Abstract: Preferred aspects provide novel high-throughput, sensitive methods (e.g., real-time PCR-based (MethyLight™) reactions) for detection and/or measurement of global genomic 5-methylcytosine content, based on measurement of DNA methylation of Alu, LINE-1 repetitive sequences, and the chromosome 1 centromeric satellite alpha and juxtacentromeric satellite 2 repeat sequences. Additional aspects provide sensitive methods for determining the amount of a DNA (e.g., in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues). Combined (mean) use of Alu and Sat2 repeat methylation measurements provides for a surprisingly close correlation with global genomic 5-methylcytosine content measurements obtained by HPLC. Methylation of Alu repeats was determined to be closely associated with HPLC-based global methylation levels, as was methylation of satellite 2 and LINE-1 global genomic 5-methylcytosine content.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 10, 2005
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
University of Southern California
Inventors:
Peter W. Laird, Daniel J. Weisenberger, Mihaela Campan, Tifany I. Long
Abstract: The invention encompasses methods and compositions for predicting the risk of metastasis. In particular, the invention encompasses a method for correlating the the level of expression of one or more nucleic acid sequences with a risk of metastasis.
Abstract: A non-contact/non-destructive technique for determining the mechanical properties of coated drug tablets is presented. One method is to detect, monitor and characterize a drug tablet during compaction by means of transmitting and receiving acoustic waves into the powder core, as it is formed in a press (compactor), via transducers embedded in the compactor die and punches. An iterative computational procedure is shown that extracts the mechanical properties of the coated tablet from a subset of its measured resonance frequencies. Sensitivities of the resonance frequencies to changes in the tablet mechanical properties is illustrated and discussed. These non-destructive techniques require no physical contact with the tablet and operate in the microsecond time-scale. Therefore, they can be employed for rapid monitoring and characterization applications.
Abstract: Here the inventors describe a tumor classifier based on protein expression. Also disclosed is the use of proteomics to construct a highly accurate artificial neural network (ANN)-based classifier for the detection of an individual tumor type, as well as distinguishing between six common tumor types in an unknown primary diagnosis setting. Discriminating sets of proteins are also identified and are used as biomarkers for six carcinomas. A leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) method was used to test the ability of the constructed network to predict the single held out sample from each iteration with a maximum predictive accuracy of 87% and an average predictive accuracy of 82% over the range of proteins chosen for its construction.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 13, 2007
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignees:
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc., University of South Florida
Inventors:
Timothy J. Yeatman, Jeff Xiwu Zhou, Gregory C. Bloom, Steven A. Eschrich
Abstract: A sensor material of the type comprising a long-decay photoluminescent, protonable dye embedded in a suitable polymeric matrix, is used for generating a specific optical response to two different analytes present in a sample, thus allowing selective determination of the two analytes in the sample. Also described is a method for the simultaneous sensing of a first and second analyte in a sample. The method comprises the steps of irradiating a sensor material of the type comprising a long-decay photoluminescent protonable dye embedded in a suitable polymeric matrix with light of one or two wavelengths, determining photoluminescence intensity and lifetime signals originating from the sensor, and correlating the photoluminescence intensity signal with a concentration of the first analyte and the photoluminescence lifetime signal(s) with the concentration of the second analyte.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 29, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork
Abstract: A MOS transistor structure with an in-situ doped source and/or drain and a method for forming the same are provided. The method comprises steps of: providing a substrate; forming a high Ge content layer on the substrate; forming a gate stack on the high Ge content layer and forming a side wall of one or more layers on both sides of the gate stack; etching the high Ge content layer to form a source region and/or a drain region; and forming a source and/or a drain in the source region and/or the drain region respectively by a low-temperature selective epitaxy, and introducing a doping gas during the low-temperature selective epitaxy to heavily dope the source and/or the drain and to in-situ activate a doping element.
Abstract: A method for growing reduced defect density planar gallium nitride (GaN) films is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) growing at least one silicon nitride (SiNx) nanomask layer over a GaN template, and (b) growing a thickness of a GaN film on top of the SiNx nanomask layer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 20, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
The Regents of the University of California
Inventors:
Arpan Chakraborty, Kwang-Choong Kim, James S. Speck, Steven P. DenBaars, Umesh K. Mishra
Abstract: Disclosed are methods for determining the risk of tumor cells undergoing metastasis, for assessing the prognosis of a subject undergoing treatment for a localized tumor, and for determining a course of treatment for a localized tumor comprising detecting the presence of an endothelial cell, a macrophage, and an invasive tumor cell in direct apposition in a tumor sample from a subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 29, 2010
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignees:
Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University
Inventors:
John S. Condeelis, Thomas E. Rohan, Frank B. Gertler, Joan G. Jones
Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds. More specifically the present invention pertains to certain (4-phenyl-piperidin-1-yl)-[5-(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-thiophen-3-yl]-methanone compounds that, inter alia, inhibit 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11?-HSD1). The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to inhibit 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1; to treat disorders that are ameliorated by the inhibition of 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1; to treat the metabolic syndrome, which includes disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, and associated disorders including insulin resistance, hypertension, lipid disorders and cardiovascular disorders such as ischaemic (coronary) heart disease; to treat CNS disorders such as mild cognitive impairment and early dementia, including Alzheimer's disease; etc.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 14, 2010
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
The University Of Edinburgh
Inventors:
Scott Peter Webster, Jonathan Robert Seckl, Brian Robert Walker, Peter Ward, Thomas David Pallin, Hazel Joan Dyke, Trevor Robert Perrior
Abstract: A single stage electronic ballast with power factor correction is provided. The single stage electronic ballast can work under the present intensity discharge lamp without any change and provide higher efficient, lower power consumption of lighting system, and better lighting quality of lamps. The single stage electronic ballast can also provide a stable current to load (lamp) for a long time. The single stage electronic ballast includes a first switch and a second switch that are controlled with complementary switching so as to provide an output voltage in response to the input power source and the variation of the load.
