Abstract: Provided is a method for mapping traits in organisms, in particular in plants. The method comprises a) providing a population of SDR-0 organisms, in particular plants, that each arise from one member of a population of unreduced cells resulting from second division restitution, in particular a population of unreduced spores; b) producing SDR-1 progeny populations of each of these SDR-0 organisms; c) phenotyping the SDR-1 progeny populations to identify segregating traits within each SDR-1 progeny population; d) if segregating progeny are present in a SDR-1 progeny population, genotyping the corresponding SDR-0 organism and comparing the genotype thereof with the genotype of the other SDR-0 organisms to identify heterozygous chromosomal regions associated with the occurrence of the segregating trait identified in the SDR-1 progeny population.

Abstract: Least Square Deconvolution (LSD) uses quantitative allele peak data derived obtained from a sample containing the DNA of more than one contributor to resolve the best-fit genotype profile of each contributor. The resolution is based on finding the least square fit of the mass ratio coefficients at each locus to come closest to the quantitative allele peak data. Consistent top-ranked mass ratio combinations from each locus can be pooled to form at least one composite DNA profile at a subset of the available loci. The top-ranked DNA profiles can be used to check against the profile of a suspect or be used to search for a matching profile in a DNA database.

Abstract: A forward synthetic method is described that utilizes recursive application of established organic chemical reactions to derive more complex synthons from available reagents than are available from the reagent synthons themselves. The product of each reaction serves as the starting point for further reactions thereby permitting the generation of multiple complex molecular structures. This synthon generation procedure typically yields 20 ? 30 new structures within the limits of easily accessible syntheses based upon each starting reagent. More complex syntheses yield even more structures. The generated synthons are characterized with a molecular structural descriptor possessing a neighborhood property and can be further characterized with features. The synthons are searched for three dimensional shape and feature similarity to molecular fragments derived from query molecules, typically pharmacological molecules of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing an animal with a nutraceutical program that is specifically tailored to address the deficiencies and/or needs of the particular animal. Blood is drawn from the animal and analyzed at a lab to obtain blood test results. The blood test results are scored to obtain at least one blood test score for at least one corresponding blood parameter. If the at least one blood test score falls within a normal range but outside of an optimal range, one or more nutraceuticals needed to bring the animal within the optimal range for the at least one corresponding blood parameter are identified. A prescribed dosage amount is then calculated for at least one of the one or more identified nutraceuticals for the animal. The calculation of the prescribed dosage amount is based on at least the blood test score for the corresponding blood parameter and a deviation of the blood test score from the optimal range.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of confirming the gene expression, useful in the decision of a five year survival rate of a patient with lung cancer and the use of a DNA probe kit in the method. A method useful in the decision of a survival rate of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer comprising confirming the expression strength of at least one gene selected from the group consisting of in lung cancer tissues isolated from the patient.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for determining specificity of a candidate probe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing an animal with a nutraceutical program that is specifically tailored to address the deficiencies and/or needs of the particular animal. Blood is drawn from the animal and analyzed at a lab to obtain blood test results. The blood test results are scored to obtain at least one blood test score for at least one corresponding blood parameter. If the at least one blood test score falls within a normal range but outside of an optimal range, one or more nutraceuticals needed to bring the animal within the optimal range for the at least one corresponding blood parameter are identified. A prescribed dosage amount is then calculated for at least one of the one or more identified nutraceuticals for the animal. The calculation of the prescribed dosage amount is based on at least the blood test score for the corresponding blood parameter and a deviation of the blood test score from the optimal range.

Abstract: A method of designing oligonucleotides useful in molecular biology techniques as PCR primers or in other techniques as identification and/or quantification probes is disclosed. The method permits designing specific oligonucleotides for the identification of a determined sequence in a metagenomic sample. The method includes selecting or constructing a database of reference sequences, selecting a subset of sequences belonging to target organisms, selecting candidate oligonucleotides from such sequences, depurating these candidate oligonucleotides according to hybridization specificity and thermodynamic stability criteria, obtaining a list of designed oligonucleotides that fulfill the hybridization specificity and thermodynamic stability criteria, producing materially by chemical synthesis the designed oligonucleotides, and selecting the oligonucleotides which comply with the requirements of the desired process.

Abstract: This invention constructs a highly safe system for processing information for providing semantic information and/or information associated with the semantic information useful for each individual organism through effective utilization of differences in nucleotide sequence-related information among individual organisms. This system comprises steps of: (a) obtaining positional information representing a position in a nucleotide sequence in accordance with a request for an object and/or service; and (b) evaluating adequacy of transmission of nucleotide sequence-related information corresponding to the positional information obtained in step (a), based on the flag information associated with the positional information for evaluating adequacy of transmission of nucleotide sequence-related information associated with the positional information representing a position in a nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: Methods of identifying allele-specific changes in genomic DNA copy number are disclosed. Methods for identifying homozygous deletions and genetic amplifications are disclosed. An array of probes designed to detect presence or absence of a plurality of different sequences is also disclosed. The probes are designed to hybridize to sequences that are predicted to be present in a reduced complexity sample. The methods may be used to detect copy number changes in cancerous tissue compared to normal tissue. The methods may be used to diagnose cancer and other diseases associated with chromosomal anomalies.

