Abstract: A fusion protein is provided which is based on a self-assembling gene-regulatory NSP10 protein and a protein or peptide capable of being fused to NSP10 without interfering with the assembly or aggregation of the resulting fusion protein. The disclosure also relates to any nanoparticle formed thereby whether complete or not, and methods for the use of the NSP10 fusion protein are also disclosed, including use as vaccines for any indication in humans or animals, therapeutic methods involving the use of the fusion proteins such as using the protein to targeted an antibody or receptor, such as for treating or diagnosing cancer, biosensors using the fusion protein, or the use of the fusion proteins in cell sorting or any imaging application.

Abstract: A fusion protein is provided which is based on a self-assembling gene-regulatory NSP10 protein and a protein or peptide capable of being fused to NSP10 without interfering with the assembly or aggregation of the resulting fusion protein. The disclosure also relates to any nanoparticle formed thereby whether complete or not, and methods for the use of the NSP10 fusion protein are also disclosed, including use as vaccines for any indication in humans or animals, therapeutic methods involving the use of the fusion proteins such as using the protein to targeted an antibody or receptor, such as for treating or diagnosing cancer, biosensors using the fusion protein, or the use of the fusion proteins in cell sorting or any imaging application.

Abstract: A fusion protein is provided which is based on a self-assembling gene-regulatory NSP10 protein and a protein or peptide capable of being fused to NSP10 without interfering with the assembly or aggregation of the resulting fusion protein. The disclosure also relates to any nanoparticle formed thereby whether complete or not, and methods for the use of the NSP10 fusion protein are also disclosed, including use as vaccines for any indication in humans or animals, therapeutic methods involving the use of the fusion proteins such as using the protein to targeted an antibody or receptor, such as for treating or diagnosing cancer, biosensors using the fusion protein, or the use of the fusion proteins in cell sorting or any imaging application.

Abstract: A method for treating psoriasis, eczema, acne and like skin conditions for sanitization, pharmaceutical compounding and protection of the skin from extreme environmental conditions is provided wherein serum albumin is applied in an amount effective to treat, reduce the symptoms and improve the appearance of affected skin due to psoriasis, eczema, and acne and like conditions, enhance the delivery performance or stability of pharmaceutical compounding bases, protect the skin from the environment and premature aging, and to lubricate and/or promote the healing of eye after surgical or accidental trauma, when combined with a suitable topical ointment, antibacterial or dermatological agent, pharmaceutical compounding ointment or bases, vehicle, carrier or excipient. The albumin may be used in a suitable form such as an alcohol-based gel.

Abstract: A fusion protein is provided which is based on a self-assembling gene-regulatory NSP10 protein and a protein or peptide capable of being fused to NSP10 without interfering with the assembly or aggregation of the resulting fusion protein. The disclosure also relates to any nanoparticle formed thereby whether complete or not, and methods for the use of the NSP10 fusion protein are also disclosed, including use as vaccines for any indication in humans or animals, therapeutic methods involving the use of the fusion proteins such as using the protein to targeted an antibody or receptor, such as for treating or diagnosing cancer, bio-sensors using the fusion protein, or the use of the fusion proteins in cell sorting or any imaging application.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided that aids in the reduction of objectionable volatile odors when a few drops are placed in the toilet prior to use. In one embodiment, the composition contains a high molecular weight polypropylene glycol (PPG) together with a dispersing agent to create an instantaneous multifunctional surface barrier of the polypropylene glycol/isopropanol mixture across the water surface. The composition may also optionally include one or more essential oils, fragrances or colorants.

Abstract: A method and composition is provided that aids in the reduction of objectionable volatile odors when a few drops are placed in the toilet prior to use. In one embodiment, the composition contains a high molecular weight polypropylene glycol (PPG) together with a dispersing agent to create an instantaneous multifunctional surface barrier of the polypropylene glycol/isopropanol mixture across the water surface. The composition may also optionally include one or more essential oils, fragrances or colorants.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and Apparatus for controlling the spatial distribution of a plasma in a processing chamber are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a primary inductor disposed to excite the plasma when power is actively applied to the primary inductor; at least one secondary inductor located in proximity to the primary inductor such that substantially all current that passes through the secondary inductor results from mutual inductance through the plasma with the primary inductor. In addition, at least one terminating element is coupled to the at least one secondary inductor, the at least one terminating element affecting the current through the at least one secondary inductor so as to affect the spatial distribution of the plasma.

