Patents Issued in October 12, 2010
  • Patent number: 7811734
    Abstract: Hydrophobic inorganic fine particles are provided which: does not cause melt adhesion of toner to a photosensitive member and contamination of a contact charging member; imparts excellent flowability, charging performance and durability to toner even after the toner is stored in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment over a long time period; and does not cause dripping of toner and contamination with the toner. The hydrophobic inorganic fine particles are obtained by subjecting inorganic fine particles to surface treatment with silicone oil and then with a silane compound and/or a silazane compound, or by subjecting inorganic fine particles to surface treatment with a silane compound and/or a silazane compound in the presence of silicone oil, and further subjecting the inorganic fine particles thus surface-treated to surface treatment with silicone oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ogawa, Yusuke Hasegawa, Kouji Nishikawa, Miho Okazaki, Yoshitaka Suzumura, Takashige Kasuya
  • Patent number: 7811735
    Abstract: A toner is provided including a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the toner has a displacement-load curve in which a maximum compression strength is from 0.65 to 1.0 mN and a slope of a line through an origin point and a first shoulder is not less than 1.1 mN/?m; along with an image forming method, an image forming apparatus, and a process cartridge using the toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
    Inventors: Minoru Nakamura, Chiyoshi Nozaki, Tsuyoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7811736
    Abstract: An image-fixing method for heat-fixing a toner image, by feeding an transfer medium carrying the toner image between a heating unit heated by an induction-heating process and a pressurizing unit placed to press against the heating unit, wherein the electric resistivity at least of the outermost layer of the heating unit is 10?7 ?m or more and less than 10?2 ?m, and the toner image is formed by using a toner containing an amorphous resin having an ionic concentration in the range of 10?5 to 10?3 mole/g as the binder resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 7811737
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to release fluids or agents that are useful in release coating in toner-based technologies. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to the addition of metal chelating agents to release fluids to prevent byproduct reactions from the fusing process that would otherwise decrease fuser member life and image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Facci, William H. Wayman
  • Patent number: 7811738
    Abstract: In an image forming method including a charging step, an exposure step, a development step using a developing roll, a transfer step, a fixing step and a cleaning step of removing a toner remaining on the surface of a photosensitive member after the transfer step, the developing roll has a surface brightness of 30 to 220 and a surface roughness Rz of 1 to 20 ?m, the cleaning blade is a cleaning blade made of a polyurethane elastomer and having a peak value of at most 0.95, a peak temperature of ?15 to 10° C. and a width at half maximum of at least 25° C. in viscoelasticity tan ?, the toner has a volume average particle diameter of 4 to 10 ?m and an average circularity from 0.950 to 0.995, the charge level of the toner on the surface of the photosensitive member is 10 to 80 ?C/g in terms of an absolute value, and the pH of a water extract of the toner is 3 to 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Zeon Corporation, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd., Yamanashi Electronics Co., Ltd., Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Shigemori, Muneharu Ito, Toshiyuki Nagai, Toshiro Murano, Fuminori Tsuruta, Tomoharu Takeuchi, Masahiro Ikeda, Sokuei Motoda
  • Patent number: 7811739
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a resin emulsion which includes the steps of (a) dispersing a resin containing acidic group in a basic aqueous medium at a temperature lower than a softening point of the resin; (b) neutralizing a dispersion obtained in the step (a) at a temperature not lower than a glass transition point of the resin and not higher than the softening point of the resin; and (c) adding an aqueous liquid to the dispersion neutralized in the step (b) at the temperature not lower than the glass transition point of the resin and not higher than the softening point of the resin to emulsify the resin in the aqueous medium. According to the present invention, the resin emulsion suitably usable for production of a toner for electrophotography can be efficiently produced without using an organic solvent and a special apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: KAO Corporation
    Inventors: Nobumichi Kamiyoshi, Shinichi Sata, Yoshinobu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7811740
