Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of an ATP binding cassette transporter and mutated sequences thereof associated with macular degeneration. Methods of detecting agents that modify ATP-binding cassette transporter comprising combining purified ATP binding cassette transporter and at least one agent suspected of modifying the ATP binding cassette transporter an observing a change in at least one characteristic associated with ATP binding cassette transporter. Methods of detecting macular degeneration is also embodied by the present invention.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 27, 1998
Date of Patent:
March 30, 2004
Assignees:
University of Utah Research Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, The United States of America as represented by the Department
of Health and Human Services
Inventors:
Rando Allikmets, Kent L. Anderson, Michael Dean, Mark Leppert, Richard A. Lewis, Yixin Li, James R. Lupski, Jeremy Nathans, Amir Rattner, Noah F. Shroyer, Nanda Singh, Philip Smallwood, Hui Sun
Abstract: A process for the separation of a polyol or multiple polyols in admixture with other organic compounds, usually those produced with the polyol, is described. The process uses a distillation in a column (11) of a cyclic acetal from an aqueous solution which acetal is formed in a reaction mixture of the polyol and an aldehyde or ketone. The polyols, such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, are staple articles of commerce with many uses.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 7, 2003
Date of Patent:
March 30, 2004
Assignee:
Board of Trustees of Michigan State University
Inventors:
Dennis J. Miller, James E. Jackson, Shubham P. Chopade, Atulkumar D. Dhale, Angela M. Clark, Christopher W. Kiesling
Abstract: A method of palmprint identification includes obtaining an image of a portion of an inner surface of a hand of an individual. A sub-image of skin surface within a defined area of the inner surface of the hand of obtained from the image. The sub-image is analyzed to obtain texture data for the skin surface with the defined area. The texture data is compared to reference information in a database.
Abstract: A biomimetic pitching and flapping mechanism including a support member, at least two blade joints for holding blades and operatively connected to the support member. An outer shaft member is concentric with the support member, and an inner shaft member is concentric with the outer shaft member. The mechanism allows the blades of a small-scale rotor to be actuated in the flap and pitch degrees of freedom. The pitching and the flapping are completely independent from and uncoupled to each other. As such, the rotor can independently flap, or independently pitch, or flap and pitch simultaneously with different amplitudes and/or frequencies. The mechanism can also be used in a non-rotary wing configuration, such as an ornithopter, in which case the rotational degree of freedom would be suppressed.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 14, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
University of Maryland
Inventors:
Darryll J. Pines, Felipe A. Bohorquez, Jayant Sirohi
Abstract: An actuation system for assisting the operation of a natural heart that includes a dome structure configured for being coupled with a ventricular portion of the heart. The dome structure has at least one opening formed therein. The dome structure, proximate the opening, is configured to interface with at least one of an atrial chamber and a great vessel of the heart. A stabilizing element or an actuating element may be anchored to the dome structure for engaging a portion of the heart.
Abstract: This invention provides novel assays that are prognostic and/or diagnostic for atherosclerosis or risk of atherosclerosis. It was discovered that high density lipoprotein (HDL) or components thereof can prevent the oxidation of lipids (e.g. lipids present in LDLs) and can also repair (reduce) already oxidized lipids and thereby reduce the inflammatory response associated with and characteristic of atherosclerotic plaque formation. Moreover it was a discovery of this invention that individuals vary in the ability of their HDL to afford such protection. Thus an assay of HDL protective and/or repair activity provides a highly effective assay for risk of atherosclerosis and its associated pathologies and such assays are provided herein.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 5, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Regents of the University of California
Inventors:
Alan M. Fogelman, Mohamad Navab, Susan Hama
Abstract: An aerodynamic base drag reduction apparatus and method for bluff bodies, such as tractor-trailer trucks, utilizing a pair of lift surfaces extending to lift surface tips and located alongside the bluff body such as on opposing left and right side surfaces. In a flowstream substantially parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the bluff body, the pair of lift surfaces generate a pair of counter-rotating trailing vortices which confluence together in the wake of the bluff body in a direction orthogonal to the flowstream. The confluence draws or otherwise turns the flowstream, such as the flowstream passing over a top surface of the bluff body, in and around behind a trailing end of the bluff body to raise the pressure on a base surface at the trailing end and thereby reduce the aerodynamic base drag.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 22, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Regents of the University of California
Abstract: A method of manufacturing sheets, films, and articles of manufacture from a corn zein resin is disclosed. The method permits the manufacture of sheets, films, and articles of a corn zein resin on a commercial scale. The corn zein resin products prepared by the present method exhibit improved physical and esthetic properties, and can be used in packaging applications or formed into biodegradable articles of manufacture.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 22, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
Inventors:
Graciela Wild Padua, Andrianaivo Maherisoa Rakotonirainy, Toan Thanh Ha
Abstract: A method for preparing precursors for producing high density monolithic aerogels. The method enables fabrication of transparent porous glass monoliths, with the porosity or density controlled by adjusting the ratio of water to monomer. By this adjustment, syneresis is increased or minimized. The method involves either a single step precursor or a two step precursor where a base is added to the single step precursor after hydrolysis has occurred. Monolithic metal oxide aerogels with densities between 0.3 g/cc to 1.5 g/cc have been produced using this method.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 23, 2002
