Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using AMPs that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The AMPs demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter-baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPs change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to Gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptide variants that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPs change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to Gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptide variants that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPs change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to Gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptide variants that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPs change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to Gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptide variants that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPs change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to Gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptides that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPS change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to AMPS with gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptides that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens, The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPS change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to AMPS with gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptides that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPS change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to AMPS with gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: Silylalkyloxyaryl compounds useful as anti-cancer agents. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are particularly useful for the treatment of melanoma, colon, neuroblastoma, bladder, breast, lung, pancreatic, melanoma, sarcoma, lymphoma or gastric cancer.

Abstract: An optical mount for holding an optical element includes a mounting block having an aperture and an optical element adapted to fit within the aperture. A retaining clip is secured to the mounting block and extends across the optical element. The clip is a thin sheet of flexible material comprising contact straps that overlie edge portions of the optical element. The clip is connected to the mounting block by fasteners.

Abstract: Antimicrobial agents, including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and uses thereof. Compositions and methods of using dermaseptin-type and piscidin-type antimicrobial peptides that demonstrate activity and improved therapeutic indices against microbial pathogens. The peptide compositions demonstrate the ability to not only maintain or improve antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens including Gram-negative microorganisms Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also significantly decrease hemolytic activity against human red blood cells. Specificity determinants within the AMPS change selectivity from broad spectrum antimicrobial activity to AMPS with gram-negative selectivity.

Abstract: An illumination system for illuminating a region within a field of view of an imaging device with a spot from a laser.

Abstract: Silylalkyloxyaryl compounds useful as anti-cancer agents. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing them are particularly useful for the treatment of melanoma, colon, neuroblastoma, bladder, breast, lung, pancreatic, melanoma, sarcoma, lymphoma or gastric cancer.

Abstract: Disclosed are antimicrobial peptides with useful or superior properties such as antimicrobial activity, desirable levels of hemolysis, and advantageous therapeutic index against various microorganisms, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus. Also provided are methods of to control microbial growth and pharmaceutical compositions to treat or prevent microbial infections. Certain peptides are disclosed utilizing a structure-based rational modification of antimicrobial peptide D1, with single D-/L-amino acid substitutions or charged residue substitutions in or near the center of the peptide on the nonpolar or polar face, or peptides with one or more amino acids in the D configuration, and peptides with all amino acids in the D configuration. Modified peptide analogs herein can demonstrate one or more properties such as improved antimicrobial activity, specificity, and resistance to degradation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel antimicrobial peptides with useful, improved, or superior properties such as antimicrobial activity, specificity, resistance to degradation desirable levels of hemolytic activity, and therapeutic index against a broad range of microorganisms including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and other organisms having a cellular or structural component of a lipid bilayer membrane. Also provided are methods of making and using such peptides to control microbial growth and in pharmaceutical compositions for treatment or prevention of infections caused by such microorganisms. Certain peptides result from structure-based rational design relating to antimicrobial peptide V681, with single D-/L-amino acid substitutions or charged residue substitutions in or near the center of the peptide on the nonpolar or polar face. Some peptides contain one or more (or all) amino acids in the D configuration.

Abstract: An optical mount for holding an optical element includes a mounting block having an aperture and an optical element adapted to fit within the aperture. A retaining clip is secured to the mounting block and extends across the optical element. The clip is a thin sheet of flexible material comprising contact straps that overlie edge portions of the optical element. The clip is connected to the mounting block by fasteners.

Abstract: The invention provides tight junction protein modulators, compositions comprising the same, and uses thereof. In particular, the invention provides tight junction protein modulators that modulate the second extracellular loop of tight junction proteins, such as occludin or claudin.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus converts linear movement along a first axis into either linear movement along another axis or rotational movement. The apparatus includes a fixed element and one or more moveable elements which are moveable relative to the fixed element. A first guide element is attached to the fixed element and a second guide element is attached to the moveable element. An adjustment mechanism, which is associated with the first and second guide elements, is moveable relative to the fixed element along a first axis, and movement of the adjustment causes movement of the moveable element.

Abstract: Templated conjugates created from naturally-occurring protein sequences found in pathogens, such as viruses, are disclosed. The sequences are “templated” into a consensus coiled-coil sequence in a platform in order to form a two-stranded antigen suitable for immunization of a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides tight junction protein modulators, compositions comprising the same, and uses thereof. In particular, the invention provides tight junction protein modulators that modulate the second extracellular loop of tight junction proteins, such as occludin or claudin.