Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for characterizing a duplex nucleic acid, e.g., a duplex DNA molecule. In the subject methods, a fluid conducting medium that includes a duplex nucleic acid molecule is contacted with a nanopore under the influence of an applied electric field and the resulting changes in current through the nanopore caused by the duplex nucleic acid molecule are monitored. The observed changes in current through the nanopore are then employed as a set of data values to characterize the duplex nucleic acid, where the set of data values may be employed in raw form or manipulated, e.g., into a current blockade profile. Also provided are nanopore devices for practicing the subject methods, where the subject nanopore devices are characterized by the presence of an algorithm which directs a processing means to employ monitored changes in current through a nanopore to characterize a duplex nucleic acid molecule responsible for the current changes.

Abstract: In various aspects, the invention provides compounds that bind to one or more RANTES receptors for the treatment of chemokine mediated disease states, such as compounds of formula (I):

Abstract: Methods are provided for diagnosing and/or characterizing chronic immune disease activity in a subject. In the subject methods, a sample is obtained from a subject suspected of having or known to have a chronic immune disease. The sample is then assayed for the presence of low molecular actin fragments. The assay results are used to diagnose the presence of chronic immune disease activity and/or characterize chronic immune disease activity in the subject, e.g. to confirm an initial chronic immune disease diagnosis, to determine the stage of the disease, to monitor disease progression, to predict disease attacks, and the like. Also provided by the subject invention are kits for practicing the methods.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting a primer extension product in a reaction mixture. In the subject methods, a primer extension reaction is conducted in the presence of a polymerase having 3′→5′ exonuclease activity and at least one FET labeled oligonucleotide probe that includes a 3′→5′ exonuclease resistant quencher domain. Also provided are systems and kits for practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different applications, and are particularly suited for use in high fidelity PCR based reactions, including SNP detection applications, allelic variation detection applications, and the like.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for use in the diagnosis and treatment of a host suffering from a chronic immune disease. In the diagnostic methods of the subject invention, a host derived sample, typically PBMC or a derivative thereof is assayed for the presence of low molecular weight fragments of RNase L, typically in conjunction with an evaluation of caspase activity. The results of this assay are then employed to diagnose and/or characterize a chronic immune disease in the host. In the treatment methods of the subject invention, an effective amount of agent capable of enhancing RNase L homodimer activity in the host, e.g., in host PBMC, is administered to the host. Also provided are methods for identifying agents having RNase L cleavage-inhibitory activity or RNase L fragment antagonist activity.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods of identifying altered recombinases and compositions thereof, wherein at least one amino acid is different from a parent, wild-type recombinase and the altered recombinase has improved recombination efficiency towards wild-type and/or pseudo att site sequences relative to the parent, wild-type recombinase. The present invention also includes methods of modifying the genomes of cells using the altered recombinases, including methods of site-specifically integrating a polynucleotide sequence of interest in a genome of a eucaryotic cell.

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 that includes a gaseous CO2 hydrate promoter is contacted with an aqueous fluid, e.g., CO2 nucleated water, in a hydrate formation reactor under conditions of selective CO2 clathrate formation to produce a CO2 clathrate slurry and CO2 depleted gaseous stream. 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: N- and C-modified linear cationic peptides having antibiotic activity are disclosed, which peptides are particularly active against gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and kits, for assessing luminal lesions are provided. The subject devices comprise an intraluminal detector capable of sensing radioactive or other labels. In the subject methods, a detectable marker is introduced to a body lumen, either into the lumen itself or systemically in patient circulation, and localizes at a lesion. The detector is introduced into the body lumen and the distribution of a localized marker detected in situ. The information is useful for a number of purposes including the identification of unstable plaque in patients suffering from atherosclerotic disease.

Abstract: Topical patch preparations that contain a delayed-type hypersensitivity inducer, e.g., 1-dichloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB), and methods for using the same are provided. The subject topical patch preparations are made up of an adhesive gel composition that is present on a support, where the adhesive gel composition includes the delayed-type hypersensitivity inducer, a water-soluble polymer gel, water and a water holding agent. In using the subject topical patch preparations, the topical patch preparations are applied to a skin surface of a subject and maintained at the site of application for a period of time sufficient for an effective amount of the delayed-type hypersensitivity inducer to be administered to the subject, where this maintenance period typically does not exceed about 60 minutes.

