Abstract: The invention provides a nucleotide sequence comprising at least a portion of the nucleotide sequence of FIG. 10A, FIG. 6B or FIG. 10A or FIG. 10B; nucleotides which hybridise to the nucleotide sequences of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B or FIG. 10A or FIG. 10B; nucleotides which are degenerate to the nucleotide sequences of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B or FIG. 10A or FIG. 10B; all of which nucleotides encode a polypeptide having transglutaminase activity.

Abstract: This invention relates to protein fiber formation and in particular to methods of producing protein fibers to form a protein structure comprising a plurality of first polypeptide units arranged in a first polypeptide strand and a plurality of second polypeptide units arranged in a second polypeptide strand, the strands preferably forming a coiled coil structure, and in which a first polypeptide unit in the first strand extends beyond a corresponding second polypeptide unit in the second strand in the direction of the strands.

Abstract: A novel costimulatory protein molecule, B7-DC, which is a member of the B7 family, is described as is DNA coding therefor and expression vectors comprising this DNA. B7-DC protein, fragments, fusion polypeptides/proteins and other functional derivatives, and transformed cells expressing B7-DC are useful in vaccine compositions and methods. Compositions and methods are disclosed for inducing potent T cell mediated responses that can be harnessed for anti-tumor and anti-viral immunity.

Abstract: Several lines of evidence have shown a role for the nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathway in the development of spinal hyperalgesia. However, the roles of effectors for cGMP are not fully understood in the processing of pain in the spinal cord. cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) I? but not PKGI? was localized in the neuronal bodies and processes, and was distributed primarily in the superficial laminae of the spinal cord. Intrathecal administration of an inhibitor of PKGI?, Rp-8-[(4-Chlorophenyl)thio]-cGMPS triethylamine, produces significant antinociception. Moreover, PKGI? protein expression was dramatically increased in the lumbar spinal cord after noxious stimulation. This upregulation of PKGI? expression was completely blocked not only by a neuronal NO synthase inhibitor, and a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, but also by an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are matrix metalloprotemase inhibitors wherein X represents a carboxylic acid group —COOH, or a hydroxamic acid group —CONHOH;R2 represents a radical of formula (II): R3—(ALK)m—(Q)p—(ALK)n.

Abstract: An improved optical photolithography system and method provides predetermined light patterns generated by a direct write system without the use of photomasks. The Direct Write System provides predetermined light patterns projected on the surface of a substrate (e.g., a wafer) by using a computer controlled component for dynamically generating the predetermined light pattern, e.g., a spatial light modulator. Image patterns are stored in a computer and through electronic control of the spatial light modulator directly illuminate the wafer to define a portion of the polymer array, rather than being defined by a pattern on a photomask. Thus, in the Direct Write System each pixel is illuminated with an optical beam of suitable intensity and the imaging (printing) of an individual feature is determined by computer control of the spatial light modulator at each photolithographic step without the use of a photomask.

Abstract: Electrolytes containing water, phosphoric acid, at least one organic solvent, and at least one alkanolamine can be used for anodizing valve metals prepared from metal powder having a surface area of least 0.35 m2/g or 35,000 CV/g. The anodizing electrolytes have relatively high conductivity and are capable of being used at high anodizing currents. The anodic film produced by these electrolytes on valve metals is of substantially uniform thickness and has improved electrical parameters.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) are in the preparation of antibacterial agents, wherein: R1 represents hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; R2 represents a group R10(X)n—(ALK)— wherein R10 represents hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C1-C6 alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl group, any of which may be unsubstituted or substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkoyy, hydroxy, mercapto, (C1-C6)alkylthio, amino, halo, trifluoromethyl, cyano, nitro, —COOH, —CONH2, —COORA, —NHCORA, —CONHRA, —NHRA, —NRARB, or —CONRARB wherein RA and RB are independently a (C1-C6)alkyl group, and ALK represents a straight or branched divalent C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene radical, which may be interrupted by one or more non-adjacent —NH—, —O— or —S— linkages, X represents —NH—, —O— or —S—, and n is 0 or 1, R represents hydrogen or C1-C6

Abstract: A seed coating comprising gellan gum is disclosed along with a process which comprises admixing gellan gum and water under effective shear conditions to prepare an aqueous gellan gum coating composition thereof whereby the aqueous gellan gum coating composition may be applied in an adherent fashion to a seed to form a gellan gum coated seed. A gellan gum seed coating composition may indicate one or more bioactive(s) and optionally one or more colors.