Abstract: Methods and compositions, useful in the treatment of amyloidosis and conditions and diseases associated therewith, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). These methods involve administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition including one or more agents which modulate APP catabolism and amyloid deposition. Accordingly, the methods and compositions are useful for inhibiting amyloidosis in disorders in which amyloid deposition occurs. The methods are based, at least in part, on modulating catabolism of APP in APP-containing cells through the use of a mobile ionophore, such as carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone, which does not substantially alter the viability of those cells.

Abstract: A class of cationic, polyphemusin-like peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include FRWCFRVCYKGRCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO: 3), RRWCFRVCYKGFCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO: 4), and RRWCFRVCYRGRFCYRKCR (SEQ ID NO: 11). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, yeast and viruses utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: Methods for treating tumors are provided comprising the general step of administering to a patient a gene delivery vehicle or vector which directs the expression of an EXT gene, such that growth of the tumor is diminished.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include [NH2]kWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS[COOH] (SEQ ID NO:1) and [NH2]KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS[COOH] (SEQ ID NO:2). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: The invention presents an approach that uses plural separated foils to shape an ion beam so that the intensity density of hot spots in the ion beam is lowered. More particularly, plural foils are placed in close proximity to each other, wherein at least one foil intercepts a portion of the beam to strip a charge from ions in different portions of the beam at different times, and thus, shape the ion beam. At a basic level, the inventive approach places plural foils so that the distance between planes of successive foils is a fraction of the radius of curvature of the beam's cyclotron orbit.

Abstract: The invention related to a GPI-anchored p97 and a soluble form of p97 and derivatives thereof and methods for preparing the same. Methods of using p97 in modulating iron transport, in the delivery of therapeutic agents, and in the treatment of conditions involving disturbances in iron metabolism are described. The treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease in view of the finding that p97 and transferrin receptor are markers for microglial cells associated with senile plaques are also described.

Abstract: A light deflector/recombiner is longitudinally symmetrical with respect to an X axis perpendicular to a Z axis. An X and Z vector components inverter longitudinally symmetrical with respect to both the X axis and a Y axis perpendicular to the X and Z axes lies parallel to the deflector/recombiner. A Y vector component inverter longitudinally symmetrical with respect to the X axis lies parallel to and between the deflector/recombiner and the X and Z inverter. The Y inverter has many reflector elements. Light rays incident in the Z direction encounter an element only once during return passage between the deflector/recombiner and the X and Z inverter. The X and Z inverter directionally inverts the rays with respect to the X and Z axes and the reflector element directionally inverts them with respect to the Y axis, such that substantially all incident rays are retro-reflected with respect to the X, Y and Z axes.

Abstract: A method for measuring the weight of a vehicle and/or of its load comprising measuring the temperature and pressure of at least a significant number of tires of said vehicle, a temperature standardized pressure based on a selected standardization temperature, summing the standardized pressures and determining weight of the vehicle and/or its load based on the sum of the temperature compensated pressures and a conversion factor.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of loading preformed liposomes by transmembrane permeation induced by alcohols. Solutes loaded into liposomes by this ethanol mediated process include both small nonpolar molecules and larger species, such as proteins and carbohydrates.

Abstract: A composite material comprising a mechanical mixture of aluminum oxide(s) and/or aluminum hydroxide(s) and aluminum (Al) metal, which when submerged in water, produces hydrogen gas at or near to neutral pH. The phenomenon has been demonstrated reproducibly. The evolution of hydrogen gas is dependent on several factors, namely, temperature, pH, proportion and particle size of ingredients and mixing conditions. The water split reaction proceeds for the mass ratio of Al to the oxide or hydroxide varying in the entire range up to the 99% of additive(s). The reaction proceeds in a pH range of water, 9>pH>4, and water temperature, from about 10° C. to 90° C.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding an enzyme involved in very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA) elongation in plants are disclosed. The invention includes a cDNA, genomic clone and encoded protein, as well as plants having modified VLCFA composition, such as modified epicuticular waxes, and methods of making such plants.

Abstract: A reflective image display screen formed of two reflective sheets. The first sheet has a prismatic inward surface and an opposed outward viewing surface. The second sheet has a prismatic outward surface and an opposed inward surface. The second sheet's outward surface is prismatically interleaved with the first sheet's inward surface. An air gap substantially 0.5 &mgr;m thick is left between the prismatically interleaved surfaces. The prismatic surfaces each constitute a plurality of 60° included angle, parallel, linearly extending prisms. The first sheet's outward viewing surface and the second sheet's inward surface are flat. The sheets may be formed of a polycarbonate material having a refractive index of about 1.59.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating atherosclerosis. The compositions comprise unilamellar liposomes having an average diameter of 100-150 nanometers. Methods for treating atherosclerosis employing the compositions of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly directed to the use of a derivative of vinblastine, 3′,4′-dehydrovinblastine (3′,4′-anhydrovinblastine: AHVB), which differs from vinblastine in that it possesses a double bond at the 3′, 4′ position of the catharanthine nucleus rather than the hydroxyl group that is present in the parent structure, in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A system for medical ultrasound in which the ultrasound probe is positioned by a robot arm under the shared control of the ultrasound operator and the computer is proposed. The system comprises a robot arm design suitable for diagnostic ultrasound, a passive or active hand-controller, and a computer system to co-ordinate the motion and forces of the robot and hand-controller as a function of operator input, sensed parameters and ultrasound images.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel sol-gel calcium phosphate, in particular hydroxyapatite ceramic coatings and processes of making same at low temperature. Such coatings are useful, inter alia, for dental implants and bone-metal contact appliances. A sol-gel process for preparing a crystallized hydroxyapatite which comprises: (a) hydrolysing a phosphor precursor in a water based medium; (b) adding a calcium salt precursor to the medium after the phosphite has been hydrolysed to obtain a hydroxyapatite gel; and (c) calcining the crystallized hydroxyapatite at a suitable elevated temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of loading preformed liposomes by transmembrane permeation induced by alcohols. Solutes loaded into liposomes by this ethanol mediated process include both small nonpolar molecules and larger species, such as proteins and carbohydrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liposomes and virosomes and, more particularly, to liposomal and virosomal delivery systems for transporting materials such as drugs, nucleic acids and proteins.

Abstract: A color image display having a spatially uniform distribution of at least two different “types” of prism structure. The first type consists of a prism, a color filter associated with one of the prism's facets and two color absorbing control members, each of which can be biased away from or into optical contact with one of the prism's other two facets. The color filter has a first spectral absorption characteristic, and the control members have second and third spectral absorption characteristics respectively. The second type of prism structure consists of a second prism, a color filter associated with one of the second prism's facets and at least one color absorbing control member which can be biased away from or into optical contact with one of the second prism's other two facets. The second prism's color filter and control member have fourth and fifth spectral absorption characteristics respectively.

Abstract: An optical switch for controllably switching an interface between a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and a non-reflective state in which total internal reflection is prevented. In one such switch an elastomeric dielectric has a stiffened surface portion. A separator positioned between the interface and the stiffened surface portion maintains a gap there-between. A voltage source applies a variable voltage potential between electrodes on the interface and stiffened surface portion respectively. The applied voltage potential moves the stiffened surface portion into optical contact with the interface, producing the non-reflective state. In the absence of a voltage potential the separator moves the stiffened surface portion away from optical contact with the interface, producing the reflective state. In another such switch a cell contains a fluid. One side of the cell forms the light incident interface. A membrane is suspended in the fluid.