Methods and agents for reducing a level of an acetylated Tau polypeptide in a cell are provided. Methods for treating a tauopathy in an individual are also provided. Also provided is a method for diagnosing a cognitive impairment disorder in an individual. Methods for identifying an agent suitable for treating a tauopathy are also provided.

Disclosed are new members of a class of non-lipid small molecule inhibitors which interfere with the interaction between phosphoinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. These molecules target a broad range of PIP3-dependent signaling events in vitro and exert significant anti-tumor activity in vivo, with improved activity and selectivity toward particular PH domains. The small molecule inhibitors of the invention can be used alone or together with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or other cancer medicament to treat cancer. Small molecule inhibitors of the invention act synergistically in combination with TRAIL and with other Akt inhibitors in treating cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating cancer are provided.

The invention discloses novel morphology shifting micelles and amphiphilic coated metal nanofibers. Methods of using and making the same are also disclosed.

The invention is directed to a single-step method for rapidly and efficiently preparing protein-polymer conjugates, including an insulin-polymer conjugate. According to the method of the present invention, a protein and hydrophilic polymer are contacted in the presence of at least one organic solvent and at least one metal chelator, under conditions that promote the formation of a conjugate of the protein and polymer. Thus, the invention is directed to the site-specific modification of selected proteins, such as insulin, with poly(ethylene glycol) at residue PheB1. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical formulation for encapsulating the conjugate in a biodegradable polymer.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) having thyroid stimulating activity (TSAb), especially full or considerably agonistic activity, or thyroid blocking activity (TBAb), which are obtainable by genetic immunization of mice, or fragments (F(ab')2, Fab or Fv) or humanized forms of such monoclonal antibodies or single chain forms (SCA; scFv) of such fragments, which antibodies, or their fragments, compete with bovine TSH for epitopes of the human TSHr, compete with autoantibodies from sera from Graves' patients as well as with autoantibodies from sera from patients harboring blocking autoantibodies for epitopes of the human TSHr, bind to conformational epitopes of the human TSHr located in the first 281 amino acids of the human TSHr, and usually also bind to TSFR receptors (TSHr) from different animals. Various uses of such antibodies, or of peptides corresponding to variable regions of such antibodies, are also described and claimed.

Devices and methods are provided for reducing matrix effects in protein precipitated bioanalytical samples comprising: a support, and a sorbent associated with the support capable of binding matrix interfering agents present in the bioanalytical sample, wherein the device further comprises filtering means for removing precipitated protein particles. The filtering means is a size exclusion filter or a polymeric or inorganic monolith having a maximum pore size less than or equal to the diameter of the particles to be removed from the sample, and can be integral with the sorbent or associated with the sorbent. The sorbent is characterized by sufficient selectivity between the matrix interfering agents and analytes of interest to provide retention of the matrix interfering agents while providing elution of the analytes of interest (e.g., a reversed phase or a polar modified reversed phase). Typical devices incorporating these features include luer syringe filters, individual filter cartridges, multiwell plates, pipette tips, or inline columns for multiple or single use.

Described herein are techniques for assembling a polynucleotide encoding a transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN). The techniques ligate and digest necessary modules for a TALEN assembly in one reactor or system. Methods and Kits for generating a TALEN are also described.

The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying and selecting maize plants with enhanced resistance to northern leaf blight. Maize plants generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.

Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs particularly useful for altering agronomic characteristics of plants under nitrogen limiting conditions, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes an LNT1 polypeptide.

This invention provides recombinant DNA constructs and methods for manipulating expression of a target gene that is regulated by a small RNA, by interfering with the binding of the small RNA to its target gene. More specifically, this invention discloses recombinant DNA constructs encoding cleavage blockers, 5-modified cleavage blockers, and translational inhibitors useful for modulating expression of a target gene and methods for their use. Further disclosed are miRNA targets useful for designing recombinant DNA constructs including miRNA-unresponsive transgenes, miRNA decoys, cleavage blockers, 5-modified cleavage blockers, and translational inhibitors, as well as methods for their use, and transgenic eukaryotic cells and organisms containing such constructs.

The invention relates to genes coding for TCP family transcription factors and having a biological role in the development of axillary buds and branch growth. Furthermore, the invention relates to the promoters of the transcription of said genes, to the genetic constructs containing same and to the uses thereof, including the use of agents that modulate the expression of these genes in order to modify plant architecture.

