Abstract: Described is a method of fabricating biologically active, unnatural polypeptides. The method includes the steps of selecting a biologically active polypeptide or biologically active fragment thereof having an amino acid sequence comprising ?-amino acid residues, and fabricating a synthetic polypeptide that has an amino acid sequence that corresponds to the sequence of the biologically active polypeptide, but wherein about 14% to about 50% of the ?-amino acid residues found in the biologically active polypeptide or fragment of step (a) are replaced with ?-amino acid residues, and the ?-amino acid residues are distributed in a repeating pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides metal silicide nanowires, including metallic, semiconducting, and ferromagnetic semiconducting transition metal silicide nanowires. The nanowires are grown using either chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or chemical vapor transport (CVT) on silicon substrates covered with a thin silicon oxide film, the oxide film desirably having a thickness of no greater than about 5 nm and, desirably, no more than about 2 nm (e.g., about 1-2 nm). The metal silicide nanowires and heterostructures made from the nanowires are well-suited for use in CMOS compatible wire-like electronic, photonic, and spintronic devices.

Abstract: The invention provides active agents, such as paclitaxel, rapamycin, or 17-DMAG, encapsulated by safe poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(lactic acid) (“PEG-b-PLA”) micelles. The compositions provide effective solubilization of drug combinations, such as paclitaxel, rapamycin, and 17-DMAG, as well as others described herein. A significant advantage of PEG-b-PLA as a carrier is that it is less toxic than Cremophor® EL or DMSO, which are used in currently known compositions. Additionally, PEG-b-PLA micelles are easier to handle than DMSO and they do not possess a foul odor, which is a problem with formulations currently in clinical trials. Accordingly, the invention provides stable and biocompatible drug formulations that improve bioavailability without causing toxicity. It was also found that larger doses of individual drugs in micelle formulations can be administered compared to non-micelle formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of phosphatidylinositol based signaling pathways, and more specifically to the use of novel members of these pathways for disease prognosis and treatment. In some aspects, the present invention relates to the use of novel splice variants of type I phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinase ?, named PIPKI? 700 and PIPKI? 707, to determine breast cancer and breast cancer prognosis.

Abstract: A modular peptide design strategy wherein the modular peptide has two functional units separated by a spacer portion is disclosed. More particularly, the design strategy combines a hydroxyapatite-binding portion and a biomolecule-derived portion. The modular peptides have improved non-covalent binding to the surface of the HA-based materials, and are capable of initiating osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and/or osteogenic differentiation.

Abstract: A single nucleotide polymorphic site at position 10793 of the bovine POU1F1 gene is associated with improved longevity and milk product traits. Disclosed are nucleic acid molecules, kits, methods of genotyping and marker assisted bovine breeding methods.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of selectively separating milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules from whey. The method includes the steps of adding to whey an amount of a whey-soluble zinc salt and adjusting the pH of the whey to be less than 6.0. The amount of zinc salt added to the whey is sufficient to cause milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules contained in the whey to precipitate selectively from the whey.

Abstract: The invention provides tandem facial amphiphiles for biochemical manipulations and characterization of membrane proteins, such as intrinsic membrane proteins. Members of this new family display favorable behavior with several membrane proteins. These amphiphiles can form relatively small micelles, and small changes in amphiphile chemical structures can result in large changes in their physical properties. The tandem facial amphiphiles can be used to aid the solubilization, isolation, purification, stabilization, crystallization, and/or structural determination of membrane proteins.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of altering metabolism of phosphate in a livestock via an antibody. The methods involve the development of an antibody against FGF-23 for the purpose of reducing phosphate excretion by an animal.

Abstract: A thin-film microelectrode array tailored for long-term, minimally invasive cortical recording or stimulation and method are provided. The microelectrode array includes a flexible element that is movable between a first contracted configuration and a second expanded configuration. An array of contacts is provided on the flexible element. The contacts are engagable with a cortical surface with the flexible element in the expanded configuration. A link operatively connects the array of contacts to a control module. The link is capable of transmitting at least one of cortical recordings and cortical stimulation signals thereon.

