Abstract: Systems, methods and sensors detect changes in incident optical radiation. Voltage is applied across one or more active areas of a detector while the incident optical radiation illuminates the active areas. Current is sensed across one or more of the active areas, a change in the current being indicative of the changes in incident optical radiation.

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: An isolated factor derived from the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and confirmed by proteomics to be a protein that reduces expression of ABC transmembrane proteins and active fragments and mimetics thereof are provided. Also provided is a method for inhibiting expression of ABC transmembrane proteins in cells by administering to the cells the isolated factor or protein or active fragment thereof or a mimetic thereof. Such methods are useful in the enhancing delivery of small molecule therapeutic agents to the CNS and in treating cancers, particularly multidrug resistant cancers, and secretory diarrhea. In addition, compositions, methods for identifying compositions and methods for use of compositions that inhibit suppression of ABC transmembrane protein expression or reduce epoxide hydrolase activity by this factor are provided. Such compositions and methods are useful in treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the activity cyclin D1 activity in tumor cells. The invention is based on the finding that cyclin D1 shRNA molecules are capable of attenuating tumor growth and interfering with tumor angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention features compositions and methods for increasing the cell surface expression of degradation-prone CFTR proteins and preventing or treating cystic fibrosis. The invention provides peptides and peptidomimetics that selectively inhibit the interaction between CAL and mutant CFTR proteins, thereby stabilizing the CFTR and facilitating transport of the same to the cell surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting or reversing non-enzymatic glycation of the first intermediate of a biological moiety using an ?-thiolamine. By inhibiting or reversing non-enzymatic glycation of the biological moiety, conditions such as aging and diabetic complications can be prevented or reversed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods for treating and preventing renal/kidney disease, insulin resistance/diabetes, fatty liver disease, and/or endothelial dysfunction/cardiovascular disease using synthetic triterpenoids, optionally in combination with a second treatment or prophylaxis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for destabilizing lysosomes to increase the degradation of oncogenic or aberrant proteins for the prevention or treatment of disease. Methods for identifying agents which destabilize lysosomes are also provided as are agents identified in accordance with the screening method.

Abstract: The present invention provides attenuated Toxoplasma gondii mutants for use as vaccines in the prevention or treatment of cancer.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for collection of the complete fluorescence emission spectrum and the transient decay of a selected spectral band simultaneously with data acquisition times of less that one second. This invention is useful for studying human tissues and cells in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention embraces a fungal strain deficient in nicotinamide riboside import and salvage and use thereof for producing nicotinamide riboside. Methods for producing nicotinamide riboside and a nicotinamide riboside-supplemented food product using the strain of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention embraces microRNA-21 antagonists and activators of Programmed Cell Death 4 for use in decreasing glial tumor cell proliferation and treating glioma.

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: Disclosed is a method for removing minerals from a cellulosic biomass. For example, the biomass may be prewashed with an acid solution and rinsed with water to remove minerals prior to acid saccharification. The removal of minerals may reduce overall acid requirements, and decrease pretreatment costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel regulatory T cell proteins. One protein, designated PD-L3, resembles members of the PD-L1 family, and co-stimulates ?CD3 proliferation of T cells in vitro. A second, TNF-like, protein has also been identified as being upregulated upon ?CD3/?GITR stimulation. This protein has been designated Treg-sTNF. Proteins, antibodies, activated T cells and methods for using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a CD161 ligand known as Proliferation-Induced Lymphocyte-Associated Receptor (PILAR), which is crucial for a robust expansion of human lymphocytes. PILAR is markedly up-regulated on both CD4 and CD8 T cells upon TCR engagement and increases the expression of anti-apoptotic genes and glucose transporters through CD161, which globally results in a dramatic enhancement of T cell proliferation. Agents which stimulate or block this activity are also provided as are methods for manipulating PILAR signaling in the treatment of disease.

Abstract: Novel tricyclic-bis-enone derivatives (TBEs) as well as the process for the preparation of such TBEs are provided. Also provided are methods for prevention and/or treatment of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotropic lateral sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and all other diseases whose pathogenesis is believed to involve excessive production of either nitric oxide (NO) or prostaglandins or the overexpression of iNOS or COX-2 genes or gene products. Further, methods for the synthesis of the TBE compounds of the invention utilize cheap commercially available reagents and are highly cost effective and amenable to scale-up. Additional high efficiency synthetic methods that utilize novel intermediates as well as the synthesis of these intermediates are also provided. Furthermore, the invention also provides methods for designing novel and water-soluble TBEs.

Abstract: This invention describes novel tricyclic-bis-enone derivatives (TBEs), such as TBE-31, TBE-34, TBE-45 and water-soluble TBEs. The methods of preparing these compounds are also disclosed. The inventors demonstrate the ability of these new TBEs to inhibit proliferation of human myeloma cells, inhibit the induction of iNOS in cells stimulated with interferon-?, induce heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), induce CD11b expression—a leukemia differentiation marker, inhibit proliferation of leukemia cells, induce apoptosis in human lung cancer, and induce apoptosis in other cancerous cells. The TBEs of this invention are expected to be useful agents for the treatment and prevention of many diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, inflammation, and pathologies involving oxidative stress.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for synthesizing furanosteroids. The method involves intramolecular Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder reaction and tautomerization of a functionalized alkyne oxazole to produce a furo[2,3-b]phenol derivative which is elaborated by intermolecular and intramolecular condensations to generate ring-A of the furanosteroid. Furanosteroids and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for collection of the complete fluorescence emission spectrum and the transient decay of a selected spectral band simultaneously with data acquisition times of less that one second. This invention is useful for studying human tissues and cells in vivo.