Abstract: The present invention includes a method to produce a recombinant mite Group 1 protein in a methyltrophic yeast or an Escherichia coli microorganism. The present invention also relates to a recombinant mite Group 1 protein obtained by such a method, such a recombinant protein being able to selectively bind IgE or cause proliferation of a T cell that proliferate in response to a native mite Group 1 protein. Also included in the present invention is the use of such a recombinant mite Group 1 protein to detect mite allergy or to reduce an allergic response to a mite Group 1 protein. The present invention also includes novel mite Group 1 nucleic acid molecules, proteins, recombinant molecules, and recombinant cells, as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: A Plasma or serum separation membrane that enables omitting centrifugal separation, is free from hemolysis attributed to destruction of red blood cells and realizes easy and rapid separation of plasma or serum from blood; and a filter apparatus including the plasma or serum separation membrane. In particular, a plasma or serum separation membrane being a membrane for separation of plasma or serum from blood and having a void ratio of 30% or below; and a filter apparatus comprising a filter member capable of attaining movement of plasma swifter than movement of blood cells and a plasma or serum separation membrane connected in series with a rear side of the filter member.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide at least 60% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 5 or 18 encoding a SARP polypeptide; vectors comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least 11 consecutive amino acids of ?SARP polypeptide; a host cell transformed with an isolated polynucleotide or vector; antibodies specific for SARP and use of such polynucleotides and antibodies in diagnostic and therapeutic method. Therapeutic uses of antibodies and polynucleotides of sarp. Methods for treating diseases related to the regulation of SARP expression in tissue and bodily fluid samples, including cancers.

Abstract: A system and machine for testing a coagulation process in whole blood and for deriving a result from same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for regulating the blood glucose concentration of a mammal. A polypeptide useful in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis is also described.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and compositions for treating a condition associated with phosphorylation of TASK-1 in a subject comprising administering to the subject an amount of an agent effective to overcome the phosphorylation dependent loss of TASK-1 function so as to thereby treat the condition. In a specific embodiment of the invention the agent is a TREK-1 agonist.

Abstract: A novel method for evaluating an effect of an antimicrobial agent which comprises removing the antimicrobial agent remaining in a biological sample or the like to thereby accurately evaluate the effect of the antimicrobial agent without being affected by the remaining antimicrobial agent. A therapeutic agent for onychomycosis which can be obtained according to the evaluation method of the drug effect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide methods and kits for determining cell viability and measuring cytotoxicity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for synthesizing a polypeptide using kinetically controlled reactions involving fragments of the polypeptide for a fully convergent process. In more specific embodiments, a ligation involves reacting a first peptide having a protected cysteyl group at its N-terminal and a phenylthioester at its C-terminal with a second peptide having a cysteine residue at its N-termini and a thioester at its C-termini to form a ligation product. Subsequent reactions may involve deprotecting the cysteyl group of the resulting ligation product and/or converting the thioester into a thiophenylester.

