Abstract: A method of inhibiting amyloid formation, deposition, accumulation, or persistence, or amyloid protein-amyloid protein interactions, amyloid-proteoglycan interactions, amyloid-PG/GAG interactions and/or amyloid-glycosaminoglycan interactions, and/or dissolving or disrupting pre-formed or pre-deposited amyloid fibrils in Alzheimer's Disease in a mammalian subject. In the method a therapeutically effective amount of plant matter from the genus Uncaria, species tomentosa is administered, preferably from the inner bark or root tissue of Uncaria tomentosa.

Abstract: An autonomous navigation system for an orbital platform incorporating a global positioning system based navigation device optimized for low-Earth orbit and medium-Earth orbit applications including a 12-channel, GPS tracking application-specific integrated circuit operating in concert with a microprocessor implementing an extended Kalman filter and orbit propagator which autonomously generates estimates of position, velocity, and time to enable planing, prediction and execution of event-based commanding of mission operations.

Abstract: A method for the detection of a disease comprising the steps of: (i) obtaining a biological sample from a human subject; (ii) applying the biological sample to a sialidase substrate which has been immobilized on a solid support medium; and (iii) detecting a change in the immobilized sialidase substrate is provided. The substrate is preferably 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indoyl &agr;-D-N-acetyl neuraminic acid or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Surface ground kits for controlling arthropods such as termites, carpenter ants, fire ants, roaches, and the like, and combinations thereof. Embodiments can include mounting a chamber on a ground insertable member having an edible food source, such as a wood stake, and pressing the member into the ground until the chamber is against the ground surface. The chamber can be cylindrical disc shape having one closed end and closed sides, such as plastic cup, Petri dish, and the like. Optionally, the chamber can be non-opaque so that the interior contents can be viewed from outside the chamber. The lower open end of the chamber can be a layer of an edible non-toxic material such as a layer of foam, and the like. On top of the edible layer, can be a layer of a non-edible foraging matrix that contains the slow-acting non-repellent toxicant within the foraging matrix, and this layer can be visible through the top closed portion of the chamber.

Abstract: Long-term dialysis requires provision of safe and reliable vascular access, often in the form of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula. The primary cause of AV fistula loss or failure is stenosis caused by intimal hyperplasia (IH) in the graft at the venous anastomosis or the distal vein. Disclosed are methods of using photodynamic therapy (PDT) to inhibit IH in blood vessels which may also be used to inhibit IH and SMC growth at the anastomosis of an AV fistula in vivo.

Abstract: A self-contained, small, lightweight, portable, renewable, modular integrated power source. The power source consists of a recharging means such as solar cells that are laminated onto a rechargeable energy source such as a solid state polymer battery which in turn is laminated onto a substrate containing circuits which manage the polymer battery charging. Charging of the battery can occur via solar energy or, alternatively, via RF coupling using external RF charging equipment or a hand held generator. For added support, the integrated power source is then bonded to an applications housing or structure. This integrated power source can independently power the electronic application. It can also serve as casing or housing by taking the shape of the application enclosure.

Abstract: Use of nordihydroguaiaretic derivatives to suppress CDC-2 and survivin, stimulate apoptosis, and treat tumors.

Abstract: A light emitting device providing a first part that includes a source of excess minority carriers including excess electron-hole pairs; a second part, coupled to the first part, that includes a minority carrier barrier; and a third part, coupled to the second part, that includes a region that exhibits a low radiative recombination efficiency and a short minority carrier lifetime. In response to a first stimulus minority carriers are constrained by the second part to remain in the first part, leading to an increase of minority carrier radiative recombination in the first part and an increase in light emission; while in response to a second stimulus the minority carriers are enabled to cross the minority carrier barrier of the second part to enter the third part, leading to a decrease of minority carrier radiative recombination in the first part and a decrease in light emission.

Abstract: A method for preventing or treating opioid induced changes in gastrointestinal motility. The method comprises administering methylnaltrexone or another quaternary derivative of noroxymorphone to a patient prior to the administration of an opioid or after the onset of side effects induced by the administration of an opioid, wherein the methylnaltrexone or quaternary derivative is administered orally in an enterically coated form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting a polynucleotide encoding GDF-8 in a sample by contacting the sample with an oligonucleotide probe that hybridizes specifically with a polynucleotide encoding GDF-8; and detecting specific hybridization of the oligonucleotide probe to a polynucleotide in the sample, thereby detecting a polynucleotide encoding GDF-8 in the sample. The sample can be a tissue sample or a cell sample, for example, a muscle cell sample, which can be obtained, for example, from a mammal such as a bovine, ovine or porcine mammal, or a human.