A novel maize variety designated PH1TWW and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1TWW with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1TWW through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1TWW or a locus conversion of PH1TWW with another maize variety.

A novel maize variety designated PH1M9D and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1M9D with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1M9D through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1M9D or a locus conversion of PH1M9D with another maize variety.

The present invention relates to a composition useful for the diagnosis of diseases associated with aberrant expression of the genes encoding the secreted proteins Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4(=R-Spondin 2, 3, 1 and 4, respectively), e.g. in connection with tumors or diseases of the muscle, kidneys or bones. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound which is capable of modifying (a) the expression of the gene encoding Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 or (b) the activity of the Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 protein.

The present invention comprises methods and systems for manipulation of media and particles, whether inert materials or biomaterials, such as cells in suspension cell culture. The methods and systems comprise use of an apparatus comprising a rotating chamber wherein the actions of the combined forces fluid flow force and centrifugal force form a fluidized bed within the rotating chamber.

The invention relates to compounds that specifically bind a T1R1/T1R3 or T1R2/T1R3 receptor or fragments or sub-units thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric and chimeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions. The use of these cells lines in cell-based assays to identify umami and sweet taste modulatory compounds is also provided, particularly high throughput screening assays that detect receptor activity by use of fluorometric imaging.

The present patent application concerns an enzyme capable of catalysing the conversion of a α-hydroxyglycine to an α-amide and the use of such enzymes for producing a C-terminal α-amidated peptide.

The present invention relates to a novel method for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on real-time detection of DNA polymerase-catalyzed incorporation of each of the four nucleotide bases, supplied individually and serially in a microfluidic system, to a reaction cell containing a template system comprising a DNA fragment of unknown sequence and an oligonucleotide primer. Incorporation of a nucleotide base into the template system can be detected by any of a variety of methods including but not limited to fluorescence and chemiluminescence detection. Alternatively, microcalorimetic detection of the heat generated by the incorporation of a nucleotide into the extending template system using thermopile, thermistor and refractive index measurements can be used to detect extension reactions.

An automated method for detecting the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, where the method is performed within a housing of a self-contained, stand-alone analyzer. The method includes purifying the nucleic acid after it has been immobilized on a magnetically-responsive solid support. A pipette of the analyzer is used to form a reaction mixture comprising the purified nucleic acid and all reagents required to perform a nucleic acid amplification. Amplification products are synthesized that include a nucleotide sequence contained in the nucleic acid or the complement of the nucleic acid. The amplification products are exposed to a probe in a mixture, where the probe forms a hybrid with one of the amplification products. The formation of the hybrid in the mixture provides an indication of the presence of the nucleic acid in the sample.

In one aspect, there is provided a cell culturing substrate including: a cell culture surface having a film attached thereto, wherein the film includes one or more plasma polymerized monomers; and a coating on the film-coated surface, the coating deposited from a coating solution comprising one or more extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, where the total extracellular matrix protein concentration in the coating solution is about 1 ng/mL to about 1 mg/mL.

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

Disclosed are process for contacting a protein containing material with one or more wet-mill streams. The protein content of the protein containing material is increased.

The invention relates to malodor controlling bacteria and related methods and compositions for the control and prevention of malodor.

The present invention relates, in general, to gene expression and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting the expression of a target gene and to constructs suitable for use in such a method.

[Problem to be Solved] The importance of sugar chains having α2,3- or α2,6-linked sialic acid at their non-reducing ends is known. Industrial production has been demanded for these sugar chain compounds. Particularly, the production of glycoprotein drugs or the like inevitably requires producing in quantity sugar chains having homogeneous structures by controlling the linking pattern (α2,6-linkage or α2,3-linkage) of sialic acid. Particularly, a triantennary or tetraantennary N-type complex sugar chain having sialic acid at each of all non-reducing ends is generally considered difficult to chemically synthesize. There has been no report disclosing that such a sugar chain was chemically synthesized. Furthermore, these sugar chains are also difficult to efficiently prepare enzymatically.[Solution]The present inventors have newly found the activity of sialyltransferase of degrading sialic acid on a reaction product in the presence of CMP and also found that formed CMP can be degraded enzymatically to thereby efficiently produce a sialic acid-containing sugar chain. The present inventors have further found that even a tetraantennary N-type sugar chain having four α2,6-linked sialic acid molecules, which has previously been difficult to synthesize, can be prepared at high yields by one-pot synthesis comprising the elongation reaction of a biantennary sugar chain used as a starting material without performing purification after each enzymatic reaction.