    Abstract: A positive resist composition comprising (A) resin having a monocyclic or polycyclic alicyclic hydrocarbon structure and capable of decomposing by the action of an acid to increase the solubility in an alkaline developer, (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon treatment with one of an actinic ray and radiation and (F) a specific surfactant containing a fluorine atom in an amount of from 30 to 60 mass %, and a pattern-forming method using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Kanda, Fumiyuki Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 7811741
    Abstract: An image-forming medium and methods for forming and imaging the medium are provided. The disclosed medium can be strongly colored under room illumination (or deliberate UV) and can be selectively discolored at an appropriate light wavelength to form an image. In one embodiment, the image-forming medium can include a substrate (e.g., a sheet of paper), a photochromic material incorporated with the substrate, and a photo-absorbing material incorporated with the photochromic material. Exemplary methods for using the image-forming medium to make a transient image can include first forming the image-forming medium by applying a coating solution containing photochromic material to the substrate or paper. The image-forming medium can have a medium color and can then be selectively exposed to a radiation through a mask to convert the photochromic material from a colored form to a colorless form and thus to form an image having a color contrast with its background.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Kazmaier, Eric Shrader, Kentaro Morimitsu, Tyler Norsten, Gabriel Iftime, Fazilia Seker, Naveen Chopra
  • Patent number: 7811742
    Abstract: A lithographic printing plate precursor includes: a support; and a photosensitive layer containing a binder polymer containing a positively charged nitrogen atom in at least one of a main chain and a side chain of the binder polymer, a compound containing an ethylenically unsubstituted bond; and a radical polymerization initiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshinori Taguchi, Keiichi Adachi, Shigekatsu Fujii
  • Patent number: 7811743
    Abstract: A method for preparing a lithographic printing plate comprising: exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a hydrophilic support, a photosensitive layer containing (A) a sensitizing dye having an absorption maximum in a wavelength range of from 350 to 450 nm represented by the formula (I) or (II) as defined herein, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a hydrophobic binder polymer having an acid value of 0.3 meq/g or less and a protective layer provided in this order with a laser beam of from 350 to 450 nm; and rubbing a surface of the exposed lithographic printing plate precursor with a rubbing member in a presence of a developer having pH of from 2 to 10 in an automatic processor equipped with the rubbing member to remove the protective layer and an unexposed area of the photosensitive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Inno
  • Patent number: 7811744
    Abstract: A non-photosensitive flexographic liquid or paste precursor comprising a mixture of acrylate oligomers and acrylic or methacrylate monomers, infrared absorbing material, fillers and heat decomposable peroxide, which when heated forms a non-thermoplastic elastomeric solid material in the form of a flexographic printing blank engravable by infrared laser ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kodak IL. Ltd.
    Inventor: Murray Figov
  • Patent number: 7811745
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of dummy line patterns arranged at a first pitch on an underlying region, forming first mask patterns having predetermined mask portions formed on long sides of the dummy line patterns, each of the first mask patterns having a closed-loop shape and surrounding each of the dummy line patterns, removing the dummy line patterns, forming a second mask pattern having a first pattern portion which covers end portions of the first mask patterns and inter-end portions each located between adjacent ones of the end portions, etching the underlying region using the first mask patterns and the second mask pattern as a mask to form trenches each located between adjacent ones of the predetermined mask portions, and filling the trenches with a predetermined material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Eiji Ito, Hideyuki Kinoshita, Tetsuya Kamigaki, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 7811746
    Abstract: A single exposure method and a double exposure method for reducing mask error factor and for enhancing lithographic printing-process resolution is presented. The invention comprises decomposing a desired pattern of dense lines and spaces in two sub patterns of semi-dense spaces that are printed in interlaced position with respect to each other, using positive tone resist. Each of the exposures is executed after applying a relative space-width widening to the spaces of two corresponding patterning device patterns of semi-dense spaces. A factor representative for the space-width widening has a value between 1 and 3, thereby reducing mask error factor and line edge roughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Jozef Maria Finders
  • Patent number: 7811747
