Abstract: The interaction of ATM and related protein kinases such as ATR and DNA-PK with p53 is disclosed, in particular the phosphorylation of Ser15 and Thr18 by these proteins. The activity of the proteins is shown to increase in the presence of DNA. Assays for modulators of phosphorylation by the interaction between the proteins and p53 or other proteins having similar phosphorylation sites are provided. Methods of purifying ATM or ATR employing DNA or NTA are also disclosed.

Abstract: Angiogenic endothelial cells are selectively targeted with lipid/DNA complexes or cationic liposomes containing a substance which affects the targeted cells by inhibiting or promoting their growth. A site of angiogenesis can be precisely located by administering cationic liposomes containing a detectable label. The complexes may comprise nucleotide constructs which are comprised of promoters which are selectively and exclusively activated in the environment of an angiogenic endothelial cell.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing the production of viral vaccines in animal cell culture are described. These methods rely on the manipulation of the cellular levels of certain interferon induced antiviral activities, in particular, cellular levels of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) dependent kinase (PKR) and 2?-5? oligoadenylate synthetase (2-5A synthetase). In cell cultures deficient for PKR or 2-5A synthetase, viral yield is enhanced by several orders of magnitude over cell cultures with normal levels of these proteins making these cell cultures useful for the production of viral vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for the renaturation, hybridization, association, or reassociation of nucleic acids that combines both acceleration of the reaction rate and improved specificity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning apparatus for positioning flexible printing plates on printing cylinders, wherein the printing plates are provided with at least one mark functioning as reference, wherein the apparatus comprises: a support device for a printing cylinder; at least one camera which is adapted to record the image of the at least one mark of the printing plate positioned on the printing cylinder; and a monitor for enlarged display of the image recorded by the at least one camera, wherein the positioning apparatus is provided with a registering device for registering the image recorded by the camera. Using such a registering device it is possible to establish that the marks are located at the correct position. By making a copy of the data thus inputted into the register, evidence can be provided that the flexible printing plate is placed in the correct manner.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the selective removal of CO2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream to provide a CO2 depleted gaseous stream. In practicing the subject methods, an initial multicomponent gaseous stream is contacted with an aqueous fluid under conditions of selective CO2 clathrate formation to produce a CO2 clathrate slurry and CO2 depleted gaseous stream. A feature of the subject methods is that the CO2 clathrate slurry is then compressed to high pressure to produce a high-pressure CO2 product. Also provided are systems that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and systems find use in a variety of applications where it is desired to selectively remove CO2 from a multicomponent gaseous stream.

Abstract: The acid-labile sub-unit (ALS) of insulin like growth factor binding protein complex in biologically pure form is described. ALS has a molecular weight between 80–115 kd as determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, run under reducing conditions; and a partial N-terminal amino acid sequence as follows: Gly ??AspProGlyThrProGlyGluAlaGluGlyProAlaCysProAlaAlaCys- Ala wherein the first amino acid may be Gly or Ala. Also described are methods of producing ALS, compositions containing the in-vivo IGF protein complex, methods of detecting ALS in body fluids, recombinant nucleic acid sequences encoding ALS, and expression vectors and host cells containing such nucleic acid sequences.

Abstract: This invention provides antioxidant cyclic salen-metal compounds, compositions of such antioxidant cyclic salen-metal compounds having superoxide activity, catalase activity and/or peroxidase activity and methods of using such antioxidant cyclic salen-metal compositions to treat or prevent a disease associated with cell or tissue damage produced by free radicals, such as superoxide.

Abstract: The present invention features a novel human protein (ANK), nucleotide sequences encoding human ANK, and assays for ANK activity, including assays to identify therapeutics and diagnostic assays, e.g., for susceptibility to diseases such as arthritis. In related aspects the invention features expression vectors and host cells comprising polynucleotides that encode a human ANK. The present invention also relates to antibodies that bind specifically to a human ANK, and methods for producing human ANK polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention features a chemoselective ligation reaction that can be carried out under physiological conditions. In general, the invention involves condensation of a specifically engineered phosphine, which can provide for formation of an amide bond between the two reactive partners resulting in a final product comprising a phosphine moiety, or which can be engineered to comprise a cleavable linker so that a substituent of the phosphine is transferred to the azide, releasing an oxidized phosphine byproduct and producing a native amide bond in the final product. The selectivity of the reaction and its compatibility with aqueous environments provides for its application in vivo (e.g., on the cell surface or intracellularly) and in vitro (e.g., synthesis of peptides and other polymers, production of modified (e.g., labeled) amino acids).