A chair assembly includes a four-bar linkage assembly including a first linkage member, a second linkage member, a third linkage member and a fourth linkage member each pivotably coupled to one another such that the four-bar linkage assembly includes an upper end that is adjustable between raised and lowered positions, and an arm rest assembly adapted to support the arm of a seated user thereon and supported the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly, wherein a lower end of the four-bar linkage assembly is pivotably supported from an arm support structure for pivotable movement, such that the upper end of the four-bar linkage assembly is moveable between a first position and second position located laterally outward from the first position.

A stylish ready-to-assemble chaise lounge and sofa which may be easily and quickly assembled by a consumer, is provided. The invention is a kit from which either a stylish chaise lounge or a sofa may be easily assembled by a consumer using a single Allen wrench. The kits, both chaise and sofa, comprise a seat base, a long side seatback and a short side seatback, feet, fasteners and cushions. With regard to the chaise, the long and short side chaise seatbacks have rectangular lower portions with upper portions featuring a flowing curved “waterfall” seating surface which improves the comfort of a user leaning back against the seatback.

A method for enhancing sales of stadium seat memorabilia by utilizing a stabilizing base, with a large surface area in the shape of sports memorabilia, such as baseball bats and/or sports figures, with or without brackets, to mount and stabilize a stadium seat for use outside of the stadium, such as at home or in a commercial setting.

A safety bow assembly for a child seat comprises: a bow body that has opposite first and second ends; first and second connecting parts that are connected to the child seat, the first connecting part defining an accommodating space and having a side wall; and an engaging lever that is connected movably to the side wall, that is formed with an engaging element facing the accommodating space, and that is movable relative to the side wall between a first position, in which the engaging element is adapted to engage releasably a coupling part of the child seat, and a second position, in which the engaging element is adapted to be disengaged from the coupling part.

A vehicle seat has a longitudinal adjuster, a pair of seat rails, a releasable latching device having at least one actuating pin that projects over the second seat rail, a pivotably arranged actuating lever, and a Bowden cable. A holder is fixed on a rail and supports the actuating lever such as to be pivotable about a pivot axis at one end, and a contact surface is formed on the actuating lever, on which surface the core of the Bowden cable rests in a subarea between the end of the sheath and the end of the core. The holder secures the end of the core of the Bowden cable, and the actuating lever has a Bowden cable support on which the sheath of the Bowden cable is supported directly or indirectly.

A chair including a dynamically-flexible back and seat having a shape that adjusts to the movements of a user seated in the chair to enhance user comfort. Each of the back and seat has an air gap formed therewithin and a resilient frame or liner with a spring memory. The resilient liner is adapted to flex in response to compressive forces that are generated as the user slides his body back or from side-to-side in the chair. Accordingly, some of the chair back and some of the chair seat move into respective air gaps so that the shapes of the back and seat change to conform to the movements of the user. The air gaps also establish air flow ventilation channels which run laterally through the back and seat of the chair.

A premium class passenger suite that includes a main seat positioned in the suite together with separate bed. The bed has a flexible mattress of predetermined dimensions and is movable between a stowed position to one side of the main seat and a deployed position above and separate from the main seat. A drive apparatus is provided for driving the bed between the stowed and deployed positions. The main seat is configured to be movable between a seating position when the bed is stowed, and a stowed position with a lowered seat back when the bed is deployed for use.

A chair for facilitating efficient stacking includes a seat element having a seat frame, a plurality of front legs attached to a front portion of the seat element, a plurality of rear legs attached to a back portion of the seat element, and one or more telescopic leg mechanisms disposed on at least one of the front or rear legs, wherein the telescopic leg mechanisms provide for lateral movement of the at least one of the front or rear legs with respect to the seat element.

A seat cushion, in particular for an aircraft seat, the seat cushion comprising a seat part having a receiving surface adapted to receive a person and a reinforcing part supporting the seat part, wherein at least the reinforcing part contains expanded polypropylene (EPP), preferably comprising fire retardant properties. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such a seat cushion, a seat comprising such a seat cushion and a vehicle comprising such a seat.

