Abstract: One of the major peanut allergens, Ara h I, was selected from cDNA expression library clones using Ara h I specific oligo-nucleotides and polymerase chain reaction technology. The Ara h I clone identified a 2.3 kb mRNA species on a Northern blot containing peanut poly A+RNA. DNA sequence analysis of the cloned inserts revealed that the Ara h I allergen has significant homology with the vicilin seed storage protein family found in most higher plants. The isolation of the Ara h I clones allowed the synthesis of this protein in E. coli cells and subsequent recognition of this. recombinant protein in immunoblot analysis using serum IgE from patients with peanut hypersensitivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides convergent processes for preparing epothilone A and B, desoxyepothilones A and B, and analogues thereof. Also provided are analogues related to epothilone A and B and intermediates useful for preparing same. The present invention further provides novel compositions based on analogues of the epothilones and methods for the treatment of cancer and cancer which has developed a multidrug-resistant phenotype.

Abstract: An inhibitory compound having the structure: Group I-Group II. Group I has the structure: where H represents a hydrogen; C represents a carbon; O represents an oxygen; N represents a nitrogen; each R, independently, is chosen from the group consisting of the R groups of an amino acid, including proline; each broken line, independently, represents a bond to an H or a bond to one R group, and each H′ represents that bond or a hydrogen; and p is an integer between 0 and 4 inclusive. Alternatively Group I has the structure: where n is between 0 and 3 inclusive, each G2 and G3 independently is H or C1-3 (one to three carbon atoms) alkyl, G1 is NH3 (H3 represents three hydrogens), (H2 represents two hydrogens), or where G5 and G6 can be NH, H, or C1-3 alkyl or alkenyl with one or more carbons substituted with a nitrogen. G1 bears a charge, and G1 and Group II do not form a covalently bonded ring structure at pH 7.0.

Abstract: In recognition of the need to develop novel therapeutic agents and efficient methods for the synthesis thereof, the present invention provides novel compounds of general formula (I), and methods for the synthesis thereof. In another aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides methods for treating cancer comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides convergent processes for preparing epothilone A and B, desoxyepothilones A and B, and analogues thereof. Also provided are analogues related to epothilone A and B and intermediates useful for preparing same. The present invention further provides novel compositions based on analogues of the epothilones and methods for the treatment of cancer and cancer which has developed a multidrug-resistant phenotype.

Abstract: A method for stimulating proliferation of T-cells containing cytoplasmic post-prolyl dipeptidase activity; the method, in one aspect, involves contacting the T-cells with an organic compound at a concentration below 10−8M, wherein the compound is characterized in that: (a) it is capable of crossing the membrane of T-cells to enter the cytoplasm, (b) it binds to the dipeptidase activity at a concentration of below 10−8M, and thus (c) stimulates proliferation of the T-cells at that concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved cell delivery compositions. In particular, the invention provides biocompatible endosomolytic agents. In a preferred embodiment, the endosomolytic agents are also biodegradable and can be broken down within cells into components that the cells can either reuse or dispose of. Preferred endosomolytic agents include cationic polymers, particularly those comprised of biomolecules, such as histidine, polyhistidine, polylysine or any combination thereof. Other exemplary endosomolytic agents include, but are not limited to, other imidazole containing compounds such as vinylimidazole and histamine. More particularly preferred are those agents having multiple proton acceptor sites and acting as a “proton sponge”, disrupting the endosome by osmolytic action. In preferred embodiments, the endosomolytic agent comprises a plurality of proton acceptor sites having pKas within the range of 4 to 7, which endosomal lysing component is polycationic at pH 4.

Abstract: The use of a compound comprising formula (I): or a salt, ester, amide or prodrug therof in the inhibition of an enzyme whose preferred mode of action is to catalyse the hydrolysis of an ester functionality, e.g. in the control and inhibition of unwanted enzymes in products and processes. The compounds are also useful in medicine e.g. in the treatment of obesity and related conditions. The invention also relates to novel compounds within formula (I), to processes for preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. In formula (I) A is a 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring; and R1 is a branched or unbranched alkyl (optionally interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms), alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, reduced arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, reduced aryl, reduced heteroaryl, reduced heteroarylalkyl or a substituted derivative of any of the foregoing groups.

