Abstract: An immunomodulatory compound is administered to a patient having, or at risk of a hemorrhagic viral infection.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides that inhibit the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase, as well as formulations and methods for their use in the reduction of skin pigmentation, and methods of administering the inhibitory peptides in a topical formulation. Peptide sequences disclosed include KFEKKFEK (SEQ ID NO: 1) and YRSRKYSSWY (SEQ ID NO: 2).

Abstract: A gaming apparatus of the present invention comprises: a display; a speaker; a memory; and a controller programmed to execute the processing of reading the dealer image data and the game image data from the memory according to the progress of the game, reading the background image data from the memory, displaying to the display a display image based on display image data, after generating the display image data by superimposing the read dealer image data and the read game image data on the read background image data, and outputting from the speaker the background sound based on the background sound data, after reading the background sound data corresponding to the read background image data from the memory.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions for detecting pregnancy in an animal by means of assaying peptidase activity of one or more Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs). In certain aspects, methods also comprising use of an antibody that binds immunologically to a PAG that displays proteolytic activity are provided. Substrates of proteolytic PAGs are also provided, as are kits, and methods of use. Further, methods of purifying PAGs based on their proteolytic activity are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds according to the general formulas I, II, III, IV or V: wherein B is nucleoside base according to the structure: and the remaining variables as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds. The compounds are useful interalia as anti-viral agents in viral therapy.

Abstract: A device includes a first device structure having a semiconductor platform, and a second device structure having a microstructure spaced from the semiconductor platform. The device further includes a cable having a plurality of beams to couple the microstructure to the first device structure. Each beam of the plurality of beams has a polymer coating and a serpentine-shaped region.

Abstract: In one illustrative embodiment, a radio frequency (RF) coil is disclosed. The RF coil may include a plurality of transmission line elements, wherein at least one of the plurality of transmission line elements may have at least one dimension different than a dimension of another one of the plurality of transmission line elements. In some cases, each of the transmission line elements may include a signal line conductor and a ground plane conductor separated by a dielectric.

Abstract: The method of the present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element, which is capable of having a high MR ratio, corresponding to high density recording and being suitably applied to a magnetoresistance device even though a barrier layer is thinned to reduce resistance of the magnetoresistance effect element. The method of producing the magnetoresistance effect element, which includes the barrier layer composed of an oxidized metal, a first magnetic layer contacting one of surfaces of the barrier layer and a second magnetic layer contacting the other surface thereof, comprises the steps of: laminating the barrier layer on the first magnetic layer with using a target composed of the oxidized metal; and laminating the second magnetic layer on the barrier layer. The barrier layer is annealed before laminating the second magnetic layer thereon.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for preparing novel mammalian multipotent stem cells (MSCs), compositions thereof, and methods of preparing and administering the cells.

Abstract: Compounds and compositions are provided for treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical disorders associated with viral infections, cell proliferation and bone metabolism. The compounds provided herein are alkyl esters of phosphonates.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide is provided. The isolated polypeptide comprising an antigen recognition domain capable of specifically binding a CD44 polypeptide as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and incapable of binding a CD44 polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: SEQ ID NO: 4 or 6.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, reagents, kits and compositions for detecting microRNA (miRNA) precursors in a biological sample. The methods uses gene-specific primers and reverse transciptase to convert the primary miRNA precursors (pri-miRNA) and pre-miRNA precursors (pre-miRNAs) to cDNA. The method also uses amplification reactions using gene specific forward and reverse primers that are targeted to the hairpin sequence of pri- and pre-microRNA precursors to detect the expression levels of both the pri- and the pre-microRNAs.

Abstract: A fibrillation-resistant insulin analogue may be a single-chain insulin analogue or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, containing an insulin A chain sequence or an analogue thereof and an insulin B chain sequence or an analogue thereof connected by a polypeptide of 4-10 amino acids. The fibrillation-resistant insulin analogue preferably displays less than 1 percent fibrillation with incubation at 37° C. for at least 21 days. A single-chain insulin analogue displays greater in vitro insulin receptor binding than normal insulin while displaying less than or equal binding to IGFR than normal insulin. The fibrillation-resistant insulin may be used to treat a patient using an implantable or external insulin pump, due to its greater fibrillation resistance.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for determining the ability of a gene construct to alter the rhythm and contractility of a syncytial cell. Furthermore, this invention provides methods for constructing a gene construct capable of altering the rhythm or contractility of a syncytial cell. Finally, this invention provides a method for constructing a gene construct capable of coupling to a syncytial cell.

Abstract: A novel fluorescent compound having a high light fastness, high fluorescence quantum yield and sharp absorption spectrum, which emits fluorescence having a wavelength in long wavelength region, as well as its use as a labeling agent, is disclosed. In Formula [I] below, by forming a specific hetero ring(s) with R1 and R2, and/or R6 and R7, shift of the wavelength of the fluorescence to longer wavelength and increase in molar extinction coefficient are attained maintaining the high light fastness, high fluorescence quantum yield and sharp absorption spectrum which the fluorescent dyes having the boron dipyrromethene skeleton have.

Abstract: A method of uniformly transferring luminescent quantum dots onto a substrate, comprising: a) preparing a colloidal suspension of luminescent quantum dots in a hydrophobic solvent, wherein the density of the hydrophobic solvent is from 0.67 g/cm3 to 0.96 g/cm3; b) dispensing the suspension onto a convex aqueous surface; c) allowing the hydrophobic solvent to evaporate; d) contacting the film of luminescent quantum dots with a hydrophobic stamp; and e) depositing the film of luminescent quantum dots onto a substrate with the hydrophobic stamp is described herein. Further described is a method of preparing quantum dot based light emitting diodes.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a biopolymer optical waveguide includes providing a biopolymer, unwinding the biopolymer progressively to extract individual biopolymer fibers, and putting the unwound fibers under tension. The tensioned fibers are then cast in a different polymer to form a biopolymer optical waveguide that guides light due to the difference in indices of refraction between the biopolymer and the different polymer. The optical fibers may be used in biomedical applications and can be inserted in the body as transmissive media. Printing techniques may be used to manufacture the biopolymer optical waveguides.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a subject using laminin or a composition that includes laminin. In one embodiment, the method is used to enhance muscle regeneration, maintenance, or repair in a subject. In another embodiment, the method is used to promote wound healing. The method, in yet another embodiment, is used to prevent or reduce muscle damage or injury. In specific implementations of these methods, the laminin or composition that includes laminin is administered in a therapeutically effective amount. In some implementations, the laminin is a complete laminin protein. In other implementations, the laminin is a laminin fragment, a laminin derivative, or a laminin analogue.

Abstract: The present invention embraces compositions and methods for establishing and maintaining stem cells and inhibiting stem cell differentiation using a selective Protein Kinase C (PKC) inhibitor.

Abstract: A novel computational method and generation of mutant butyrylcholinesterase for cocaine hydrolysis is provided. The method includes molecular modeling a possible BChE mutant and conducting molecular dynamics simulations and hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations thereby providing a screening method of possible BChE mutants by predicting which mutant will lead to a more stable transition state for a rate determining step. Site-directed mutagenesis, protein expression, and protein activity is conducted for mutants determined computationally as being good candidates for possible BChE mutants, i.e., ones predicted to have higher catalytic efficiency as compared with wild-type BChE. In addition, mutants A199S/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/A328W/Y332G, A199S/S287G/A328W/Y332G, A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/Y332G, and A199S/F227A/S287G/A328W/E441D all have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (?)-cocaine compared with wild-type BChE.