Abstract: A method for electronically cleansing a virtual object formed from acquired image data converted to a plurality of volume elements is provided. The present method allows individual volume elements, or voxels, to represent more than one material type. The method includes defining a partial volume image model for volume elements representing a plurality of material types based, at least in part, on the measured intensity value of the volume element. The material mixture for each of the volume elements representing a plurality of material types can be estimated using the observed intensity values and the defined partial volume image model. The volume elements representing a plurality of material types can then be classified in accordance with the estimated material mixture. For electronic colon cleansing, the method includes removing at least one classification of volume elements when displaying the virtual object.

Abstract: The present invention describes the adjuvant activity of mutants of LT-IIa and LT-IIb enterotoxin which lack ganglioside binding activity. The adjuvant activity of the LT-IIb(T13I) mutant is comparable to that of the wild type LT-IIb. The adjuvant activity of LT-IIa(T34I) mutant is also described which exhibits a late onset adjuvant activity. These mutants are useful for enhancing immune response to antigens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a biosensor comprising living cells that express a chemosensor, or receptor, on their surface. When grown on a microarray comprising electrodes, the cells can be induced, by binding of a ligand to the receptor, to secrete a molecule. This secretion event is detected with millisecond temporal resolution via electrochemical oxidation of the secreted molecule on the electrode which is voltage-clamped slightly above its redox potential. The current so generated is indicative of the amount of the ligand bound to the receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of certain microRNAs that correlate with certain information regarding cancer. The microRNAs of the invention are selected from the group consisting of hsa-miR-15b, hsa-miR-181b, hsa-miR-191, hsa-miR-200c, and hsa-let-7g. If the expression of these microRNAs is increase, then the increased expression of these microRNAs is diagnostic for cancer, characterizes the cancer, prognosticates an expected response to cancer treatments, and/or prognosticates an expected survival of a patient. Embodiments of this discovery include a method, composition, kit and isolated nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying inhibitors of protein kinases and/or protein phosphatases. Methods are also provided for inhibiting protein kinase and/or protein phosphatase activity. Specific non-peptide protein tyrosine kinase and/or protein phosphatase inhibitors are provided. The protein kinase or protein phosphatase inhibitors of the present invention may be used to treat a number of conditions in patients, including cancer, psoriasis, arthrosclerosis, immune system activity, Type II diabetes, and obesity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for facilitating repair of an area of bone by providing hemihydrate calcium sulfate particles, mixing the particles with an aqueous solution to obtain a paste, applying the paste to an area of bone in need of repair, and allowing the paste to set.

Abstract: A high throughput neurophysiological assay for identifying anti-psychotic compounds is disclosed. In particular, a high throughput neurophysiological assay using information obtained from injecting a neural activity blocker, such as tetrodotoxin (TTX), into one hippocampus persistently coactivated pyramidal cells in the uninjected hippocampus that initially discharged independently. In accord with the definition of cognitive disorganization, pyramidal cell firing rates only changed for 15 min and did not accompany the coactivation. The disclosed assay uses the TTX-induced coactivity of hippocampal pyramidal cell discharge to identify compounds that may prevent or attenuate the changes in the hippocampal pyramidal cell discharge observed when a neural activity blocker is administered. The assays of the invention are useful for high throughput screening of targets in the discovery of drugs that have anti-psychotic properties.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-domain, bi-functional fusion protein that functions as a molecular switch wherein the free energy released by the folding of a first domain of the fusion protein drives an unfolding of a second domain of the fusion protein, and vice versa. The molecular structure of the fusion protein is engineered so that, at any time, the folding of the first domain necessarily unfolds the other domain, and vice versa, thereby making the folded and unfolded states of the first and second domains mutually exclusive. This is accomplished by the insertion of ubiquitin insert protein into a surface loop of barnase target protein subject to the structural design criterion that the N-C terminal length of the ubiquitin insert protein is at least two-times greater than the C?-C? alpha-carbon-alpha-carbon length of the surface loop of the barnase target protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides simple and rapid methods for measuring the function of a desired subset of lymphocytes, for example, T cells, B cells or NK cells. In addition, the present invention provides an all-in-one kit that contains reagents which permit a rapid and reliable analysis of the functions of T cells, B cells and NK cells obtained directly from whole blood or cord blood.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight, rugged, easy-to-operate biosensor useful for rapidly detecting cells, viruses, antibodies, and other proteins. A capillary tube has a capture antibody immobilized on its interior surface. The specific capture antibody is selected based upon a desired target analyte to be detected. A sample potentially containing the target antigen is introduced into the capillary tube. Thereafter, a second antibody labeled with a fluorescent dye is introduced. Upon excitation by electromagnetic energy, typically supplied by a laser, the fluorescence of the sample is captured and analyzed. The apparatus is extremely compact and rugged making it ideal for field use. In addition, accurate results may be obtained by relatively unskilled operators directly from a self-contained readout. Optionally, an external device (e.g., a computer) may be connected to the apparatus via an optional interface.

