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: The present invention relates to genetic reporters. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a modified gene encoding a luciferase for high level expression in an organism with a bias for cytosine (C) or guanine (G) in the third position of the codon.

Abstract: A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor including a substrate, two or more electrodes, a conductive layer applied to the substrate and a molecularly imprinted polymer layer applied to the conductive layer is disclosed herein The MIP sensor may form part of an MIP sensor system that can be used to detect and quantify target molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel molecular markers for diagnosis and classification of human breast cancer and lung cancer.

Abstract: Copyrighted electronic media are packaged in a secure electronic format, and registered on associated registration server, which serves to provide on-line licensing and copyright management for that media. Users are connected to the server, e.g., through a computer network or the Internet, to enable data transfers and to transact licenses to utilize the media. Packaged electronic media are typically created by an author or derivative user of the work. Once the packaged media is registered on the server, the media is made available for limited use and possible license through an authorization server. This limited use is specified within the minimum permissions data set assigned to each packaged media. Without a license, users are typically permitted to view the packaged media—through a system which unpackages the media—but cannot save or otherwise transfer the media without obtaining auxiliary permissions to do so from the authorization server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pulse electrothermal and heat-storage ice detachment. A pulse electrothermal ice detachment apparatus includes one or more coolant tubes, and optionally, fins in thermal contact with the coolant tubes. The tubes and/or fins form a resistive heater. One or more switches may apply electrical power to the resistive heater, generating heat to detach ice from the tubes and/or the fins. A freezer unit forms a heat-storage icemaking system having a compressor and a condenser for dissipating waste heat, and coolant that circulates through the compressor, the condenser and a coolant tube. The coolant tube is in thermal contact with an evaporator plate. A tank, after the compressor and before the condenser, transfers heat from the coolant to a heating liquid. The heating liquid periodically flows through a heating tube in thermal contact with the evaporator plate, detaching ice from the evaporator plate.

Abstract: A method for controlling a coefficient of friction between an object and ice includes steps of (1) pulsing power to an interface between the object and the ice to melt an interfacial layer of ice at the interface and decrease the coefficient of friction, (2) facilitating refreezing of the interfacial ice at the interface to increase the coefficient of friction; and (3) repeating steps (1) and (2) to control an average coefficient of friction between the object and the ice. A slider having a surface intended to interface with ice or snow includes a power supply for generating power. The slider also has a heating element that converts power to heat at the surface, the heat being sufficient to melt interfacial ice at the interface, and a controller for controlling delivery of power to the heating element to control friction between the slider and the ice or snow.

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. Cellulase efficiencies are improved by the protein or polypeptide treatment. The treatment may be used in combination with steam explosion and acid prehydrolysis techniques. Hydrolysis yields from lignin containing biomass are enhanced 5-20%, and enzyme utilization is increased from 10% to 50%. Thus, a more efficient and economical method of processing lignin containing biomass materials utilizes a polypeptide/protein treatment step that effectively blocks lignin binding of cellulase.

Abstract: A system and method for deicing power transmission cables divides the cable into sections. Switches are provided at each end of a section for coupling the conductors together in parallel in a normal mode, and at least some of the conductors in series in an anti-icing mode. When the switches couple the conductors in series, an electrical resistance of the cable section is effectively increased allowing self-heating of the cable by power-line current to deice the cable; the switches couple the conductors in parallel for less loss during normal operation. In an alternative embodiment, the system provides current through a steel strength core of each cable to provide deicing, while during normal operation current flows through low resistance conductor layers. Backup hardware is provided to return the system to low resistance operation should a cable overtemperature state occur.

Abstract: Optical tomography systems that provide light of multiple distinct wavelengths from a plurality of sources are described. The systems direct light into mammalian tissue, and light from the mammalian tissue is collected at a plurality of reception points. Collected light from each reception point is separated according to its wavelength, and received by a photodetector to produce path attenuation signals representing attenuation along paths between the source locations and the reception points. An image construction system generates a tomographic image of the mammalian tissue from the path attenuation signals. One embodiment of an optical imaging system includes an optical coherence tomography-near infrared probe. The systems and methods may utilize a spectral derivative approach that provides insensitivity to the boundary and boundary artifacts in the signal, thereby improving the quality of the reconstructed images.

Abstract: The present invention is a transgenic non-human animal whose genome contains a transgene containing a nucleic acid encoding a cyclin E protein operably linked to a regulatory element including a lung-specific promoter. The transgenic animals of the present invention have elevated levels cyclin E protein in the lung and have in increased occurrence of lung carcinogenesis. The animals of the instant invention were also found to have increased levels of Gli1 and Shh. Vectors, cells and cell lines are provided, as is a method for identifying a therapeutic agent for the chemoprevention or treatment of lung cancer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for modulating cell surface protein expression are provided. The compositions of the present invention are gene constructs comprising ATP-binding cassette transmembrane reporter proteins.

Abstract: Recombinant plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) isoforms which lack the reactive center loop and contain the complete heparin-binding domain or lack at least a portion of the heparin-binding domain are described. The rPAI-1 isoforms disclosed herein may be used to modulate angiogenesis through blocking release of VEGF from a VEGF-heparin complex. Furthermore, the rPAI-1 proteins may be used to inhibit cell proliferation and migration, induce apoptosis, and produce proteolytic fragments corresponding to angiostatin kringles 1-3 and kringles 1-4. A truncated proteolytic plasmin protein of 34 kDa is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the specific inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) using agents which inhibit the synthesis or expression of MMP-1. Such agents are useful for suppressing invasion or metastasis of a tumor cell and in the treatment, prevention and management of cancer.

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: Methods for inducing T cell tolerance to a tissue or organ graft in a transplant recipeint are disclosed. The methods involve administering to a subject: 1) an allogeneic or xenogeneic cell which expresses donor antigens and which has a ligand on the cell surface which interacts with a receptor on the surface of a recipient T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor which inhibits interaction of the ligand with the receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the allogeneic or xenogeneic cell is a B cell, preferably a resting B cell, and the molecule on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. A preferred gp39 antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody. The allogeneic or xenogeneic cell and the gp39 antagonist are typically administered to a transplant recipient prior to transplantation of the tissue or organ.

Abstract: Methods and kits for diagnosing and prognosticating matrix metalloproteinase-1 related disease by detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter of the gene are provided. Also provided are methods of identifying agents which inhibit binding of transcriptions factors to the Ets transcription factor binding site created by or resulting from this single nucleotide polymorphism and methods of using these agents to treat matrix metalloproteinase-1 related diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a counter-receptor, termed CD40CR, for the CD40 B-cell antigen, and to soluble ligands for this receptor, including fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a soluble CD40/immunoglobulin fusion protein was able to inhibit helper T-cell mediated B-cell activation by binding to a novel 39 kD protein receptor on helper T-cell membranes. The present invention provides for a substantially purified CD40CR receptor; for soluble ligands of CD40CR, including antibodies as well as fusion molecules comprising at least a portion of CD40 protein; and for methods of controlling B-cell activation which may be especially useful in the treatment of allergy or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance elastography pulse sequences for encoding position and motion of spins, and methods of using the pulse sequences are disclosed. The pulse sequences utilize imaging gradients, comprising a positive lobe and a negative lobe having non-symmetric amplitudes, to encode harmonic or wave motion within a specimen, such as tissue.

Abstract: CDDO-compounds in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents induce and potentiate cytotoxicity and apoptosis in cancer cell. One class of chemotherapeutic agents include retinoids. Cancer therapies based on these combination therapies are provided. Also provided are methods to treat graft versus host diseases using the CDDO compounds.