Abstract: Gene expression profiling reveals four distinct subgroups of multiple myeloma that have significant correlation with various clinical characteristics. Diagnosis for multiple myeloma (and possibly monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) based on differential expression of 14 genes, as well as prognosis for the four subgroups of multiple myeloma based on the expression of 24 genes are established. A 15-gene model that classifies myeloma into 7 groups is also reported. Gene expression profiling also allows placing multiple myeloma into a developmental schema parallel to that of normal plasma cell differentiation. Development of a gene expression- or developmental stage-based classification system for multiple myeloma would lead to rational design of more accurate and sensitive diagnostics, prognostics and tumor-specific therapies for multiple myeloma.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring refractive characteristics of human eyes with an objective refraction measuring device for measuring refraction in at least one eye, the objective refraction measuring system having a proximal end and a distal end, the objective refraction measuring system suitable for looking in the proximal end and seeing out the distal end; an open field visual target. An open viewing lane is provided between the eye and the open field visual target, the viewing lane has sufficient length to allow for focusing the eye at infinity and for natural accommodation at true distance targets, such near distances such as reading distances. The objective refraction measuring device can be positioned in the viewing lane to measure the eye while the eye is focused on the open field visual target.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid virus entry/binding detection assay. An enzyme such as luciferase was incorporated at the C-terminal end of viral envelope proteins of the HIV Nef protein that would specifically associate with cell membranes to deliver the enzyme into viral particles upon viral assembly. Virus entry/binding can then be assayed by determining the enzymatic activities in infected cells. The assay allows high-throughput non-radioactive detection of virus entry within 30 minutes after virus-cell contact. This assay provides high signal to noise ratio and is useful for screening compounds that affect virus-cell binding and entry. The design also permits packaging of potential therapeutic proteins into functional virus particles and delivering them to specific cellular targets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to simple method to fabricate DNA hybridization devices based upon adsorptive attachment of oligonucleotides to a positively charged surface. Such adsorbed oligonucleotide probes form a densely packed monolayer, which retains capacity for base-pair specific hybridization with a solution state nucleic acid target strand to form the duplex. However, both strand dissociation kinetics and the rate of DNase digestion suggest on symmetry grounds that solution-state nucleic acid binds to such adsorbed oligonucleotides to form a highly asymmetric and unwound duplex, with structural details that are substantially different from that known for the Watson-Crick DNA duplex. This novel nucleic acid duplex form can serve as the basis for a new class of hybridization device and methods for their use.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of unambiguously identifying a human herpesvirus in a sample. The assays, which allow for the detection and typing of all ten human herpesviruses, involve multiplex PCR assays using consensus primers to amplify conserved regions of the herpesvirus DNA. A dot blot/chemiluminescence assay and real time PCR assay ideal for clinical setting were disclosed. A heteroduplex mobility assay suitable for uses in research laboratory was also presented.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the protease stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) is specifically over-expressed in ovarian and other malignancies. A number of SCCE peptides can induce immune responses to SCCE, thereby demonstrating the potential of these peptides in monitoring and the development of immunotherapies for ovarian and other malignancies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon RNA useful in the development of stable lines of mammalian, avian and insect cells in which these replicons will persistently replicate. Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus replicons contain a number of unique adaptive mutations that make the replicons noncytopathic. The replicons remain resistant to IFN-?/?. Replicon replication leads to high-level production of heterologous proteins, which are encoded by the replicons' genome and are under the control of a viral subgenomic promoter. Also provided are methods of screening for inhibitory compounds of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replication and eastern equine encephalitis virus replication.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid virus entry/binding detection assay. An enzyme such as luciferase was incorporated at the C-terminal end of viral envelope proteins that would deliver the enzyme into the viral particles upon viral assembly. Virus entry/binding can then be assayed by determining the enzymatic activities in infected cells. The assay allows high-throughput non-radioactive detection of virus entry within 30 minutes after virus-cell contact. This assay provides high signal to noise ratio and is useful for screening compounds that affect virus-cell binding and entry. The design also permits packaging of potential therapeutic proteins into functional virus particles and delivering them to specific cellular targets.

Abstract: Eye refraction is measured to achieve desired quality via a selected vision characteristics. A characteristic of vision is selected to correlate to the desired quality of vision from a group of vision characteristics comprising acuity, Strehl ratio, contrast sensitivity, night vision, day vision, and depth of focus, dynamic refraction over a period of time during focus accommodation, and dynamic refraction over a period of time during pupil constriction and dilation. Wavefront aberration measurements are used to objectively measure the state of the eye refraction that defines the desired vision characteristic. The measured state of refraction is expressed with a mathematical function enabling correction of the pre-selected vision characteristic to achieve the desired quality of vision. The mathematical expression function may be a Zernike polynomial having both second order and higher order terms or a function determined by spline mathematical calculations.

