Abstract:
A method is disclosed for blocking the SEC receptor and also inhibiting the neurotoxic effects of amyloid- beta protein by treating SEC receptor-bearing cells with a synthetic inhibitor peptide, e.g. peptide PB145.
Abstract:
A lipid vesicle composition for use in delivering a vesicle-encapsulated agent to a target cell is disclosed. The composition is formed of vesicle-forming lipids, including at least 10 mole percent plasmalogen phospholipid with a small-volume polar head group. The composition may also include a fusion protein for promoting fusion of the vesicles to the target cells. A novel fusion protein identified as an isoform of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is also disclosed.
Abstract:
Novel methods for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases caused by tissue-adhering bacteria are disclosed. By interacting with periplasmic molecular chaperones it is achieved that the assembly of pili is prevented or inhibited and thereby the infectivity of the bacteria is diminished. Also disclosed are methods for screening for drugs as well as methods for the de novo design of such drugs, methods which rely on novel computer drug modelling methods involving an approximative calculation of binding free energy between macromolecules. Finally, novel pyranosides which are believed to be capable of interacting with periplasmic molecular chaperones are also disclosed.
Abstract:
A method of identifying compounds that modulate the activity of myocardial calcium-independent phospholipase A2 is disclosed. In a test assay of the method of the invention, myocardial calcium-independent phospholipase A2 40kDa catalytic subunit, 85kDa phosphofructokinase isoform, ATP, a substrate and a test compound are combined and the myocardial calcium-independent phospholipase A2 activity is determined. The level of activity observed in the test assay is compared to the level of activity generated from a control assay which is similar to the test assay but which does not include the test compound. Essentially pure myocardial calcium-independent phospholipase A2 85kDa phosphofructokinase isoform is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A device and method of use are provided for improving the long-term treatment of a patient by surgically implanting encapsulated or unencapsulated cells or cell clusters producing a therapeutic agent and for retrieving such cell bodies. A pouch is placed over a vascularized tissue pedicle in an individual's body so that at least part of the pedicle is encased by projecting into the opening of the pouch. The pouch is attached to the pedicle around the pouch opening.
Abstract:
A resequencing buffer (44) and a buffer control circuit (46) is disclosed for resequencing data packets into their timed sequence after traversing a switch fabric (22) which can introduce misordering of data packets because of the varying time intervals required for data packets to traverse the switch fabric (22) in a non-blocking manner. The resequencing buffer controller (46) includes a plurality of bi-directional shift registers (60) for storing each data packet's age and slot number, each bi-directional shift register (60) having an associated slot control circuit (62) for feeding the age and slot number one bit at a time onto a contention bus (64) to thereby determine the oldest data packet eligible for transmission. The contention bus (64) is an exclusive OR wire bus which interconnects the slot control circuits (62) and an output circuit (68) which controls the buffer (44) to output the slot number containing the data packet of oldest age. In the event of ties between data packets having the same age, the slot numbers of the buffer (44) are used to select a data packet for transmission.
Abstract:
The DNA sequence spanning the fragile X site on the X human chromosome has been obtained in purified and isolated form. As fragile X is associated with mental retardation, the availability of a DNA which spans this locus permits diagnosis and treatment of the related mental disorders.
Abstract:
Avirulent microbes which include a recombinant expression system encoding a gamete-specific antigen, are disclosed. The microbes can be used in compositions to immunize a vertebrate subject against the gamete-specific antigen, thereby preventing or reducing conception rates in the subject to which they are administered.
Abstract:
Apparatus for generating a reduced-scale optical image of an x-ray beam pattern or the like includes an optical fiber assembly (38) which forms a two-dimensional input array (42) and whose output ends form a reduced-scale two-dimensional output array (44). A beam converter (34) converts the irradiation beam (29) to a corresponding electron beam, and this beam is converted to a two-dimensional light image of the beam which is directed onto the input array (42). In one embodiment, the optical fibers form an array (38) of multifiber reducers (40) which are tapered on progressing between input (48) and output ends (50). In other embodiments, the input array (78, 113) is formed by the elongate input fiber regions of fibers (77, 114) having a parallel, side-by-side arrangement, and the two dimensional image is produced by scanning a linear electron beam and light-generating strip (76) transversely along the length of the array, or by rotating the array (113) below a full-area electron beam.
Abstract:
A single aperture confocal scanning biomicroscope is disclosed with an illumination system (42) having a pair of lenses (50, 52) surrounding an aperture (54) for collimating a field of light, a pivotally mounted flap (60) for blocking a central portion of the lght in order to create peripheral illumination, and an aperture assembly (62) comprised of a cylindrical lens (64), aperture (66), and beam splitter (68) which is oscillated within the light field in order to create an aperture size optical beam for scanning a patient's eye (74) and ocular adnexae. With the illumination system (42) of the present invention, techniques involving both direct illumination and indirect illumination may be utilized in examining the eye (74) to produce a true confocal image thereof. Single aperture confocal scanning techniques may be brought to existing slit lamp biomicroscopes with a kit comprised simply of a pair of lenses (38) and an aperture (36) in one embodiment which utilizes the existing illumination system. In a second embodiment, a completely new illumination system is also utilized which provides for examination techniques utilizing both direct and indirect illumination.