Abstract: Provided are peptides, fusion proteins which include the peptide sequences, compositions comprising such peptides and fusion proteins, and methods for making and using the compositions. The peptides are characterized as being able to selectively bind to components of the endothelial compartment that are exposed during the period between 1 and 7 days after androgen deprivation.

Abstract: Provided are peptides, fusion proteins which include the peptide sequences, compositions comprising such peptides and fusion proteins, and methods for making and using the compositions. The peptides are characterized as being able to selectively bind to components of the endothelial compartment that are exposed during the period between 1 and 7 days after androgen deprivation.

Abstract: Two cell lines, PICM-19H and PICM-19B, were derived from the bipotent ARS-PICM-19 pig liver stem cell line. The unipotent porcine stem cell line PICM-19H differentiates exclusively into hepatocytes and can be induced to express CYP450 enzymes. The growth rate and cell density in culture, morphological features, and hepatocyte detoxification functions, i.e., inducible CYP450 activity, ammonia clearance, and urea production of the PICM-19H cells were evaluated for their application in artificial liver devices. PICM-19H cells contain numerous mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, vesicular bodies and occasional lipid vacuoles and display inducible CYP450 activity, clear ammonia, and produce urea in a glutamine-free medium. The data indicate that both cell lines, either together or alone, may be useful as the cellular substrate for an artificial liver device. The results demonstrate the potential for the use of PICM-19H cells in drug biotransformation and toxicity testing.

Abstract: An electronic switch for controlling a motor. The switch includes at least one deflectable resistor including a substrate having a first configuration. The substrate being bendable to a second configuration relative to the first configuration. A layer of conductive material is disposed on a surface of the substrate, wherein the layer of conductive material having a resistance that changes predictably when an electrical signal is applied thereto. The change of resistance of the layer of conductive material reflects an amount of deflection between the first configuration and the second configuration and for various configurations in between. A motor assembly is coupled to the at least one deflectable resistor. The deflectable resistor, when positioned in the first configuration turns off the motor assembly. Also, the deflectable resistor when bent towards the second configuration and away from the first configuration turns on the motor assembly.

Abstract: Two cell lines, PICM-19H and PICM-19B, were derived from the bipotent ARS-PICM-19 pig liver stem cell line and assessed for their potential application in artificial liver devices. The study included assessments of growth rate and cell density in culture, morphological features, and hepatocyte detoxification functions, i.e., inducible CYP450 activity, ammonia clearance, and urea production. The PICM-19H cells contain numerous mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, vesicular bodies and occasional lipid vacuoles. PICM-19H cells display inducible CYP450 activity, clear ammonia, and produce urea in a glutamine-free medium. Ultrastructural analysis of the PICM-19B monolayers show that the roughly cuboidal cells display basal-apical polarization and are joined by tight junction-like complexes. Other ultrastructure features are similar to those of PICM-19H cells except that they possess numerous cell bodies resembling mucus vacuoles.