Abstract: Gene expression profiling between normal B cells/plasma cells and multiple myeloma cells revealed four distinct subgroups of multiple myeloma plasma cells that have significant correlation with clinical characteristics known to be associated with poor prognosis. Diagnosis for multiple myeloma (and possibly monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) based on differential expression of 14 genes, as well as prognostics for the four subgroups of multiple myeloma based on the expression of 24 genes were also established. Gene expression profiling also allows placing multiple myeloma into a developmental schema parallel to that of normal plasma cell differentiation. The development of a gene expression- or developmental stage-based classification system for multiple myeloma would lead to rational design of more accurate and sensitive diagnostics, prognostics and tumor-specific therapies for multiple myeloma.

Abstract: The disclosed nucleic acid primer sets, used in combination with quantitative amplification (PCR) of tissue cDNA, can indicate the presence of specific proteases in a tissue sample. The detected proteases are themselves specifically overexpressed in certain cancers, and their presence may serve for early detection of associated ovarian and other malignancies, and for the design of interactive therapies for cancer treatment.

Abstract: A method and an instrument is provided for measuring aberration refraction of an eye with a first device for measuring the total aberration refraction of the eye and a second device for measuring the aberration refraction of the cornea of the eye. The component of aberration refraction caused by the lens caused by the lens is calculated using the measured total eye aberration refraction and the measured component of aberration refraction of the cornea mapped over the optical surfaces of the eye. Each component portion of the aberration refraction provides information usable for making appropriate corrective actions at the cornea, at the lens, or both as indicated by the mapped measurements and calculations.

Abstract: Mouse asporin protein and nucleic acid sequences are disclosed. The protein contains a unique aspartic acid region near the N-terminus. The central domain contains ten leucine rich repeats. Sequences consistent with other class I small leucine rich repeat proteoglycans (SLRP) are also observed. Methods of use for the protein include regulating the complement system, inhibiting fibrosis formation, regulating the growth of endothelial cells and angiogenesis, regulating or inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, and regulating the functions of neuromuscular junctions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the protease stratum corneum chymotrytic enzyme (SCCE) is specifically over-expressed in ovarian and other malignancies. A number of SCCE peptides can induce immune responses to SCCE, thereby demonstrating the potential of these peptides in monitoring and the development of immunotherapies for ovarian and other malignancies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmembrane serine protease TADG-12 protein, splice variants of the TADG-12 protein and DNA fragments encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors and host cells capable of expressing the DNAs. The present invention further provides various methods of early detection and therapies of associated ovarian and other malignancies by utilizing the DNAs and/or proteins disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided herein is a reusable nano-imaging probe useful in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic (SERS) applications demonstrating nanometer scale resolution. The nano-imaging probe generally comprises a fiber optic imaging bundle of fiber optic elements each having a tapered etched end and a non-tapered non-etched end. The tapered etched ends further comprise a SERS-active metal substrate deposited thereon effective to create a uniform SERS enhancement for an analyte or other substance of interest. Also provided is a SERS nanoimager for dynamic chemical imaging using the nano-imaging probe and methods of imaging and Raman spectral analysis and identification using the nano-imaging probe.

Abstract: Provided herein are enzymatic methods of producing steroid compounds such as 7-dehydropregnenolone, hydroxy derivatives thereof and vitamin D2- and D3-like compounds and derivatives thereof. Also provided are the derivatives of the vitamin D3-like compounds so generated via the action of cytochrome P450scc enzyme on substrates 7-dehydrocholesterol, vitamin D2 or vitamin D3.

Abstract: Provided herein are dual- and multi-layer metal film over nanostructure substrates. These Dual-FON and Multi-FON SERS substrates comprise a rough nanostructured layer and two or more SERS-active metal film layers deposited thereon with a layer of dielectric between the metal film layers. Also provided is a method of increasing the intensity of a Raman signal during surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using the SERS substrates and a method of fabricating these Dual- or Multi-FON SERS substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant triple helical proteins or collagen-like proteins comprising a prokaryotic protein or one or more domains of a prokaryotic protein comprising a collagen-like peptide sequence of repeated Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplets and, optionally, one or more domains from a mammalian collagen. Also provided are expression vectors and host cells containing the expression vectors to produce these recombinant proteins and methods of production for the same. Additionally, antibodies are provided that are directed against a recombinant collagen-like protein that, preferably, binds an integrin. Furthermore, a method of screening for potential therapeutic compounds that inhibit the integrin-binding or -interacting activities of recombinant collagen-like proteins.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a computer system for targeting one or more digital assets on a distribution server connected to one or more networks so that the digital assets are compatible with one or more target nodes connected to the networks includes examining the one or more digital assets to determine an asset type of the digital asset and, if the asset type is Relational Data (RD), retrieving one or more where clauses of the digital asset. The method and system may further include executing a token replacement operation on the where clause to create a transformed where clause and running a query on one or more tables specified in the digital asset using the transformed where clause, the query returning one or more returned records and the returned records correlating with the target node. The method and system may further include storing the returned record in the digital asset.