Abstract: A process is provided for producing an electrolytic capacitor element that can uniformly form a highly electrically conductive polymer having a nano thickness level on a nano porous anode element substrate and suitable for use in high-capacitance electrolytic capacitors used in emergency power supplies and backup power supplies in electronic equipment. An oxide film and an electrically conductive polymer film are formed by pulsed constant current electrolysis of a monomer for an electrically conductive polymer and a nanoporous valve action metal in an electrolysis solution comprising an ionic liquid.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 2, 2006
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
National University Corporation, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Abstract: A noise reducer for reducing engine noise of a jet engine having a central axis and a main exhaust nozzle. The noise reducer includes a tubular member having ports at a distal end and is aligned along the central axis. The ports are located in the exhaust stream of the engine outside the main exhaust nozzle. A gaseous flow is injected into the exhaust stream from the ports in an angled direction with respect to the central axis.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 11, 2012
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
Polytechnic Institute of New York University
Abstract: This invention provides a family of functionalized polymers capable of forming membranes having exceptional OH? ionic conductivity as well as advantageous mechanical properties. The invention also provides membranes including the provided polymers and AEMFC/HEMFC fuel cells including such membranes. In a preferred embodiment, preferred function groups include a quaternary phosphonium, and in a more preferred embodiment the provided polymer is (tris(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl) phosphine)3 functionalized phosphonium polysulfone hydroxide.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 9, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
The Regents of The University of California
Abstract: Systems and methods for character recognition by performing lateral view-based analysis on the character data and generating a feature vector based on the lateral view-based analysis.
Abstract: Piezoelectric compositions are provided wherein mechanical and piezoelectric properties can be separately modulated. Preferred compositions include resin blends that comprise: (a) a piezoelectrically active polymer and (b) a matrix polymer, methods of making, and use of such resin blends. Advantages of preferred resin blends of the invention can include high piezoelectricity, mechanical strength and flexibility, convenient fabrication process, and high sensitivity at high temperatures.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 8, 2007
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
The Johns Hopkins University
Inventors:
Michael Yu, James E. West, Ilene J. Busch-Vishniac, Dawnielle Farrar
Abstract: To provide a molecular probe for imaging of pancreatic islets. A molecular probe for use in imaging of pancreatic islets is provided. The molecular probe includes any one of the following polypeptides: polypeptides represented by the following formulae (1), (5), and (9); and polypeptides having homology with the foregoing polypeptides: Z-DLSXQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2? (1) Z-DLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLXNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2? (5) B-DLSKQMEEEAVRLFIEWLKNGGPSSGAPPPS-NH2? (9) where X in the formulae (1) and (5) and B- in the formula (9) indicate that an amino group is labeled with a group represented by the formula (I) below having an aromatic ring, wherein A represents either an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group, R1 represents a substituent that contains radioactive iodine, R2 represents either a hydrogen atom or a substituent different from that represented by R1, and R3 represents any one of a bond, a methylene group, and an oxymethylene group.
Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods for p11-mediated therapy of psychiatric disorders. The invention provides vectors for increasing p11 expression and methods of treating a mammal with one or more symptoms of a psychiatric disorder. The invention also provides methods for improving a mammal's responsiveness to treatment for a psychiatric disorder. The invention further provides model animals for depression and depression therapy.
Abstract: A superhydrophobic and superoleophilic composite comprises a porous material and a surface layer. The porous material includes a framework and a plurality of interconnecting pores formed inside the framework and interconnecting with each other. The framework has a plurality of skeletons connected with each other. The surface layer is coated on the surfaces of the skeletons and includes an adhesion medium and a plurality of graphene sheets stuck to the surfaces of the skeletons by the adhesion medium. The graphene sheets form a rough surface conforming to the skeletons. The superhydrophobic and superoleophilic composite can absorb oil or organic pollutants in water and can be reused.
Abstract: A new and distinctive variety of a Malus domestica apple tree, named ‘WA 38’ that is distinguished by its intense and nearly full color, internal indices that are different than its parents, and its long common storage life.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 23, 2012
Date of Patent:
February 4, 2014
Assignee:
Washington State University Research Foundation