Abstract: The present invention features dual network hydrogels that possess the structural, mechanical, and biological properties required of load bearing three-dimensional support structures.

Abstract: This invention describes a first report on the synthesis of certain 124I-labelled photosensitizers related to chlorines and bacteriochlorins with long wavelength absorption in the range of 660-800 nm. In preliminary studies, these compounds show a great potential for tumor detection by positron emission tomography (PET) and treatment by photodynamic therapy (PDT). The development of tumor imaging or improved photodynamic therapy agent(s) itself represent an important step, but a dual function agent (PET imaging and PDT) provides the potential for diagnostic body scan followed by targeted therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel methods and compositions for detection and isolation of cancer cells with metastatic potential. The invention further relates to assays for measuring the metastatic potential of such cancer cells and drug screening assays for the identification of agents having anti-metastatic potential. The present invention further provides methods and compositions for inhibiting the metastatic potential of cancer cells by modulating the activity of serine integral membrane proteases [(SIMP) consisting of seprase and dipetidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV)] expressed on the surface of metastasizing cancer cells.

Abstract: A lanthanoid metal catalyst for the formation carbon nanotubes from a carbon-containing gas mixture, a method for the formation of carbon nanotubes with the lanthanoid metal catalyst, endohedral carbon nanotube complexes containing lanthanoid metal atoms and/or ions, carbon nanotube imaging contrast agents, and a method for imaging living tissue with carbon nanotube imaging contrast agents are provided.

Abstract: A photonic sensor system is provided. The system generally includes a beta emission source, optionally, a scintillation layer, and a luminophore-containing sensory layer. The system can be embodied in a particle. Also provided are photonic sensor strategies which are highly accurate and photonic sensors which are highly stable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of screening actives for the treatment of allergic reactions and providing treatment therefor. In particular, the invention relates to the screening of various antibacterial actives for treatment of asthma and other related symptoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices that contain linear channels having optically transparent substances for focusing light. In some embodiments, the invention relates to improved nucleic acid sequencing methods using devices disclosed herein. In other embodiments, the invention relates to the arrangement of materials in and around capillary tubes with refractive indexes that maximize the number of channels useful for fluorescent detection of compositions after capillary electrophoresis.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-human mammal or a cell line that has a targeted gene disruption in an endogenous Iqgap2 gene. The invention also provides methods of identifying a compound as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and methods of treating or preventing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract: A method or screen for assessing the potential of a compound to treat a pathological condition, such as arrhythmia, which is manifested by an increased late sodium current in a heart is disclosed. The method employs a mutant sodium channel protein having an amino acid sequence in which one or more amino acids among the ten amino acids occurring at the carboxy end of the S6 segments of D1, D2, D3 or D4 domains of mammalian Nav1 differs from the amino acid in wild-type Nav1 by substitution with tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine or cysteine. Cells transfected with a nucleic acid that encodes a mutant mammalian Nav1 protein, as well as isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence that codes for a mutant mammalian Nav1 protein are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides corresponding to all or a portion of amino acid residues 12-26 of human p53 protein. When fused to a membrane-penetrating leader sequence, the peptides are either lethal to malignant or transformed cells or else cause reversion to the untransformed morphological phenotype. The subject peptides are thus useful in treating neoplastic disease in an animal, preferably a human. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the subject peptides admixed with a pharmaceutical acceptable carrier. Methods of treating neoplastic disease in a patient by administering a subject peptide are also provided.