the QD. The method may further comprise the step of coupling the ligand-QD conjugate to a bioactive agent to obtain a bioactive agent-tagged ligand-QD conjugate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to adjuvants, and in particular to methods and products utilizing a synergistic combination of immunostimulatory oligonucleotides having at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide (CpG ODN) and a non-nucleic acid adjuvant. Such combinations of adjuvants may be used with an antigen or alone. The present invention also relates to methods and products utilizing immunostimulatory oligonucleotides having at least one unmethylated CpG dinucleotide (CpG ODN) for induction of cellular immunity in infants.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polymer that comprises oxidated hyaluronic acid cross-linked by a dihydrazide is disclosed. The polymer is a hydrogel exhibiting the following properties: a) transparent and colorless; and b) transforming from a liquid state into a gel-matrix at 37° C. These characteristics make it useful as a vitreous humor substitute.