Abstract: Disclosed is a nucleic acid encoding a novel G-protein coupled receptor and methods of using the same. The novel-G-protein coupled receptor was identified as a member of a set of genes that are differentially expressed in diseased fibroblasts relative to non-diseased fibroblasts. The invention also provides methods for identifying and treating disease based on the set of differentially expressed sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel aminoadamantane derivatives, methods of making the derivatives, compositions including the novel aminoadamantane derivatives, and methods for the treatment and prevention of neurological diseases using the derivatives and compositions.

Abstract: A means for obtaining efficient introduction of exogenous genes into a patient, with long term expression of the gene, is disclosed. The gene, under control of an appropriate promoter for expression in a particular cell type, is encapsulated or dispersed with a biocompatible, preferably biodegradable polymeric matrix, where the gene is able to diffuse out of the matrix over an extended period of time, for example, a period of three to twelve months or longer. The matrix is preferably in the form of a microparticle such as a microsphere (where the gene is dispersed throughout a solid polymeric matrix) or microcapsule (gene is stored in the core of a polymeric shell), a film, an implant, or a coating on a device such as a stent. The size and composition of the polymeric device is selected to result in favorable release kinetics in tissue.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of delivering ultrasound signals. The method includes providing an image of at least a portion of a subject intended to receive ultrasound signals between sources of the ultrasound signals and a desired region of the subject for receiving focused ultrasound signals, identifying, from the image, physical characteristics of different layers of material between the sources and the desired region, and determining at least one of phase corrections and amplitude corrections for the sources depending on respective thicknesses of portions of each of the layers disposed between each source and the desired region.

Abstract: Provided, among other things, is a compound of the formula:

Abstract: The invention provides cell-permeable peptides that bind to JNK proteins and inhibit JNK-mediated effects in JNK-expressing cells.

Abstract: Interleukin-18 binding proteins which are capable of binding IL-18 and/or modulating and/or blocking IL-18 activity are provided. Methods for their isolation and recombinant production, DNAs encoding them, DNA vectors expressing them, vectors useful for their expression in humans and other mammals, antibodies against them are also provided.

Abstract: A gas laser and a dedusting unit thereof are provided. The gas laser comprises a tube containing a gas mixture including a laser gas and preferably a buffer gas. The tube preferably comprises a cylindrical inner wall. A discharge unit is inserted into the tube and has two elongated electrodes defining an electrical gas discharge gap therebetween for providing an electric gas discharge between said electrodes to generate laser light. A circulation means is included in the tube for generating a gas flow within the tube that passes through the discharge gap. A dedusting unit is mounted along the inner cylindrical wall of the tube in such a manner that only a bypass flow which is a part of the gas flow within the tube passes through the dedusting unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel isolated NOVX polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded by the NOVX polynucleotides. Also provided are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a NOVX polypeptide or any derivative, variant, mutant or fragment of the NOVX polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. The invention additionally provides methods in which the NOVX 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: An instrument for evaluating fluorescence of a heterogeneous tissue includes means for exciting a two-dimensional portion of the tissue surface with excitation radiation at a plurality of excitation wavelengths, means for collecting emission radiation from the two-dimensional portion of the tissue surface simultaneously with excitation of the portion, and means for forming a two-dimensional excitation-emission map of the excitation radiation and the simultaneously collected emission radiation and spatially averaging the excitation and emission radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to neublastin neurotrophic factor polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding neublastin polypeptides, and antibodies that bind specifically to neublastin polypeptides, as well as methods of making and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to complexes of the HPS protein with proteins identified as interacting with HPS protein by a modified yeast two hybrid assay system. The proteins identified to interact with HPS protein are 14-3-3 protein, Hrs, atrophin-1, DGS-I, nuclear factor NF90, HPIP1 and human HN1 homolog protein. Accordingly, the present invention discloses complexes of HPS protein and 14-3-3 protein, Hrs, atrophin-1, DGS-I, nuclear factor NF90, HPIP1 and human HN1 homolog protein, and derivatives, fragments and analogs thereof. Additionally, the present invention also discloses nucleic acids encoding the HPIP1 and human HN1 homolog protein, or derivatives, fragments and analogs thereof. Methods of screening the complexes or proteins for efficacy in treating and/or preventing certain diseases and disorders, particularly atopic diseases, autoimmune diseases, neurodegenerative disease, cancer, pigmentation disorders, platelet dysfunction and viral diseases, are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel neurogenin proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: The JeT promoter is a recombinant promoter with transcriptional activity comparable to a number of strong mammalian promoters. The promoter consists of five key elements: (1) a TATA box; (2) a transcription initiation site (Inr); (3) a CAT consensus sequence in conjunction with (4) a CArG element and finally, (5) four Sp1 transcription binding sites (GGGCGG) arranged in two tandems.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel neurogenin proteins, nucleic acids and antibodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and formulations for the separation of biological macromolecules according to their size using capillary electrophoresis with improved polyacrylamide matrixes under denaturing conditions.

Abstract: The present invention describes polynucleotides and polypeptides associated with PPAR&agr;-mediated pathways that are useful as therapeutic compositions in method for the treatment of peroxisomal disorders. These polynucleotides and polypeptides were identified through the use of differentioal gene expression analysis. In particular, the present invention discloses eleven novel gene fragments, and numerous single nucleotide polymorphisms, located in previously disclosed genes, all of which have been discovered to be associated with PPAR&agr;-mediated pathways.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of skin defects by organotypically-cultured autologous keratinocytes isolated from the outer root sheath of anagenic or growing hair. Methods for primary, as well as subsequent organotypic cultures (i.e., epidermal equivalents) in fully-defined media supplemented by autologous human serum and substances isolated from blood components, with minimal allogeneic biological supplements, are disclosed herein. Techniques to prepare epidermal equivalents for transplantation by use of a biocompatible glue are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A methodology for screening libraries of compounds for desirable biological/therapeutic activities, preferably using an automated system for the microinjection of compound(s) of interest into the open circulatory system (i.e., hemolymph) of Drosophila larvae genetically modified to sensitize a particular signaling pathway related to a human disease either by expression of a human disease gene or by the activation of a Drosophila gene that in the adult fly results in the development of an easily detectable phenotypes such that compounds that selectively interfere with this specific signaling pathway will modify or suppress the phenotype and can be identified rapidly and efficiently.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are topical formulations of Interleukin-11 and methods for treating a variety of disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis, and infectious colitis), mucositis (e.g., oral mucositis, gastrointestinal mucositis, nasal mucositis, and proctitis), necrotizing enterocolitis, inflammatory skin disorders (e.g., psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and contact hypersensitivity), aphthous ulcers, pharyngitis, esophagitis, peptic ulcers, gingivitis, periodontitis, and ocular diseases (e.g., conjunctivitis, retinitis, and uveitis).