Abstract: A chimeric polypeptide comprising a TNF neutralizer domain, an IL-1 receptor antagonist domain, and a dimerization domain, wherein the three domains are operably linked to each other. Within the scope of this invention are (i) nucleic acids encoding the polypeptide; (ii) expression vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acids; (iii) related pharmaceutical compositions; and (iii) related preparation and treatment methods.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of agents across the blood brain barrier while allowing their activity once across the barrier to remain substantially intact. The agents are transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems. In some embodiments the agents are therapeutic, diagnostic, or research agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Isolated mature functional polypeptide which is at least 90% identical to and exhibits the same function of a corresponding secreted polypeptide obtainable from the bacterium Alicyclobacillus sp. deposited under accession number DSM 15716 are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides: a heteromyeloma, other than B6B11, capable of producing a trioma when fused with a human lymphoid cell, wherein the trioma is capable of producing a monoclonal antibody-secreting tetroma when fused with a second, antibody-secreting human lymphoid cell; a trioma fusion partner which does not produce antibody, obtained by fusing a heteromyeloma which does not produce antibody with a human lymphoid cell; a monoclonal antibody-secreting tetroma, obtained by fusing a trioma which does not produce antibody with an antibody-secreting human lymphoid cell; a method of producing a monoclonal antibody that specifically recognizes an antigen associated with a condition; a method of identifying an antigen associated with a condition using the trioma fusion partner; a method of diagnosing a condition using the trioma fusion partner; a method for preventing a condition; and compositions and therapeutic compositions comprising monoclonal antibodies produced using the trioma fusion partner.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated SMP nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel SMP proteins from Corynebacterium glutamicum are described. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing SMP nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides isolated SMP proteins, mutated SMP proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and methods for the improvement of production of a desired compound from C. glutamicum based on genetic engineering of SMP genes in this organism.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing the microflora Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, which includes the growing of the microflora in fermentation medium containing non-chloride containing sodium salts, in particular sodium sulfate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the process produces microflora having a cell aggregate size useful for the production of food products for use in aquaculture. Further disclosed is a food product which includes Thraustochytrium, Schizochytrium, and mixtures thereof, and a component selected from flaxseed, rapeseed, soybean and avocado meal. Such a food product includes a balance of long chain and short chain omega-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of producing a fermentation product including introducing the fermenting organism into the fermentation medium and thereafter adding a carbohydrate generating enzyme after the lag phase of the fermenting organism and then carry out fermentation under conditions suitable for producing the fermentation product in question. The invention also relates to fermentation product producing processes including the fermentation process of the invention.

Abstract: New xylose-utilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain which can ferment xylose to ethanol. It expresses the gene for A) xylose reducatse (XR) and Xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) or B) xylose isomerase (XI) and has a) increased transporting capacity with regard to xylose, b) increased conversion capacity of xylulose to xylulose-5P, c) increased activity of the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, and/or d) increased activity of the non-oxidative pentose phosphate pathway.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hydrogen production, wherein organic feed material is heated with excess or diverted heat from a nuclear reactor, thereby substantially deactivating or killing methanogens within the organic feed material. Hydrogen producing microorganisms contained or added to the organic feed material metabolize the organic feed material in a bioreactor to produce hydrogen. As the methanogens are no longer substantially present to convert produced hydrogen to methane, a biogas that contains hydrogen without substantial methane can be produced.

Abstract: A method to increase the efficiency of transduction of hematopoietic and other cells by retroviruses includes infecting the cells in the presence of fibronectin or fibornectin fragments. The fibronectin and fibronectin fragments significantly enhance retroviral-mediated gene transfer into the cells, particularly hematopoietic cells including committed progenitors and primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The invention also provides improved methods for somatic gene therapy capitalizing on enhanced gene transfer, hematopoietic cellular populations, and novel constructs for enhancing retroviral-mediated DNA transfer into cells and their use.

Abstract: An apparatus for comminuting or homogenising biological tissue, comprising a container (1) with an interior bottom (5) comprised of an abrasive surface (6) a cap (10), and a grinder (20) receivable in the interior (2) of the container (1). Wherein the grinder (20) comprises a grinding head (21) and a cylindrical shaft (22) having an interior channel (23) defined therein; and at least one port (24) in the cylindrical shaft (22) through which comminuted material may flow into the interior channel (23), of the cylindrical shaft (22). The interior channel (23) of the cylindrical shaft (22) may communicate with the exterior of the container (1) so that the comminuted or homogenised sample that has passed through the port(s) (24) of the cylindrical shaft (22) may be removed from apparatus. In one embodiment the comminuted or homogenised sample is removed by aspiration.

Abstract: A scaffold handling system comprising a multi-well carrier including an array of well units wherein, in each well unit, an independent scaffold or tissue slice may be held and a biological experiment may be performed. The carrier may include any number of well units. In operation, the scaffold handling system is configured and dimensioned to mate with a multi-well plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide and the use of the nucleic acid or polypeptide in preventing and/or treating cancer. The invention relates to improved vectors for the insertion and expression of foreign genes encoding tumor antigens for use in immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer. One such foreign DNA sequence is modified CEA nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides modified erythrocytes which comprise viral receptor proteins capable of mediating entry of respective viruses into the modified erythrocytes. The present invention also provides methods of using the modified erythrocytes for the treatment or prevention of viral infections. In one embodiment, the modified erythrocytes of the present invention comprise CD4 and at least one HIV coreceptor, such as CXCR4 or CCR5. The modified erythrocytes, when administered to an HIV patient, bind to the plasma virus and induce the injection of the HIV ribonucleoprotein complex into the cells. The entrapped viral content is either degraded or deactivated within the erythrocytes, or destroyed by erythrophagocytosis.

