Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention are directed to methods for inducing an immunologic response to a tumor in a patient using mature dendritic cells transfected with a nucleic acid composition encoding one or more tumor antigens and loaded with a corresponding tumor antigen composition.

Abstract: Nanoparticles gene carriers, particularly nanoparticle gene carriers which exhibit increased rates of diffusion through cystic fibrosis (CF) mucus, as well as methods of making and using thereof, are described herein. The nanoparticle gene carriers are formed from a nucleic acid complexed to one or more biocompatible, polycationic polymers. The nanoparticle gene carriers also contain one or more mucus resistant polymers. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the nanoparticle gene carrier is a nanoparticle formed from one or more nucleic acids, PEI, and a mucus-resistant/diffusive graft copolymer composed of a PEI backbone functionalized by one or more PEG side chains. The nanoparticle gene carriers can efficiently diffuse through CF mucus, and can effectively serve as a vehicle to administer one or more nucleic acids to a patient suffering from CF.

Abstract: Disclosed are formulation and optimization protocols for delivery of therapeutically effective amounts of biologically active agents to liver, tumors, and/or other cells or tissues. Also provided are compositions and uses for cationic lipid compounds of formula (I). The invention also relates to compositions and uses for stealth lipids of formula (XI). Also provided are processes for making such compounds, compositions, and formulations, plus methods and uses of such compounds, compositions, and formulations to deliver biologically active agents to cells and/or tissues.

Abstract: Provided herein is an apparatus for printing cells which includes an electrospinning device and an inkjet printing device operatively associated therewith. Methods of making a biodegradable scaffold having cells seeded therein are also provided. Methods of forming microparticles containing one or more cells encapsulated by a substrate are also provided, as are methods of forming an array of said microparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer composite (polyplex) that contains nucleic acid, a cationic polymer, and an anionic polymer. The anionic polymer covers the surface of the composite comprising the cationic polymer and nucleic acid, has a negative charge at neutral pH, and can change so as to have a positive charge at mildly acidic pH.

Abstract: Kinked nanowires are used for measuring electrical potentials inside simple cells. An improved intracellular entrance is achieved by modifying the kinked nanowires with phospholipids.

Abstract: The affinity of collagen for the skin and its persistence on the skin are improved without destroying the triple helical structure inherent in collagen to thereby improve its ability to retain the moisture of the skin and increase the amount of bound water when such collagen is used as a skin cosmetic. The collagen can thereby exert its moisture retention effect more effectively. A cosmetic base includes an aqueous solution of a liposome that is surface-modified with water-soluble collagen having a triple helical structure.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition in concentrated form (“the concentrate”) for dilution with water in the preparation of an agricultural composition for application to crops, soil or animals, comprising a carbohydrate-based pH modifying agent and a pH indicator. The agricultural composition comprises an agricultural chemical whose agricultural activity varies with the pH of the water. The proportions of the pH indicator and the pH modifying agent in the concentrate are selected so that when the concentrate is diluted with an appropriate amount of water, the pH indicator indicates visually by coloration of the composition, whether or not the pH of the water is suitable for acceptable agricultural activity of the chemical. The invention also provides a process for preparing the agricultural composition by mixing the concentrate with water, and adding the agricultural chemical to the composition, if it is not already present in the concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods of culturing non-keratinocyte epithelial cells, with the methods comprising culturing non-keratinocyte epithelial cells in the presence of feeder cells and a calcium-containing medium while inhibiting the activity of Rho kinase (ROCK) in the feeder cell, the non-keratinocyte epithelial cells or both during culturing.

Abstract: Poly(amine-co-ester) polymers, methods of forming active agent-load nanoparticles therefrom, and methods of using the nanoparticles for drug delivery are disclosed. The nanoparticles can be coated with an agent that reduces surface charge, an agent that increases cell-specific targeting, or a combination thereof. Typically, the loaded nanoparticles are less toxic, more efficient at drug delivery, or a combination thereof compared to a control other transfection reagents. In some embodiments, the nanoparticles are suitable for in vivo delivery, and can be administered systemically to a subject to treat a disease or condition.

