Abstract:
A mutant herpesvirus that has a mutated gene that encodes a mutant infected cell protein 0 (ICPO) can be used in therapeutic methods as well as in diagnostics and research experiments. The encoded mutant ICPO protein can be altered in one or more regions of ICPO that are substantially conserved between two or more herpesviruses and/or within a phosphorylation region. The mutant herpesvirus can be substantially avirulent and immunogenic.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for protection against bacterial contamination. The invention provides bactericidal yeast expressing bacteriocin proteins and methods of using the bactericidal yeast.
Abstract:
Provided herein are methods and materials for diagnosing a bowel disease in a subject by detecting the presence or absence of a bowel disease marker. A bowel disease marker has been identified as AKR1B10 and may be useful in identifying subjects at risk for bowel disease, predicting bowel disease progression, and assessing a subject's response to therapy.
Abstract:
A medical device configured to be inserted into a patient's body to retrieve material from the patient's body includes a basket assembly. The basket assembly is configured to transition between various states including an expanded state and a collapsed state. The basket assembly may be substantially covered in a flexible sheet except for a side-facing opening when the basket assembly is in the expanded state. When the basket assembly is in the collapsed state, the side-facing opening may be substantially closed. The device may be inserted into the patient's body while the basket assembly is in the collapsed state. While in the patient's body, the basket assembly may be transitioned to the expanded state. Then, a physician may maneuver material to be removed from the patient's body into the basket assembly via the side-facing opening. Next, the basket assembly may be transitioned into the collapsed state or a partially collapsed state so that the basket assembly can be removed from the patient's body.
Abstract:
A textile-reinforced composite friction material is provided by the present invention that includes a nonwoven needlepunched fiber mat, a resin matrix impregnated within and onto the fiber mat, and a carbon nanomaterial dispersed within the resin matrix. The carbon nanomaterial is preferably carbon nanotubes and/or carbon nanofibers.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an enzyme-entrapped sol-gel composition wherein one or more enzymes are stably entrapped within the gels and are released from the gels in responsive to an increase in environmental water percentage (by weight). The method for preparing such a composition comprises the steps of : (a) mixing a first aqueous solution with one or more alkali metal silicates or alkyl siliconate salts to reduce the pH to 12 or lower to form a first sol; (b) mixing a second aqueous solution with one or more organofunctional silane precursors to form a second sol; (c) mixing the first sol, the second sol, and a third aqueous solution containing one or more enzymes to form gels. The present invention further provides a liquid detergent, a liquid soap or a shampoo formulation comprising an enzyme-entrapped sol-gel system, wherein the enzymes are released upon dilution of the formulation in water. The silica gel matrices not only improve the thermal stability of enzymes but also prevent the enzyme denaturation due to proteolysis/autolysis or interference from other components of the formulation.
Abstract:
A method to improve neural cell viability in brain or spinal cord tissue after brain or spinal cord injury or surgery is provided. This method comprises applying a sterile liquid medium to the brain or spinal cord tissue, wherein the sterile aqueous liquid medium comprises 0 to about 3000 µM CaCI 2 , about 0.1 to about 1.2 µM Fe(NO 3 ) 3 , about 2500 to about 10000 µM KCI, 0 to about 4000 µM MgCI 2 , about 30000 to about 150000 µM NaCI, about 100 to about 30000 µM NaHCO 3 , about 250 to about 4000 µM NaH 2 PO 4 , about 0.01 to about 0.4 µM sodium selenite, about 0.2 to about 2 µM ZnSO 4 , about 2500 to about 50000 µM D-glucose, about 1 to about 50 µM L-carnitine, about 3 to about 80 µM ethanolamine, about 15 to about 400 µM D(+)-galactose, about 40 to about 800 µM putrescine, about 20 to about 500 µM sodium pyruvate, and growth-promoting essential fatty acids, hormones, amino acids, vitamins and anti-oxidants in amounts effective for neuron growth, and wherein the medium is essentially free of ferrous sulfate, glutamate, and aspartate.
Abstract:
Provided are methods employing estrogenic compounds for: repressing weight gain or reducing weight in male patients; treating or preventing prostate cancer and peri- or post-menopausal symptoms; treating estrogen-responsive conditions that no longer respond to treatment with conventional steroidal estrogens; treating or preventing estrogen-responsive uterine cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian follicle atresia; inducing ovulation to increase fertility; oral contraception; treating or preventing diseases or conditions caused or prolonged by free radicals; treating or preventing cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia or hypercholesterolemia, and hyperglycemia; improving body fat distribution; and treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, and pattern baldness. Also provided are methods for treating or preventing prostatic diseases including benign prostate hyperplasia and other related conditions, androgen-responsive pathological conditions in males, and methods for male birth control and chemical castration, employing estrogenic carboxylic acids.
Abstract:
A passivating epitaxial film of Group III-sulfur material is formed on a III-V compound semiconductor substrate (10) based on the interaction of the substrate with sulfur atoms (40). In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, en epitaxial Ga2(S2)3 film is formed on a GaAs substrate by exposing a surface (12) of the GaAs substrate to a gaseous sulfur-containing molecule (e.g. H2S), photo-irradiating the sulfur-containing molecule to deposit sulfur atoms on the exposed surface and annealing the sulfur-deposited substrate (10).
Abstract:
In a transverse phosphite process for preparation of polynucleotides, a 5' reactive resin nucloside is reacted with a bifunctional phosphorus (III) reagent to produce a monofunctional resin nucleosidophosphorus (III) intermediate. This intermediate is condensed with a 3' reactive 5' blocked nucleoside to produce a dinucleosidophosphite. The latter is 5' deblocked and the cycle of reaction with bifunctional intermediate and condensation with 5' blocked 3' reactive nucleoside repeated to build a chain corresponding to the desire polynucleotide. Phosphite is converted to phosphate by oxidation to produce the polynucleotide. Improved structures and processes for linking the nucleotide chain to the resin, and improve techniques for detaching the final nucleotide from the resin are also disclosed.