Abstract: A method of promoting bone healing in a non-diabetic patient in need thereof by locally administering a therapeutically effective amount of insulin to the patient. A drug delivery device, which includes insulin and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the device is adapted for localized administration of insulin to a patient in need thereof is also presented.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides useful for treating and preventing cancer. The present invention also provides therapeutic agents or methods for treating cancer using the polypeptides. The polypeptides of the present invention are composed of an amino acid sequence which comprises VIVIT and is preferably a polypeptide in which the motif sequence PxIxIT at positions 37 to 41 of the amino acid sequence of the C1958 protein (SEQ ID NO: 2) is replaced with PVIVIT. The polypeptides of the present invention can be introduced into cancer cells by modifying the polypeptides with transfection agents such as poly-arginine. The present invention provides methods and kits for identifying inhibitors of the interaction between C1958 and PPP3CA which find utility in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Also disclosed herein are compositions for treating or preventing cancer identified by the screening method of the present invention and methods of using same in the treatment and prevention of cancer.

Abstract: A therapeutic system and a method that uses stents, and/or other implantable devices (104) for local delivery of a therapeutic agent is disclosed. A therapeutic formulation (102) may include particles of a biocompatible magnetic or magnetizable material that carry the therapeutic agent, or magnetically responsive cells. The therapeutic formulation (102) is intravenously administered to a mammalian subject. A portion of the formulation (102) is delivered to the proximity of a device (104) implanted in the vascular system of the subject by externally generating a magnetic field gradient (106) on the implantable device (104). The portion of the therapeutic formulation (102) not delivered to the proximity of the implantable device (104) is removed from the vascular system. The method allows for the repeated administration of the same or different therapeutic agent, and further, has the option of locally injecting, or alternatively, peripherally administering, the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plant proteins produced by a plant's epidermal layer that contribute to the innate pest/disease resistance of the plant (“phylloplanins”), compositions comprising the phylloplanins and methods of using them. In particular the methods relate to inhibiting or preventing microbial, e.g., fungal or bacterial, growth on a subject, organism or surface by administering a phylloplanin. The invention also relates to transformed host cells that produce phylloplanins, and to transgenic plants producing phylloplanins conferring increased resistance to microbial infections/growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides dietary compositions for mammalian consumption. In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising pectin, a component comprising electrolytes, thickening agents, a sweetening agent, and water, and methods for making such compositions. In some embodiments, the dietary compositions are used for preventing and/or treating malabsorption dysfunction and associated disorders (e.g., short bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease). In some embodiments, the dietary compositions are used for preventing and/or treating colonic disorders (e.g., ulcerative colitis). The dietary compositions further find use in subjects with diarrhea, regardless of cause, subject suffering from gastric dumping syndrome, and obese patients or patients seeking to lose weight, as the composition delays gastric emptying (e.g., creating feeling of early satiety). In some embodiments, the dietary composition is a prebiotic food supplement.

Abstract: A low-level laser therapy radiation system is provided. In a further aspect of the present invention, the system includes a laser source and an optical device. In another aspect of the present invention, a low-level laser therapy chamber is employed. The chamber produces an even distribution of laser radiation to a surface of a human body.

Abstract: A fatigue life estimating method for a spot welded structure is provided comprising the steps of providing a shell model of a spot welded structure for a finite element method analyzing process, calculating the nominal structural stress on a nugget as the center of the spot welded structure using a disk bending theory and a two-dimensional elastic theory of the elastodynamics with the partial loads exerted on the nugget and the deflection on the circumference of a circle, D in diameter, in which the nugget is located, which have been calculated by the finite element method analyzing process of the shell model, and estimating the fatigue life of the spot welded structure from the nominal structure stress. According to the method, the fatigue life of the spot welded structure can be estimated easily, readily, and accurately.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant Mycobacterium strains harboring a modified tyrosine phosphatase gene (mptpA or mptpB) wherein the mutant Mycobacterium strain is incapable of expressing the active tyrosine phosphatase. The invention provides a method for developing the said mutant strain from either Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium bovis. The mptpA or mptpB gene may be modified by replacing the internal sequences with an antibiotic resistance marker gene, which disrupts the expression of the active gene. The invention further provides a recombinant vector comprising the modified mptpA or mptpB which may be used to develop the mutant strains of mycobacteria. The invention provides a method to assess the role of tyrosine phosphatases MptpA and MptpB in the virulence and pathogenesis of Mycobacterium which can be used as potential targets for developing anti-tubercular drug.

Abstract: This invention provides populations of neural cells bearing markers of glial cells, such as oligodendrocytes and their precursors. The populations are generated by differentiating pluripotent stem cells such as human embryonic stem cells under conditions that promote enrichment of cells with the desired phenotype or functional capability. Various combinations of differentiation factors and mitogens can be used to produce cell populations bearing markers of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Upon further differentiation form complex processes characteristic of mature oligodendrocytes. The cells are capable of forming myelin sheaths, and can be used therapeutically improve function of the central nervous system.