Abstract: This invention discloses 2-methylene-vitamin D analogs, and specifically (20S)-25-hydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 and (20R)-25-hydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3, as well as pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit relatively high binding activity and pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent especially for the treatment or prevention of osteosarcoma, leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or prostate cancer. These compounds also have relatively high calcemic activities evidencing use in the treatment of bone diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the formulas described herein and compositions thereof. The invention further provides methods of using the compounds and compositions. The compounds of the invention can provide high affinity binding to sigma-1 receptors in a mammal. The compounds can exhibit selectivity for the sigma-1 receptor over the sigma-2 receptor. The compounds and compositions of the invention can also be used to treat conditions that involve the sigma-1 receptor, such as addiction, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer, for example, cancer of the breast, lung, prostate, ovarian, colorectal, or the CNS.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for diagnosis or prognosis of Alzheimer's disease in a patient. The methods may include assessing whether a patient has Alzheimer's disease or assessing a patient's risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. The methods typically include determining, either directly or indirectly, whether the patient has mutations, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms, in a plurality of genes that encode gene products that function in steroid biosynthesis.

Abstract: This invention discloses 2-methylene-vitamin D analogs, and specifically (20S)-1?,25-dihydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 as well as (5E)-(20S)-1?,25-dihydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 and (20R)-1?,25-dihydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3, as well as pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit relatively high binding activity and pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent especially for the treatment or prevention of osteosarcoma, leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or prostate cancer. These compounds also have relatively high calcemic activities evidencing use in the treatment of bone diseases.

Abstract: This invention discloses 3-desoxy-2-methylene-vitamin D analogs, and specifically (20S)-3-desoxy-1?,25-dihydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 and (20R)-3-desoxy-1?, 25-dihydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 as well as pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit relatively high binding activity and pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to monocytes thus evidencing use as anti-cancer agents especially for the treatment or prevention of osteosarcoma, leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or prostate cancer. These compounds also exhibit relatively high calcemic activity evidencing use in the treatment of bone diseases.

Abstract: Critical sections of multi-threaded programs, normally protected by locks providing access by only one thread, are speculatively executed concurrently by multiple threads with elision of the lock acquisition and release. Upon a completion of the speculative execution without actual conflict as may be identified using standard cache protocols, the speculative execution is committed, otherwise the speculative execution is squashed. Speculative execution with elision of the lock acquisition, allows a greater degree of parallel execution in multi-threaded programs with aggressive lock usage.

Abstract: A method of purifying 1?-hydroxy-2-methylene-18,19-dinor-homopregnacalciferol to obtain 1?-hydroxy-2-methylene-18,19-dinor-homopregnacalciferol in crystalline form using precipitation with hexane from ethyl acetate. A method of preparing 1?-hydroxy-2-methylene-18,19-dinor-homopregnacalciferol crystals acceptable for X-ray experiment using precipitation with hexane from benzene by diffusive exchange of the solvents is also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides structures including a substrate, a crosslinked polymer film disposed over the substrate, and a patterned diblock copolymer film disposed over the crosslinked polymer film. The crosslinked polymer comprises a random copolymer polymerized from a first monomer, a second monomer, and a photo-crosslinkable and/or thermally crosslinkable third monomer, including epoxy-functional or acrylyol-functional monomers. Also disclosed are methods for forming the structures.

Abstract: This invention discloses 2?-methyl and 2?-methyl analogs of 19,26,27-trinor-(20S)-1?-hydroxyvitamin D3 and pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to the monocyte thus evidencing use as an anti-cancer agent and for the treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis as well as skin conditions such as wrinkles, slack skin, dry skin and insufficient sebum secretion. These compounds also have little, if any, calcemic activity and therefore may be used to treat autoimmune disorders or inflammatory diseases in humans as well as renal osteodystrophy. These compounds may also be used for the treatment or prevention of obesity.