Abstract: The invention provides monocytes expressing CD16 and CD163 and experimental system for drug screening or evaluating drug candidates where the modulation of CD16 and CD163 is desired.

Abstract: The adjuvanted conjugate opioid vaccine described herein is a conjugate of a protein carrier and at least one opioid backbone component or hapten conjugated thereto, admixed with at least one adjuvant. Anti-opioid effects are demonstrated after administration of a vaccine made up of the CRM197 protein carrier linked to a FEN backbone, combined with adjuvants such as dmLT or LTA1.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel strain of HIV-2 capable of causing immunodeficiency. The invention also provides compositions comprising the nucleic acids and polypeptides characteristic of this HIV-2 virus, antibodies specific for this HIV-2 virus, methods of using these compositions, and methods of detecting HIV-2 virus.

Abstract: The claimed invention is directed toward an HIV-2 isolate designated NWK08F, including variants, and isolated proteins and nucleotides obtained from said isolates.

Abstract: Transplantation of multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) into diabetic mice lowers blood sugar, increases blood insulin levels, increases the number and size of islets, and improves renal pathology. Accordingly, the invention provides methods for treating or preventing diabetes by administering isolated MSCs. The invention also provides methods for treating or preventing complications which arise from diabetes, including diabetic nephropathy, by transplanting isolated MSCs.

Abstract: Compounds and their syntheses are disclosed herein. Compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound are also described, and include compositions also comprising liposomes. Methods for the treatment of cancer in animals comprising administering a compound or a composition comprising a compound are also described.

Abstract: Carbon with mesopores (about two to fifteen nanometers in average pore size) is made using sucrose as a source of carbon, and silica and phosphoric acid as templates for the mesopore structure in the carbon. A silica sol is prepared in a water/ethanol medium and sucrose is dispersed in the sol. Phosphoric acid may be added to the sol to control pore size in the mesopore size range. The sol is dried, carbonized, and the silica and phosphate materials removed by leaching. The residue is a mesoporous carbon mass having utility as a catalyst support, gas absorbent, and the like.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon and silica containing composites are prepared based on the co-assembly of a suitable surfactant in a liquid medium. When a low molecular weight carbonizable polymer and a silica precursor are added to the surfactant solution, a mixture of distinct phases of the materials is formed after solvent evaporation. A polymer/silica solid composite with highly organized mesopores is obtained after surfactant removal. This product has utility as a catalyst support or gas absorbent. And the polymer-silica composite can be easily converted successively to a mesoporous carbon-silica composite and to a bimodal mesoporous carbon material.

Abstract: Carbon with mesopores (about two to fifteen nanometers in average pore size) is made using sucrose as a source of carbon, and silica and phosphoric acid as templates for the mesopore structure in the carbon. A silica sol is prepared in a water/ethanol medium and sucrose is dispersed in the sol. Phosphoric acid may be added to the sol to control pore size in the mesopore size range. The sol is dried, carbonized, and the silica and phosphate materials removed by leaching. The residue is a mesoporous carbon mass having utility as a catalyst support, gas absorbent, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for enhancing the growth of adult marrow stromal cells.

Abstract: Multipotent stromal cells “MSCs” have been described as consisting of at least two populations of cells, rapidly self-renewing stem cells (RS-MSCs), and larger, slowly replicating cells (mMSCs). The present invention provides methods for enhancing engraftment of MSCs in vivo by administering an enriched fraction of RS-MSCs that express certain cell surface markers.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for the production of human urokinase are disclosed. Also disclosed are embodiments of a cell culture well-suited for use with the disclosed method. The method involves culturing urokinase-producing cells, such as immortalized human renal cells, in a cell culture. The cell culture comprises microcarrier structures and a tissue culture medium. The urokinase production is allowed to occur while the cell culture remains relatively static, i.e., the cell culture is not substantially mixed.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material comprises core-shell particles having a core formed from a core material and a shell formed from a shell material. In representative examples, the shell material is a material showing an appreciable thermoelectric effect in bulk. The core material preferably has a lower thermal conductivity than the shell material. In representative examples, the core material is an inorganic oxide such as silica or alumina, and the shell material is a chalcogenide semiconductor such as a telluride, for example bismuth telluride. A thermoelectric material including such core-shell particles may have an improved thermoelectric figure of merit compared with a bulk sample of the shell material alone. Embodiments of the invention further include thermoelectric devices using such thermoelectric materials, and preparation techniques.