Abstract: The determination of the nucleotide sequence of HTLV-III DNA; identification, isolation and expression of HTLV-III sequences which encode immunoreactive polypeptides by recombinant DNA methods and production of viral RNA are disclosed. Such polypeptides can be employed in immunoassays to detect HTLV-III.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes a method for modeling fluorescence in turbid media and methods and systems for using the model to determine intrinsic fluorescence of turbid media. According to one aspect, a method for modeling fluorescence of a turbid medium and for using the model to determine intrinsic fluorescence in the turbid medium is provided. The method includes illuminating a turbid medium of interest with an electromagnetic radiation source using a probe of a particular geometry and detecting measured fluorescence for the turbid medium using the probe. At least one set of Monte Carlo simulations is run to determine an escape energy probability map and an absorbed energy density map for the turbid medium. An indication of the intrinsic fluorescence of the turbid medium is determined using the escape probability density map and the absorbed energy density map in a manner that accounts for the geometry of the probe.

Abstract: Computer systems, computer program products and methods for designing oligonucleotides are provided. A set of sequence elements is defined. Each sequence element represents an amino acid sequence segment or a nucleic acid sequence segment. The set of sequence elements collectively represent a design nucleic acid sequence. The set of sequence elements are displayed as a plurality icons in a linear or a near linear arrangement such that each respective icon in the plurality of icons uniquely represents a corresponding sequence element in the set of sequence elements. In this representation, neighboring icons in the plurality of icons represent neighboring sequence elements in the set of sequence elements. Each respective icon in the plurality of icons depicts a directional property for the corresponding sequence element in the set of sequence elements. An oligonucleotide selection module is used to identify oligonucleotides in the design nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A family of cDNA sequences derived from hepatitis C virus (HCV) are provided. These sequences encode antigens which react immunologically with antibodies present in individuals with non-A non-B hepatitis (NANBH), but which are absent from individuals infected with hepatitis A virus, or hepatitis B virus, and also are absent in control individuals. The HCV cDNA sequences lack substantial homology to the sequences of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and HBV. A comparison of the sequences of amino acids encoded in the HCV cDNA with the sequences of Flaviviruses indicates that HCV may be related to the Flaviviruses. The HCV cDNA sequences and the polypeptides encoded therein are useful as reagents for the detection and therapy of HCV. The reagents provided in the invention are also useful for the isolation of NANBH agent(s), for the propagation of these agents in tissue culture, and for the screening of antiviral agents for HCV.

Abstract: A method and a system for evaluating results of differentiating genotype signals and noise signals when a DNA fragment containing a gene to be analyzed is amplified by PCR and detected by electrophoresis are provided. An outlier of genotyping results is detected based on the fact that, when using the same marker, the height ratio of a stutter peak to a true peak and the height ratio of a +A peak to a true peak are reproducible, and that a constant size value is obtained with the use of the same allele of the same marker. In addition, a waveform obtained in past processes with the use of the same marker or the same allele is obtained utilizing a database by focusing on reproducibility. Also, a database is extended so as to obtain improved evaluation ability in a manner such that appropriate waveform data from which an outlier is not obtained is additionally registered in a database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of assessing the health of skin. Biomarkers are used to evaluate skin samples. Using metabonomics approaches, samples taken from different skin sites or at different times during a treatment are used to diagnose skin conditions or to appraise various skin treatments for efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a scoring system for the prediction of cancer recurrence. More particularly, the present invention concerns with the selection of genes and/or proteins, and generation of formulae with the selected genes and/or proteins for the prediction of cancer recurrence by measuring the expression of genes and/or proteins of human tumor tissues, and comparing their patterns with those of the gene and/or protein expression of human primary tumors from patients who have cancer recurrence and those who do not have cancer recurrence.

Abstract: The bio-expression system comprising: a process system used to process data and a three-dimension image generating module embedded in the computing system, wherein while input of a set of two-dimensional individual model sections is fed into the process system, the three-dimension image generating module is responsive to the input of the two-dimension individual model sections and is capable of processing an individual model construction and model-averaging procedure, thereby generating an average model for each individual dataset. A database includes a bio-expression sub-database, cellular network sub-database and fine structure sub-database, wherein the database is coupled to the process system to store at least the average model. A stereoscopic projecting system is coupled to the process system to display stereoscopic images for active or passive virtual reality applications, thereby presenting the bio-expressions, cellular networks or bio-fine structures under the input instruction of the process system.

Abstract: A statistical and functional correlation strategy to identify changes in cellular pathways specifically linked to impaired cognitive function with aging. Analyses using the strategy identified multiple groups of genes expressed in the hippocampi of mammals, where the genes were expressed at different levels for several ages. The aging changes in expression began before mid-life. Many of the genes were involved in specific neuronal and glial pathways with previously unrecognized relationships to aging and/or cognitive decline. These identified genes and the proteins they encode can be used as novel biomarkers of brain aging and as targets for developing treatment methods against age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for determining the contributions of canid populations to a canid genome. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) obtaining the identity of one or both alleles in a test canid genome for each of a set of markers; and (b) determining the contributions of canid populations to the test canid genome by comparing the alleles in the test canid genome to a database comprising canid population profiles, wherein each canid population profile comprises genotype information for the set of markers in the canid populations.