A memory storage apparatus, a memory controller and method for transmitting and identifying data streams are provided. The memory controller passes at least a portion of a data stream received from a host system to a smart card chip of the memory storage apparatus. Then, the host system accurately receives a response message from the smart card chip by executing a plurality of read commands. The memory controller is capable of adding a first verification code to a response data stream sent to the host system, and is capable of adding a write token to each of data segments of the response data stream. The host system confirms the accuracy of the response data stream by verifying the first verification code or by verifying the write token of each of the data segments.

Systems, processors, and methods for keeping uncacheable data coherent. A processor includes a multi-level cache hierarchy, and uncacheable load memory operations can be cached at any level of the cache hierarchy. If an uncacheable load misses in the L2 cache, then allocation of the uncacheable load will be restricted to a subset of the ways of the L2 cache. If an uncacheable store memory operation hits in the L1 cache, then the hit cache line can be updated with the data from the memory operation. If the uncacheable store misses in the L1 cache, then the uncacheable store is sent to a core interface unit. Multiple contiguous store misses are merged into larger blocks of data in the core interface unit before being sent to the L2 cache.

A prefetch optimizer tool for an information handling system (IHS) may improve effective memory access time by controlling both hardware prefetch operations and software prefetch operations. The prefetch optimizer tool selectively disables prefetch instructions in an instruction sequence of interest within an application. The tool measures execution times of the instruction sequence of interest when different prefetch instructions are disabled. The tool may hold hardware prefetch depth constant while cycling through disabling different prefetch instructions and taking corresponding execution time measurements. Alternatively, for each disabled prefetch instruction in the instruction sequence of interest, the tool may cycle through different hardware prefetch depths and take corresponding execution time measurements at each hardware prefetch depth. The tool selects a combination of hardware prefetch depth and prefetch instruction disablement that may improve the execution time in comparison with a baseline execution time.

The present invention relates to the use of at least one sulfonic acid for recovering glycerol resulting from a reaction crude from transesterification of glycerides, in particular of triglycerides of vegetable and/or animal origin. The invention also relates to a process for purifying glycerol obtained as a by-product of triglyceride transesterification during the preparation of fatty acids, fatty esters and/or fatty acid salts, and also to a combined process for preparing, on the one hand, fatty acids, fatty esters and/or fatty acid salts and, on the other hand, glycerol, from triglycerides, using at least one sulfonic acid.

The amount of propionic acid produced in the process of oxidizing propane to acrylic acid is reduced by using a reactor with a length/diameter ratio >10 and/or maintaining the difference between the target reaction temperature and the peak temperature within the reactor to less than 20° C.

The present invention relates to a method for increasing L-methionine productivity and organic acid productivity. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method which involves adding a mixture containing methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulfide at a appropriate ratio to O-acetyl homoserine or O-succinyl homoserine and to an enzyme having an activity of converting methionine precursor into L-methionine, so as to perform an enzyme reaction, to thereby improve the conversion rate of L-methionine and organic acid from the L-methionine precursor, and thus increasing L-methionine yield as compared to conventional method.

The present invention relates to methods for safe and efficient use of hydrogen and oxygen in ozonolysis operations. The invention also relates to an ozonolysis process involving elements of both reductive and oxidative ozonolysis which are integrated in a continuous process. In one embodiment, the ozonolysis process of the present invention uses hydrogen and/or oxygen generated from water and electricity, which may be recycled to generate water and/or electricity.

Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of glycolic acid or glycolic acid derivatives by the carbonylation of aqueous formaldehyde. The water in the hydrocarboxylation zone is reduced via reaction with the ester bonds in a recycle stream comprising glycolic acid oligomers and/or methyl glycolate oligomers.

The present invention concerns a TCTP antagonist, in particular a nucleic acid targeting an m RNA encoding Translationally-Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP), wherein said nucleic acid is capable of reducing the amount of TCTP in cells, for use in the treatment or prevention of hormone-independent cancer or chemo-resistant cancer, such as an androgen-independent prostate cancer.

A pharmaceutical composition comprising lectins is anti-tumorigenic and anti-viral, bacterial or protozoan. The composition, termed BiOmune is also useful for imaging, diagnosis and therapy of cancer.

