Abstract: A method for micro-molding a polymeric membrane and including pouring a predetermined volume of curable polymer unto a micro-fabricated mold having a post array with pillars, and overlaying the polymer with a support substrate. A spacer, such as a rubber spacer, is placed in contact with the support substrate and a force is applied to an exposed side of the spacer to compress the support substrate and the polymer together. While applying the force, the polymer is cured on the mold for a predetermined time period and at a predetermined temperature to form a polymeric membrane having a pore array with a plurality of pores corresponding to the plurality of pillars of the post array. The polymeric membrane is removed from the support substrate.

Abstract: Swine Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9)-expressing cells are prepared by cloning a TLR9 gene from swine intestinal Peyer's patches. Functional analysis on CpG DNAs using the above cells revealed that swine TLR9 shows a higher recognition ability for a human CpG DNA motif (CpG2006) than for a mouse-specific CpG DNA motif (CpG1826). When the mRNA expression levels in various tissues are compared by the real-time PCR method, it is found out that the mRNA is expressed in Peyer's patches and mesenteric lymph nodes, which play important roles in the intestinal tract immune system, at a level thrice as much as in spleen or more. Thus, the cells expressing an intestinal tract tissue-expressed TLR (for example, TLR9) can be used to identify samples capable of activating the intestinal tract immune system.

Abstract: A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autoimmune diseases is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for prevention of delaying the onset of diabetes using peptide antagonists of zonulin, is disclosed.

Abstract: A substantially pure mammalian protein, hereinafter "zonulin", that is a physiological modulator of mammalian tight junctions is disclosed, as well as methods for the use of the same.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing post-operative ileus in a mammalian subject is disclosed. The method involves administering to the subject, a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that is effective in (i) preventing mast cell degranulation, (ii) inhibiting tryptase and chymase, and (iii) antagonizing PAR-2. The treatment is based on the discoveries that proteinase-activated receptor 2 is expressed in colonic muscle cells, and that activation of PAR-2 inhibits colonic motility. The PAR-2 receptor is activated, at least in part, by tryptase and chymase, produced by infiltration and degranulation of mast cells.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for identifying colon cancers in an individual. In one embodiment of the invention, a colon adenocarcinoma-associated protein may be detected in a tissue or body fluid sample of an individual, to provide an indication of the presence of an adenocarcinoma of the colon in the individual. The target adenocarcinoma-associated protein, may be detected, e.g., by reacting the sample with a labeled binding moiety, such as a labeled antibody, capable of specifically binding the protein. In another embodiment, the protein may be detected by isolating one or more colon adenocarcinoma-associated proteins from the sample, separating the proteins by two dimensional gel electrophoresis, and comparing the gel electrophoresis pattern with a standard. The invention provides a wide range of assay methods and compositions which may be used for detecting colon tumors in an individual rapidly and reproducibly, optimally at early stages of the disease.

Abstract: An improved immunogenic composition against human gastrin 17 comprising the peptide pGlu-Gly-Pro-Trp-Leu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ser-Ser-Pro-Pro-Pro-Pro-Cys (SEQ ID NO.: 1) coupled to an immunogenic carrier and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.

Abstract: Novel peptides having pharmacologic activities, such as vasodilating, hypotensive and bronchodilating activities, and a method of making peptides are described.

Abstract: A method and composition for inhibition of abnormal postnatal ocular growth are disclosed. The composition comprises vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), PHI or a analogue of these peptides. The method for inhibition of abnormal postnatal ocular growth comprises administering to the eye of an animal effective amount of VIP, PHI or analogue of these peptides.

Abstract: A channel protein has a molecular weight of approximately 280 kD and is capable of affecting K.sup.+ and Cl.sup.- membrane transport. Furosemide and quinine derivatives, and polysaccharide or monosaccharide gels incorporating such derivatives, are useful in treating membrane transport, cellular volume and cellular pressure disorders and in producing the channel protein. The channel protein is used in diagnostic assays and screening assays is described.

Abstract: Three new monoclonal antibodies, MU78, MT334, and MQ49, and the hybridoma cell lines producing these, are disclosed. The antibodies specifically bind to mucin-like antigens with distribution over various carcinomas.

Abstract: A process for preparing nucleoproteic material which comprises immersing organic material into a suitable solvent for a sufficient time to extract nucleoproteins from said material, adding a sufficient amount of an acid to form a precipitate of nucleoproteic material, and recovering said nucleoproteic material precipitate. A composition of nucleoproteic material produced according to this process. A method for alleviating symptoms of neoplastic diseases which comprises sterilizing the composition of nucleoproteic material, preparing a formulation comprising an effective amount of said sterilized composition, and administering said formulation to a patient having symptoms of a neoplastic disease.