Abstract: A granular pesticidal composition which comprises a pyrazolinone compound given by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a chlorine atom etc.; R2 represents a chlorine atom etc.; R3 represents a 1-methylethyl group etc.; and R4 represents a C1-C4 alkoxy group etc. and a salt of ligninsulfonic acid, and the amount of the salt of ligninsulfonic acid in the granular pesticidal composition is 10-60% by weight has good disintegrability in water when it is diluted with water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a concentrate, comprising: a) 100 to 400 g/l of a dinitroaniline; b) 5 to 100 g/l of an imidazolinone ammonium salt or substituted ammonium salt; c) 20 to 100 g/l of water; d) 15 to 150 g/l of an anionic surface-active substance which has at least one sulfonic acid group; e) 5 to 100 g/l of a polymeric, nonionic surface-active substance which has at least one polyethylene oxide group and at least one radical selected from poly-C3-C4-alkylene oxide groups; f) 50 to 250 g/l of a nonionic surface-active substance selected from ethoxylated fatty acid esters of polyhydroxyl compounds, alkyl polyglucosides, ethoxylated C4-C16-alkylphenols and ethoxylated C8-C22-alkanols; g) a hydrocarbon solvent ad 1 l; where the quantitative data of components a) to f) in g/l are based on the total volume of the active ingredient concentrate.

Abstract: At least one novel virus capable of infecting crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) is isolated, along with polynucleotide sequences and amino acid sequences of the virus. The virus is capable of be used as a biopesticide to control populations of crazy ants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are herbicidal compositions, characterized in that they comprise: A) an antidotically effective amount of one or more safeners from the group of the phosphorated esters of the formula (I): wherein T and T1 are independently selected from the group of hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; U is O or S, and V, W, X, Y, and Z are independently selected from the group of hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, haloalkyl, and alkoxy; and B) one or more sulfonamide or sulfonylurea herbicides selected from the group consisting of amidosulfuron, azimsulfuro bensulfuron-methyl, chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron, ethametsulfuron-methyl, ethoxysulfuron, flupyrsulfuron-methyl, flazasulfuron, foramsulfuron, halosulfuron-methyl, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron-methyl, mesosulfuron-methyl, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron, primisulfuron-methyl, prosulfuron, thifensulfuron-methyl, tribenuron-methyl, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron-methyl, triosu

Abstract: The present invention is a medical device for controlling the release of an active agent. The medical device has a supporting structure having a porous body disposed therein. At least one elution rate controlling matrix containing an effective amount of at least one active agent is disposed within the pores of the porous body in a manner that protects the matrix from mechanical damage. The medical device may therefore be used for controlled drug release applications. Additionally, the present invention discloses a method for using the medical device for the treatment and prevention of diseases in mammals. This invention further relates to a method for using the medical device for treating and preventing vascular diseases.

Abstract: A first set of carbon nanotubes is functionalized with streptavidin and co-functionalized with a cell treatment payload material. A second set of carbon nanotubes is functionalized with biotin and co-functionalized with specific cell targeting material. Mixing the first and second sets causes four carbon nanotubes from the second set to attach to each carbon nanotube from the first set. Multiple replicated virus-like particles result. The pharmaceutical composition seeks out and attaches to target cells. The carbon nanotubes from the first set penetrate the targeted cells and deliver their cell treatment payloads into the targeted cells. Near infrared energy is transmitted through tissue heating the carbon nanotubes for targeted cell treatment.

Abstract: The present invention describe nanocomplexes also called auto-assembling nanoparticles comprising biphosphonates, lipid nanovectors and inorganic nanovectors. In particular the invention describes zoledronic acid complexed with calcium phosphate base nanoparticles; said particles in their turn mixed with lipidic particles e.g. liposomes. Said nanocomplexes are useful, and showed to be efficient in vivo, as pharmaceutical formulations of biphosphonates for the treatment or prevention of tumor growth and/or metastasis. Tumors can be solids and/or haematological such as prostate, lung, head/neck, colon, liver, breast, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, male and female urogenital tract, bones, multiple myeloma, primitive and secondary tumors of the central nervous system and lymphomas.

Abstract: A multi-functional composite poser having the properties of (a) excellent adhesiveness, (b) excellent extendability, (c) an appropriate glossy effect, (d) appropriate covering capability, and (e) excellent soft-focusing capability. The powder is constituted by a scale-like base material, a group of particles including titanium dioxide particles deposited on a part of a surface of the scale-like base material, and a thin film of a composite oxide containing titanium and iron coating part of the surface of the scale-like base material.

Abstract: With an aim to provide means for developing a compound devoid of teratogenicity but retaining beneficial actions, a screening method for a non-teratogenic substance comprising bringing a test substance into contact with cereblon or a fragment of cereblon, evaluating the bindability of the test substance with cereblon or the fragment of cereblon, and selecting a test substance that does not bind to cereblon or the fragment of cereblon or a test substance exhibiting lower bindability with cereblon or the fragment of cereblon than does thalidomide is provided.

Abstract: Dry blend powder formulations comprising a pharmaceutical formulation containing tetrahydrobiopterin, and methods of making and using the same, are disclosed herein.