Disclosed herein are methods and reagents for determining the responsiveness of cancer to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting treatment. The detection of these mutations will allow for the administration of gefitinib, erlotinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors to those patients most likely to respond to the drug.

A cytosine analog, a method of preparation of a cytosine analog, a DNA methyltransferase 1 inhibitor, and a method for DNA methylation inhibition, is provided for the treatment of diseases associated with deviations from normal DNA methylation. The analog of cytosine may be comprised of 1, N4, 5 and 6-substituted derivatives of cytosine or 5,6-dihydrocytosine, wherein the analog can be described by the chemical formula where R1 is H, R3, R4, 2'-deoxyribosyl, R4 is alkyl or aryl, X is N or C, wherein if X in the analog of formula I is N, then R5 is no substituent and if X in the analog of formula I and/or II is C or if X in the analog of formula II is N, then R5 and R6 are independently alkyl, aryl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino group, alkoxyl, aryloxyl, aminoalkyl, aminoaryl, thio group, sulfonyl, sulfinyl or halogen.

The present invention relates to oligomer compounds (oligomers) for the treatment and prevention of acute myeloid leukemia, which target GLI2 mRNA in a cell, leading to reduced expression of GLI2.

RNA interference is provided for inhibition of Frizzled Related Protein-1 mRNA expression, in particular, for treating patients having glaucoma or at risk of developing glaucoma.

Provided herein are compounds used to inhibit the deamination enzyme responsible for the inactivation of therapeutic compounds, and methods of using them.

The present disclosure provides reagents that can be used to label synthetic oligonucleotides with rhodamine dyes or dye networks that contain rhodamine dyes.

Non-ionic water-soluble cellulose ethers modified with 3-azido-2-hydroxypropyl groups bound via an ether link are provided having a molar degree of substitution MSAHP in the range from 0.001 to 0.50. Exemplary cellulose ethers are alkyl celluloses, including methyl, hydroxyalkyl (e.g. hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl) or alkylhydroxyalkyl cellulose (e.g. methylhydroxyethyl). Reaction products with alkyne compounds are also provided, resulting in a terminal alkyne group. The reaction of azide with the alkyne proceeds as a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, advantageously with Cu(I) or ruthenium catalysts. A multiplicity of cellulose ethers can be obtained from the conversion reaction. Variations in the macroscopic properties can be achieved by controlled modification, ranging from increased or reduced viscosity. The reaction, taking place within a few seconds, requires only minimal catalyst. Gel formation is reversible by adjustment of the pH such that a monophasic system (high-viscous fluid) arises again from a biphasic system (gel+low-viscous water phase).

Security measures for tokens comprise storing security rules associated with a generated token in a memory. A processor, communicatively coupled to the memory, accesses the security rules associated with the generated token and determines whether to encrypt the generated token by applying at least a portion of the security rules to the generated token. The processor encrypts the generated token. An interface, communicatively coupled to the processor, communicates the encrypted token to a mobile device associated with a user.

A data processing system on an integrated circuit includes a core that performs switching operations responsive to a system clock that draws current from the power supply network. An IR-drop detector includes a resistor ladder having outputs representative of an IR-drop caused by the core during the switching operations. The system further includes a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the outputs indicative of the IR-drop, a plurality of flip-flops coupled to the amplifiers, and a variable clock generator. The variable clock generator outputs a sampling clock comprising a group consisting of a variable phase or a variable frequency to the plurality of flip-flops. The flip-flops are triggered by the sampling clock so that the IR-drop at a time during a clock cycle of the system clock can be detected, and the peak IR-drop value for can be tracked.

Arrangements for restarting data transmission on a serial low-power inter-chip media bus (SLIMbus) are presented. A clock signal may be provided in an active mode to a component communicatively coupled with the SLIMbus. Immediately prior to the clock signal in the active mode being provided, the clock signal may have been in a paused mode. While the clock signal was in the paused mode at least until the clock signal is provided in the active mode, the data line may have been inactive (e.g., a toggle on the data line may not have been present). Frame synchronization data for a frame may be transmitted. The frame synchronization data for the frame, as received by the component, may not match expected frame synchronization data. Payload data may be transmitted as part of the frame to the component, wherein the payload data is expected to be read properly by the component.

