Abstract: The present invention provides an improved means of treating tracheobronchitis, bronchiectasis and pneumonia in the nosocomial patient, preferably with aerosolized anti gram-positive and anti-gram negative antibiotics administered in combination or in seriatim in reliably sufficient amounts for therapeutic effect. In one aspect, the invention assures this result when aerosol is delivered into the ventilator circuit. In one embodiment the result is achieved mechanically. In another embodiment, the result is achieved by aerosol formulation. In another aspect, the invention assures the result when aerosol is delivered directly to the airways distal of the ventilator circuit. The treatment means eliminates the dosage variability that ventilator systems engender when aerosols are introduced via the ventilator circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a radionuclide includes a target chamber, a particle beam source operatively aligned with the target chamber, and a regenerative turbine pump for circulating a target fluid through the target chamber via first and second liquid transports. During bombardment of the target liquid in the target chamber by the particle beam source, the target liquid is prevented from reaching vaporization due to the elevated pressure within the target chamber and/or the rapid flow rate through the target chamber. A cooling system can be provided to circulate coolant to the first and second liquid transport conduits, the target chamber and the pump to ensure that the target liquid is cooled upon recirculation back into the target chamber.

Abstract: A method for determining a matrix of expression levels corresponding to a set of biological targets (e.g., genes or gene fragments) and a set of biological samples, including obtaining a matrix of signal values corresponding to the set of biological targets; computing a vector of expression levels for a sample in the set of biological samples using the matrix of signal values; storing the vector of computed expression levels in a storage matrix; repeating the computing and storing steps for each sample in the set of biological samples; and outputting the storage matrix as the matrix of expression levels. The method, based on a linear programming formulation of the problem, works for both “promiscuous” probe array data, in which there may be multiple targets indicated by a single probe, and the “polygamous” case, in which there are multiple probes for a single target. The preferred method can also process data obtained from multiple SAGE analyses using multiple markers.

Abstract: An actuation system for assisting the operation of a natural heart is disclosed. The actuation system includes a framework for interfacing with the natural heart and an actuator mechanism that can be coupled to the framework. The framework includes internal framework and external framework elements. The actuator mechanism is operable for deforming at least one framework element for varying the shape of the heart. The framework includes a set of interconnected, passive, intracardiac and extracardiac elements and their interconnections that deform, bend and/or twist in response to movements induced by the actuation system. Some or all of these elements, and the connections between them, are specifically intended to be flexible, in that they may be bent or twisted by means of motion induced by an associated mechanical actuation system.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for gene therapy utilizing hematopoietic stem cells, lymphoid progenitor cells, and/or myeloid progenitor cells. The cells are genetically modified to provide a gene that is expressed in these cells and their progeny after differentiation. In one embodiment the cells contain a gene or gene fragment that confers to the cells resistance to HIV infection and/or replication. The cells are administered to a patient in conjunction with treatment to reactivate the patient's thymus. The cells may be autologous, syngeneic, allogeneic or xenogeneic, as tolerance to foreign cells is created in the patient during reactivation of the thymus. In an embodiment the hematopoictic stem cells are CD34+. The patient's thymus is reactivated by disruption of sex steroid mediated signaling to the thymus. In another embodiment, this disruption is created by administration of LHRH agonists, LHRH antagonists, anti-LHRH receptor antibodies, anti-LHRH vaccines or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are the use of these polypeptides for the production of polypeptide-specific antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of EBV-associated disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are hybrid catalysts that are used in the deep catalytic cracking of petroleum naphthas or other hydrocarbon feedstocks, for the selective production of light olefins, in particular ethylene and propylene and BTX aromatics. The hybrid catalysts of this invention contain a chemically treated microporous crystalline silicate such as the pentasil-type silicalite, a mesoporous silica-alumina or zirconium oxide co-catalyst, into which may be incorporated aluminum oxide, molybdenum oxide, lanthanum oxide, cerium oxide or a mixture of aluminum and molybdenum oxides, and an inorganic binder such as bentonite clay.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of Type II Diabetes Mellitus patients, which comprises administering an acidotropic agent to the patient in an amount sufficient for neutralizing intraendosomal pH or preventing lowering of intraendosomal pH; thereby activating insulin receptor kinase of the patient and preventing insulin resistance. The present invention also relates to a method for the screening of an acidotropic agent suitable for the treatment of Type II Diabetes Mellitus.

Abstract: This invention provides phyllosilicates and polyfunctional dispersants which can be manipulated to selectively control the viscosity of phyllosilicate slurries. The polyfunctional dispersants used in the present invention, which include at least three functional groups, increase the dispersion and exfoliation of phyllosilicates in polymers and, when used in conjunction with phyllosilicate slurries, significantly reduce the viscosity of slurries having high concentrations of phyllosilicates. The functional groups of the polyfunctional dispersants are capable of associating with multivalent metal cations and low molecular weight organic polymers, which can be manipulated to substantially increase or decrease the viscosity of the slurry in a concentration dependent manner. The polyfunctional dispersants of the present invention can also impart desirable properties on the phyllosilicate dispersions including corrosion inhibition and enhanced exfoliation of the phyllosilicate platelets.

