Abstract: Methods are described for screening a subject for risk of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A or for diagnosing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease or a predisposition for developing Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in a subject, by detecting the presence or absence of a mutation in the mitofusin gene in a biological sample collected from the subject. Methods are also described for detecting the presence of a genetic polymorphism associated with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A in a sample of patient nucleic acid, by amplifying a mitofusin gene sequence in the patient nucleic acid to produce an amplification product; and identifying the presence of a Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 2A associated polymorphism in the amplification product.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for preparing resveratrol, resveratrol esters and substituted and unsubstituted stilbenes of the formula given below; where each Y is —O or halogen, each Z is —O or halogen, each n and each m is independently the value of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, each A and each B is independently selected from Pn, R or absent, each V and each W is independently selected from Pn, straight or branched alkyl of from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and cycloalkyl of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy, phenyl, benzyl or halogen, R is independently selected from the group comprising alkyl with at least one carbon atom, aryl and aralkyl, Pn is an alcohol protecting group and diastereoisomers of the foregoing. The compounds are made from a multi-step process including a N-heterocyclic carbene-type ligand coupling in the presence of a base with benzyol halide and styrene coupling partners. These compounds show increased stability for use in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Abstract: This invention provides a device and method for collection and analysis of heterogeneous samples in a single sample container by back scattering interferometry. The sample container is configured to allow collection of a heterogeneous sample, such as blood, from a subject, separation of insoluble materials, such as blood cells by, for example, centrifugation, and mounting on a back scattering interferometer for analysis. In certain embodiments the container is a capillary tube and the interferometer comprises a mounting to hold the capillary tube in position for analysis. The device and method allow point-of-care analysis of samples.

Abstract: Neuronal damage is detected by providing a biological sample derived from the subject, detecting in the sample the presence of a neurofilament subunits or their breakdown products, and correlating the presence and level of the neurofilament subunits and their breakdown products detected with the degree of neuronal injury.

Abstract: A phase locked loop includes a voltage controlled oscillator operable to generate an output signal corresponding to a reference signal in response to a control voltage signal outputted by a filter in response to a current signal, and a variable frequency divider operable to perform frequency division on the output signal using a variable divisor so as to generate a divided feedback signal. A charge pump outputs the current signal in response to a phase detecting output from a phase/frequency detector indicating phases of the divided feedback signal and the reference signal. A phase error comparator outputs, in accordance with the phase detecting output, a digital output indicating whether the divided feedback signal lags or leads the reference signal and further indicating a phase difference between the divided feedback signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising zinc and sulforaphane which can be used in the treatment or prevention of cancer. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing cancer, including prostate cancer, which comprises the administration of zinc and sulforaphane to a patient in need thereof.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for determining the suitability of an entity to provide products or services. Category and measurement data is received concerning the entity where each category is assigned a value based on the acquisition context. If the value assigned to a category exceeds a threshold, then the measurement data for that category is used in evaluating the entity. This measurement data is weighted according to the acquisition context. A binary value is generated for each weighted measurement value that exceeds a threshold. These binary values are summed and weighted according to the confidence that the source of the data is correct. Further, the past performance and reputation of the entity is used in applying a weight to the summed binary values to generate a suitability value. If the suitability value exceeds a threshold, then it is deemed suitable to conduct business with the entity.

Abstract: A mobile advertising device includes an e-paper, a display control unit, a wireless communication unit and a processing unit. The display control unit controls the e-paper. The positioning unit receives a positioning signal and calculates the present location of the mobile advertising device according to the positioning signal. The wireless communication unit builds a connection with a server through wireless communication and transmits the present location of the mobile advertising device to the server. The processing unit includes an advertising module to obtain at least one advertisement of at least one store corresponding to the present location of the mobile advertising device from the server through the wireless communication unit. Then, the advertising module displays the advertisement of the store on the e-paper through the display control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to genetically transform cotton plant, Gossypium hirsutum, a heat-tolerant cotton variety to impart resistance to insect damage and to make stable hybrid variety for commercial use.

Abstract: This disclosure presents embodiments of novel strains of Staphylococcus aureus that through genetic engineering produce type 5 capsular polysaccharide at greater levels than Staphylococcus aureus strain Reynolds.