Abstract: The present invention provides convergent processes for preparing epothilone A and B, desoxyepothilones A and B, and analogues thereof. Also provided are analogues related to epothilone A and B and intermediates useful for preparing same. The present invention further provides novel compositions based on analogues of the epothilones and methods for the treatment of cancer and cancer which has developed a multidrug-resistant phenotype.

Abstract: An instrument for analyzing and dispensing objects larger than about 70 &mgr;m in diameter is based on a flow cytometer with a novel fluidic switch arrangement for diverting a portion of a sample stream in response to detector signals in a flow cell. The instrument is particularly adapted for dispensing multicellular test organisms like nematodes or large microspheres for use in screening large libraries of potential pharmaceutical agents. Hydrodynamic focussing is used to center and align the objects in the flow cell. The objects pass through a sensing zone where optical or other characteristics of the objects are detected. The detector signals are processed and used to operate a fluidic switch that is located downstream from the sensing zone. The fluid stream containing the detected objects emerges from the flow cell into air where a fluid stream controlled by the fluidic switch diverts portions of the stream containing no sample objects or sample objects not meeting predetermined characteristics.

Abstract: A method for producing a cell to which angiogenesis-inducing ability has been imparted, comprising the steps of introducing a gene of an angiogenic factor into a human or animal cell having low angiogenesis-inducing ability, and selecting a cell that overexpresses the angiogenic factor; and a method for screening for an angiogenesis inhibitor or a substance having anticancer activity by using the produced cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides assays for identifying compounds that affect the transcriptional activity of a protein of interest or affect the stability of the protein of interest. The triple readout assay system which can be used to identify compounds that affect the transcriptional activity of a protein of interest uses three cell lines to control for non-specific effects such as sequences flanking the inserted gene and cytotoxicity. The double readout assay system assesses protein stability and uses a fusion protein of a reporter and the protein of interest. These assay systems may be particularly useful in identifying compounds that affect transcription factors and tumor suppressors. In a particular embodiment, the tumor suppressor p53 is the target protein being studied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for estimating practice golf shot deviation and distance. The apparatus includes a base, an axle mounted to the base, a golf ball attached to the axle and a sensor coupled to the axle for determining motion thereof. When the golf ball is struck by a golf club, the ball and axle attached thereto rotate around a pivot point provided by the base. When the ball is struck such that it deviates from a plane that is perpendicular to the axle, the sensor detects motion of the axle along its axis. The magnitude and direction of deviation is estimated based upon the detected motion of the axle along its axis. The distance that the ball would have traveled is estimated based upon the detected speed with which the axle rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating electromagnetic radiation in which the radiation has both a first and second utility. The electromagnetic radiation is modulated to produce electronically detectable variations to achieve the second utility, the variations not affecting the first utility. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation is visible light. In this embodiment, the first utility is illumination and the second utility is the transmission of data. In another embodiment, the invention provides a lamp for generating visible light capable of providing illumination and transmitting data to a receiver. Any variations in the visible light resulting from the data transmission are imperceptible by a human eye regardless of the nature of the data being transmitted.

Abstract: A system for assaying a fluid sample, typically employing a fluorescent tag, the system comprising a lens capable of focussing both excitation and fluorescent radiation, a fluid-flow conducting conduit being provided in the lens extending transversely of the optical axis of and through the focal region of the latter. One or more mechanical screens are disposed adjacent to the focal region in the conduit to arrest passage of beads as a function of bead diameter. The beads, precoated with at least a moiety of a ligand/conjugate complex, e.g. a specific-binding ligand, are preferably substantially transparent to both the excitation and fluorescent radiation.