Abstract: Provided is a method comprising administering (+) -Z- bisdehydrodoisynolic acid to a patient for treating, inhibiting or delaying the onset of prostatic conditions including prostatitis, benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostate cancer without accompanying feminizing effects.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating postural instability following a determination that a patient is experiencing postural instability. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a vibration table having a non-rigidly supported platform; (b) permitting the patient to rest on the non-rigidly supported platform for a predetermined period of time; and (c) repeating the steps (a) and (b) over a predetermined treatment duration. Step (b) includes the steps of (b1) measuring a vibrational response of the patient's musculoskeletal system using a vibration measurement device; (b2) performing a frequency decomposition of the vibrational response to quantify the vibrational response into specific vibrational spectra; and (b3) analyzing the vibrational spectra to evaluate at least postural stability. Preferably, the predetermined period of time is approximately 10 minutes and the predetermined treatment duration is at least four weeks.

Abstract: A cylinder array of diamond having a dent in its cylinder top face is manufactured by subjecting a cylinder array of diamond to a plasma etching.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing apoptosis of pathogenic cells. The general method comprises the of contacting the cells with an effective amount of an AV peptoid, wherein the AV peptoid is a peptide comprising AX1, wherein X1 is V, I or L, or a peptide mimetic thereof, which interacts with an Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein (IAP) as measured by IAP binding, procaspase-3 activation or promotion of apoptosis, wherein apoptosis of the pathogenic cells is enhanced. The subject compositions encompass pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a subject AV peptoid in dosage form and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the AV peptoid is a peptide comprising AX1, wherein X1 is V, I or L, or a peptide mimetic thereof, which inhibits the activity of an Inhibitor of Apoptosis protein (IAP) as measured by IAP binding, procaspase-3 activation or promotion of apoptosis.

Abstract: A metabotropic glutamate taste receptor having a molecular weight of approximately 68 kDa, encoded by a cDNA sequence having the mRNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 is disclosed, which functions as a umami taste receptor. Also disclosed are cells expressing the cloned receptor and a method of screening for umami mimics using the receptor.

Abstract: The new fluorocarbon-functionalized polythiophenes, in particular, &agr;,&ohgr;-diperfluorohexylsexithiophene DFH-6T (1) can be straightforwardly prepared in high yield and purified by gradient sublimation. Introduction of perfluorocarbon chains on the thiophene core affords enhanced thermal stability and volatility, and increased electron affinity versus the fluorine-free analog 2. Evaporated films of 1, for example, behave as n-type semiconductors, and can be used to fabricate thin film transistors with FET mobilities on the order of ˜0.01 cm2/Vs—some of the highest reported to date for n-type organic semiconductors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhanced optical emissions, the apparatus comprising a light source, a microcavity, and a medium comprising nanoparticles, located within or near the microcavity. The nanoparticles are either non-aggregated or are aggregated in the form of fractals. The nanoparticles and microcavity exhibit enhanced linear and non-linear optical emission. The light emitting apparatus can be used for wavelength translation, amplification, optical parametric oscillation, light detection and ranging, increased sensitivity, high density optical data storage, and near-field optical spectroscopy.

Abstract: The present invention provides organic single crystal films of less than 20 &mgr;m, and devices and methods of making such films. The crystal films are useful in electro-optical applications and can be provided as part of an electro-optical device which provides strength, durability, and relative ease of manipulation of the mono-crystalline films during and after crystal growth.

Abstract: This invention relates to cDNA sequences encoding &Dgr;5-fatty acid desaturases comprising the sequences shown in SEQ.1 and SEQ.2.

Abstract: The present invention provides, for the first time, nucleic acids encoding a eukaryotic mechanosensory transduction channel (MSC) protein. The proteins encoded by these nucleic acids form channels that can directly detect mechanical stimuli and convert them into electrical signals. These nucleic acids and the proteins they encode can be used as probes for sensory cells in animals, and can be used to diagnose and treat any of a number of human conditions involving inherited, casual, or environmentally-induced loss of mechanosensory transduction activity.