Abstract: Novel constructs are provided for expression of physiologically active mammalian proteins in plant cells, either in culture or under cultivation. The constructs provide a promoter functional in a plant host, a structural gene coding for mammalian protein and a terminator functional in a plant host. The construct is introduced into a plant cell to become integrated into the plant genome for expression in the plant cells or plants. The plant cells may be harvested and the mammalian protein isolated in physiologically active form.

Abstract: Exendin 4 is a biologically active peptide first isolated from Gila monster venom. The invention encompasses polynucleotides encoding proexendin peptides, including exendin and novel peptides, as well as isolated or recombinant proexendin peptides. The invention also includes antibodies which specifically recognize such peptides.

Abstract: This invention relates to sequences encoding &bgr;-ketoacyl-ACP synthase (KAS) and methods of use thereof. Also provided are methods for decreasing saturated fatty acid levels as a component of total triglycerides found in plant oils. The method generally comprises growing a soybean plant having integrated into its genome a DNA construct comprising, in the 5′ to 3′ direction of transcription, a promoter functional in a soybean plant seed cell, a DNA sequence encoding a KAS protein, and a transcription termination region functional in a plant cell. The present invention also provides a soybean seed with less than about 3.5 weight percent total saturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for treating a patient suffering from acute coronary syndrome, but who is not suffering from a Q-wave myocardial infarction, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a GLP-1 molecule. The GLP-1 can be self-administered, and can be administered in one or more doses, as needed, on an intermittent or continuous basis, to optimize metabolism in cardiac tissue and to prevent cardiac damage associated with ischemia.

Abstract: Methods for increasing urine flow are disclosed, comprising administration of an effective amount of GLP-1, an exendin, or an exendin or GLP-1 agonist. Methods for increasing urinary sodium excretion and decreasing urinary potassium concentration are also disclosed. The methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders associated with toxic hypervolemia,such as renal failure, congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, pulmonary edema, and hypertension. The present invention also relates to methods for inducing an inotropic response comprising administration of an effective amount of GLP-1, an exendin, or an exendin or GLP-1 agonist. These methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders that can be alleviated by an increase in cardiac contractility such as congestive heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of quinolone carboxylic acid formulations in the treatment of ocular and periocular infections. The present invention also relates to sustained release compositions comprising specific quinolone carboxylic acid compounds. The invention also relates to quinolone carboxylic acid compositions and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: An apparatus for text input and a method for its use. The apparatus includes a display device, a computing device, and an input device. The computer device is configured to generate a character or plurality of characters and to cause the display device to display the character or characters at a desired position on the display device screen. The input device operates to enlarge the character or plurality of characters depending on the position of the input device relative to characters displayed on said display device. The input device is configured to permit a user to select the enlarged character or plurality of characters.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and arthrosis characterized by determining the concentration of osteoclastgenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) in humor. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing equally both of monomer type and dimer type of OCIF. Monoclonal antibodies recognizing selectively dimer type of OCIF. And to provide an assay kit for determination of OCIF concentration comprising the aforementioned two antibodies recognizing different epitope of OCIF and having high affinity showing dissociation constant of less than 2×10−7 M with antigen. It is useful for a method of diagnosing metabolic bone diseases, especially osteoporosis and arthrosis or for an assay reagent for research thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of quinolone carboxylic acid formulations in the treatment of ocular and periocular infections. The present invention also relates to sustained release compositions comprising specific quinolone carboxylic acid compounds. The invention also relates to quinolone carboxylic acid compositions and methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing plants and seeds having altered carotenoid, fatty acid and tocopherol compositions. The methods find particular use in increasing the carotenoid and tocopherol levels in oilseed plants, and in providing desirable high oleic acid seed oils.

Abstract: By this invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding for fatty acyl-CoA: fatty alcohol acyltransferase (wax synthase) are provided, wherein said wax synthase is active in the formation of a wax ester from fatty alcohol and fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Of special interest is are nucleic acid sequences obtainable from a jojoba embryo wax synthase having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 33 kD. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from wax synthase proteins and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing wax esters.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of bioinformatics, particularly as it pertains to determining the associations of biological elements. More specifically, the present invention relates to the determination of associations among a set of biological elements using an algorithm that is capable of generating a Steiner tree.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences and methods are provided for producing plants and seeds having altered tocopherol content and compositions. The methods find particular use in increasing the tocopherol levels in plants, and in providing desirable tocopherol compositions in a host plant cell.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides ligands and fragments thereof to a receptor on the surface of activated CD4+ T-cells. An exemplary ligand is designated ACT-4-L-h-1. Preferred fragments include purified extracellular domains of ligands. The invention also provides humanized and human antibodies to the ligand. The invention further provides methods of using the ligand and the antibodies in treatment of diseases and conditions of the immune system. The invention also provides methods of monitoring activated CD4+ T-cells using the ligands or fragments thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry, particularly as it pertains to the &bgr;-oxidation pathway. More specifically, the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins associated with the b-oxidation pathway, the proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded, and antibodies capable of binding the proteins. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins, and fragments of proteins.

Abstract: A method of extracting biopsy cells from a breast uses an endoscopic instrument having a distal end that is substantially needle like, a working channel, a light source and a lens. The instrument can be coupled to an apparatus for viewing an image including depth of field viewing. The instrument is inserted into a nipple of a breast and liquid is ejected from the distal end. Reverse pressure is applied so that the liquid and biopsy cells are retrieved into the instrument. The cells are then extracted from the breast.

Abstract: By this invention, novel nucleic acid sequences encoding for phosphatidic acid phosphatase (PAP) proteins are provided, wherein PAP protein is active in the formation of diacylglycerol from phosphatidic acid. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from PAP nucleic acid sequences and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing altered lipid compositions and total lipid levels.

Abstract: By this invention, nucleic acid sequences encoding for fatty acyl-CoA: fatty alcohol acyltransferase (wax synthase) are provided, wherein wax synthase is active in the formation of a wax ester from fatty alcohol and fatty acyl-CoA substrates. Of special interest is are nucleic acid sequences obtainable from a jojoba embryo wax synthase having an apparent molecular mass of approximately 33 kD. Also considered are amino acid and nucleic acid sequences obtainable from wax synthase proteins and the use of such sequences to provide transgenic host cells capable of producing wax esters.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences involved in fatty acid beta-oxidation and to methods of producing such polypeptides using recombinannt techniques. In addition, methods are provided for using such sequences to alter lipid levels in plants by altering fatty acid beat-oxidation in host plant cells.