Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a dental implant guide features a drill base operable to be secured inside of a human mouth. A drill guide is adjustably attached to the drill base. The drill guide is operable to guide the path of a drill bit down a drilling axis.

Abstract: A method is proposed for characterizing a totality of particles (318). The method can be used in particular for charactering microparticular or nanoparticular aerosols. The method comprises the following steps: a) in a classification step, a class of the totality is selected, wherein the particles (318) of the selected class have a prespecified mobility dm; b) in a counting step, a number N of the particles (318) of the selected class is determined; c) in a charge determination step, a charge Q of the particles (318) of the selected class is determined; and d) in an evaluation step, at least one morphological parameter is determined from the charge Q, the number N and the mobility dm, wherein the morphological parameter comprises at least one item of information about an agglomerate state of the particles (318).

Abstract: Provided are screening assays for identifying and evaluating compounds with antioxidant and/or antiproliferative activities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selectively amplifying fetal DNA sequences from a mixed, fetal-maternal source. This method utilizes differential methylation to allow for the selective amplification of trophoblast/fetal specific sequences from DNA mixtures that contain a high proportion of non-trophoblast/fetal DNA. The invention also provides methods of using the amplified fetal DNA sequences for aneuploidy detection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ionic liquids comprising a docusate, docusate variant, or other sulfonate anion. The ionic liquids may be conveniently made via, for example, metathesis. The ionic liquids are often hydrophobic and useful in many hydrocarbon compositions, polymer compositions, and in supercritical carbon dioxide applications. The ionic liquids are capable of hindering static electricity buildup in the hydrocarbon compositions and can therefore minimize flammability and/or explosiveness.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for treatment and prophylaxis of diseases, post-surgical disorders and bacterial infections associated with lactosylceramide. The methods generally provide for administration to a subject one or more compounds that alter the activity of VEGF pathway members, including LacCer synthase (GalT-V/VI), PECAM1, VEGFR, VEGF or related pathway members to treat a subject suffering from or susceptible to a condition caused or contributed to by VEGF. The present invention also relates to methods for detecting and analyzing compounds with therapeutic capacity to treat such condition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing the level of nornicotine and N?-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) in Nicotiana plants and plant parts thereof are provided. The compositions comprise isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides for cytochrome P450s that are involved in the metabolic conversion of nicotine to nornicotine in these plants. Expression cassettes, vectors, plants, and plant parts thereof comprising inhibitory sequences that target expression or function of the disclosed cytochrome P450 polypeptides are also provided. Methods for the use of these novel sequences to inhibit expression or function of cytochrome P450 polypeptides involved in this metabolic conversion are also provided. The methods find use in the production of tobacco products that have reduced levels of nornicotine and its carcinogenic metabolite, NNN, and thus reduced carcinogenic potential for individuals consuming these tobacco products or exposed to secondary smoke derived from these products.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating a subject afflicted with a disease, comprising withdrawing blood from the subject, treating the withdrawn blood so as to remove sILT3 from the blood, and returning the treated blood to the subject, thereby treating the subject afflicted with the disease. This invention also provides the above method, further comprising administering an anti-ILT3 antibody to the subject. The invention also provides a method of treating a subject afflicted with a disease, comprising administering to the subject an anti-ILT3 antibody, thereby treating the subject. In one embodiment, the disease is chronic viral disease. In another embodiment, the disease is cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell adhesion molecule (CAM), designated F11 receptor (F11R) and its use to inhibit platelet aggregation and platelet adhesion for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disorders. Cloned F11R cDNA and full length F11R cDNA and amino acid sequences are provided. F11R-antagonists and methods for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis, atherosclerosis, heart attacks, stroke and other clinical disorders involving thrombus formation are also provided. There are at least two kinds of antagonists that may be employed together. Peptides derived from the extracellular domain of F11R and small molecules and peptidomimetics based on the structure of these peptides, as well as inhibitory antibodies and functional fragments thereof, are shown to inhibit human platelet aggregation and platelet adhesion to endothelial cells, and therefore, inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods for ameliorating a symptom of a neuropsychiatric disorder in a subject.

Abstract: According to various illustrative embodiments, a device, method, and system for measuring optical fine structure of lateral modes of an optical cavity are described. In one aspect, the device comprises at least one photodetector arranged to detect an output of the optical cavity in a lateral direction thereof. The device also comprises an analyzer coupled to an output of the at least one photodetector and arranged to analyze at least a portion of signals produced in the at least one photodetector by at least a portion of the lateral modes of the optical cavity. The device also comprises a processor arranged to determine the optical fine structure of the at least the portion of the lateral modes of the optical cavity based on an output of the analyzer.