Abstract: A membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) sampling interface is presented that demonstrates improved online performance for the direct, real-time measurement of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in samples such as air and water, at parts-per-billion and parts-per-trillion levels. The device is based upon a capillary hollow fiber silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) membrane in a ‘flow-over’ configuration that is resistively heated on the membrane interior. One embodiment resistively heats using a coaxial nichrome wire, establishing a thermal gradient counter to the analyte concentration gradient. This arrangement allows for continuous and/or pulsed heating modes, affording excellent sensitivity for the online measurement of SVOCs while retaining sensitivity for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In addition, the signal response time for SVOCs is reduced substantially over conventional MIMS methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus automates and accelerates the extraction and analysis of trace elements from biomass. The method and apparatus are especially useful at key segregation points in the food chain where speed and accuracy is necessary to separate agricultural cereals that are elevated in beneficial trace element content which provides higher value to the producer.

Abstract: A method for improving animal body weight uniformity or for increasing animal carcass yield is disclosed. The method involves administering an agent to one or a group of animals wherein the agent can reduce bioavailability of a prostaglandin or leukotriene lipid precursor. In a preferred embodiment, the agent employed is an anti-PLA2 antibody.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for reversing the cancerous phenotype of a cancer cell by introducing a nucleic acid having the melanoma differentiation associated gene (mda-7) into the cell under conditions that permit the expression of the gene so as to thereby reverse the cancerous phenotype of the cell. This invention also provides a method for reversing the cancerous phenotype of a cancer cell by introducing the gene product of the above-described gene into the cancerous cell so as to thereby reverse the cancerous phenotype of the cell. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition having the melanoma differentiation associated gene (mda-7) or the gene product of the melanoma differentiation associated gene (mda-7) effective to reverse the cancerous phenotype of a cancer cell and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metalloprotein inhibitors comprising: a. an organic substituent and at least one zinc binding group (ZBG) covalently attached thereto; or b. a ZBG substituted by a side chain wherein the ZBG is of formula (I): wherein X is O or S and each R1, R2, R3, and R4 is individually hydrogen or an organic radical. The metalloprotein inhibitors are useful for preventing or treating a pathological disease, condition, or symptom that is associated with pathological metalloprotein activity and/or that is alleviated by inhibition of said activity.

Abstract: A nano-structure can be focus-patterned while minimizing the generation of a noise pattern by the inventive method which comprises the steps of: (i) mounting a plate having a nano-scale pattern formed thereon by a patterned photoresist layer on an electrode placed in an externally grounded reactor and applying a voltage to the electrode; (ii) accumulating charges selectively onto the photoresist layer on the plate mounted on the electrode; and (iii) introducing charged nanoparticle aerosol into the reactor and guiding the migration of the charged nanoparticles to the uncharged nano-scale pattern region on the plate mounted on the electrode to guide the nanoparticles to adhere to the center region of the pattern.

Abstract: A positive electrode active material for a non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising a lithium-containing transition metal oxide, produced with the use of a dry precursor obtained by: introducing an alkaline solution together with an aqueous solution containing two or more of transition metal salts or two kinds or more of aqueous solutions of different transition metal salts into a reaction vessel to obtain a hydroxide or an oxide as a precursor through coprecipitation with a reductant being coexistent or an inert gas being supplied; and drying the precursor at 300 to 500° C. to obtain a dry precursor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode a BEL transcription factor from potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and the amino acid sequences encoded by such nucleic acid molecules. The present invention also relates to a method of screening a biomolecule for its ability to assist in mediating long-distance movement of a mobile RNA in a plant.

Abstract: A process for combined ozone degradation and filtration using a multi-layered, nanocrystalline, sintered ceramic, metal oxide catalyst and ceramic membrane filter is described. The process reduces fouling of the membrane and degrades ozone remaining in the water from ozonation of water to kill microorganisms.

Abstract: A method of generating hydrogen includes the steps of providing an amine borane (AB) complex, at least one hydrogen generation catalyst, and a solvent, and mixing these components Hydrogen is generated. The hydrogen produced is high purity hydrogen suitable for PEM fuel cells. A hydrolytic in-situ hydrogen generator includes a first compartment that contains an amine borane (AB) complex, a second container including at least one hydrogen generation catalyst, wherein the first or second compartment includes water or other hydroxyl group containing solvent. A connecting network permits mixing contents in the first compartment with contents in the second compartment, wherein high purity hydrogen is generated upon mixing. At least one flow controller is provided for controlling a flow rate of the catalyst or AB complex.

Abstract: A Gires-Tournois etalon (GTE) (10) comprising an optical fiber (12) in which a primary chirped fiber Bragg grating (FBG) (16) is provided, an RF signal generator (20), a piezoelectric transducer (22), and a glass horn (24), for coupling an acoustic wave (26) into the fiber (12). The acoustic wave (26) causes a periodic compression within the fiber (12), which induces a low frequency periodic refractive index modulation within the grating section (14) of the fiber (12). This causes two side frequency components to be generated for each high-frequency component of the FBG (16). Two secondary grating are thus excited, having the same spectral bandwidth as the FBG (16), but a lower reflectivity and different central wavelengths. The free spectral range of the GTE (10) can be adjusted by varying the frequency of the acoustic wave (26). The reflectivity of the excited secondary gratings can be adjusted by adjusting the amplitude of the acoustic wave (26).