    Abstract: A method of patterning a thin film is described. The method comprises forming a thin film to be patterned on a substrate, forming a developable anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer on the thin film, and forming a mask layer on the developable ARC layer. Thereafter, the mask layer is patterned to form a pattern therein, and the pattern is partially transferred to the developable ARC layer using an imaging and developing process. Once the mask layer is removed, the pattern is completely transferred to the developable ARC layer using an etching process, and the pattern in the developable ARC layer is transferred to the underlying thin film using another etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Sandra L. Hyland, Shannon W. Dunn
  • Patent number: 7811748
    Abstract: A method of producing a high-quality product without damaging the physical properties of a pattern to be formed by a rinsing process based on a principle totally different from that for a conventional pattern collapse preventing method. A method for forming a resist pattern by subjecting a photo-resist layer provided on a substrate to image-forming exposure and then developing the resultant layer, wherein the resist pattern is formed, after the developing process, by the process of reducing a contact angle with respect to a contact liquid on the surface of the resist pattern to up to 40 degrees, then by the process of increasing it to at least 70 degrees, and further by drying it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Koshiyama, Kazumasa Wakiya, Fumitake Kaneko, Atsushi Miyamoto, Hidekazu Tajima, Yoshihiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 7811749
    Abstract: A method of assessing whether or not erythrocytes are suitable for transfusion into a recipient comprising (i) assaying a sample of erythrocytes for free choline, and (ii) comparing the level of free choline in the sample with the level of free choline deemed suitable for transfusion therapies; and a kit for use in such a method comprising at least one reagent for assaying the sample, instructions for conducting the assaying of the sample, and guidelines for assessing the suitability of the erythrocytes for transfusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: Maciej Adamczyk, Roy Jeffrey Brashear, Phillip G. Mattingly
  • Patent number: 7811750
    Abstract: To identify molecular determinants of lytic bone disease in multiple myeloma, the expression profiles of ˜12,000 genes in CD138-enriched plasma cells from newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients exhibiting no radiological evidence of lytic lesions (n=28) were compared to those with ?3 lytic lesions (n=47). Two secreted WNT signaling antagonists, soluble frizzled related protein 3 (SFRP-3/FRZB) and the human homologue of Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), were expressed in 40 of 47 with lytic bone lesions, but only 16 of 28 lacking bone lesions (P<0.05). DKK1 and FRZB were not expressed in plasma cells from 45 normal bone marrow donors or 10 Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, a related plasma cells malignancy that lacks bone disease. These data indicate that these factors are important mediators of multiple myeloma bone disease, and inhibitors of these proteins may be used to reduce tumor burden in multiple myeloma and to block bone disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventor: John D. Shaughnessy
  • Patent number: 7811751
    Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for analyzing a polynucleotide sequence, either an unknown sequence or a known sequence. A support carries an array of the whole or a chosen part of a complete set of oligonucleotides, which are capable of taking part in hybridization reactions. The polynucleotide sequence, or fragments thereof, are labeled and applied to the array under hybridizing conditions. Applications include analysis of known point mutations, genomic fingerprinting, linkage analysis, characterization of mRNAs, mRNA populations, and sequence determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Oxford Gene Technology Limited
    Inventor: Edwin Southern
  • Patent number: 7811752
    Abstract: This disclosures provides, in one aspect, a method for detecting non-clinically diagnosed cancer in a patient. In one embodiment, the method includes extracting blood serum or plasma from the patient, and then detecting beta-catenin RNA in the blood serum or plasma. In addition, in this embodiment, the method includes determining the presence of the cancer based on the detected beta-catenin RNA. In another aspect, this disclosure provides another embodiment of a method for detecting non-clinically diagnosed cancer in a patient. In this embodiment, the method includes extracting blood serum or plasma from the patient, and then detecting beta-catenin DNA in the blood serum or plasma. In addition, in this embodiment, the method includes determining the presence of the cancer based on the detected beta-catenin DNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Wen-Luan Wendy Hsiao, Sze-Chuen Cesar Wong
  • Patent number: 7811753
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and kits for repair of degraded DNA which may then be used as a template for efficient amplification by a number of different amplification reactions. The method relies upon a series of enzymatic activities provided by DNA repair enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ibis Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Eshoo