Abstract: Methods, computer programming and devices for transferring heat to and/or from a body portion of a mammal are provided. One approach includes directly determining a state of vasoconstriction or vasodilation in a portion of a body, and supplying heat to the portion of the body when vasoconstriction is determined, and removing heat from the portion of the body when vasodilation is determined. The body portion preferably includes specific heat exchange vasculature. In another approach, a transition of the body portion from a state of vasodilation to vasoconstriction is determined and the body portion is then actively kept in a state of vasodilation while removing heat therefrom.

Abstract: A controlled release formulation of lipoic acid is disclosed. The lipoic acid is combined with excipient materials in such a way that those materials provide for gradual release of the lipoic acid in a manner which makes it possible to substantially increase the period of time over which therapeutic levels of lipoic acid are maintained relative to a quick release formulation. These features make it possible to use lipoic acid to reduce serum glucose levels and maintain those levels over time thereby obtaining a range of desired therapeutic results.

Abstract: Angiogenic endothelial cells are selectively targeted with lipid/DNA complexes or cationic liposomes containing a substance which affects the targeted cells by inhibiting or promoting their growth. A site of angiogenesis can be precisely located by administering cationic liposomes containing a detectable label. The complexes may comprise nucleotide constructs which are comprised of promoters which are selectively and exclusively activated in the environment of an angiogenic endothelial cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides screening methods for identifying a compound that induces loss of the lentiviral protein Vpr; screening methods for identifying compounds that inhibit the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity of a protein that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of cis-peptidylprolyl bonds in Vpr; and compounds identified by the screening methods. The compounds are useful for treating a lentiviral infection. The present invention further provides methods of inducing loss of the lentiviral protein Vpr; methods of inhibiting lentivirus viral replication; and methods of treating a lentivirus infection in an individual. The methods generally involve administering to an individual infected with the lentivirus an effective amount of a compound that induces Vpr loss and/or that inhibits PPIase activity of a protein that catalyzes cis-trans isomerization of cis-peptidylprolyl bonds in Vpr.

Abstract: The invention features methods of treating a macrophage-associated neurodegenerative disease such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), or multiple sclerosis (MS) in a subject by administering chlorite in an amount effective to decrease blood immune cell activation. The invention also features methods of monitoring therapy by assessing blood immune cell activation before and after therapy.

Abstract: A novel human progestin-regulated gene designated EDD (E3 isolated by Differential Display) is disclosed which encodes a product exhibiting significant amino acid sequence identity with the HYD protein (hyperplastic discs) from Drosophila melanogaster and the 100 kDa HECT (homologous to E6-AP carboxyl terminus) domain protein from rat. The EDD gene appears to represent a tumour suppressor gene and the detection of a polymorphism or alteration in the gene from a subject may be useful for the diagnosis or determination of a predisposition to hyperproliferative disease such as a cancer. An assay for assessing progestin-responsiveness in a subject is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention features peptides of a PorB polypeptide, which PorB peptides are useful in production of antibodies that bind the full-length PorB polypeptide and as a therapeutic agent. In specific embodiments the invention features a composition comprising one or more PorB peptides (other than a full-length PorB polypeptide), which peptides contain at least one epitope that can elicit Chlamydia-neutralizing antibodies. The invention also features methods for induction of a protective immune response against infection by Chlamydia and Chlamydiophila.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of methods for purification of an acid active hyaluronidase found in human plasma (hpHAse), including both biochemical and immunoaffinity purification methods. The method of immunoaffinity purification of the invention is based on the discovery of a method for identifying antibodies that specifically bind native hpHAse (anti-native hpHAse antibodies), and anti-native hpHAse antibodies identified by this screening method. The invention also features an assay for sensitive detection of HAse activity using biotinylated hyaluronic acid (bHA). Purification and characterization of hpHAse lead to the inventors' additional discovery that hpHAse is encoded by the LuCa-1 gene, which gene is present in the human chromosome at 3p21.3, a region associated with tumor suppression. The invention additionally features methods of treating tumor-bearing patients by administration of hpHAse and/or transformation of cells with hpHAse-encoding DNA.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated dehydro-estriol (8-DHE3) and dehydro-pregnanetriol (7-DHPT), and methods of their synthesis. These compounds are useful in diagnosis of Smith-Lemli-Optiz syndrome (SLOS).

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound is described capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound comprises (1) a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and/or absorbing energy, and/or scattering or diffracting electromagnetic radiation—when excited by an electromagnetic radiation source or a particle beam; and (2) at least one linking agent, having a first portion linked to the semiconductor nanocrystal and a second portion capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound is linked to an affinity molecule to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with a detectable substance. subsequent exposure to excitation energy will excite the semiconductor nanocrystal in the probe causing the emission of electromagnetic radiation.