Abstract: The enzyme telomerase is present at about 85% of human cancers that makes it not only an excellent target for cancer treatment but also an excellent marker for cancer detection. Using a single stranded DNA probe specific for telomerase binding and reverse transcription tethered to an interdigital gold electrode array surface, the chromosome protection provided by the telomerase was replicated and followed by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy as an unlabeled biosensor. Using a custom system, which is simple and affordable, the impedance measurements were taken while incubating at 37° C. and promoting the probe elongation. This resulted in up to 14-fold increase in the charge transfer resistance when testing a telomerase-positive nuclear extract from Jurkat cells compared to the heat-inactivated telomerase-negative nuclear extract.

Abstract: Plakortinic acids A (2) and B (3), two polyketide endoperoxides having an unprecedented bicyclo[4.2.0]octene unit, were isolated as minor constituents from the sponge-sponge symbiotic association Plakortis halichondrioides-Xestospongia deweerdtae from Puerto Rico, along with the known epiplakinic acid F (1). The molecular structures of 2 and 3 were determined mainly on the basis of NMR spectroscopy. Due to the structural similarities, 2 and 3 are thought to be biosynthetically related to 1. Biological screening for cytotoxic activity against two human tumor cell lines revealed that these novel metabolites are very active at low to sub-micro molar concentration.

Abstract: The invention provides an equipment and a system that addresses the key concerns of eating/drinking in public while minimizing the chance of contamination of the eater and the public in general. The equipment can be a face mask, a face shield or a helmet that completely encloses at least the mouth and the nose of a person while providing intermittent access to the mouth without removal of the equipment. A mouth opening is provided on the equipment which is selectively blocked or unblocked by a covering element moved by a moving mechanism that moves the cover element to block or unblock the mouth opening. The mouth opening is selectively blocked or unblocked based on the distance between an activating element provided on a utensil or a wearable device and a receiving element provided on the equipment.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed that inhibit RhoGTPases that are useful for inhibiting hyperprofilerative and neoplastic diseases. Specifically, the compounds inhibit the GTPases Rac and Cdc42 that are overactive or overexpressed in signaling pathways in cancer and metastasis. Methods for treatment of cancer and hyperproliferative diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed that inhibit RhoGTPases that are useful for inhibiting hyperprofilerative and neoplastic diseases. Specifically, the compounds inhibit the GTPases Rac and Cdc42 that are overactive or overexpressed in signaling pathways in cancer and metastasis. Methods for treatment of cancer and hyperproliferative diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an efficient equipment that can be easily implemented to dry materials in a continuous manufacturing line of pharmaceutical products without the need of external air or HEPA exhaust filter cartridges. A continuous granulo-dryer for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products via wet granulation includes a recirculation system that allows to continuously recirculate the air used to dry the materials back into the granulo-dryer. Control systems and sensors are provided to promote a high percentage (up to 98%) of product monitored, an efficient heat and mass transfer between the air and the product avoiding the segregation of the materials and preserving the homogeneity of the Active Principal Ingredient (API).

Abstract: A compound to inhibit a glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzyme activity having formula (I). The compound having formula (I) is an antimalarial compound that inhibits the growth of the Plasmodium spp parasites. The compound of the present invention inhibits the growth of a malarial parasite by 50%.

Abstract: An induction heating coil is positioned inside a tube-like instrument having dimensions similar to current laparoscopic instruments. Magnetic field intensities of up to 15 kA/m at a frequency of 289 kHz are achieved while the instrument is operated at safe temperatures. A cooling agent system maintains a desired temperature inside the instrument and temperatures sensors monitor the temperature of the cooling agent as well as the temperature of the induction heating coil to safely operate the instrument within operating temperatures.

Abstract: A series of novel EHop-016 derivatives is presented herein via designing and synthesizing compounds that mimics its more favorable “U-shaped” conformation that appears to be critical for inhibitory activity against Rac. Based on modeling studies on EHop-016, compounds with a more rigid structural conformation can mimic this “U-shaped” conformation would improve the anti-migration activity against metastatic cells. Compounds are disclosed that inhibit RhoGTPases that are useful for inhibiting hyperprofilerative and neoplastic diseases, for instance compounds of formula (I) Specifically, the compounds inhibit the GTPases Rac and Cdc42 that are overactive or overexpressed in signaling pathways in cancer and metastasis. Methods for treatment of cancer and hyperproliferative diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: The ?4?2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays a crucial role in nicotine addiction. The invention studied the effect of subunit phosphorylation on ?4?2 nAChR function and expression, and eleven residues located in the M3-M4 cytoplasmic loop were mutated to alanine and aspartic acid. When nicotine was used as an agonist, four mutations exhibited a statistically significant hypersensitivity to nicotine (S438D, S469A, Y576A, and S589A). Additionally, two mutations (S516D and T536A) that displayed normal activation with ACh displayed remarkable reductions in sensitivity to nicotine. The invention provides a knock-in mutant construct for the development of a transgenic mouse line with reduced nicotine sensitivity to be used in future studies.