  • Patent number: 7811754
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes of interest are disclosed. A plurality of probes is immobilized on a planar waveguide. The probes comprise sequences complementary to a wildtype sequence of the gene of interest and complementary to a sequence of a known SNP in the gene of interest. A fluorescently-labeled analyte is flowed over the planar waveguide. The binding between the labeled analyte and each of the probes causes a change in the fluorescence signal. The SNP is detected by comparing the hybridization kinetics of the analyte with each of the probes. A method of detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms in a gene of interest by sequencing by hybridization is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation
    Inventors: James N. Herron, Samuel Tolley, Hsu-Kun Wang
  • Patent number: 7811755
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods, articles and compositions for the detection and analysis of biomolecules in a sample. Provided assays include those determining the presence of a target biomolecule in a sample or its relative amount, or the assays may be quantitative or semi-quantitative. The methods can be performed in an array format on a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Guillermo C. Bazan, Bin Liu
  • Patent number: 7811757
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting disease by analysis of a patient sample to determine the integrity of nucleic acids in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony P. Shuber
  • Patent number: 7811758
    Abstract: A method of automatically isolating and purifying nucleic acid from a nucleic acid-containing specimen is provided, the method comprising: injecting a liquid into a cartridge for isolation and purification of a nucleic acid including at least two openings from one opening of the at least two openings, in which the cartridge includes a container having the at least two openings and containing a nucleic acid-adsorbent solid phase; passing the liquid through the nucleic acid-adsorbent solid phase by a pressure difference generated by a pressure generation means for generating a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container; and discharging the liquid from the other opening of the container to the outside of the container by a pressure difference generated by the pressure generation means, wherein a pressure generated in the inside of the container by the pressure generation means is measured, a pressure change velocity and a pressure change acceleration are calculated on the basis of the va
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Mori, Yoshihiko Makino
  • Patent number: 7811759
    Abstract: Described is a novel method for the detection of ncRNA molecules. The disclosed method is especially useful for the detection miRNA and siRNA. The method can be used to generate a profile of the ncRNA molecules present in a sample. In addition, using the methods of the present disclosure a ncRNA signature for a given disease or condition can be created. The ncRNA signature can be used for diagnostic purposes, therapeutic purposes and drug discovery purposes, as well as other uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Jian Han
  • Patent number: 7811760
    Abstract: A vector includes an enhancer region derived from a transcriptional regulatory region of tyrosine hydroxylase gene wherein the enhancer region enhances transcription amount of a downstream gene in response to a test substance, a promoter which is functionally linked to downstream of the enhancer region, and a reporter gene which is functionally linked to downstream of the promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Eiichi Akahoshi, Seiko Yoshimura, Mitsuko Ishihara
  • Patent number: 7811761
    Abstract: Provided is a method for identifying dogs as likely to be genetically normal, carriers of, or affected with progressive rod-cone degeneration comprising analyzing nucleic acids from a dog and determining the presence or absence of one or more prcd polymorphisms in the nucleic acids. Representative prcd polymorphisms characteristic of a prcd haplotype are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Acland, Gustavo D. Aguirre, Orly Goldstein, Barbara Zangerl, Susan Pearce-Kelling, Duska J. Sidjanin, Jeanette S. Felix
  • Patent number: 7811762
    Abstract: Methods of identifying polymorphisms associated with hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG), are described. The polymorphisms associated with SPG include specific mutations in the receptor expression enhancing protein 1 (REEP1) gene. Also described are methods of diagnosis of SPG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Stephan Zuchner, Margaret Pericak-Vance, Allison Ashley-Koch, Corey Braastad, Narasimhan Nagan, Hui Zhu, Jeffrey G. Jones
  • Patent number: 7811763
    Abstract: The invention relates to oligonucleotide probes for the genomic typifying of erythrocyte systems, relative methods and diagnostic kits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Fondazione IRCCS Ca'Granda-Ospendale Maggiore Policlinico
    Inventors: Francesca Poli, Francesca Drago, Maria Antonietta Villa, Alejandro Espadas De Arias, Loretta Crespiatico
