Abstract: General methods for monitoring the activity of MurG, a GlcNAc transferase involved in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, is disclosed. More particularly, the synthesis of simplified substrate analogs of Lipid I (the natural substrate for MurG), which function as acceptors for UDP-GlcNAc in an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by MurG, is described. Assays using the substrate analogs of the invention are further disclosed, which are useful for identifying a variety of other substrates, including inhibitors of MurG activity, for facilitating mechanistic and/or structural studies of the enzyme and for other uses. High throughput assays are also described.

Abstract: Described are filters containing free-activated carbon fibers or activated carbon fibers in the form of a composite used for filtering a variety of contaminants, including pathogens, from air. These filters can provide effective and efficient removal of contaminants from air, requiring only short contact time between the air being filtered and the filter itself, with only a minimum pressure drop across the filter. The characteristics of these filters allow for effective filtration with only thin filter layers being required. The process of filtering air utilizing these filters is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds used for treating dependence on or withdrawal from a drug of abuse, for an eating disorder or for a CNS disease or pathology having the following formulas:

Abstract: Chelating monomers and fluoride-releasing compositions are disclosed that may be incorporated into dental composite restorative materials or other dental materials, to produce materials with high fluoride release rates, and high fluoride recharge capability. Such resins may be used in dental restorative materials to help reduce the level of dental caries in patients, particularly the level of caries occurring on the margins of the restorative materials.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing neurological impairments such as multiple sclerosis includes the determination of the simultaneity threshold of a pair of sensory stimuli, such as visual or tactile stimuli, separated temporally by a stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA). The stimuli may be presented unilaterally or bilaterally. Interhemispheric transfer times may also be determined by determining the difference in simultaneity thresholds for bilateral and unilateral presentations. Simultaneity thresholds and interhemispheric transfer times are significantly elevated in patients with MS and other neurological impairments. An apparatus for delivering such sensory stimuli includes an array of visual stimuli and tactile stimulators, a computer-implemented control program and a precise timing mechanism.

Abstract: An immunological assay and kit for colon cancer screening is disclosed. Fecal glycoproteins are extracted from individual samples such that immunogenicity is maintained. The purified fecal glycoproteins are reacted with antibodies to Colon and Ovarian Tumor Antigen (COTA). The mucin antigen COTA is specifically present in colorectal cancer tissue and not in normal colons. The amount of COTA in the fecal sample is determined and used to indicate the presence of colon cancer.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for assaying a sample for a GHB source are provided. A sample suspected of containing a GHB source is contacted with a first oxidoreductase selective for GHB and an oxidized cofactor. In the presence of GHB in the sample, the first oxidoreductase oxidizes GHB to succinic semialdehyde and reduces the cofactor. The reduced cofactor thus produced can be detected directly, or a hydride abstractor can be used that abstracts a hydride from the reduced cofactor and produces a detectable change. The hydride abstractor can be a second oxidoreductase that oxidizes the reduced cofactor and produces a detectable change in a chromogen or dye. Preferably a visual change is produced, allowing performance of the assay outside of a laboratory setting. Fusion proteins comprising the first oxidoreductase, polynucleotides encoding such proteins, host cells expressing such proteins, and vectors comprising such polynucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: A laser wherein pump radiation from laser diodes is delivered to a pump chamber and into the lasing medium by quasi-three-dimensional compound parabolic concentrator light channels. The light channels have reflective side walls with a curved surface and reflective end walls with a curved surface. A flow tube between the lasing medium and the light channel has a roughened surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrical junction between one transistor and at least one voltage sensitive cell such as a neuron. The invention further concerns transistors to be used in said junction and methods for their preparation. By another aspect the invention concerns “an artificial chemical synapse” i.e. a junction between a cell, which secretes an agent, and a transistor bearing receptors for the agent, wherein binding of the agent to the receptor changes an electrical property off the transistor.

Abstract: A method of processing textile material is disclosed in which the material (13) is passed along a predetermined path through a liquid jet device (50, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 130) applying a force to the material (13) transversely to the axis of the material (13). High pressure water is used to form one or more belts (11, 12) for applying twist to a yarn (13), sliver or roving (273), or as a jet to intermingle one or more yarns (13). The water may serve to cool the yarn (13) after beating in a false twist process.

Abstract: A tool for remotely turning a key includes a key unit including an engagement assembly adapted to engage the key and an operator unit including a control assembly. At least one cable segment is provided linking the key unit and the operator unit such that the engagement assembly can be mechanically rotated via the cable segment by manipulation of the control assembly to thereby rotate the key when the key is engaged by the engagement assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming an oil in water microemulsion includes the steps of providing at least one non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant, providing an oil and mixing the surfactant and the oil to form a microemulsion. The surfactant can be selected from the group of alkyl phenol ethoxylates, where the alkyl group contains 8 to 12 carbons and the ethoxylate contains an average of 4 to 12 ethoxylate groups. The surfactant can be a nonyl phenol ethoxylate. An oil in water microemulsion includes at least one non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant and at least one oil. The surfactant can be a single surfactant or a mixed surfactant. The oil can be derived from at least one tree, preferably from as the Neem Tree.

