Auburn University

Oleg Pustovyy

Vitaly J Vodyanoy

Alexandre M Samoylov

Arnold Vainrub

Ludmila Globa

Iryna Sorokulova

Ronald Beyers

Thomas Denney

Mahmoud Mansour

Paul Waggoner

Ed Morrison

Alexandre M Saamoylov

Gopikrishna Deshpande

Hao Jia

Many factors contribute to dogs' superior olfactory capabilities as compared to humans. Studies explored this aspect at the cellular and behavior levels; however, the cognitive-level neural substrates linking them have never been explored. Since sedated dogs cannot sniff, the present application illustrates the cognitive-level linking neural substrate using fMRI of conscious dogs. The head motion of the canine is accounted for by behavioral training and optical motion tracking. The olfactory bulb is commonly activated in both awake and anesthetized dogs, while parietal and frontal structures are activated only in the former and subcortical structures only in the latter. Comparison of low and high odor intensity shows differences in both the strength and spatial extent of activation in higher cognitive structures. Unlike humans, neural structures even at the top of the cognitive hierarchy are modulated by odor concentration in dogs. This represents one possible mechanism for their superior sense of olfaction as compared to humans.

System and method of functional MRI of the neural system in conscious unrestrained dogs

A pharmaceutical composition comprises a metal nanoparticle having an average diameter of about 0.5 nm to about 5 nm. The composition may be used to treat cancer or an anosmia-related disease.

Engineered metal nanoparticles and methods thereof

Compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of misfolded, or partially misfolded, proteins present in blood and other biological materials are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the compositions, hereinafter termed 'proteons' are misfolded or partially misfolded proteins surrounding a metallic nanocluster, termed 'proteon nucleation center' (PNC). Also provided are compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of proteon nucleation centers (PNCs) upon which the proteons of the present in blood and other biological materials form.

Methods for isolating proteons from plasma samples

Compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of misfolded, or partially misfolded, proteins present in blood and other biological materials are provided. In one aspect of the invention, the compositions, hereinafter termed 'proteons' are comprised of misfolded proteins. Also provided are compositions and methods for the isolation and manipulation of proteon nucleation centers (PNCs) upon which the proteons of the present in blood and other biological materials form. In another aspect of the invention, the PNCs are comprised of metallic nanoclusters.

Methods for detecting misfolded proteins in biological samples

Processes for isolating proteon nucleation centers (PNCs) from a biological sample obtained from an animal

An annular diaphragm and filter used for the simultaneous observation of darkfield images and fluorescence. The diaphragm has a variable diameter controlled by a lever and a removable filter. The diaphragm is used to adjust the amount of unfiltered incident light which produces darkfield images when directed on a sample. The removable filter is used to filter light to a particular frequency for producing fluorescence images. An Acousto-Optical Tunable Filter, or other such tunable filter may be used with the diaphragm. A method of using the diaphragm and filter is also disclosed.

Simultaneous observation of darkfield images and fluorescence using filter and diaphragm

An illumination system for a microscope, including a light source for generating light to illuminate a sample for microscopic observation, at least one collimating lens for collimating light generated by the light source, and a darkfield condenser for receiving collimated light and directing a hollow cone of light onto the sample under observation. The system optionally includes an adapter for enhancing economy of light transmission from the light source to the specimen, the adapter having a centrally disposed spacer and a plurality of optical fibers surrounding the spacer, to generate a hollow cylinder of light for transmission to the darkfield condenser. The system provides improved resolution and contrast, and is well suited for adaptation to fluorescence microscopy techniques.

Microscope illumination device and adapter therefor

The present invention is an improved illumination system which achieves enhanced spatial resolution and contrast in the observation of small objects. The enhanced performance is achieved by using a metal-halide light source, a power conservative pre-condenser optics train, an annular diaphragm, a cardioid annular condenser, and an adjustable light-filtering iris. These features are also intended to be used with a direct-view light optical microscope. A method of manufacturing and using the improved illumination system is also disclosed.

High resolution optical microscope with cardioid condenser for brightfield and darkfield illumination

The present invention is a dark field illumination system including a light source which is fixed on an entrance slit of a condenser and an objective aligned with the condenser such that the objective and the condenser are adjusted to find a focus spot on a sample. The present invention essentially uses structured illumination to achieve an improved illumination system. The present invention also includes a system and method wherein the objective is coupled to an iris and aligned with the condenser such that when the iris is closed only dark field images are produced, and when the iris is open, direct entrance of light is allowed into the objective and bright field illumination is produced.

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Auburn, AL, United States of America

Oleg Pustovyy