Abstract: An organic light emitting device is provided. The device includes an anode and a cathode. A first emissive layer is disposed between the anode and the cathode. The first emissive layer includes a first non-emitting organic material, which is an organometallic material present in the first emissive layer in a concentration of at least 50 wt %. The first emissive layer also includes a first emitting organic material. A second emissive layer is disposed between the first emissive layer and the cathode, preferably, in direct contact with the first emissive layer. The second emissive material includes a second non-emitting organic material and a second emitting organic material. The first and second non-emitting materials, and the first and second emitting materials, are all different materials. A first non-emissive layer is disposed between the first emissive layer and the anode, and in direct contact with the first emissive layer. The first non-emissive layer comprises the first non-emissive organic material.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining magnetic properties of materials comprises a portable probe (1), an equipment trolley (2) holding cryogenics and electronics and connecting cables (3). The probe (1) comprises a drive coil (4) and a correction coil (5), the drive coil (4) being disposed symmetrically with respect to an inner second-order gradiometer sensor coil (8). Electrical connectors in the form of 2-metre long Belden (1192A) microphone cables (3) are used to connect the apparatus on the equipment trolley (2) to the drive coil (4), the correction coil (5) and the sensor coil (8). The drive coil (4) is driven so as to generate a sinusoidally varying magnetic field. The electronics comprise a flux-locked loop (9), a SQUID controller (10), a data acquisition module (11), which captures and processes the signals and a computer (12). A liquid-nitrogen dewar (13) is supported on the equipment trolley (2) and houses a sensitive SQUID detector (14) and a transfer coil (15) made from copper.

Abstract: The present invention provides markers associated with activated molecular signaling pathways (example: p38 MAKP, NF-?B, ERK1/2, YY-1 and AKT) inhibited by rituximab in cancer cells as well as pathways activated by rituximab (such as death receptors, RKIP, PTEN) all of which are associated with the regulation of chemo and immunoresistance. The present invention provides methods of prognosis and providing a prognosis for cancer such as lymphoma, leukemia, and autoimmune disease, as well as, methods of drug discovery. These markers are also therapeutic targets for treatment of cancer resistant to conventional and experimental cancer therapeutics. Inhibition or activation of expression and/or activity of targeted gene products sensitizes resistant tumor cells to subtoxic doses of cytotoxic treatment including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or immunotherapy and gene therapy, and the cytotoxic molecules.

Abstract: The present application relates to apparatus for sampling and analysis of analytes in a liquid sample. A liquid sample is pre-concentrated using a chromatographic column prior to analysis via a two stage analysis apparatus. A high-performance liquid chromatography system with ultra violet detection may be used in conjunction with electrochemical detection for the analysis of environmental contaminants, including explosive residues. The present invention also provides for on-site analysis of such contaminants. The present invention also provides for methods of analyzing the components of a liquid sample, including methods for on-site analysis.

Abstract: A treatment station for a water drainage conduit has a chamber with an inlet and outlet in fluid communication with upstream and downstream sections of the conduit and a sediment collection portion. Water enters the chamber via the inlet, collecting in the sediment collection portion until it reaches a level in the chamber such that it flows out of the outlet. A filter is mountable above the sediment collection portion for the upwards-flowing filtration of water passing through the chamber to remove organic contaminants. Access means are provided for removal and replacement of the filter and removal of solid material deposited in the sediment collection portion. The treatment station may also have by pass means which operate where the flow of water exceeds a rate which can flow through the filter and preliminary sediment collection chamber for collecting large quantities of sediment. Uses of the treatment station are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods to stabilize and/or improve the function of parenchymal cells. Also provided are systems of co-cultures of hepatocyte-stabilizing non-parenchymal cells used in bioreactor microenvironments to identify hepatic stabilizing factors by gene-expression profiling.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of diagnosing dilated cardiomyopathy using analysis of the lamin A protein and sumylation of same, as well as methods for treating dilated cardiomyopathy, comprising enhancing the sumoylation of the lamin A protein in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to biomarkers for macular degeneration. In particular, the present invention provides a plurality of biomarkers (e.g., polymorphisms and/or haplotypes) for monitoring and diagnosing macular degeneration. The compositions and methods of the present invention find use in diagnostic, therapeutic, research, and drug screening applications.