  • Patent number: 7811764
    Abstract: A sensor chip that includes: a fluorescence quenching surface; a nucleic acid probe that contains first and second ends with the first end bound to the fluorescence quenching surface, and is characterized by being able to self-anneal into a hairpin conformation; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic acid molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the fluorescence quenching surface substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore; and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in a non-hairpin conformation, fluorescent emissions by the fluorophore are substantially free of quenching by the fluorescence quenching surface. Various nucleic acid probes, methods of making the sensor chip, biological sensor devices that contain the sensor chip, and their methods of use are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Miller, Christopher M. Strohsahl
  • Patent number: 7811765
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting a predisposition to an inflammation-mediated cardiovascular disease in a human subject by detecting a level of leukotriene C4 synthase (LTC4S) gene product in a sample from a human subject indicative of a predisposition to an inflammation-mediated cardiovascular disease or detecting the presence or absence of an allele of LTC4S indicative of a predisposition to an inflammation-mediated cardiovascular disease. In addition, the present invention also provides kits for practicing the methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Children's Hospital & Research Center at Oakland
    Inventors: David M. Iovannisci, Edward J. Lammer
  • Patent number: 7811766
    Abstract: A method for identification and validation of Echinacea is disclosed. Primers are designed based on information analysis of sequences from a large number of Echinacea species to amplify certain segments of genomic DNA to identify the species. Primers and methods are also disclosed to amplify other plant species that are frequently found in adulterated herbal samples of Echinacea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: ThinkVillage, LLC
    Inventor: Peter K. Rogan
  • Patent number: 7811767
    Abstract: The invention relates to the analysis and identification of genes that are up-regulated simultaneously in transplant rejection. This simultaneous up-regulation of genes provides a molecular signature to accurately detect transplant rejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Friedrich Raulf, Pierre Saint-Mezard, Hai Zhang
  • Patent number: 7811768
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of moiety or molecule analysis, isolation, detection and manipulation and library synthesis. In particular, the invention provides a microdevice, which microdevice comprises: a) a substrate; and b) a photorecognizable coding pattern on the substrate. Preferably, the microdevice does not comprise an anodized metal surface layer. Methods and kits for isolating, detecting and manipulating moieties, and synthesizing libraries using the microdevices are also provided. The invention further provides two-dimensional optical encoders and uses thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: Aviva Biosciences Corporation, Tsinghua University, CAPTIALBIO Corporation
    Inventors: Lei Wu, Xiaobo Wang, Guoliang Tao, Junquan Xu, Jing Cheng, Mingxiang Huang, Baoquan Sun, Wei Shao, Litian Liu, Depu Chen, David M. Rothwarf, Weiping Yang
  • Patent number: 7811769
    Abstract: This invention provides methods useful in aiding in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The methods involve measuring the amount of amyloid-? peptide (x??41) in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient. High levels of the peptide generally are inconsistent with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Low levels of the peptide are consistent with the disease and, with other tests, can provide a positive diagnosis. Other methods involve measuring the amounts of both A?(x??41) and tau. Low levels of A?(x??41) and high levels of tau are a positive indicator of Alzheimer's disease, while high levels of A?(x??41) and low levels of tau are a negative indication of Alzheimer's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Elan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Seubert, Carmen Vigo-Pelfrey, Dale B. Schenk, Robin Barbour
  • Patent number: 7811770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies specifically binding to native proBNP, a method for specific detection of native proBNP, a method of correlating the level of native proBNP to the diagnosis of heart failure, a kit for detection of native proBNP and to a hybridoma cell line producing an antibody to native proBNP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Anneliese Borgya, Andreas Gallusser, Michael Grol, Klaus Hallermayer, Volker Klemt, Christoph Seidel
  • Patent number: 7811771