Abstract: The invention proposes the photosensitized generation of nitric oxide (NO) from alanosine (3-(hydroxynitrosoamino)-D,L-alanine) by aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AlPcS4). While NO is obtained in nitrogen-saturated solutions, the invention proposes that both NO and peroxynitrite are produced in air-saturated solutions. Enhancement of NO production occurs in the presence of ubiquinone-0. The invention evidence that NO is produced by the photosensitized oxidation of alanosine. Both NO and peroxynitrite are detected during photoirradiation of AlPcS4 in the presence of 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP) and hypoxanthine, but not in the absence of hypoxanthine, in air-saturated solutions, where HX is acting as sacrificial electron donor, thus promoting superoxide formation.

Abstract: A monoclonal antibody against human (a69) and mouse clones Triggering Receptor and (Clones Expressed in Myeloid TREM) cells-like transcript-1 or TLT-1 is provided. This antibody also identifies TLT-1 on platelets by flow cytometry, in western blots, by immunofluorescence, ELISA and immunoprecipitation giving it immediate use as a diagnostic tool for research and blood marker and/or treatment for diseases such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. The Antibody can also be used as intervention for any diseases that has or may have a TLT-1 component such as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancers and should overcome the problem of blocking platelet function that leads to a bleeding diathesis.

Abstract: The invention provides biocomposites alginate/chitosan beads integrated with magnetite nanoparticles and modified-surface magnetite derivate created and designed to remove from environmental waters and aquatic systems different types of organic persistent compounds such as benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone).

Abstract: A device for obtaining samples from a flowing powder stream and performing their immediate analysis using a spectroscopic method is provided. Systematic sample size reduction is achieved to provide representative samples and their immediate (real-time) analysis. The powder blends may come from pharmaceutical, vitamin and nutraceutical products, which must fulfill blend homogeneity requirements. All parts of the batch will have the same probability of being selected as a sample. Samples are obtained without disturbing or changing the composition of the powder blend during the sampling process. Unlike the sample thief commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry, the device of the invention does not disturb the powder blend and does not change the properties of the powder blend during the sampling.

Abstract: The hydrothermal reaction between bioactive metals (Ca2+, Zn2+, and Mg2+) salts and clinically utilized bisphosphonate (BP) alendronic acid (ALEN) were performed to prepare several bisphosphonate-based biocompatible coordination complexes (pBioCCs). The invention describes the effect of three variables M2+/BP molar ratio, reaction temperature, and pH on the reaction outcomes yields an unprecedented number of crystalline materials of enough crystal quality for structural elucidation. The crystal structure was unveiled by single crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 K and their solid-state properties revealed in tandem with other characterization techniques: thermogravimetry, vibrational spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The invention provides materials with high structural stability and dissolution properties paving the way for better formulation strategies for alendronic acid (ALEN) through the design of pBioCCs for the treatment of bone-related diseases.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed that inhibit RhoGTPases that are useful for inhibiting hyperprofilerative and neoplastic diseases. Specifically, the compounds inhibit the GTPases Rac and Cdc42 that are overactive or overexpressed in signaling pathways in cancer and metastasis. Methods for treatment of cancer and hyperproliferative diseases are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention analyzed a protein sequence using the Udwary-Merski algorithm and identified a tetradomain fragment (DH1-DH2-UMA) which consists of two predicted DH-like domains and two pseudodomains N-terminal to them. This arrangement of domains and pseudodomains is fundamentally the opposite of what is typically observed in the DH cassettes of actinobacterial polyketide synthases or mammalian fatty acid synthases, both of which feature C-terminal pseudodomains. The invention modified E. coli by over expressing DH1-DH2-UMA in E. coli resulting in an increase in the overall production of all the fatty acids normally present in the E. coli fatty acid profile.

Abstract: Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when divers rise to the surface exposing the body to sudden changes in pressure, generating nitrogen bubbles in tissues, causing serious bodily injury and even death. Therefore, the present invention allows prevention of DCS with a method that detects the presence of bubbles in real time. The invention proposes a new method for bubble detection with a piezoelectric ring (PZT) and pill microphones (PM) placed around a divers thigh. The electrical signals from the piezoelectric ring (PZT) and microphones (PM) are the inputs to a pattern recognition algorithm used for determining the presence, amount and size of bubbles.

Abstract: The invention presents a urea bio-electrochemical (UBE) system to achieve resource recovery from water recycling systems. A GAC-urease bioreactor was used to recover urea from wastewater stream, and converted to ammonia. Then, the ammonia produced was used to feed an electrochemical cell to gather electrical energy. The invention shows the feasibility of using the UBE system in combination with a forward osmosis subsystem for water reclamation.

Abstract: Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the innate immunity receptor for bacterial endotoxins, plays a pivotal role in the induction of inflammatory responses. There is a need to develop molecules that block either activation through TLR4 or the downstream signaling pathways to inhibit the storm of inflammation typically elicited by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a major cause of the high mortality associated with bacterial sepsis. The present invention provides that a single intraperitoneal injection of 15 ?g Fasciola hepatica fatty acid binding protein (Fh12) 1 hour before exposure to LPS suppressed significantly the expression of serum inflammatory cytokines in a model of septic shock using C57BL/6 mice. Whereas Fh12 alone did not induce cytokine expression, it significantly suppressed the expression of IL12, TNF?, IL6 and IL1? cytokines as well as iNOS2 in bmM?s, and also impaired the phagocytic capacity of bmM?s.