A method is provided to process data so that the data can be externally stored with minimized risk of information leakage. A framework (virtual execution framework) based on virtual machines (VMs) is utilized as a substitute for a trusted institution. Encryption of consolidated data can reduce risk of information leakage and enhance security. Since the virtual execution framework can control connection and direction of communication, financial institutions are allowed to apply encryption to data on their own, which makes the data further appropriate for external storage. By allowing financial institutions to apply their own decryption, it is possible to prevent one of two financial institutions from retrieving externally stored data into the external execution framework without intervention of the other. Additionally, associated acting subjects can be provided with freedom depending on the degree of information leakage risk.

Systems and methods are disclosed for evaluating cardiovascular treatment options for a patient. One method includes creating a three-dimensional model representing a portion of the patient's heart based on patient-specific data regarding a geometry of the patient's heart or vasculature; and for a plurality of treatment options for the patient's heart or vasculature, modifying at least one of the three-dimensional model and a reduced order model based on the three-dimensional model. The method also includes determining, for each of the plurality of treatment options, a value of a blood flow characteristic, by solving at least one of the modified three-dimensional model and the modified reduced order model; and identifying one of the plurality of treatment options that solves a function of at least one of: the determined blood flow characteristics of the patient's heart or vasculature, and one or more costs of each of the plurality of treatment options.

MRI compatible localization and/or guidance systems for facilitating placement of an interventional therapy and/or device in vivo include: (a) a mount adapted for fixation to a patient; (b) a targeting cannula with a lumen configured to attach to the mount so as to be able to controllably translate in at least three dimensions; and (c) an elongate probe configured to snugly slidably advance and retract in the targeting cannula lumen, the elongate probe comprising at least one of a stimulation or recording electrode. In operation, the targeting cannula can be aligned with a first trajectory and positionally adjusted to provide a desired internal access path to a target location with a corresponding trajectory for the elongate probe. Automated systems for determining an MR scan plane associated with a trajectory and for determining mount adjustments are also described.

Velocity of MR-imaged fluid flows is measured. Data representing a measure of distance traveled by flowing fluid appearing in at least two MR images of a subject's tissue taken at different respective imaging times is generated. Data representing at least one fluid velocity measurement of the flowing fluid is generated by calculating at least one instance of distance traveled by the fluid divided by elapsed time during travel based on different respective imaging times. Data representing at least one fluid velocity measurement is then output to at least one of: (a) a display screen, (b) a non-transitory data storage medium, and (c) a remotely located site.

The present invention has an object to measure lymphatic pressure with more safety and ease at lower cost. To achieve this, a lymphatic pressure-measuring system 1 includes: a manchette 11 fitted on a vital observation portion; a measurement unit 13 that measures and outputs pressure of the manchette 11; an infrared camera 21 that detects fluorescence emitted from fluorescent dye previously injected into a lymph vessel in the vital observation portion; and an image processing device 22 that generates and displays an image showing a position of the fluorescent dye in the lymph vessel based on a detection result of the infrared camera 21. The infrared camera 21 repeats the detection while the pressure of the manchette 11 decreases from first pressure to block a lymph flow in the vital observation portion to second pressure at restart of the lymph flow. The measurement unit 13 repeats the measurement during the period.

A device for detecting a cardiac event is disclosed. Detection of an event is based on a test applied to a parameter whose value varies according to heart rate. Both the parameter value and heart rate (RR interval) are filtered with an exponential average filter. From these filtered values, the average change in the parameter and the RR interval are also computed with an exponential average filter. Before computing the average change in the parameter, large changes in the parameter over short times, which may be caused by body position shifts, are attenuated are removed, so that the average change represents an average of small/smooth changes in the parameter's value that are characteristic of acute ischemia, one of the cardiac events that may be detected. The test to detect the cardiac event depends on the heart rate, the difference between the parameter's value and its upper and lower normal values, and its average change over time, adjusted for heart rate changes. The upper and lower normal parameter values as a function of heart rate are determined from long term stored data of the filtered RR values and parameter values. Hysteeresis related data and transitory deviations from normal (e.g. vasospasm related data) are excluded from the computation of normal upper and lower parameter bounds.

