Microarray Detector and Methods

A detector for optical analysis of a biochip determines the focal position of a plurality of analytes on the biochip using one or more registration markers on the biochip, wherein the analytes and the registration marker are illuminated by different light sources. Therefore, contemplated configurations will significantly reduce overall focusing time and automate proper positioning of the biochip, while allowing to determine a focal position without photobleaching or other undesirable effects on optically labile compounds. Thus, automated analyses can be performed without manual user intervention.

Stent Covered by a Layer Having a Layer Opening

A drug eluting stent has a frame with at least one frame opening, and the frame is covered with an outer continuous layer and/or an inner continuous layer. The outer and/or inner layers further include a layer opening that at least partially overlaps with the frame opening to form a continuous opening having a size that allows endothelialization when the stent is implanted into a blood vessel.

Module for Automated Matrix Removal

An automated matrix removal module is configurable to automatically withdraw a portion of sample containing an interferent. The module is further configurable to mix the portion of sample with a precipitating reagent selected to react with the interferent to fonn a precipitant and then filter mixture of sample and precipitant reagent through a filter. Finally, the module is further configurable to flush the precipitant from the filter.

Cervical Collar with End-Supported Chin Strap

The cervical collar has three principal pieces: a back panel, a main collar body, and a chin piece. The chin piece is permanently attached to the main collar body and is only attached at its ends to the main collar body so that the center portion of the chin piece can adjust to chin configuration. The back panel engages behind the neck and is tightened with respect to the main collar body to properly support the patient's head and protect the cervical spine. The chin piece adjusts to the patient's chin configuration because it is sufficiently flexible and only supported away from the chin area. Each of the pieces has a foam cushioning layer.

Non-Embryonic Totipotent Blastomer-Like Stem Cells and Methods Therefor

Non-embryonic blastomere-like totipotent stem cells are disclosed. Most preferably, such cells are obtained from various tissues of postnatal mammals (e.g., using tissue biopsied from the mammal), are smaller than 1 flm, have normal karyotype, and do not spontaneously differentiate in serum-free medium without differentiation inhibitors. These non-embryonic blastomere-like totipotent stem cells typically express CD66e, CEA-CAM-l and telomerase, but do not typically express CDlO, SSEA-l, SSEA-3, and SSEA-4. Such blastomere-like totipotent cells can be differentiated into ectodermal, mesodermal, or endodermal tissues, including placental tissues and germ cells. Moreover, when implanted into a mammal, such cells will not be teratogenic.

Parallel Inducible Cell Based Kinase Screen

A parallel inducible cell-based kinase screen (PICKS) includes a plurality ofcells that express a kinase gene under the control of an inducer and a reporter gene, wherein the cells are derived from a single cell line, and wherein the reporter gene generates a signal in response to catalytic activity or inhibition of the expressed kinases. Particularly preferred systems include cells expressing kinases from a single kinase signaling pathway, kinases from a kinase family, and/or kinases from various different kinase signaling pathways. Consequently, contemplated systems provide a platform for screening for novel kinase inhibitors, inhibition specificity of particular kinase inhibitors, and for analysis of inter-pathway and/or intra-pathway inhibition of a kinase inhibitor.

Enzyme Inhibitors and Methods Therefor

An enzyme is inhibited by presenting the enzyme with a boron containing structure having a tetrahedral boron atom covalently bound to four ligands. Particularly preferred enzymes include prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (COX-1 and COX-2), and particularly preferred structures include a ligand that confers at least 80-fold selectivity of COX-2 inhibition over COX-1 inhibition. Consequently, further methods are directed towards induction of apoptosis in a cell and methods of reducing pain.

Monocyclic L-Nucleosides, Analogs, and Uses Thereof

Novel monocyclic L-Nucleoside compounds have the general formula __. Embodiments of these compounds are contemplated to be useful in treating a wide variety of diseases including infections, infestations, neoplasms, and autoimmune diseases. Viewed in terms of mechanism, embodiments of the novel compounds show immunomodulatory activity, and are expected to be useful in modulating the cytokine pattern, including modulation of Th1 and Th2 response.

Configurations and Methods for Assisted Condensation

A condensation enhancer has a carrier to which carbonaceous nanostructured material is coupled such that a compound in gas phase contacting the enhancer condenses at a temperature that is higher than a condensation temperature of the compound on the condensation enhancer without the nanostructured material.

Compositions and Methods of Remediation Devices with Nanostructured Sorbent

Contemplated remediation devices include a substantially completely hydrophobic, non-porous, and carbonaceous, and most preferably nanostructured material enclosed in a retaining structure. In further preferred aspects, the material inside the retaining structure adsorbs a contaminant from a medium located outside the retaining structure. Especially preferred nanostructured materials comprise graphene, while preferred contaminants include optionally substituted hydrocarbons, organic solvents, and acids.

Binding and In Situ Destruction of Chemical Agents and Other Contaminants

A graphene-containing composition is employed to bind a contaminant, which is then destroyed in situ using microwave irradiation. In preferred aspects of the inventive subject matter, the microwave irradiation has a frequency and energy sufficient to cause electron emission from the graphene.

Configurations and Methods for Water Purification

Volatile organic compounds are removed from a liquid and destroyed using a device in which an air stripper having alternating phases of hydrophilic and hydrophobic packing materials promotes transition of the VOC from the liquid phase into the gas phase, and wherein the is oxidized VOC in the gas phase on a hydrophobic carbon nanostructure that further comprises a catalytically active metal.