Abstract: An electrospray ionization device is provided that includes one or more electrospray needles and an ion sampling device. Each needle has a distal end for receiving a sample, a tip for spraying the sample in fluid communication with the distal end, and an electrical contact for contacting at least some portion of sample therein. The ion sampling device has an entrance, an exit, and an interior in fluid communication with the entrance and the exit, and is located in proximity to the tip or tips of the one or more electrospray needles. The entrance defines an opening that has a larger area than an opening defined by the exit. The ion sampling device also has a counter-electrical contact. The electrospray ionization device further comprises means for generating an electrical potential difference between the counter-electrical contact and the electrical contact(s) of the one or more electrospray needles.

Abstract: Mesoporous hexagonal, cubic or wormhole aluminosilicates derived from zeolite seeds using an ionic structure directing agent are described. The aluminum in the structures is stable so that the framework of the structures does not collapse when heated in the presence of water or water vapor (steam). The steam stable aluminosilicates can be used as acid catalysts for hydrocarbon conversions, including the fluidized bed catalytic cracking and the hydrocracking of petroleum oils, and other cracking of organic compounds.

Abstract: A gas chromatography system having a computer-controlled venting valve system that delivers pressurized pulses to a column junction point of two series-coupled columns having different stationary-phase chemistries and a method of using the same. Each pressurized pulse causes a differential change in the carrier gas velocities in the two columns, which lasts for the duration of the pressurized pulse. Whereby, the pressurized pulse selectively increases the separation of a component pair that exhibits separation at the exit of the first column, but otherwise co-elutes from the column ensemble.

Abstract: Compounds of the class of 4-oxo-butenoic acid derivatives are disclosed along with the surprising use property of these compounds as a anti-tumor agents in humans against breast carcinoma, which include: 2-(N′-Fluoren-9-ylidene-hydrazino)5,5-dimethyl-4-oxo-hex-2-enoic acid methyl ester (OF-06), 1-(2,4-Dimethyl-phenyl)-2,4-dihydroxy-3-(4-methyl-benzoyl)-5-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1F-07), 4-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-2,4-dioxo-3-(phenyl-hydrazono)-butyric acid (3F-10), 4-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-2,4-dioxo-3-(phenyl-hydrazono)-butyric acid ethyl ester (3F-11), 2-Hydroxy-4-oxo-4-(2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-methoxy-phenyl)-but-2-enoic acid (3F-15), and 4,4-Dihydroxy-5-(4-methyl-benzoyl)-2-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-pyrazol-3-one (3F-16) as well as some novel derivatives of these compounds claimed (see Table 2).

Abstract: A method of inhibiting restenosis in a subject following coronary angioplasty, atherectomy, or arterial bypass graft surgery comprised of administering wortmannin analogs of the present invention is described herein.

Abstract: Peptides having general and specific binding affinities for the Src homology region 3 (SH3) domains of proteins are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, SH3 binding peptides have been isolated from three phage-displayed random peptide libraries which had been screened for isolates that bind to bacterial fusion proteins of SH3 domains and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Preferred peptides are disclosed having a core 7-mer sequence (preferably, a consensus motif) and two or more, preferably at least six, additional amino acid residues flanking the core sequence, for a total length of 9, preferably at least 13, amino acid residues and no more than about 45 amino acid residues. Such peptides manifest preferential binding affinities for certain SH3 domains. The preferred peptides exhibit specific binding affinities for the Src-family of proteins. In vitro and in vivo results are presented which demonstrate the biochemical activity of such peptides.

Abstract: A high frequency oscillator for combining outputs of two oscillator to generate an oscillation output. The oscillators has a substrate, a slot line formed on a first main plane of the substrate and having both longitudinal ends, the both longitudinal ends being electrically short-circuited, a first and a second amplifier for oscillation, each disposed on one and the other side of the slot line, and having outputs of the same oscillation frequency, and an unbalanced transmission line for connecting input terminals of the first and second amplifiers to each other and for connecting output terminals of the first and second amplifiers to each other. The unbalanced transmission line traverses the slot line and forms a closed loop including the first and second amplifiers.

Abstract: An injectable physiologically acceptable aqueous phase fluorocarbon emulsion, which has substantially no free fluorocarbon, has an excellent stability is prepared by a process of the invention. Typically, more than about 99.8 wt. % of the fluorocarbon remains in the size range of about 0.2 to 0.4 microns even after being stored at room temperature for one year or more in sealed containers under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The emulsion is useful in medical applications, for example, coronary angioplasty, cancer therapy, among others.