A biometric monitoring device measuring various biometric information is provided that allows the person to take and/or display a heart rate reading by a simple user interaction with the device, e.g., by simply touching a heart rate sensor surface area or moving the device in a defined motion pattern. Some embodiments of this disclosure provide biometric monitoring devices that allow a person to get a quick heart rate reading without removing the device or interrupting their other activities. Some embodiments provide heart rate monitoring with other desirable features such as feedback on data acquisition status.

A peak-relevant value device acquires a peak-relevant value (for example, the peak value of an R wave (R peak value)) every cycle from an electrocardiogram acquired. The frequencies of the peak-relevant value acquired as time-series data and the magnitudes for the respective frequencies are analyzed. A peak-relevant value LF calculating device calculates an LF component (peak-relevant value LF component) from the frequency component of the peak-relevant value. An interval acquiring device acquires the interval between characteristic points of the electrocardiographic complex from the electrocardiogram acquired and the frequencies of the feature point interval acquired as time-series data to acquire the magnitudes of the respective frequency component are analyzed. An interval HF calculating device calculates the HF component from the frequency components of the feature point interval acquired and pain is judged on the basis of the variations of the peak-relevant value LF components and the interval HF components.

An apparatus and method for determining a signal quality of an input signal representing a repetitious phenomena derived from at least one sensor connected to a patient is provided. A detector receives the input signal and determines data representing the repetitious phenomena from the input signal for use in determining at least one patient parameter. A measurement processor is electrically coupled to the detector that determines a first signal quality value by identifying at least one feature of the repetitious phenomena data and compares the at least one feature of a first set of the determined repetitious phenomena data with a second set of the determined repetitious phenomena data to determine a feature variability value and using the feature variability value to determine a stability value representative of the quality of the input signal.

A method and system for treating brain disorders comprises detecting activity of a first target area of the brain via a first implanted sensor and determining the presence of target brain activity by analyzing the detected brain activity in combination with treating the user based upon the determined presence of target brain activity by supplying a first therapeutic agent to the first target area via a first implanted fluid delivery member including at least one distal opening adjacent to the first target area. In addition, the system may be used as well for testing the effectiveness of drugs.

A device and method for accurately characterizing tissue impedance employs multiple electrodes at a plurality of separation distances to cancel the effects of front end loading leakage currents and electrode polarization to improve the accuracy of sensitive impedance measurements used to identify cancerous tissues. These measurements may be automated over a range of frequencies.

A device is described for measuring electrical characteristics of biological tissues with one or a plurality of electrodes and a processor controlling the stimulation and measurement in order to detect the presence of abnormal tissue masses in the breast and determine probability of tumors containing malignant cancer cells being present in a breast. The device has the capability of providing the location of the abnormality, at least to the quadrant. Either single or multiple source electrodes can be used. Either palpable lumps can be evaluated or screening or breasts, whether with palpable masses or not, can be accomplished. The method for measuring electrical characteristics includes placing electrodes and applying a voltage waveform in conjunction with a current detector. A mathematical analysis method is then applied to the collected data, which computes spectrum of frequencies and correlates magnitudes and phases with given algebraic conditions to determine mass presence and type.

A method and system are provided for determining a condition of a selected region of epithelial and stromal tissue in the human breast. A plurality of measuring electrodes are used to measure the tissue and transepithelial electropotential of breast tissue. Surface electropotential and impedance are also measured at one or more locations. An agent may be introduced into the region of tissue to enhance electrophysiological characteristics. The condition of the tissue is determined based on the electropotential and impedance profile at different depths of the epithelium, stroma, tissue, or organ, together with an estimate of the functional changes in the epithelium due to altered ion transport and electrophysiological properties of the tissue. Devices for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.

The invention relates to the production of 2-octylacrylate of high purity and in good yield using ethyl titanate in solution in 2-octanol or 2-octyl titanate as a transesterification catalyst.

