Abstract: A method for predicting the severity or progression of OA in a human subject, comprising: determining the identity of at least one allele at each of at least 4 positions of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) selected from the group consisting of: rs2206593, rs10465850, rs780094, rs1374281, rs1143634, rs2073508, rs2243250, rs4720262, rs917760, rs7838918, rs12009, rs730720, rs874692, rs893953, rs1799750, rs10845493, rs11054704, rs7986347, rs1802536, rs10519263, rs7342880, rs16947882 and rs10413815, and one or more SNPs in linkage disequilibrium at a level of at least R2?0.8 therewith, as well as products, in particular systems and kits for use in such a method.

Abstract: A method for analysis of 2-D gel images obtained using electrophoresis. More particularly, a molecular block-matching method for establishing the correspondence between protein spots in a diagnostic-test image and protein spots in a reference image. Individual protein spot matching is performed, thereby removing the need for alignment of the entire reference and test images and permitting automatic labeling of individual protein spots. The method for analysis of 2-D gel images is fully automated, thus making it ideally suited for protein information retrieval systems.

Abstract: A method for analysis of 2-D gel images obtained using electrophoresis. More particularly, a molecular block-matching method for establishing the correspondence between protein spots in a diagnostic-test image and protein spots in a reference image. Individual protein spot matching is performed, thereby removing the need for alignment of the entire reference and test images and permitting automatic labeling of individual protein spots. The method for analysis of 2-D gel images is fully automated, thus making it ideally suited for protein information retrieval systems.

Abstract: A LAGLIDADG homing endonuclease variant having novel substrate specificity, said variant being obtainable by a method comprising: (a) the mutation of at least one amino acid residue of the final C-terminal loop of a parent LAGLIDADG homing endonuclease, with the exclusion of the threonine 140 of I-CreI, b) the selection and/or screening of the variants from step (a) having a pattern of cleaved DNA targets that is different from that of the parent LAGLIDADG homing endonuclease.

Abstract: A rake of the type having a fanned spring finger main raking head fixed at one end of a rake handle is provided with an auxiliary, complementary fanned spring finger rake head pivotally supported with respect to the rake handle and movable into clamping jaw-like relation with respect to the main raking head for picking up raked trash piles. The individual spring fingers of one rake head are receivable between the spring fingers of the other rake head to provide for raking with either rake head when they are held in relatively clamped together position.

Abstract: The bowl of a smoker's pipe is provided with a circular interior bottom plate or grate rotatably supported on a control pin extending laterally outwardly of one side of the pipe bowl and terminating in a handle for rocking and rotating the bottom plate from side to side in scraping relation with interior sidewall portions of the pipe bowl for automatically loosening and scraping away the charred remnants of consumed tobacco.