    Abstract: This invention relates to the field of determining, assaying or quantifying activity of components of the complement system. More particularly, the invention relates to methods for detecting the presence or level of activity in a sample of mannan-binding-lectin associated serine proteases (MASPs) or complexes of such proteases with lectins and to detection of the particular lectins themselves. Provided is a method for determining the activity of a MASP in a sample, comprising incubating the sample with a pro-urokinase comprising at its activation site the consensus sequence Arg/Leu/Gly-Yyy-Arg/Lys-Ile/Leu/Val-Zzz-Gly-Gly cleavable by a MASP, wherein Yyy can be any amino acid and Zzz is preferably an aliphatic amino acid, and determining proteolytic activation of said pro-urokinase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
    Inventors: Johan Hendrikus Verheijen, Jan Roeland Occo Hanemaaijer, Natascha Alexandra Van Lent, Johannes Hendrikus Nicolaas Lindeman, Mohamed Rahoef Daha, Johanna Roos
  • Patent number: 7811772
    Abstract: The present invention provides a protein-based biomarker, ApoA-II isoform, that is useful in determining prostate cancer status in a patient. In particular, the biomarker of this invention is useful to classify a biological sample as prostate cancer or non-prostate cancer. The ability of ApoA-II to detect disease in patients with a normal prostate-specific antigen (PSA) makes the biomarker of this invention useful in identifying indolent disease. The biomarker can be detected by SELDI mass spectrometry, HPLC, PAGE and Western blotting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eastern Virginia Medical School
    Inventors: O. John Semmes, Gunjan Malik, Michael D. Ward
  • Patent number: 7811773
    Abstract: The instant invention describes an analytical assay to accurately measure an analyte in the presence of an interfering substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Genentech, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Ralph
  • Patent number: 7811774
    Abstract: Methods and reagents for classifying tumors and for identifying new tumor classes and subclasses. Methods for correlating tumor class or subclass with therapeutic regimen or outcome, for identifying appropriate (new or known) therapies for particular classes or subclasses, and for predicting outcomes based on class or subclass. New therapeutic agents and methods for the treatment of cancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Applied Genomics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Z. Ring, Douglas T. Ross, Robert S. Seitz
  • Patent number: 7811775
    Abstract: A homogeneous assay for determining the aflatoxin content in agricultural products uses the technique of fluorescence polarization. A solvent is used to extract aflatoxins from a sample of the agricultural product. A mixture is prepared by combining the extract with a tracer and with a monoclonal antibody specific for aflatoxin. The tracer is able to bind to the monoclonal antibody to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization. The tracer is prepared by conjugating an aflatoxin oxime to a suitable fluorophore. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured. The aflatoxin concentration of the mixture may be calculated using a standard curve obtained by measuring the fluorescence polarization of a series of aflatoxin solutions of known concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Diachemix LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Sarwar Nasir, Michael E. Jolley
  • Patent number: 7811776
    Abstract: Described herein are methods of diagnosing lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) that permits differentiating LAM from another lung disorder. Methods of treatment are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignees: University of Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center
    Inventors: Francis X. McCormack, Lisa R. Young
  • Patent number: 7811777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, antibodies, vectors and host cells expressing, immunoadhesins, agonists and antagonists to patched-2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Genentech Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic J. de Sauvage, David A. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7811778
    Abstract: Methods for diagnosing an upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer in a subject by determining an amount of one or more biomarkers in a biological sample from the subject are provided. Methods for determining whether to initiate or continue prophylaxis or treatment of an upper GI cancer in a subject by determining any measurable change in the amounts of the at least one biomarker in each of a series of biological samples provided over a time period are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Vanderbilt University
    Inventor: James R. Goldenring
  • Patent number: 7811779
    Abstract: Provided is a method of stabilizing a reagent that allows simultaneous quantification of LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol by a single measurement by suppressing spontaneous color development thereof. A method of quantification for cholesterol in low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol in a biological sample by the single measurement comprises a first step of treating lipoproteins other than low density lipoprotein in the biological sample to generate hydrogen peroxide and a second step of converting the hydrogen peroxide obtained in the first step to a quinone dye and treating remaining low density lipoprotein and converting generated hydrogen peroxide to the quinone dye, where the quinone dye is not formed in the first step, and cholesterol in low density lipoprotein and total cholesterol are quantified from the amount of the quinone dye formed in the second step by the single measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Denka Seiken Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiko Matsumoto, Hiroshi Matsui