The present invention relates to a covalently organo-modified LDH (LDH/APTES) was found to be an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for C—C bond forming reactions (i.e. Aldol condensation, Knoevenagel condensation, Henry reaction, Michael addition). More particularly, this catalyst shows consistent activity for several cycles in C—C bond forming reaction. These catalysts were successfully characterized by XRD, FT-IR, 29Si CP MAS NMR.

The present invention relates to organometallic compounds useful in the treatment of metastasis. The organometallic compounds comprise a ligand that is covalently bound to a bioactive compound, which is an inhibitor of a resistance pathway or a derivative thereof. Preferably, the organometallic compounds are half-sandwich (“piano-stool”) compounds. The compounds of the present invention offer a high variability with respect to the bioactive compound and to the nature of the ligand bound to a central transition metal.

Mixtures of silicon-containing coupling reagents comprising (mercaptoorganyl)alkylpolyethersilanes containing silanol groups and (mercaptoorganyl)alkylpolyethersilanes free of silanol groups in a weight ratio of from 5:95 to 95:5. The mixtures can be prepared by transesterification and hydrolysis. The mixtures can be used in rubber mixtures.

The invention relates to a method for producing mono-aminofunctionalized dialkylphosphinic acids and esters and salts thereof by means of acrylnitriles, characterized in that a) a phosphinic acid source (I) is reacted with olefins (IV) to yield an alkylphosphonic acid, salt or ester (II) thereof in the presence of a catalyst A, b) the thus obtained alkylphosphonic acid, salt or ester (II) thereof is reacted with an acrylnitrile of formula (V) to yield a mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (VI) in the presence of a catalyst B, and c) the thus obtained mono-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (VI) is reacted to yield a mono-aminofunctionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (III) in the presence of a catalyst C or a reduction agent, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 are the same or different and stand independently of each other, among other things, for H, C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl and X stands for H, C1-C18 alkyl, C6-C18 aryl, C6-C18 aralkyl, C6-C18 alkylaryl, Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Na, K and/or a protonized nitrogen base, and Y stands for a mineral acid, a carboxylic acid, a Lewis acid or an organic acid, n=an integer or fractional number of 0 to 4 and the catalysts A and C are formed by transition metals, transition metal compounds and/or catalyst systems composed of a transition metal and/or a transition metal compound and at least one ligand, and catalyst B is formed by compounds forming peroxides, peroxo compounds, azo compounds, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, alkali hydrides, alkaline earth hydrides and/or alkali alcoholates and alkaline earth alcoholates.

A catalyst for an organic reaction and a method of using a catalyst in an organic reaction are provided. The catalyst for an addition or condensation reaction includes a graphene oxide including an oxygen functional group, and the catalyst is configured to promote the addition or condensation reaction by bonding the oxygen functional group with an alkali metal ion or alkali earth metal ion during the addition or condensation reaction.

Lactic acid equivalents are recovered from a starting lactide stream by catalytically racemizing a portion of the lactide in the stream at a temperature of 180° C. or below. This increases the proportion of two species of lactide (i.e., at least two of S,S-, R,R- or meso-lactide) at the expense of the third species. The racemized mixture so obtained can be separated to recover some or all of one or more of the lactide species from the remaining lactide species, by a process such as melt crystallization or distillation. Impurities in the starting lactide stream usually are retained mostly in the remaining meso-lactide, so a highly purified S,S- and/or R,R-lactide stream can be produced in this manner. Such a purified S,S- and R,R-lactide stream is suitable for polymerization to form a polylactide.

Disclosed in the present invention is a novel histone deacetylase inhibitor of benzamides and use thereof. The inhibitor has good efficacy in treating diseases caused by abnormal gene expression, such as tumors, endocrine disorders, immune system diseases, genetic diseases and nerve system diseases. The histone deacetylase inhibitor of benzamides is a compound of the following general chemical structural formula (I) or a salt thereof.

A process for the production of 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran by catalytic hydrogenation of dialkyl maleates includes the following steps: a) hydrogenating a stream of dialkyl maleate in a first stage of reaction over suitable catalysts to produce dialkyl succinate;b) further hydrogenating the dialkyl succinate in a second stage of reaction, by using a different suitable catalyst, for producing mainly 1,4-butanediol, together with gamma-butyrolactone and tetrahydrofuran as co-products. In both stages of reaction the conditions, as hydrogen/organic feed ratio, pressure and temperature, are such to maintain the reactors in mixed liquid/vapor phase.

