Abstract:
Audio information is spoken into a microphone and saved in digitized form in an electronic file (40). The digitized information is converted into a format which is usable within a particular MRI system (42). Thereafter, an electronically store pulse sequence, useable within the selected MRI system, is selected (46) and edited (48) to incorporate the converted digitized verbal information (50) and appropriate header information (44). When the edited pulse sequence is operated by the MRI system, audio information is projected which can be heard by the human ear using the elements of an existing MRI system.
Abstract:
This invention provides a method for identifying compounds capable of binding to the disintegrin protein, and determining the amount and affinity of a compound capable of binding to the disintegrin protein in a sample. This invention also provides a host cell comprising a recombinant expression vector to the disintegrin protein and a recombinant expression vector encoding to the disintegrin protein and the human disintegrin metalloprotease protein, fragment or mutant thereof, useful for these purposes. This invention also provides an in vivo or in vitro method for screening for osteoarthritis and other metalloprotease based diseases, capable of manufacture and use in a kit form.
Abstract:
Disclosed are a composition of chemically defined components which support the in vitro chondrogenesis of mesenchymal progenitor cells, a method for in vitro chondrogenic induction of such progenitor cells and a method of forming human chondrocytes in vitro from such progenitor cells.
Abstract:
Methods for in vitro or ex vivo lineage directed induction of isolated, culture expanded human mesenchymal stem cells comprising contacting the mesenchymal stem cells with a bioactive factor effective to induce differentiation thereof into a lineage of choice as well as such compositions including isolated culture expanded human mesenchymal stem cells and bioactive factors effective to induce directed lineage induction are disclosed. Further disclosed is this method which also includes introducing such culturally expanded lineage-induced mesenchymal stem cells into a host from which they have originated for purposes of mesenchymal tissue regeneration or repair.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal cell (10) treated for homeotropic alignment of a chiral nematic liquid crystal material (11) having a negative dielectric anisotropy.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a target-derived neuronal cholinergic differenciation factor (NCDF), and the therapeutic and diagnostic uses thereof. The invention provides NCDF, and derivatives, analogs, and fragments thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing the foregoing, as well as anti-NCDF antibodies. The NCDF of the invention is a protein present in extracts of mammalian sweat glands, which exhibits heat and trypsin lability, lack of substantial binding to a heparin-agarose affinity column, an isoelectric point (pI) in the range of approximately 4.8 to 5.2, a non-membrane cellular localization, and an approximate molecular weight in the range of 16 to 32 kilodaltons. The NCDF protein, its derivatives, analogs, and fragments are able to reduce the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase and of total catecholamines, and increase the expression of choline acetyltransferase and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), by sympathetic neurons in cell culture. The NCDF protein, its derivatives, analogs, and fragments, can be used to induce cholinergic activity in neurons. Such proteins, derivatives, analogs and fragments can be administered therapeutically to patients with nervous system damage or diseases where it is desirable to support survival and/or cholinergic differentiation of a number of neuronal types.
Abstract:
A process for selecting the types of cells that will grow on a structure, such as an implantable device or a cell growth surface. The implantable device may have a titanium surface. The process includes attaching a molecular monolayer to the surface of the structure. The monolayer has a functional group at its distal end. The possible function groups include CH3, CH=CH2, Br, CN, COOH, and CHOHCH2OH. The monolayer is coated with an adhesion-mediating molecule such as fibronectin. Cells then contact the coating. The character of the functional group affects the growth characteristics of the adhering or contacting cell, independently of the nature of the underlying structure. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a metallic surface such as titanium to receive a molecular monolayer. The surface is placed in hot water (40-50 DEG C) for 4 hours with sonication, or in boiling water for 8 hours without sonication.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods of using keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin, and hyaluronic acid, and molecules and compositions comprising keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin, and hyaluronic acid, to inhibit or prevent neurite outgrowth, i.e., axonal growth, or nerve regeneration (colectively termed herein ''nerve growth''), or glial cell migration or invasion, or regeneration, and therapeutically, where the foregoing is desired. In another embodiment of the invention, inhibitors and antagonists of keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin, and hyaluronic acid, and molecules and compositions containing the same, may be used to promote nerve growth or glial cell migration or invasion, and can be administered therapeutically. Such inhibitors and antagonists include but are not limited to antibodies, degradative enzymes, lectins; and disaccharide antagonists of the receptors for keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, heparin or hyaluronate.
Abstract:
Nucleic acids are compacted, substantially without aggregation, to facilitate their uptake by target cells of an organism to which the compacted material is administered. The nucleic acids may achieve a clinical effect as a result of gene expression, hybridization to endogenous nucleic acids whose expression is undesired, or site-specific integration so that a target gene is replaced, modified or deleted. The targeting may be enhanced by means of a target cell-binding moiety. The nucleic acid is preferably compacted to a condensed state.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a novel imidazo [4,5b] pyridinium molecule composed of a lysine and an arginine residue crosslinked with a pentose sugar. The novel imidazo [4,5b] pyridinium compound, referred to as "pentosidine", was isolated from proteineous tissue undergoing advanced glycosylation and is believed to be one of the principal products involved in the aging of proteins. Assaying for the pentosidine molecule makes it possible to assess the degree of non-enzymatic glycosylation occurring. In addition, the pentosidine molecule is utilized through the production of antibodies thereto and/or the preparation of test kits, etc., for diagnostic, as well as therapeutic purposes (i.e. development of agents which inhibit the non-enzymatic browning reaction, etc.). For example, the invention further relates to a process for assessing aging in mammals by quantitating the amount of pentosidine present in tissue produced by glycoxidation.