  • Patent number: 7811780
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, a reagent and a kit for the simple and accurate measurement of HDL cholesterol. The method for the measurement of cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein in a sample comprises reacting the sample with i) cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase or ii) cholesterol esterase, oxidized coenzyme and cholesterol dehydrogenase in an aqueous medium comprising a specific nitrogen-containing surfactant having the structure of amine or ammonium salt and a polyanion, and measuring the formed hydrogen peroxide or reduced coenzyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Kyowa Medex Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Katayama, Mayumi Fujinaka
  • Patent number: 7811781
    Abstract: A method of indicating the presence of the atherosclerosis (particularly coronary artery atherosclerosis) in a subject is provided, comprising comparing the level of Core 2 GlcNAc-T in a tissue sample from a subject with a reference level determined for the same tissue. A level of Core 2 GlcNAc-T in the tissue sample from a subject that is higher than that of the reference level being indicative that the subject is afflicted with atherosclerosis (particularly coronary artery atherosclerosis—coronary artery disease—CAD). In preferred embodiments, the sample consists of leukocytes and the protein level is determined as the enzymatic activity using radiolabeled UDP-GlcNAc and a Gal?(1,3)-GalNAc derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: BTG International Limited
    Inventor: Rakesh Chibber
  • Patent number: 7811782
    Abstract: Methods and devices for applying hemodynamic patterns to human/animal cells in culture are described. Hemodynamic flow patterns are measured directly from the human circulation and translated to a motor that controls the rotation of a cone. The cone is submerged in fluid (i.e., cell culture media) and brought into close proximity to the cells. Rotation of the cone creates time-varying shear stresses. This model closely mimics the physiological hemodynamic forces imparted on endothelial cells in vivo. A TRANSWELL coculture dish (i.e., a coculture dish comprising an artificial porous membrane) may be incorporated, permitting two, three, or more different cell types to be physically separated within the culture dish environment. In-flow and out-flow tubing may be used to supply media, drugs, etc. separately and independently to both the inner and outer chambers. The physical separation of the cell types permits each cell type to be separately isolated for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Hemoshear, LLC
    Inventors: Brett R. Blackman, Brian R. Wamhoff
  • Patent number: 7811783
    Abstract: A rapid method for detecting spoilage of a food sample, particularly a fish sample, by detecting and enumerating sulfide-producing bacteria (SPB). A growth medium containing iron and sulfur is combined with the food sample forming an incubation mixture which is incubated for a period of time. In one embodiment, a plurality of fluorescence measurements are taken during an incubation period of about 3 hours to 17 hours at 30° C. SPB are determined to be present in the sample if the fluorescence measurement initially increases and then decreases to form a fluorescence maximum (peak). The time to detection of the fluorescence peak can be used with a correlation schedule to enumerate the SPB in the food sample. In another embodiment, a visual test can also be used to identify color changes in the incubation mixture to provide a semi-quantitative enumeration of SPB effective after about 3 hours to 17 hours of incubation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Colifast AS
    Inventors: Grete Lorentzen, Olaug Taran Skjerdal, James D. Berg
  • Patent number: 7811784
    Abstract: The invention relates to the growth temperature of organisms, especially plants and microorganisms and the manipulation of the tolerable cultivation temperature. More specifically, the present invention relates to the expression of heterologous proteins in microorganisms, and especially to the heterologous expression of heat sensitive proteins in bacteria, either gram-negative or gram-positive. In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for manipulation of cells and the resultant cells, wherein at least one gene from a psychrophilic micro organism coding for at least one chaperone or chaperonin is expressed. Such cells are selected among cultivated eukaryotic cells, i.e. animal and plant cells and entire plants, gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, fungi and yeasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung GmbH
    Inventors: Manuel Ferrer, Kenneth Timmis, Tatjana Chernikova, Peter Golyshin, Michail Yakimov