Abstract: The present invention relates to neuron-restrictive silencer factor proteins, nucleic acids, and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: The invention provides amplification-based methods for detecting hypermethylated nucleic acid in heterogeneous biological samples, e.g., stool. A screening procedure based on the detection of hypermethylation, preferably at multiple genes, provides a means for detecting various diseases, e.g., colorectal cancer. By using chimeric primers that contain a 5′ non-specific portion, the specificity and efficiency of the nucleic acid amplification is improved. Methods of the invention are especially useful in detection of rare events in a heterogeneous sample.

Abstract: The subject invention addresses the need for methods of treatment and prevention of breast cancer, and other cancers, by providing a peptide of eight to twenty amino acids in length which comprises a hydrophilic analog of an alpha-fetoprotein peptide having SEQ ID NO: 6: EMTPVNPG. The peptides may be linear, but are preferably cyclic. The peptides may be provided as dimers or other multimers. A composition comprising the peptide, an antibody that specifically binds to the peptide, a method of reducing estrogen-stimulated growth of cells using the peptide, as well as a method of treating or preventing cancer, such as breast cancer, are also provided. The treatment or prevention method can include the use of tamoxifen therapy in combination with the peptide therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the diagnosis of a human autoimmune disease, including presymptomatic diagnosis, said human autoimmune disease being associated with human retrovirus (HERV) having Superantigen (SAg) activity, comprising specifically detecting in a biological sample of human origin at least one of the following: (I) the mRNA of an expressed human endogenous retrovirus having Superantigen (SAg) activity, or fragments of such expressed retroviral mRNA, said retrovirus being associated with a given autoimmune disease, or (II) protein or peptide expressed by said retrovirus, or (III) antibodies specific to the protein expressed by said endogenous, or (IV) SAg activity specifically associated with said endogenous retrovirus, detection of any of the species (I) to (IV) indicating presence of autoimmune disease or imminent onset of autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions containing novel leptin peptides, preferably for the modulation of body mass (i.e., weight), more specifically for novel diagnostic and therapeutic applications in homeostasis of body weight and adipose tissue mass.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the effect of a biological agent comprising contacting a cell culture with a biological agent. The cell culture of the invention contains a culture medium containing one or more preselected growth factors effective for inducing multipotent central nervous system (CNS) neural stem cell proliferation. The cell culture also contains, suspended in the culture medium, human multipotent CNS neural stem cells that are derived from primary CNS neural tissue that have a doubling rate faster than 30 days.

Abstract: A method of treating immune suppression in a warm-blooded animal bearing a tumor, by administering to the animal an amount of combretastatin A4 and/or a prodrug thereof effective to enhance immune responsiveness without causing vascular destruction. Immunotherapy treatment to inhibit or kill tumor cells includes administering to the animal an immune-response-stimulating agent such as a vaccine of tumor cells genetically modified to produce an immune-response-enhancing cytokine while counteracting tumor-induced immune suppression in the animal by administering combretastatin A4 and/or a prodrug thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inducing pancreatic hormone production.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating or ameliorating a number of indications in an animal, including a human, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of the formula I or IA, wherein J is oxygen, sulfur, or N—Rd.

Abstract: The invention provides complexes of at least two polypeptides, and methods of using the same. Purified complexes of two polypeptides are provided, including chimeric complexes, and chimeric polypeptides and complexes thereof are also provided, as are nucleic acids encoding chimeric polypeptides and vectors and cells containing the same. Also provided are methods of identifying agents that disrupt polypeptide complexes, methods of identifying complex or polypeptide in a sample, and for removing the same, methods of determining altered expression of a polypeptide in a subject, and methods of treating/preventing disorders involving altered levels of complex or polypeptide.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of identifying psychotropic agents that do not induce motor side effects using differential gene expression. Also disclosed are novel nucleic acid sequences whose expression is differentially regulated by psychotropic agents.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a phosphate ester of combretastatin A-4 and trans-isomers thereof in which combretastatin A-4 is reacted with dibenzylphosphite in the presence of carbon tetrabromide, or with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl phosphorodichloridate, to form a phosphate ester of combretastatin A-4 with protecting groups thereon.

Abstract: A method of predicting whether a subject is predisposed to developing early-onset menopause is provided. The method involves genotyping a patient at the IL-1 gene loci.

Abstract: Methods and kits for determining whether a subject has or is predisposed to developing restenosis are provide.

Abstract: The invention provides novel adamantane compounds having one of the following formulas: wherein: R1 and R3 are H, OH, alkyl, cycloalkyl, amino or aryl, and can be the same or different; R2 is H, NH2, alkyl, OH, COOH, amino, amide, or carbamate; R4-R8 are H, OH, NH2, alkyl, OH, COOH, ester, amino, amide, or alkyloxy, and can be the same or different; R9-R14 are H, alkyl, or phenyl, and can be the same or different; and wherein when any of R1-R8 is amino, the compounds are the free bases and their acid addition salts. The present invention also relates to compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing neurological and inflammatory disorders in a patient by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds of formula (I), (II) or (III) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a methodology which is directed to providing positive confirmation that nucleic acids, possessing putatively identified sequences predicted to generate observed GeneCalling™ signals, are actually present within the sample from which the signal was originally derived. The putatively identified nucleic acid fragment within the sample possesses 3′- and 5′-ends with known terminal subsequences. The method involves contacting nucleic acid fragments in a sample in amplifying conditions with (i) a nucleic acid polymerase; (ii) “regular” primer oligonucleotides having sequences comprising hybridizable portions of known terminal subsequences; and (iii) a “poisoning” oligonucleotide primer. Nucleic acids amplified with a poisoning primer are distinguishable upon detection from nucleic acids amplified with regular primers.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use and composition of matter of angiogenic or other growth factors expressed by combining various types and stages of differentiation of allogeneic human cell strains or lines in unencapsulated pastes (mixed with or applied to extracellular matrix material or synthetic biocompatible substances) to be temporarily applied to wounds or defects in the skin or other tissues for the restoration of blood supplying connective tissue to enable organ-specific cells to reestablish organ integrity as well as to inhibit excessive scar formation.

Abstract: Provided herein are novel and useful combretastatin A-4 prodrug salts that increase the solubility of combretastatin A-4, readily regenerate combretastatin A-4 in vivo under normal physiological conditions, and which produce physiologically tolerable products as a result of the regeneration of combretastatin A-4.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated Wnt-7B-like polynucleotides and the membrane-associated or secreted polypeptides encoded by the Wnt-7B-like polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a Wnt-7B-like polypeptide or any derivative, variant, mutant or fragment of the Wnt-7B-like polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the Wnt-7B-like polypeptide, polynucleotide and antibody are utilized in the detection and treatment of a broad range of pathological states, as well as to other uses.

Abstract: A new and distinct Argyranthemum plant named ‘Danaranblush’ characterized by having red ovate ray florets and orange-white colored bell-shaped disc florets when fully opened; bush type vigorous growth with numerous inflorescences per plant; use in the garden as a single plant or planted in groups, as well as use as a border plant and suitable for planting in pots due to its compact growth habit; and growth in full sunlight or partial shade.