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Regents of the University of California
Abstract: A method for purifying an immunosuppressant protein (HISP) has the steps of obtaining supernatant from hNT cells; exposing the supernatant to preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to produce 20 isoelectric fractions, including active isoelectric fraction #10; placing the active isoelectric fraction on a Blue Sepharose column to bind albumin; and collecting the free fraction containing the concentrated, isolated HISP. Also disclosed is a method of treating inflammation, using an effective amount of an HISP. The HISP is anionic, has a molecular weight of 40-100 kDa, an isoelectric point of about 4.8 and is obtained from the supernatant of hNT cells, but not from NCCIT embryonal carcinoma cells, T98G glioblastoma cells or THP-1 monocytic leukemia cells. HISP can maintain T cells in a quiescent G0/G1 state without lowering their viability. HISP loses activity when treated with heat, pH2, pH11, or mixed with trypsin or carboxypeptidase, but not with neuraminidase.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 16, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
University of South Florida, a non-profit institution
Inventors:
Paul R. Sanberg, Robert W. Engelman, William R. Gower
Abstract: A process for making transparent porous glass monoliths from gels. The glass is produced much faster and in much larger sizes than present technology for making porous glass. The process reduces the cost of making large porous glass monoliths because: 1) the process does not require solvent exchange nor additives to the gel to increase the drying rates, 2) only moderate temperatures and pressures are used so relatively inexpensive equipment is needed, an 3) net-shape glass monoliths are possible using this process. The process depends on the use of temperature to control the partial pressure of the gel solvent in a closed vessel, resulting in controlled shrinking during drying.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 23, 2002
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Regents of the University of California
Abstract: An apparatus and method of producing dense, near net shape components of advanced materials such as intermetallics, ceramics, and their composites. The method consists of two major steps combined into one. First step includes the preparation of semi-solid or liquid materials by means of combustion synthesis or self-propagating high-temperature synthesis. The second step includes the densification and near net shape forming of such combustion products by semi-solid metalworking or die casting techniques. The combination of combustion synthesis and semi-solid metalworking or die casting techniques provides a low cost, fast production method for many articles made of high temperature materials such as intermetallics, ceramics, and their composites.
Abstract: A method and means are provided for actively protecting a substrate from particulate contamination during thin film deposition. An intense beam of ions or ionized clusters is directed through the space immediately in front of the surface being coated, and the kinetic energy of the ions is used to deflect any approaching particle defects to the side, preventing them from reaching the surface being coated.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 25, 2002
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Regents of the University of California
Abstract: This invention comprises a method of treating a subject having relapsed or refractory cancer such as leukemia with liposomal annamycin including the steps of
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 18, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for the expansion of non-terminally differentiated cells (“precursor cells”) using agonists of Notch function, by inhibiting the differentiation of the cells without inhibiting proliferation (mitotic activity) such that an expanded population of non-terminally differentiated cells is obtained. The cells are preferably stem or progenitor cells. These expanded cells can be used in cell replacement therapy to provide desired cell populations and help in the regeneration of diseased and/or injured tissues. The expanded cell populations can also be made recombinant and used for gene therapy, or can be used to supply functions associated with a particular precursor cell or its progeny cell.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 18, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
Yale University
Inventors:
Spyridon Artavanis-Tsakonas, Mark Edward Fortini, Kenji Matsuno
Abstract: A method for depositing a patterned coating of a nanostructure material onto a substrate includes: (1) forming a solution or suspension of containing the nanostructure material; (2) masking at least a portion of at least one surface of the substrate (3) immersing electrodes in the solution, the substrate upon which the nanostructure material is to be deposited acting as one of the electrodes or is electrically connected to at least one electrode; (4) applying a direct and/or alternating current electrical field between the two electrodes for a certain period of time thereby causing the nanostructure materials in the solution to migrate toward and attach themselves to the substrate electrode; and (5) subsequent optional processing.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 10, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Abstract: This invention provides composite gels to, e.g., efficiently deliver unmodified amino acids, lipids, and/or feed supplements through the rumen of a ruminant animal. The invention also provides methods to make and use composite gels.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 14, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Regents of the University of California, a California corporation
Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved pharmaceutical composition and method for delivery of therapeutic agents. The methods and composition of the invention can be used with several therapeutic agents and can achieve site specific delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. This can allow for lower doses and for improved efficacy with drugs which traditionally reach targeted sites and can result in improved utility for agents such as oligonucleotides and polynucleotides which are plagued with problems with biodistribution.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 22, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
Abstract: A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.