A chair has a seat support (101), a seat portion (13), a back portion (15), and a supporting frame. The supporting frame is formed by a castored base (11), a height adjustment mechanism (17), and a main transom (21). The seat portion (13) is selectively moveable relative to the supporting frame, with the seat portion having a locked configuration and a released configuration. The back portion has a back frame (25) and a compliant cover (61). The back frame has hook features for receiving a portion of the compliant cover (61). The back portion (15) is reclinable relative to the supporting frame between an upright position and a reclined position. A recline mechanism has deformable members operatively connecting the seat portion and the supporting frame. A recline resistance mechanism is selectively engageable to resist movement of the back portion toward the reclined position.

A method of making a vehicle seat assembly comprising providing a cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, a central portion, and two bolster areas, with each bolster area being adjacent the central portion, the cushion having a plurality of intrusions extending from the “A” surface towards the “B” surface to form a hardness gradient between at least one of the bolster areas and the central portion of between 8% to 25%, securing the cushion to a frame, and covering cushion with a trim member.

A height adjustable platform and method include a ratchet platform having a platform upper assembly with a platform and a ratchet. The ratchet includes a platform riser tube and a ratchet rail secured to the platform riser tube. The ratchet platform also includes a platform lower assembly having a support column and a platform base. The support column is secured to the platform base. An end of the ratchet is proximate the platform and an opposing end of the ratchet is disposed within an interior of the support column. The platform upper assembly actuator includes a pedal sub assembly and an upper linkage. The upper linkage is attached to the pedal sub assembly. Actuation of the pedal sub assembly actuates the upper linkage. Actuation of the upper linkage actuates the ratchet to adjust the height of the ratchet platform. The ratchet platform also includes an energy attenuation system.

A seating unit that includes a linkage mechanism adapted to move the seating unit between seat-lift, closed, extended, reclined, and seat-lift positions is provided. The linkage mechanism includes a seat-mounting plate mounted to a footrest assembly, a base plate fixedly mounted to a lift assembly, a back-mounting link rotatably coupled to the seat-mounting plate, a seat-adjustment assembly with a bellcrank, and a linear actuator for automating adjustment of the linkage mechanism. In operation, a stroke in a first phase of the linear actuator generates a force on the bellcrank that translates the seat-mounting plate rearward in a consistent angle of inclination and rotates the back-mounting link from a reclined to an upright orientation. A stroke in a second phase acts to collapse the footrest assembly. A stroke in a third phase causes the lift assembly to raise and tilt the seating unit, thereby accommodating egress and ingress of an occupant.

A wire harness for a vehicle seating assembly includes a body portion having a plurality of engagement hooks adapted for engagement with a vehicle seat cushion pan. A latticework of interconnected lateral support members are bound by a peripheral frame.

More specifically, the crash indication system for a child safety seat includes a seat bottom. A base is provided for supporting the seat bottom, which is slidably connected to the bases so that the seat body is movable relative to the base, between a resting position and a ride down position, a position due to a change in environmental forces. The seat body is adjustably affixed to a carriage to set a recline position. An indicator member is attached to the carriage and moves therewith to visually track and monitor the movement of the seat. When ride down of the seat occurs due to a change in forces to the seat, the indicator member moves with the sliding carriage to reflect a ride down position of the seat bottom. A ratchet connection is provided to prevent the carriage from going back to its resting position.

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatpan coupled with a track assembly that has a rail and a slide. The vehicle seating assembly also includes a cushion assembly that has a movable cushion and a base cushion with a slot. The movable cushion is slidable between a forward position and a rearward position on the seatpan. In addition, the vehicle seating assembly includes a coverstock with a first portion that is disposed over a movable cushion. The coverstock also has a second portion that is disposed between the seatpan and the cushion assembly. The second portion of the coverstock is withdrawn through the slot when the movable cushion moves to the forward position. A gap is defined by the area between the base cushion and the movable cushion in the forward position. The gap is concealed by the coverstock when the movable cushion is in the forward position.

A mechanism for vertically adjusting a component on a shaft has a collet sleeve riding on the shaft. A spiral track of the component's hub receives a radially outwardly projecting pin on the collet sleeve. The outer surface of the collet sleeve and the inner surface of the hub are tapered so that the hub can rotated one direction to advance the hub on the collet sleeve and compress the collet sleeve onto the shaft to frictionally lock the collet sleeve to the shaft. Because the hub is joined to the collet sleeve by the pin, this also locks the vertical position of the component. Conversely, the hub can be oppositely rotated to release the compression of the collet sleeve so that the collet sleeve, and therefore the vertical component, is slidable on the shaft.

