Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating BPH using modified pore-forming proteins (MPPs). These MPPs are derived from naturally occurring cytotoxic proteins (nPPs) that kill cells by forming pores or channels in the cell membrane, resulting in cell death. The MPPs are generated by modification of the nPPs such that they are capable of being selectively activated at normal prostate cells. Such modification may include the addition of a prostate-specific protease cleavage site to the activation sequence, and/or the addition of a prostate-specific targeting domain to allow selective targeting of prostate cells. These MPPs are capable of selectively targeting and killing normal prostate cells in vivo. The MPPs may be used either alone or in combination with other therapies for the treatment of BPH.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified proaerolysin (PA) peptide. In some examples, the proteins include a prostate-specific protease cleavage site and can further include a prostate-tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. In other examples, the proteins include a furin cleavage site and a prostate tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. Methods of using such peptides to treat prostate cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified proaerolysin (PA) peptide. In some examples, the proteins include a prostate-specific protease cleavage site and can further include a prostate-tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. In other examples, the proteins include a furin cleavage site and a prostate tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. Methods of using such peptides to treat prostate cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter system including a frame with a central filtration portion is provided for delivery of volatile materials to the atmosphere to be filtered. Upon contact of a fluid to be filtered, a volatile or aromatic material is transferred to the incoming fluid so as to scent or condition the filtered fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified pore-forming protein toxins (MPPTs), capable of being used to kill cancer cells. The MPPTs according to the present invention comprise a modification of the naturally occurring activation sequence comprising one or more general cleavage sites, each of which is cleavable by general activating agent, or a plurality of specific cleavage sites, each of which is cleavable by a specific activating agent. Optional further modifications that allow specific targeting of these molecules are also described. These MPPTs may be used to treat cancer.

Abstract: Analytical methods are disclosed for determining the quantity of brightener and leveler in an electroplating bath in the presence of other organic additives, such as accelerators, brighteners and suppressors. The methods improve the reproducibility of measuring brighteners and levelers in electroplating baths.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified proaerolysin (PA) peptide. In some examples, the proteins include a prostate-specific protease cleavage site and can further include a prostate-tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. In other examples, the proteins include a furin cleavage site and a prostate tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. Methods of using such peptides to treat prostate cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Processes for monitoring the levels of oxygen and/or nitrogen in a substantially oxygen and nitrogen-free plasma ashing process generally includes monitoring the plasma using optical emission. An effect produced by the low levels of oxygen and/or nitrogen species present on other species generally abundant in the plasma is monitored and correlated to amounts of oxygen and nitrogen present in the plasma. This so-called “effect detection” process monitors perturbations in the spectra specifically associated with species other than nitrogen and/or oxygen due to the presence of trace amounts of oxygen and/or nitrogen species and is used to quantitatively determine the amount of oxygen and/or nitrogen at a sensitivity on the order of 1 part per million and potentially 1 part per billion.

Abstract: Analytical methods are disclosed for determining the quantity of organic components in a bath. The analytical methods work over a broad concentration range of organic components and are sensitive in measuring organic bath components at low concentrations.

Abstract: A pill crusher pouch, dimensioned to be received between a platen and anvil of a pill crusher wherein the anvil is integrally fixed to a base and wherein the platen is coupled to said base through a moveable handle, is constructed a seamless tube of flexible material having an open top and a closed bottom, wherein the closed bottom is formed a cup like seal that provides the pouch with a cornerless interior that facilitates easy pouring of pulverized material from the interior of the pouch.

Abstract: A composition and method for electroplating a metal on a substrate. The composition has a chloride to brightener concentration ratio of from 20:1 to 125:1. The method of electroplating, which employs the composition, employs pulse patterns that improve physical properties of metal surfaces.

Abstract: Apparatus for oxygenating and pumping blood includes a housing defining a blood flow path including, in series, a gas collection plenum, a pump space and a blood oxygenation element. A pump disposed in the pump space is configured to draw blood from the gas collection plenum and propel blood from the pump space through a heat exchanger and the blood oxygenation element. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange plate and a coolant space.

Abstract: A substantially oxygen-free and nitrogen-free plasma ashing process for removing photoresist in the presence of a low k material from a semiconductor substrate includes forming reactive species by exposing a plasma gas composition to an energy source to form plasma. The plasma gas composition is substantially free from oxygen-bearing and nitrogen-bearing gases. The plasma selectively removes the photoresist from the underlying substrate containing low k material by exposing the photoresist to substantially oxygen and nitrogen free reactive species. The process can be used with carbon containing low k dielectric materials.

Abstract: A metal plating bath containing alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of plating bath additives. The additives are chemical compounds that improve the brightness of the plated metal, the physical properties of the plated metal especially with respect to ductility and the micro-throwing power as well as the macro-throwing power of the plating bath. The alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of additives increases the life of the plating bath and improves the efficiency of the plating process. The plating baths containing the alcohol compounds that inhibit or retard additive consumption can be employed to plate copper, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, bismuth, indium, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium.

Abstract: A metal plating bath containing organic compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of plating bath additives. The additives are chemical compounds that improve the brightness of the plated metal, the physical properties of the plated metal especially with respect to ductility and the micro-throwing power as well as the macro-throwing power of the plating bath. The organic compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of additives increases the life of the plating bath and improves the efficiency of the plating process. The plating baths containing the organic compounds that inhibit or retard additive consumption can be employed to plate copper, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, bismuth, indium, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium.

Abstract: A metal plating bath containing organic compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of plating bath additives. The additives are chemical compounds that improve the brightness of the plated metal, the physical properties of the plated metal especially with respect to ductility and the micro-throwing power as well as the macro-throwing power of the plating bath. The organic compounds that inhibit or retard the consumption of additives increases the life of the plating bath and improves the efficiency of the plating process. The plating baths containing the organic compounds that inhibit or retard additive consumption can be employed to copper, gold, silver, palladium, platinum, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, bismuth, indium, rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium.

Abstract: A composition and method for electroplating a metal on a substrate. The composition has a chloride to brightener concentration ratio of from 20:1 to 125:1. The method of electroplating, which employs the composition, employs pulse patterns that improve physical properties of metal surfaces.

Abstract: Analytical methods are disclosed for determining the quantity of brightener and leveler in an electroplating bath in the presence of other organic additives, such as accelerators, brighteners and suppressors. The methods improve the reproducibility of measuring brighteners and levelers in electroplating baths.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are modified proaerolysin (PA) peptide. In some examples, the proteins include a prostate-specific protease cleavage site and can further include a prostate-tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. In other examples, the proteins include a furin cleavage site and a prostate tissue-specific binding domain which functionally replaces the native PA binding domain. Methods of using such peptides to treat prostate cancer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for oxygenating and pumping blood includes a housing defining a blood flow path including, in series, a gas collection plenum, a pump space and a blood oxygenation element. A pump disposed in the pump space is configured to draw blood from the gas collection plenum and propel blood from the pump space through a heat exchanger and the blood oxygenation element. The heat exchanger includes a heat exchange plate and a coolant space.