Abstract: The miRNA miR-33 is shown to inhibit the expression of carnitine O-octaniltransferase (CROT), Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1a) and hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (HADHB), reduce fatty acid oxidation in hepatic cells, and target the insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) independent of its ability to elevating plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. MiR-33 inhibitors are also shown to increase cholesterol efflux from peripheral cells, such as cholesterol-laden macrophages present in atherosclerotic plaques. Compositions and methods are therefore provided for treating or preventing metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis using miR-33 inhibitors. The miR-33 inhibitors are preferably antagomirs having a single-stranded nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to at least 12 contiguous nucleotides in miR-33 and therefore forms a duplex with miR-33 under physiological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel complex, obtainable by mixing hyaluronic acid or a salt thereof and chondroitin sulphate or a salt thereof, and forming an aqueous solution of said mixture, which is further subjected to a drying process. The invention also relates to various compositions and formulations comprising the complex of the invention, process for obtaining said complex and uses thereof.

Abstract: A method for analysis of 2-D gel images obtained using electrophoresis. More particularly, a molecular block-matching method for establishing the correspondence between protein spots in a diagnostic-test image and protein spots in a reference image. Individual protein spot matching is performed, thereby removing the need for alignment of the entire reference and test images and permitting automatic labeling of individual protein spots. The method for analysis of 2-D gel images is fully automated, thus making it ideally suited for protein information retrieval systems.

Abstract: Pressure compensation device (100) deployed in an element that contains a flammable substance that compensates pressures between interior (101) of the element and exterior atmosphere (102) in which said element is deployed, by means of a continuous primary circulation (300) of air through primary channel (103) in said device (110) that communicates interior (100) and exterior (102) of the element, further comprising a secondary channel (104) integrated in the device (100) itself, communicating interior (102) and exterior (102) of the element, comprising said secondary channel (104) in the interior zone of the element a sheet (105) such that, in the event primary continuous circulation (300) of air through primary channel (103) is interrupted, said continuous circulation continues through secondary circulation (400) of air to interior (101) of the element, this secondary circulation (400) of air being capable of breaking sheet (105) of secondary channel (104).

Abstract: A process for preparing an oat and milk beverage includes processing taking place under chilled conditions. Moreover, the oat product used in accordance with aspects of this invention is hydrolyzed oat flour.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I): wherein: A and B together represent an optionally substituted, fused aromatic ring; X and Y are selected from CH and CH, CF and CH, CH and CF and N and CH respectively; RC is selected from H, C1-4 alkyl; and R1 is selected from C1-7 alkyl, C3-20 heterocyclyl and C5-20 aryl, which groups are optionally substituted; or RC and R1 together with the carbon and oxygen atoms to which they are attached form a spiro-C5-7 oxygen-containing heterocyclic group, which is optionally substituted or fused to a C5-7 aromatic ring.

Abstract: A saxophone having a body, a neck including a plurality of keys mounted thereon, each of said keys including an actuating surface and a bell including a valve protector, the improvement comprising a system for controlling the tension and travel of a saxophone player's fingers of both hands with a right hand device and a left hand device. The right hand device has an anchorage assembly mounted to the valve protector and a travel stopper elongated portion integrally extending from the anchorage assembly and kept at a substantially parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to an actuating surface's plurality of keys thereby limiting the extension movement of a user's fingers as he or she actuates the keys. The left hand device includes an elongate stopper member with anchorage assemblies at its ends. The left hand device is rotatably mounted to facilitate its storage in storage cases.

Abstract: The miRNA miR-33 is shown to inhibit the expression of carnitine O-octaniltransferase (CROT), Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1a) and hydroxyacyl-CoA-dehydrogenase (HADHB), reduce fatty acid oxidation in hepatic cells, and target the insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) independent of its ability to elevating plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. MiR-33 inhibitors are also shown to increase cholesterol efflux from peripheral cells, such as cholesterol-laden macrophages present in atherosclerotic plaques. Compositions and methods are therefore provided for treating or preventing metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis using miR-33 inhibitors. The miR-33 inhibitors are preferably antagomirs having a single-stranded nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to at least 12 contiguous nucleotides in miR-33 and therefore forms a duplex with miR-33 under physiological conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber optic lighting system for drink taps. The inventive system consists of an external light-emitting core from which light is conveyed by means of fiber optic into a drink tap comprising a rigid plate to which the fiber optic is fixed. The aforementioned plate is placed inside a structure which is made from a light-diffusing material and which is covered with a light-refracting resin. The external light-emitting core is formed by a ventilator (6), inlet (8) and outlet (7) ventilation conduits, a halogen lamp (1), a flashing and/or colored disk (2) which rotates by means of a motor (3) and a harness of fiber optic cables (4) which are joined at an optical port (5).