Abstract: The invention provides cell-adherent polymeric coatings for articles having a nanofibrillar structure. The coatings include a synthetic, non-biodegradable polymer having at least one pendent amine group, wherein the polymer is covalently immobilized on the article via latent reactive groups. The invention also provides methods for the long term culturing of cells using the polymer coated nanofibrillar structures. The polymer coated nanofibrillar structures of the invention have been found to be particularly useful for the growth and differentiation of cells, including neural precursors.

Abstract: Albumin-supplemented and xenogeneic product-free cell culture media, cell culture media supplements, and cell culture media kits for the support of primary culture of normal non-hematopoietic cells of mesodermal origin suitable for both research and clinical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell population enriched for osteoclasts in which bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMNC) are cultured in a medium supplemented with growth factors, cytokines, or a combination thereof for at least 7 days to obtain colony-forming units of granulocytes and macrophages (CFU-GM); CFU-GM are isolated from culture by centrifugation; and isolated CFU-GM are cultured for a period of time and under conditions sufficient for CFU-GM to differentiate to osteoclasts. The invention further provides a cell population produced by the methods described.

Abstract: Prevention of Acute Renal Failure following myoglobinemia in cases of rhabdomyolysis by means of trapping myoglobin released to circulation following striated muscles injury using a temporary intravenous filter, hence prophylaxis of Acute Renal Failure, which commonly follows this situation. It is directed to all cases of rhabdomyolysis especially for “In situ prevention” in cases of disasters, crush injuries, and reperfusion injury in a limb.

Abstract: Methods of ex-vivo expansion of endodermally-derived and non-endodermally-derived progenitor and stem cells, expanded populations of renewable progenitor and stem cells and to their uses in therapeutic applications such as the production of endocrine hormones and the prevention and treatment of liver and pancreatic disease.

Abstract: A self-contained cell culture apparatus and method of use in which a cell culture may be stored frozen for an extended period, then thawed, incubated and grown in a closed system without additional processing or added constituents. The apparatus and method readily lend themselves to automated handling and analysis by MEMS devices, and find particular application in micro gravity and/or high radiation environments. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned the labelling of biological compounds with stable isotopes such that the three-dimensional structure of the biological compounds may be analysed by e.g. NMR spectroscopy. The invention employs microorganisms that are grown on mineral media comprising carbon and nitrogen sources that contain stable isotopes to produce biomass that is uniformly labelled with stable isotopes. The biomass may be autolysed to produce an autolysate. The biomass may further be extracted with organic solvent to produce lipids. The (delipidised) biomass is hydrolysed to produce labelled amino acids and other nutrients, which are used together with the autolysate, extracted lipids and further components to compose a culture medium for a mammalian or insect host cells for the production of biological compounds that are uniformly labelled with stable isotopes. The biological compound preferably is a biological acromolecule, such as e.g. a mammalian membrane protein.

Abstract: This invention provides methods to prepare and use immunostimulatory cells for enhancing an immune response. The invention provides a method for preparing mature dendritic cells (DCs), comprising the sequential steps of: (a) signaling isolated immature dendritic cells (iDCs) with a first signal comprising an interferon gamma receptor (IFN-?R) agonist and/or a tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor (TNF-?R) agonist to produce signaled dendritic cells; and (b) signaling said signaled dendritic cells with a second transient signal comprising an effective amount of a CD40 agonist to produce CCR7+ mature dendritic cells. Also provided by this invention are enriched populations of dendritic cells prepared by the methods of the invention. Such dendritic cells have enhanced immunostimulatory properties and increased IL-12 secretion and/or decreased IL-10 secretion. CD40 signaling can be initiated by one or more of polypeptide translated from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding CD40L (e.g.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preparing a biological components-containing solution suitable for clinical proteome analysis by mass spectrometry, electrophoresis, liquid chromatography or the like and an apparatus for the method.