Abstract: Mesoporous carbon and silica containing composites are prepared based on the co-assembly of a suitable surfactant in a liquid medium. When a low molecular weight carbonizable polymer and a silica precursor are added to the surfactant solution, a mixture of distinct phases of the materials is formed after solvent evaporation. A polymer/silica solid composite with highly organized mesopores is obtained after surfactant removal. This product has utility as a catalyst support or gas absorbent. And the polymer-silica composite can be easily converted successively to a mesoporous carbon-silica composite and to a bimodal mesoporous carbon material.

Abstract: Marrow stromal cells (MSCS) are adult stem cells from bone marrow that can differentiate into multiple non-hematopoietic cell lineages. Colonies of human MSCs were shown to contain both small, rapidly self-renewing stem cells (RS cells) and large, more mature cells (mMSCs). Samples enriched for RS cells had a greater potential for multipotential differentiation than samples enriched for mMSCs. Also, RS cells have a series of surface epitopes and expressed proteins that can be used to differentiate RS cells from mMSCs. The results suggest that it will be important to distinguish the two major sub-populations of MSCs in defining their biology and their potentials for cell and gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention features novel somatostatin analogs that may be readily labeled with toxic or non-toxic detectable labels. These unlabeled and labeled analogs are useful for specifically targeting somatostatin receptor bearing cells, in particular neoplastic cells. Labeled analogs are useful, for example, for tumor localization and detection. Where labeled with a toxic label (e.g., radioactivity), the analogs are useful for the targeted delivery of toxicity to somatostatin receptor-bearing cells, in particular neoplastic cells. Also disclosed are methods for treating and detecting neoplasms, and methods for imaging somatostatin receptor-bearing cells.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence of chronic volume dependent hypertension is provided wherein a determination is made as to whether there has been a substantial reduction in phosphorylation of the blood-derived protein or renal proximal brush border membrane protein and if such reduction exists concluding that chronic volume dependent hypertension exists in a patient. The method may advantageously be practiced by employing blood serum or blood plasma as the body specimen containing the protein in determining whether a patient has chronic volume dependent hypertension, a cellular component of the blood, such as a blood-derived protein coming from the plasma membrane of lymphocytes. The method may include subsequent therapeutic patient treatment. Related diagnostic apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating an asymmetric fluoropolymer membrane comprised of a fluoropolymer material, the membrane having a first surface comprised of a dense layer of the fluoropolymer material, and an opposite second surface comprised of a porous layer of the fluoropolymer material, comprising the steps of:(a) dissolving a fluoropolymer material in a solvent to form a solution;(b) depositing the solution on a casting surface; and(c) removing the solvent from the solution, thereby precipitating the membrane therefrom.The present invention also provides asymmetric fluoropolymer membranes comprised of a fluoropolymer material, wherein the membrane has a first surface comprised of a dense layer of the fluoropolymer material, and an opposite second surface comprised of a porous layer of the fluoropolymer material, and provides compositions for making the same.

Abstract: Hip joint prosthesis for replacing diseased or defective joints including a femoral stem, vacuum cast of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum and hot isostatically pressed (HIP'd) both before and after porous coating to provide an additional 50% greater strength in high cycle fatigue loading than all comparable porous coated devices of prior art, with optimal porous coating parameters scientifically and clinically determined for 75% greater fixation than all comparable devices of prior art, anatomically shaped and easily constructed in right and left configurations and a range of sizes, a femoral head which attaches to the stem intraoperatively, and an acetabular component consisting of a polymer bearing-type insert mechanically fixed inside a metal shell, the bearing surface articulating with the femoral head.