Abstract: Dermatological compositions and method for treating psoriasis, eczema, acne and like skin conditions for sanitization pharmaceutical compounding and protection of the skin from extreme environmental conditions are provided which contain serum albumin in an amount effective to treat, reduce the symptoms and improve the appearance of affected skin due to psoriasis, eczema, and acne and like conditions, enhance the delivery performance or stability of pharmaceutical compounding bases, protect the skin from the environment and premature aging, and to lubricate and/or promote the healing of eye after surgical or accidental trauma, when combined with a suitable topical ointment, antibacterial or dermatological agent, pharmaceutical compounding ointment or bases, vehicle, carrier or excipient. The albumin compositions may be in any suitable form for treating skin, such as a cream, oil, lotion, gel, gel-based ointment, and the like.

Abstract: A hypoallergenic cleansing, cosmetic, conditioning or dermatological composition for treating skin or hair is provided which contains serum albumin in an amount effective to achieve cleansing, conditioning, wound debrisment, or other beneficial cosmetic or dermatological purpose for skin or hair, along with a suitable cleansing, conditioning, cosmetic, antibacterial or dermatological agent, vehicle, carrier or excipient. The compositions may be in any suitable form for treating skin or hair, such as a soap, shampoo, cream, oil, lotion, gel, gel-based ointment, and the like. The serum albumin compositions are preferably prepared using human serum albumin produced by recombinant means, and such compositions are useful in that they allow the albumin to be absorbed in the surface of skin or hair so as to replenish the structure of these tissues when utilized as a cleansing, cosmetic or dermatological agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and formulations for optimizing the anti-cancer and anti-HIV activities of a camptothecin drug, including camptothecin and its related analogs including 9-aminocamptothecin and 9-nitrocamptothecin. The invention involves methodologies and formulations that limit human serum albumin-mediated reduction of the anti-cancer and anti-HIV effects of the camptothecins, and the methods and formulations provide combination therapies in which binding of the camptothecin agent to human serum albumin can be modulated by the administration of a competing agent such as ibuprofen, clofibrate or clofibric acid that also binds human serum albumin. Reduced camptothecin drug binding to human serum albumin can result in elevated camptothecin free drug levels and thus improve the effectiveness of treatment regimens involving these drugs. Further agents such as methotrexate and AZT can also be used in cancer and HIV-positive patients employing camptothecin drugs.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and Apparatus for controlling the spatial distribution of a plasma in a processing chamber are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a primary inductor disposed to excite the plasma when power is actively applied to the primary inductor; at least one secondary inductor located in proximity to the primary inductor such that substantially all current that passes through the secondary inductor results from mutual inductance through the plasma with the primary inductor. In addition, at least one terminating element is coupled to the at least one secondary inductor, the at least one terminating element affecting the current through the at least one secondary inductor so as to affect the spatial distribution of the plasma.

Abstract: An animal model is provided which is genetically engineered to express human serum albumin, and such animals may be advantageously used in assessing drugs, vaccines or other therapeutic compounds that may be used in humans. In addition, an animal model is provided which does not manufacture its own albumin and which has been injected with human serum albumin. Through the use of these animal models, drugs and other chemicals can be more accurately assessed in physiological environments that reflect the conditions to be expected in humans, and such models will be useful in assessing new drugs and evaluating toxic substances for potential dangers as carcinogens, mutagens, etc. Other applications include evaluating immunological properties of various albumin-engineered proteins which might be administered to humans as therapeutics or vaccines, and research of disease states, such as genetic diseases, to provide further insight in treating these diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and formulations for optimizing the anti-cancer and anti-HIV activities of a camptothecin drug, including camptothecin and its related analogs including 9-aminocamptothecin and 9-nitrocamptothecin. The invention involves methodologies and formulations that limit human serum albumin-mediated reduction of the anti-cancer and anti-HIV effects of the camptothecins, and the methods and formulations provide combination therapies in which binding of the camptothecin agent to human serum albumin can be modulated by the administration of a competing agent that also binds human serum albumin. Reduced camptothecin drug binding to human serum albumin can result in elevated camptothecin free drug levels and thus improve the effectiveness of treatment regimens involving these drugs. Further agents such as methotrexate and AZT can also be used in cancer and HIV-positive patients employing camptothecin drugs.