Abstract: An optical-deflection accelerating device is provided. The device comprises an incident light source for generating an incident light-beam with a deflection speed, an emergent-light capturing device for capturing an emergent light-beam, and a reflective device which is a curved-surface reflective mirror for reflecting the incident light-beam to the emergent-light capturing device. When the incident light-beam enters to a reflective point on the curved-surface reflective mirror in sequence, an incident angle and a reflective angle are altered with locations of the reflective point on the curved-surface reflective mirror, and are increased with an increased curvature of the reflective point. When the incident light-beam is deflected with a tiny initial deflection angle, the reflective light-beam is deflected therewith and the deflection angle is enlarged. The curvature of the curved-surface reflective mirror can be adjusted to obtain different accelerated deflections.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) phased array head coil (10) comprises an array of coils (1, 2, 3, 4) a decoupling circuit (7) and a decoupling base (14). Counter wound inductors from adjoining coils (1, 2, 3, 4) in the decoupling circuit (7) are interlaced to achieve mutual decoupling between adjoining coils. Each separate coil (1, 2, 3, 4) includes a pair of spaced parallel main conductors (12) located on opposite sides of a cylindrical space (5) enclosed by the coils (1, 2, 3, 4). The decoupling base (14) comprises two meandering conductor bases (8, 9) which are interlaced. Orthogonal main conductors (12) of the coil (1, 2, 3, 4) share a common conductor base (8, 9). The multiple crossings of the paths of the conductor bases (8, 9) reduces mutual coupling effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating cancers and metastatic diseases by modulating latexin expression and/or latexin activity.

Abstract: Methods for overcoming multiple herbicide resistance (MHR) in plants using inhibitors of GST suppression of Formula (I), novel chemical inhibitors of Formula (Ia), compositions comprising compounds of Formula (I), and uses and methods relating thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazole compound inducing differentiation of myoblasts or muscle fibers into neuron cells, a pharmaceutical composition including said compound, a method of inducing neuron cells differentiation and a screening method for identifying additional compound useful for inducing neuron cells differentiation. More specifically, it relates to 2-{2-[5-(3-chlorophenyl)]furanyl}-4,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)imidazole that induces differentiation of myoblasts or muscle fibers into neuron cells, all pharmaceutically acceptable isomers, salts, hydrates, solvates and prodrug thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition including said compound, a method of inducing neuron cells differentiation and a screening method for identifying additional compound useful for inducing neuron cells differentiation.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the likelihood of successful treatment with dual therapy such as lapatinib. The methods comprise determining the genomic polymorphism or expression level of a gene present in a predetermined region of a gene of interest and correlating the polymorphism or expression level to the predictive response. Patients identified as likely responsive are then treated with the appropriate therapy.

Abstract: To provide a brain-image diagnosis supporting method or the like. The method is a statistical evaluation method excluding the subjective judgment of an examiner, and enables image diagnosis. The method can present stable judgment criteria with respect to data on brain images imaged by a predetermined method in order to discriminate difficult diseases to diagnose. The method is also effective with respect to relationships which can not be always explained with a simple linear relationship, for example, the relationship between data on brain images imaged by a predetermined method and a disease which is a variable. By applying a predetermined nonlinear multivariate analysis method to data on brain images of a plurality of examinees imaged by a predetermined method and by classifying the data, image diagnosis support using a computer performed with respect to the data on brain images is performed. For example, SOM method is applied as a predetermined nonlinear multivariate analysis method.

Abstract: An improved method for stimulating electrical activity in an eye is provided. The invention provides a technique for implanting small, nanometer-sized photoactive devices into an eye to improve electrical activity within an eye or mitigate degradation of electrical response in damaged eyes.

Abstract: A pump assembly and estimation and control system therefor, the pump adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form, the pump is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller is entirely sealed within the pump housing and is exclusively hydrodynamically suspended therein against movement in three translational and two rotational degrees of freedom as the impeller rotates within the fluid urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller having deformities therein such as blades with surfaces tapered from the leading edges to the trailing edges of bottom and top surfaces thereof.

Abstract: A transition metal/carbon nanotube composite includes a carbon nanotube and a transition metal oxide coating layer disposed on the carbon nanotube.