Abstract: A method for local heating includes placing first magnetic material in a first lumen, and a second magnetic material in a second lumen from the first magnetic material to a magnetically permeable rod, then applying alternating magnetic fields. The first lumen may be a fallopian tube. A method of occluding fallopian tubes uses a catheter to inject first magnetic material into the tubes, injecting second magnetic fluid into uterus, introducing a magnetically-permeable rod into vagina, positioning a second end of the rod over the fallopian tube and applying an alternating magnetic field to the first magnetic material to heat it. The method is performed with apparatus having a coil wound over a magnetically-permeable rod, a high frequency AC generator coupled to the coil, a first magnetic fluid capable of generating heat in an alternating magnetic field, and a second magnetically-permeable magnetic fluid capable of conducting magnetic fields through a lumen.

Abstract: The present invention features a method for identifying an agent that inhibits Candida albicans-mediated differentiation of keratinocytes. Agents identified by the screening assay of the invention find application in the prevention and treatment of candidiasis.

Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to compositions that may be useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of disorders associated or caused by Ras deregulation or dysregulation, for example, disorders associated with alterations in the NF1 gene such as neurofibromatosis type I, fungal infections such as those caused by Candida albicans, and proliferative disorders such as glioblastoma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody which specifically binds a Spot 14 (S14 or THRSP) protein in human breast cancer cells and a method for using the same to predict disease-free survival and select treatment modalities for breast cancer. The present invention is also a method for inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the expression or activity of Spot 14. Compositions and methods for treating breast cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibody which specifically binds a Spot 14 (S14 or THRSP) protein in human breast cancer cells and a method for using the same to predict disease-free survival and select treatment modalities for breast cancer. The present invention is also a method for inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the expression or activity of Spot 14. Compositions and methods for treating breast cancer are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a transgenic mouse whose genome harbors a nucleic acid molecule encoding caveolin-1 fused in-frame with a reporter. To control expression of the Cav1-reporter, the nucleic acid molecule further includes a selectable marker expression cassette flanked by recombinase target sites in such a manner that, upon exposure to recombinase, said selectable marker expression cassette is excised from said nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: The present invention is an inhibitor of the trypsin-like ?2/?2i sites of the proteasome. The inhibitor is characterized as being a peptide-based epoxyketone or vinyl sulfone that contains an arginine or 4-aminomethylene-L-phenylalanine at the C-terminus (i.e., at the P1 position). Methods for using the inhibitor to inhibit the activity of the ?2/?2i site of a proteasome and treat a proteasome-mediated disease or condition are also described.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for designing and identifying compounds which inhibit TFPP-like aspartyl protease enzymes by targeting the aspartic acid residues of the active site or mimicking peptides corresponding to the region surrounding the substrate's cleavage site are provided. Agents identified as inhibitors of TFPP-like aspartyl proteases such as type 4 prepilin peptidases are expected to be useful as anti-bacterial agents and in inhibiting development of drug resistant strains of bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for preventing or treating an immune-relevant disease by modulating commensal microbiota populations via antibiotics, exogenous microbiota and/or probiotics.

Abstract: Compounds and methods useful for chemopreventative treatment of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for preparing triterpenoids such as 2-cyano-3,12-dioxoolean-1,9-dien-28-methyl ester and derivatives thereof from oleanic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, sumaresinolic acid or hederagenin.

Abstract: The present invention provides triterpenoids produced from natural compounds such as oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, and hederagenin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining response to neoadjuvant therapy and metastasis-free survival in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma based upon the level of microRNA expression and optionally the presence of a protein cancer cell marker in biological samples such as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens using in situ hybridization and optionally an immunohistochemical assay.

Abstract: The present invention embraces nutraceutical compositions containing isolated Bacteroides fragilis capsular polysaccharide A for use in methods of preventing or treating multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for converting cellulose in a lignocellulosic biomass. The method provides for a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein treatment of high lignin solids. The treatment enhances cellulase availability in cellulose conversion and allows for the determination of optimized pretreatment conditions. Additionally, ethanol yields from a Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation process are improved 5-25% by treatment with a lignin-blocking polypeptide and/or protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing adaptive regulatory T cells from effector T cells by contacting the effector T cells with retinoic acid. Adaptive regulatory T cells produced by this method are Foxp3+, home to the gut, and are refractory to reversion in vivo. As such, such cells find application in the treatment of autoimmune disease and facilitating transplantation tolerance.

Abstract: A method for imaging objects through turbid media includes generating a repetitive pulsed light beam under control of a pulse shaper, propagating the light beam through turbid media, and receiving and imaging the light beam at a sensor. Propagation through turbid media causes scattering of the light, and the sensor captures scattered pulses to produce an image. The pulse shaper controls pulse width, frequency, repetition rate and chirp of the generated light pulses according to a feedback signal received from the sensor, to improve image quality. A system for imaging objects through turbid media includes a laser for generating a light beam; a pulse shaper for controlling said light beam, and a sensor, in communication with the pulse shaper, for capturing the image of said light beam through a turbid medium. Pulse width is less than 250 femtoseconds to reduce attenuation of the light beam through the turbid medium.

Abstract: The present invention is bis-acridine or bis-quinoline intercalators having a modified bis(4-aminophenyl)ether tether to improve activity, selectivity, solubility and bioavailability of the antitumor compound.

Abstract: An optode for a functional infrared diffuse optical neuroimaging system uses a GRIN lens and prism for coupling to an optical fiber at a right-angle to the lens. The lens is inserted into a grommet for attachment to an elastomeric cap worn by a subject. In an embodiment, the cap also has an array of electroencephalographic electrodes, with optodes arranged such that an optical path exists between a transmitter and a receiver optode beneath each electroencephalographic electrode. In an embodiment, quadfurcated optical cabling is used to permit illumination of each of multiple optodes with wavelengths provided from each of multiple lasers, and permitting each laser to illuminated multiple optodes.

Abstract: The present invention embraces bis-acridine and bis-quinoline intercalators having a bis(4-aminophenyl)ether tether, and diglycolate salts thereof, for selectively decreasing colon cancer and glial cell proliferation and preventing or treating colon cancers and gliomas.