Abstract: Devices and processes for the quantitative evaluation of the polypeptides contained in a sample of body fluid and markers for recognizing pathological conditions are described. The polypeptides are compared with reference values stored in a data base. These reference values are stored as data records of polypeptides relevant to the condition, which respectively comprise at least some information about the probability of the occurrence and/or the concentration of the polypeptides for a pathological condition in samples of healthy and diseased subjects.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions which specifically reacts with peroxynitrite rather than other reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. This invention also provides related agents for measuring peroxynitrite. This invention also provides related methods for measuring peroxynitrite in a sample, high-throughput screening fluorescent methods for detecting peroxynitrite and high-throughput methods for screening compounds that increase or decrease the production of peroxynitrite comprising using such compositions and agents.

Abstract: A method for analyzing fluoride in fluxes comprises the steps of placing the flux into an aqueous solution. Chelating agents are added to the aqueous flux solution to form a chelated aqueous flux solution. The chelating agents are selected from the group consisting of ammonium citrate dibasic, ammonium tartrate dibasic, citric acid, ethylene diamine, disodium-EDTA solution, and sodium chloride. And, a potentiometric analysis is performed on the chelated aqueous flux solution using the plurality of control standard solutions for determining the fluoride content of the flux.

Abstract: Methods for determining chlorine demand in water are provided. One method comprises (a) providing a test water sample containing at least one contaminant and a source of chlorine and a source of bromide; (b) heating the test water sample for a suitable time and temperature sufficient to substantially oxidize the at least one contaminant in the test water sample; and (c) determining the content of residual chlorine present in the test water sample.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the determination of the concentration of acrylic acid C1-C8 esters in fuel gas, with the following step: bringing the fuel gas containing acrylic acid C1-C8 esters into contact with palladium molybdate, so that a change in colour takes place.

Abstract: A chemical composition analyzer may be used to optically determine and report chemical compositions associated with natural gases within a gas collection and transmission infrastructure. This analyzer includes a number of optical sensors which may be used to perform spectroscopic spectrographic analysis in order to determine the chemical composition of the natural gas. Additionally other sensors may be used to measure other physical properties associated with the natural gas. These sensors are tied to a data collection system wherein the output of the optical sensors and sensors used to measure the physical properties of the natural gas may be combined and processed in order to determine in a nearly continuous fashion the chemical composition associated with the natural gas at various locations within the gas collection and transmission infrastructure. This real time compositional analysis may be used to determine valuations of the gas or to optimize other processes or equipment configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting one or more substances includes a radiation source emitting a beam of radiation and also includes a material capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a first characteristic and capable of reflecting the beam of radiation with a second characteristic when the material interacts with the one or more substances. The apparatus also includes two or more radiation detectors to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation. A first one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a first region of the material. A second one of the two or more radiation detectors is adjustably aligned to detect the first and second characteristics of the beam of radiation reflected from a second region of the material.

Abstract: In a method for measuring cartilage condition biological markers, a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate is irradiated using a light source, the SERS substrate having deposited thereon a biological sample. Light scattered by the SERS substrate is received, and spectral content information associated with the received light is determined. A level of a cartilage condition biological marker in the biological sample is determined based on the spectral content information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a troponin protein or complex of two troponin proteins stabilized in a matrix containing at least one anionic surfactant. The stabilized troponin or complex of troponin proteins is used as a control or calibration standard in assays for the determination of blood levels of troponin in patient samples that are expect to exhibit elevated levels of cardiac proteins. The troponin protein or complex of troponin proteins remains stabilized at room temperatures for at least six (6) months.