Abstract: This invention is a unique ‘Generator Platform and Drive Assembly for Alternative Power Production from Aermotor® and Similar Design Windmills”. Used to convert or retrofit prior art water pump windmills to produce renewable energy, mainly in the form of electricity. This invention incorporates the attributes of the prior art windmill's high torque, low rpm, low wind, multiple sail design with a unique, versatile “Generator Platform and Drive Assembly’. The power from the sails is transferred and amplified by the invention's custom design ‘split’ sprocket/pulley specifically machined to attach to the Aermotor® prior art sail/brake hub, which then turns the generator attached to the ‘generator platform’, by means of a belt or chain drive.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inducing ?-cell neogenesis from epithelial cells. The method includes the step of exposing epithelial cells that have a disrupted G1-S cell cycle transition to a hedgehog protein in an amount effective to stimulate ?-cell neogenesis from the epithelial cells. Cells resulting from the method are insulin-positive and express pancreatic progenitor cell markers including Pdx-1 and ngn3. ?-cell population expansion is observed when the method is carried out in either in vitro or in vivo settings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support module including a fiber optic lighting system for bottles, characterized by an internal or external light-emitting core from which light is conveyed by means of fiber optic into a bottle that is suspended by a fixing system from a hollow element having a triangular cross-section. The aforementioned fixing system comprises a hollow screw into which the optic fiber is introduced and said fixing system is placed inside a bottle and fixed to the triangular base.

Abstract: The present invention provides method to produce fungi biomass from mycelia comprising inoculating differentiated cells or mycelia into a culture medium which contains at least NaNO3, KH2PO4, MgSO4, KCl, and a source of carbon. This method also includes incubation of said culture under a specific wave length in a specially designed tridimensional closed system or incubator in which all the internal surfaces have all the characteristics of a mirror.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods wherein a dilator, such as a balloon or other expandable member, is positionable within the frontal sinus ostium and adjacent frontal recess and useable to dilate the frontal sinus ostium and substantially all of the frontal sinus recess without requiring repositioning and repeated re-expansion of the dilator. One balloon catheter device of the invention comprises a catheter body that is less than about 50 cm in length (and in some embodiments less than 25 cm in length and a semi-compliant or non-compliant balloon on the catheter body. The balloon may have a working length of about 12 mm to about 30 mm and a width at its widest point when fully inflated of about 2 mm to about 7 mm. Such balloon may be constructed to withstand inflation pressures of about 12 atmospheres. In some embodiments, the dilator is advanced through or over a guide (e.g., guidewire or guide catheter) that has a preformed shape.

Abstract: A tumor necrosis factor-? converting enzyme (TACE) is produced, purified, and crystallized. The three-dimensional coordinates of the crystal are obtained by X-ray diffraction. The coordinates can be recorded on a computer readable medium, or are part of a video memory, where they can be used as part of a system for studying for studying TACE. The coordinates are also used in designing, screening, and developing compounds that associate with TACE.

Abstract: A tumor necrosis factor-&agr; converting enzyme (TACE) is produced, purified, and crystallized. The three-dimensional coordinates of the crystal are obtained by X-ray diffraction. The coordinates can be recorded on a computer readable medium, or are part of a video memory, where they can be used as part of a system for studying for studying TACE. The coordinates are also used in designing, screening, and developing compounds that associate with TACE.

Abstract: The process to produce heterologous proteins in a minimal culture medium consists of (i) transforming a bacterial strain that is secretary in a minimal culture medium with a plasmid that contains the coding sequence of said heterologous protein, (ii) culturing said strain in a minimal culture medium, and (iii) recovering the heterologous protein. The bacterial strain that is secretary in a minimal culture medium can be obtained by means of a process that comprises (a) transforming bacteria adapted to grow in a minimal culture medium with a plasmid that comprises a DNA sequence that encodes for a protein that is toxic for a bacteria when it accumulates in the cytoplasm and whose synthesis is coupled to the secretion into the periplasm, (b) culturing said transformed bacteria in a minimal culture medium, and (c) selecting the surviving bacteria. It is applicable in the production of proteins of interest in bacteria that are secretary in a minimal culture medium.

Abstract: A tumor necrosis factor-&agr; converting enzyme (TACE) is produced, purified, and crystallized. The three-dimensional coordinates of the crystal are obtained by X-ray diffraction. The coordinates can be recorded on a computer readable medium, or are part of a video memory, where they can be used as part of a system for studying for studying TACE. The coordinates are also used in designing, screening, and developing compounds that associate with TACE.

Abstract: The invention provides spatial structures and crystal forms of polypeptides comprising at least one subdomain of a protein from the family of proteins that includes calcium-activated cystein proteinases (calpains). Also provided are methods of preparing these crystal forms, and methods of modeling calpains using the coordinates derived from the disclosed crystal forms. The invention further provides compounds that act as ligands for calpains, methods for identifying such ligands, and methods for using such ligands as inhibitors or activators of calpain activity.

Abstract: A tumor necrosis factor-&agr; converting enzyme (TACE) is produced, purified, and crystallized. The three-dimensional coordinates of the crystal are obtained by X-ray diffraction. The coordinates can be recorded on a computer readable medium, or are part of a video memory, where they can be used as part of a system for studying for studying TACE. The coordinates are also used in designing, screening, and developing compounds that associate with TACE.