Bromoacetoxycalcidiol (B3CD), which is structurally related to calcidiol, exhibits cytotoxic and apoptotic activity toward cancer cells, including highly aggressive neuroblastoma cells. A series of small molecules designed around the structure of B3CD is expected to have growth inhibitory and apoptogenic activities toward a wide range of malignancies. B3CD shows no apparent toxicity in vivo, indicating potential value as a chemotherapeutic agent which will be particularly useful in treating highly aggressive tumors.

Steroid compounds having increased resistance against metabolism and increased water solubility are disclosed, together with methods for their production. These substances are suitable for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of steroid related or steroid induced CNS disorders and for use in methods of prevention, alleviation or treatment of such disorders.

A way to formulate prasterone to both increase its oral bioavailability, and decrease the variability of its oral bioavailability. In contrast to the approach taught by the prior art, the instant approach is amenable to scale-up to commercial scale. Further, the resulting product is amenable to analysis using standard, known quantitative analytical techniques; thus, unlike the prior art approach, the instant approach may be used to manufacture a product in conformity with applicable regulatory standards.

Provided are methods for the treatment of a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosating spondylitis and/or polymyalgia rheumatic, by administering a delayed-release dosage form of a glucocorticoid to a subject in need thereof wherein the treatment is administered once daily for at least about two weeks. Also provided are methods for the treatment of osteoarthritis by administering a delayed-release dosage form of a glucocorticoid to a subject in need thereof wherein the treatment is administered once daily for at least about two weeks.

The invention relates to nitrooxyderivative of corticosteroids of general formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or stereoisomers thereof R—(Z)a—Rx (I) wherein R is the corticosteroid residue of formula (II): wherein: R1 is OH, R2—CH3, or R1 and R2 are taken together to form a group of formula (III) R3 is Cl or F;R4 is H or F; wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be linked to the correspondent carbon atoms of the steroidal structure in position α or β; with the proviso that: when R1 and R2 are the group of formula (III) then R3 is F and R4 is H or F; The compounds are useful in the treatment of respiratory diseases, inflammatory diseases, dermatological diseases and ocular diseases.

It is reported herein that certain muscle diseases and conditions, including forms of muscular dystrophy, are characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling in the muscle tissue, in essence, a form of insulin resistance. The present disclosure relates to therapeutic agents, compositions and methods for treating a muscle disease or condition characterized by impaired insulin-dependent signaling by targeting components of the defective insulin signaling pathway. The disease or condition may be treated by administering a therapeutic agent that activates the insulin signaling pathway, in particular, therapeutic agents that act post-insulin receptor to modulate intracellular effector molecules. An exemplary modulator is metformin. Metformin may be administered alone or may be coadministered with another therapeutic agent for treating the muscle disease or condition, such as a corticosteroid.

Tissue slices and whole organisms offer substantial challenges to fluorescence imaging. Autofluorescence and absorption via intrinsic chromophores, such as flavins, melanin, and hemoglobins, confound and degrade output from all fluorescent tags. An “optical window,” farther red than most autofluorescence sources and in a region of low hemoglobin and water absorbance, lies between 650 and 900 nm. This valley of relative optical clarity is an attractive target for fluorescence-based studies within tissues, intact organs, and living organisms. Novel fluorescent tags were developed herein, based upon a genetically targeted fluorogen activating protein and cognate fluorogenic dye that yields emission with a peak at 733 nm exclusively when complexed as a “fluoromodule”. This tool improves substantially over previously described far-red/NIR fluorescent proteins in terms of brightness, wavelength, and flexibility by leveraging the flexibility of synthetic chemistry to produce novel chromophores.

A method for promoting the health of a plant comprises administering malic acid to the plant or the soil in an amount effective to recruit plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to the plant. Administration of malic acid promotes biofilm formation of PGPR on the plant's roots, thereby restricting entry of a foliar pathogen through stomatal pores present in the leaves. Another method for promoting the health of a plant comprises administering acetoin to the plant or the soil in an amount effective to increase pathogen resistance in aerial parts of the plant.