Abstract: A method and apparatus has been invented to detect and identify biological materials and their properties based on the affinity of water-soluble, semiconductor nanocrystals bioconjugates. A plurality of nanocrystals comprise quantum dots of varying sizes functionalized with one or more material or compound, where one size left un-conjugated, are contacted in solution with biological materials from a sample and then separated using a filter. The plurality of quantum dots act as a test to detect the presence or absence of a target material in a given sample, with those having an affinity remaining bound to the biological materials and subsequently trapping in the filter. The quantum dot bioconjugates form functional particles and may be conjugated with several layers, such as primary and secondary antibodies. An emitter laser or lamp is used to activate the quantum dots.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the manipulation of colloidal particulates and biomolecules at the interface between an insulating electrode such as silicon oxide and an electrolytc solution. Light-controlled electrokinetic assembly of particles near surfaces relics on the combination of three functional elements: the AC electric field-induced assembly of planar aggregates; the patterning of the electrolyte/silicon oxide/silicon interface to exert spatial control over the assembly process; and the real-time control of the assembly process via external illumination. The present invention provides a set of fundamental operations enabling interactive control over the creation and placement of planar arrays of several types of particles and biomolecules and the manipulation of array shape and size. The preset invention enables sample preparation and handling for diagnostic assays and biochemical analysis in an array format, and the functional integration of these operations.

Abstract: To integrate a capacitor device (40) into the region of a semiconductor memory device with a particularly small number of process steps, a lower electrode device (43) and an upper electrode device (44) of the capacitor device (40) are provided to be formed directly underneath or directly above the material region (30) which has the memory elements (20), in such a way that as a result at least a part of the material region (30) which has the memory elements (20) functions at least as part of the respective dielectric (45) between the electrode devices (43, 44).

Abstract: A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having compatibility between low noises and high thermal stability is provided. In the present medium having at least an underlayer, a magnetic recording layer, a protective layer and a lubricant layer sequentially stacked on a nonmagnetic substrate, the underlayer is composed from at least one element selected from Ru, Rh, Os, Ir and Pt, the magnetic recording layer has a granular structure, and its composition is Co100-a-b-cPtaCrbBc)100-dMd (M is an oxide or a nitride of at least one element of Cr, Al, Ti, Si, Ta, Hf, Zr, Y and Ce, and a, b, c and d meet the condition of 0<a?40, 2?b ?12, 0.5?c?5 and 4?d?12). A soft magnetic backing layer 2 and a seed layer 3 may be formed between the nonmagnetic substrate and the underlayer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a dual gate is formed on a substrate having a dielectric layer. A first metallic conductive layer is formed on the dielectric layer to a first thickness, and annealed to have a reduced etching rate. A second metallic conductive layer is formed on the first metallic conductive layer to a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness. A portion of the second metallic conductive layer formed in a second area of the substrate is removed using an etching selectivity. A first gate structure having a first metallic gate including the first and the second metallic conductive layers is formed in a first area of the substrate. A second gate structure having a second metallic gate is formed in the second area. A gate dielectric layer is not exposed to an etching chemical due to the first metallic conductive layer, so its dielectric characteristics are not degraded.

Abstract: A trench-structure semiconductor device is highly reliable and has an increased resistance to hydrofluoric acid cleaning or other cleaning of an insulation film between a gate electrode, which is embedded in a trench, and source electrode. In a trench-structure semiconductor device, a silicon nitride film is over the gate electrode and embedded up to a point close to the open edge on the inside of trench. A source electrode is formed in contact with the surface of the silicon nitride film and the surface of the source region.

Abstract: A method for reducing edge effect interference with critical dimension (CD) measurement of semiconductor via structures includes forming a test structure in a kerf region of a semiconductor wafer, the test structure including at least a via structure and a trench structure in contact with the via structure. The via structure is formed in accordance with a critical dimension associated with a corresponding via structure in a circuit region of the semiconductor wafer, and the trench structure is formed in accordance with a widened dimension with respect to a minimum ground rule dimension associated with a corresponding trench structure in a circuit region of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light emitting device includes forming an epitaxial layer on a substrate, forming first and second electrodes that are electrically coupled to said epitaxial layer, forming a transparent layer on the epitaxial layer, forming particles of a mask material that are randomly scattered on a surface of the transparent layer, etching and texturing the surface of the transparent layer so as to form dents, that are scattered among the particles of the mask material, in the textured surface of the transparent layer, and removing the particles of the mask material from the textured surface of the transparent layer.