Abstract: The present invention concerns determination of the crystal structure of the macrophage specific receptor, CRIg (earlier referred to as STIgMA), and its complex with the C3b and C3c subunits of complement C3 (C3b:CRIg and C3c:CRIg complexes). The invention further concerns the use of the crystal structure of CRIg or the C3b:CRIg complex to screen for and identify molecules structurally and/or functionally related to CRIg, including CRIg agonists and antagonists.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a software development infrastructure and/or methodology in, for example, multi-platform computing environments. More specifically, this invention relates to a software development system and an approach for providing, for example in at least one embodiment, a lattice-based organization of interdependent software products for multi-dimensional progressive application specialization. The inventive system and method optionally starts with a generic root product node and incorporates more domain specific extensions in multiple tiers of constructs, facilities, and complexities, to create specialized applications.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of analyzing a tissue sample from a subject. In particular, the invention combines morphological staining and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) within the same section of a tissue sample. The analysis can be automated or manual. The invention also relates to kits for use in the above methods.

Abstract: Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from maize are disclosed. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The disclosed ESTs have utility in the development of new strategies for understanding critical plant developmental and metabolic pathways. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. Sequence homology analyses using the ESTs provided in the present invention, will result in more efficient gene screening for desirable agronomic traits. An expanding database of these select pieces of the plant genomics puzzle will quickly expand the knowledge necessary for subsequent functional validation, a key limitation in current plant biotechnology efforts.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel approach to increase immunoglobulin expression in non-human transgenic animals. For instance, the invention provides a method to increase humanized immunoglobulin production in animals genetically engineered to express one or several human or humanized immunoglobulin transloci. This can be done by overexpressing the apoptosis inhibitor, i.e. a rabbit bcl-2, whose expression is driven by a B-cell specific promoter specifically in the B-cell of the animal, thereby enhancing the survival of B-cells. This invention further relates to a method for selectively enhancing the survival of exogenous B-cells, that is B-cells expressing any immunoglobulin transgene locus, over the survival of endogenous B-cells that do not express the transgene locus. Selectivity is achieved by expressing the apoptosis-inhibitor only within exogenous B-cells, that is, by coupling exogenous immunoglobulin expression with apoptosis inhibitor expression.

Abstract: Biocompatible synthetic or natural scaffolds are provided for the reconstruction, repair, augmentation or replacement of organs or tissue structures in a patient in need of such treatment. The scaffolds are shaped to conform to at least a part of the organ or tissue structure and may be seeded with one or more cell populations. Inserts, receptacles and ports are also provided for the attachment of tubular vessels to the neo-organ scaffolds. The seeded scaffolds are implanted into the patient at the site in need of treatment to form an organized organ or tissue structure. The scaffolds may be used to form organs or tissues, such as bladders, urethras, valves, and blood vessels.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, typically smoking-induced emphysema. More specifically, the present invention relates to the treatment and prevention of COPD or emphysema by inhalation of alpha one-antitrypsin (AAT).

Abstract: A portable air horn apparatus includes a housing, an air horn assembly for generating a warning sound, a switch for activating the air horn assembly and a power source. A microprocessor is provided in communication with the switch, the air horn assembly and the power source. The microprocessor includes at least one port for receiving an electronic component and is capable of automatically loading and executing software of the electronic component.

Abstract: A determinate pea plant, where peas of the pea plant have a wrinkled-seed phenotype, and where the pea plant is slow-maturing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transforming Allium species with a heterologous gene using Agrobacterium.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the treatment of disorders characterized by the overexpression of ErbB2. More specifically, the invention concerns the treatment of human patients susceptible to or diagnosed with cancer overexpressing ErbB2 with a combination of an anti-ErbB2 antibody and a chemotherapeutic agent other than an anthracycline, e.g. doxorubicin or epirubicin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the treatment of hematopoietic tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns bifunctional fusion molecules for the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic conditions and Fc?RI-mediated autoimmune conditions. The invention provides a new therapeutic approach for the treatment of both acute and late-phase allergic responses due to ingestion, inhalation, cutaneous and parenteral exposure to allergens, responses including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, severe food allergies, chronic urticaria and angioedema, as well as anaphylactic reactions due to exposures such as bee stings or penicillin allergy. In addition, the invention provides for a novel, safer and more efficacious form of allergy vaccination.

Abstract: The invention concerns bifunctional fusion molecules, and novel, safer and more efficacious methods for the treatment of immune disorders resulting from excessive or unwanted immune responses. The invention provides methods for the suppression of type I hypersensitive (i.e., IgE-mediated) allergic conditions, methods for the prevention of anaphylactic responses that occur as a result of traditional peptide immunotherapies for allergic and autoimmune disorders, and provides novel methods for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, where the methods have reduced risk of triggering an anaphylactic response. The invention provides novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of allergic responses, including the prevention of anaphylactic response that can occur from environmental allergen exposure. The invention also provides methods for the treatment of autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune type I diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of detecting the presence of inflammatory bowel disease in gastrointestinal tissues or cells of a mammal by detecting increased expression of LY6 genes in the tissues or cells of the mammal relative to a control.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry and genetics. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid molecules from plant cells, in particular, genomic DNA sequences from rice plants and nucleic acid molecules that contain markers, in particular, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and repetitive element markers. In addition, the present invention provides nucleic acid molecules having regulatory elements or encoding proteins or fragments thereof. The invention also relates to 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, markers, repetitive elements and fragments of repetitive elements, regulatory elements, proteins and fragments of proteins, and antibodies, for example for genome mapping, gene identification and analysis, plant breeding, preparation of constructs for use in plant gene expression, and transgenic plants.

Abstract: Administration of an HNO/NO? donating compound, such as Angeli's salt, increases myocardial contractility while concomitantly lowering left ventricular preload in subjects experiencing heart failure. Moreover, administration of the HNO/NO? donating compound isopropylamine (IPA)/NO(Na(CH3)2CHNHN(O)NO) surprisingly exhibited positive inotropic effects in subjects experiencing heart failure that were superior to those caused by the HNO/NO? donating compound Angeli's salt. Additionally, in contrast to the effects observed with NO? donors, administration of an HNO/NO? donor in combination with a positive inotropic agent did not impair the positive inotropic effect of the positive inotropic agent. Further, HNO/NO? exerts its positive inotropic effect independent of the adrenergic system, increasing contractility even in subjects receiving beta-antagonist therapy.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for gently lysing and solubilizing cells. Methods and compositions are further provided for quickly purifying high quality low molecular weight nucleic acid from host cells. Target cells are treated with a pre-chilled lysis solution having a zwitterionic detergent, for example n-Dodecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate, and a brief room-temperature incubation. Where nucleic acid purification is required, the lysis solution-treated cells are contacted with a nucleic acid capture matrix having an average pore size of at least about 1 ?m.

Abstract: Refractile particles containing a heterologous polypeptide as an insoluble aggregate are recovered from bacterial periplasm. The process involves culturing bacterial cells so as to express nucleic acid encoding phage lysozyme and nucleic acid encoding the heterologous polypeptide under separate promoters, disrupting the cells mechanically to release the phage lysozyme so as to release refractile particles from the bacterial cellular matrix, and recovering the released refractile particles from the periplasm. Chloroform is not used in any step and the recovery step minimizes co-recovery of cellular debris with the released refractile particles.