Abstract: The invention provides theta defensin analogs having antimicrobial activity. The invention also provides a method of reducing or inhibiting growth or survival of a microorganism in an environment capable of sustaining the growth or survival of the microorganism, comprising administering an effective amount of a theta defensin analog to the environment, thereby reducing or inhibiting the growth or survival of the microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention includes a paint or coating composition comprising an organic pigment or dye complexed to the surface of a layered or fibrous inorganic clay. A wide variety of paint colors can be obtained by varying the pH during the preparation as well as by varying the synthesis conditions and changing particle size of the clay. The paint has unprecedented stability.

Abstract: Taxanes having an ester substituent at C(7), a hydroxy substituent at C(10), and a range of C(2), C(9), C(14), and side chain substituents.

Abstract: An orthodontic appliance including at least one orthodontic component comprising a thermoplastic polymer. In some embodiments the thermoplastic polymer is a rigid backbone polymer including at least one of a compatibilizing side roup or a solubilizing side group. The thermoplastic polymer may be heat processed to form the orthodontic component.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel MHRII-associated protein designated MHRII-AP62 and antibodies immunoreactive with the MHRII-AP62 protein. Also provided are kits containing these antibodies and methods of using the antibodies for the detection of the MHRII-AP62 protein. The present invention also provides for a nucleic acid encoding the MHRII-AP62 protein and nucleic acid probes for use in the detection of the MHRII-AP62 protein. Further provided by the present invention are agents that mimic the activity of the MHRII-AP62 protein by binding to the MHRII, agents that inhibit the activity of the MHRII-AP62 protein by binding to the MHRII-AP62 protein, or by binding to the nucleic acid encoding the MHRII-AP62 protein, and methods of using these agents to treat cancer and cancer causing diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating hair loss comprising administering a composition having a cardiac-sparing compound characterized by the structure: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, and biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides thereof. In this compound, n may be an integer from 1 to 3; R1 and R2 may each, independently, be a hydrogen or lower alkyl; R4 may be hydrogen, lower alkyl or cycloalkyl; R6 and R9 may each, independently, be hydrogen or lower alkyl; R7 and R8 may each, independently, be hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted phenyl, or substituted benzyl; R10 may be hydrogen, lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, or acyl; and R11 may be hydrogen, lower alkyl, or cycloalkyl.

Abstract: A method is presented for the preparation and use of fluorogenic peptide substrates that allows for the configuration of general substrate libraries to rapidly identify the primary and extended specificity of enzymes, such as proteases. The substrates contain a fluorogenic-leaving group, such as 7-amino-4-carbamoylmethyl-coumarin (ACC). Substrates incorporating the ACC leaving group show comparable kinetic profiles as those with the traditionally used 7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin (AMC) leaving group. The bifunctional nature of ACC allows for the efficient production of single substrates and substrate libraries using solid-phase synthesis techniques. The approximately 3-fold increased quantum yield of ACC over AMC permits reduction in enzyme and substrate concentrations. As a consequence, a greater number of substrates can be tolerated in a single assay, thus enabling an increase in the diversity space of the library.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA expressed at high frequency in mesangial cells and a protein (Meg-4) encoded by this DNA. These substances are useful in, for example, identifying mesangial cells and detecting abnormalities in mesangial cells. Moreover, the above protein would be helpful for clarification of the functions of mesangial cells and, in its turn, for clarification of the causes of diseases relating to mesangial cells. This protein is expectedly applicable to the treatment, diagnosis, and such of diseases relating to mesangial cells.

Abstract: A spray pyrolysis method for producing pure metal and/or metal oxide particles uses a mixture of a carrier gas and a solution of a metal salt precursor, water and a co-solvent reducing agent. The metal salt precursors preferably comprise metals from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pd, Ag and Au, whereas the salt anions preferably comprise nitrates, acetates, oxalates and chlorides. The co-solvents are those that act as a reducing agent, are vaporizable, are inert with respect to the carrier gas, and are hydrophilic, such as alcohols, in particular, low-carbon numbered alcohols such as methanol or ethanol.

Abstract: Amphipathic lytic peptides are ideally suited to use in a ligand/cytotoxin combination to induce sterility or long-term contraception in mammals. The peptides act directly on cell membranes, and need not be internalized. Administering a combination of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) (or a GnRH agonist) and a membrane-active lytic peptide produces long-term contraception or sterilization in mammals in vivo. The compounds are relatively small, and are not antigenic. Lysis of gonadotropes has been observed to be very rapid (on the order of ten minutes.) The two components—the ligand and the lytic peptide—may optionally be administered as a fusion peptide, or they may be administered separately, with the ligand administered slightly before the lytic peptide, to activate cells with receptors for the ligand, and thereby make those cells susceptible to lysis by the lytic peptide.

Abstract: A method for determining a sideslip angle of a terrestrial vehicle that moves on wheels by using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The GPS receiver is mounted in the vehicle and measures the horizontal velocity of the vehicle as well as its attitude. The sideslip angle of the vehicle at the GPS receiver is obtained from these measurements. The body sideslip angle and tire sideslip angles are derived by translating the sideslip angle at the GPS receiver to the center of gravity and to the wheels. Alternatively, an on-board gyroscope is provided for measuring vehicle attitude while the horizontal velocity is obtained from the GPS receiver. The method is extended to derive wheel slip and tire cornering stiffness. The vehicle states derived by the method can be used in a stability control system for stabilizing the motion of the vehicle.