Abstract: A Chalaropsis lysozyme (Lysozyme Ch) is provided which has a corrected amino acid sequence and which can be utilized to prepare recombinant proteins having higher activity than those proteins using the incorrect sequence. Methods are also provided to reduce immunogenicity or increase half-life of the lysozyme. The lysozyme Ch of the present invention will be extremely useful in killing bacteria, particularly resistance strains such as MRSA and VISA, and the enzyme can be utilized in a variety of settings wherein bacterial infection has been a particular problem such as the hospital setting or in veterinary applications, and can also be used as an effective means of combating bioterror agents.

Abstract: An isolated ferritin fusion protein is provided in which ferritin is fused with a protein or peptide capable of being fused to ferritin without interfering with the polymeric self-assembly of the resulting fusion protein, and the protein may be of the endocapsid form when fused at the C terminus or an exocapsid form when fused at the N terminus. These fusion proteins may self-assemble into a variety of useful higher polymeric forms, e.g., capsid or other polymeric aggregate, and they are advantageous in that they are useful in a variety of applications, including human and veterinary vaccines and therapeutics, blood substitutes, image contrast agents, metal chelating agents, gelling agents, protein purification platforms, and therapeutic receptor-binding proteins.

Abstract: A system for managing a processing system and/or a processing system component is described. The system may include a wear-out module configured to provide a wear-out signal, the wear-out signal indicating a remaining amount of useful life of the component; a health module configured to provide a health signal, the health signal indicating an extent to which operational and environmental factors affect a failure rate of the component during a useful life of the component; and a mission module configured to provide a mission signal, the mission signal indicative of whether an operating condition is approaching a threshold that would adversely affect the system's ability to meet at least one performance objective.

Abstract: An animal model is provided which is genetically engineered to express human serum albumin, and such animals may be advantageously used in assessing drugs, vaccines or other therapeutic compounds that may be used in humans. In addition, an animal model is provided which does not manufacture its own albumin and which has been injected with human serum albumin. Through the use of these animal models, drugs and other chemicals can be more accurately assessed in physiological environments that reflect the conditions to be expected in humans, and such models will be useful in assessing new drugs and evaluating toxic substances for potential dangers as carcinogens, mutagens, etc. Other applications include evaluating immunological properties of various albumin-engineered proteins which might be administered to humans as therapeutics or vaccines, and research of disease states, such as genetic diseases, to provide further insight in treating these diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the albumin-guided development of coumarin analogs and the analogs developed thereby. The coumarin analogs of the present invention are identified and isolated by the fact that they have binding sites to albumin which are different than the binding sites of conventional coumarin analogs such as sodium warfarin, and as a result will be less prone to be displaced since the binding site of sodium warfarin is shared by numerous drugs such as aspirin. The coumarin analogs of the invention are advantageous because they can achieve the effects of the prior coumarin analogs with a minimum of metabolic complications and undesirable side effects.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying and isolating peptides capable of binding of inorganic materials such as silica, silver, germanium, cobalt, iron, or oxides thereof, or other materials on a nanometric scale such as carbon nanotubes, using a combinatorial phage display peptide library and a polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) step to obtain specific amino acids sequences. In the method of the invention, a combinatorial phage display library is used to isolate and select the desired binding peptides by a series of steps of target binding of phage with the nanometric material of interest, elution and purification of the bound phages, and amplification using PCR to determine the sequences of phages producing the desired binding peptides. The binding peptides of the invention are particularly advantageous in that they may be used as templates to guide the development of useful structures on a nanometric scale.