A composite chair includes a chair frame and a fastening assembly. The chair frame includes a front support portion, a rear support portion and two support seat tubes connecting the front support portion to the rear support portion. The rear support portion includes a holding portion and two locking holes. Each support seat tube has a first opening and a second opening faced the fastening hole. The fastening assembly includes two fastening elements inserted in the first openings, a support bar connected to the two fastening elements and two fasteners run through the locking holes and the second openings to fasten to the fastening elements. Each of the fastening elements includes a butting portion and a screw hole. Each of the fasteners includes a thread portion fastened to the screw hole and a detent block butting the holding portion. The composite chair thus formed can be assembled easily.

Embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle seat having a frame member and a reinforcing member for reinforcing the frame member. The frame member has an elongated portion. The elongated portion is formed of resin and preferably has a flat-plate-like or bar-like configuration. The elongated portion includes a first portion, a front second portion and a rear second portion. The first portion may be arranged in a longitudinal manner with respect to the vehicle seat and extends vertically. The front second portion extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle seat from a front end of the first portion. The rear second portion extends in the lateral direction of the vehicle seat from a rear end of the first portion. The elongated portion is configured so that a neutral axis is positioned between the front and rear second portions.

A seat back frame includes: a first side member and a second side member each formed into an elongated shape along an up-and-down direction of a seat back so as to support each side portion of the seat back; and a belt guide portion on which tension of a seat belt is applied when the seat belt is pulled, the belt guide portion being formed in an upper portion of the first side member and guiding the seat belt having the one end retained by a seat belt retaining member. The first side member is formed of a sheet of steel plate and includes: a side member side wall portion formed in parallel to a direction of application of the tension of the seat belt on the belt guide portion and formed continuously along a longitudinal direction of the first side member; a side member front wall portion formed on a front side of the vehicle with respect to the side member side wall portion; and a side member rear wall portion formed on a rear side of the vehicle with respect to the side member side wall portion, the first side member having an open cross-sectional shape.

A cushion element for a vehicle seat or headrest comprises a non-woven layer and a fiber composite material. An insert material is arranged between the non-woven layer and the fiber composite material, and has different compression properties than the fiber composite material. The fiber composite material forms together with the insert material and the non-woven layer a one-piece material composite.

According to an example embodiment, an apparatus is provided that produces a small-step switchable capacitor, which can have steps that are smaller in value than the smallest capacitor used in the system. In one embodiment, an input signal is connected to a switchable capacitor system that includes at least one and/or a plurality of small-step, switchable capacitors. In an example embodiment, a capacitor system may be provided that includes a first capacitance block coupled in series with a second capacitance block. In an example embodiment, the second capacitance block may include one or more switchable capacitors to provide a step in capacitance for the capacitor system between a first setting and a second setting using the one or more switchable capacitors. Also, in an example embodiment, the step in capacitance of the capacitor system may be determined based, at least in part, on a ratio of the capacitance of the second capacitance block to the capacitance of the first capacitance block.

The present invention provides an apparatus for enhancing Q factor of an inductor. The apparatus includes a negative resistance generator coupled to the inductor for providing a negative resistance, and a bias circuit coupled to the negative resistance generator for biasing the negative resistance generator.

A plurality of varactors are coupled via a first electrode to a shared terminal that in turn can operably couple to a source of control voltage. A second electrode for each varactor couples to a corresponding switch, where each switch couples to at least two different voltage levels. So configured, the second electrode of each varactor can be individually connected to either of two voltage levels. This can be leveraged to control, in coarse steps, the overall aggregate effective capacitance presented by these components. At least some of these varactors can have differing corresponding capacitances, the specific values of which can be selected in order to facilitate relatively equal spacing and substantially equal rates of reactance change versus the control voltage value between aggregate-capacitive reactance ranges as correspond to differing settings for the switches at various levels for the control voltage source.

Provided is an oscillator including: a MEMS resonator for mechanically vibrating; an output oscillator circuit for oscillating at a resonance frequency of the MEMS resonator to output an oscillation signal; and a MEMS capacitor for changing a capacitance thereof caused by a change in a distance between an anode electrode and a cathode beam according to an environmental temperature.