Abstract: Novel fusion proteins capable of self-assembling into regular structures, as well as nucleic acids encoding the same, are provided. The subject fusion proteins comprise at least two oligomerization domains rigidly linked together, e.g. through an alpha helical linking group. Also provided are regular structures comprising a plurality of self-assembled fusion proteins of the subject invention, and methods for producing the same. The subject fusion proteins find use in the preparation of a variety of nanostructures, where such structures include: cages, shells, double-layer rings, two-dimensional layers, three-dimensional crystals, filaments, and tubes.

Abstract: Methods and devices for reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue are provided. In the subject methods, an isolated local environment that includes the region to be demineralized is produced. The pH of the local environment is then reduced to a subphysiologic level, e.g. by flushing with an acidic dissolution fluid, for a period of time sufficient for the mineral content of the region to be reduced. The devices of the subject invention are characterized by comprising a means for producing an isolated local environment that includes a non-intimal region of vascular tissue. Also provided are kits for practicing the subject methods.

Abstract: Single-channel thin film devices and methods for using the same are provided. The subject devices comprise cis and trans chambers connected by an electrical communication means. At the cis end of the electrical communication means is a horizontal conical aperture sealed with a thin film that includes a single nanopore or channel. The devices further include a means for applying an electric field between the cis and trans chambers. The subject devices find use in applications in which the ionic current through a nanopore or channel is monitored, where such applications include the characterization of naturally occurring ion channels, the characterization of polymeric compounds, and the like.

Abstract: Compositions, reagent test strips, analyte detection systems and kits of the same, as well as methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a sample, are provided. The subject compositions are characterized by having a positively charged porous matrix and a urea derivative dye on at least one surface of the matrix, where in many preferred embodiments the urea derivative dye is a negatively charged urea derivative dye. In many preferred embodiments, the subject compositions further include at least one additional reagent member of a peroxide producing signal producing system, e.g., an analyte oxidase and/or a peroxidase. The subject compositions, test strips, analyte detection systems and kits find use in the detection of a wide variety of analytes in a sample, such as a physiological sample, e.g., blood or a fraction thereof.

Abstract: Catheter devices and methods for their use in enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion are provided. The subject catheter devices include at least a first, second and third lumen, where: (a) the first lumen is used for delivery of an acidic dissolution solution to the vascular site; (b) the second lumen is used for delivery of a buffer solution to the vascular site; and (c) the third lumen is used for removal of fluid from the vascular site. In many preferred embodiments, the first, second and third lumens are coaxial. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with an acidic dissolution fluid and a buffer solution, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the acidic dissolution fluid and the remainder of the vascular site is not contacted with fluid having a pH that is lower than about 4.

Abstract: Methods are provide for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a solution of a soluble silicate, e.g. sodium silicate, and the combined liquids and solids are mixed to produce the flowable composition. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g. bone defects.

Abstract: Electrochemical test strips and methods for their use in the detection of an analyte in a physiological sample are provided. The subject test strips have a reaction zone defined by opposing metal electrodes separated by a thin spacer layer. The metal surface of at least one of the electrodes is modified by a homogenous surface modification layer made up of linear self-assembling molecules having a first sulfhydryl end group and a second sulfonate end group separated by a short chain alkyl linking group, where 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof is preferred in certain embodiments. The subject electrochemical test strips find application in the detection of a wide variety of analytes, and are particularly suited for use the detection of gluose.

Abstract: Multilumen catheters are provided. The subject multilumen catheters include a proximal end and a distal end separated by a non-coaxial multilumen tube. The subject catheters are further characterized in that they include a multiport manifold at their proximal ends, where at least two of the ports of the multiport manifold may comprise luer valves. Also provided are systems for use in flushing a vascular site with fluid, usually at least two different fluids, where the subject systems are made up of two multilumen catheters according to the subject invention, where one of the catheters is inserted inside of the other. In addition, kits comprising various components of the subject systems, e.g., at least two different multilumen catheters, are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides therapeutic and biological uses of chemokine-receptor-binding compounds including uses in the treatment of disease states mediated by chemokines. The relevant chemokines may for example be monocyte chemoattractant protein-one (MCP-1) or interleukin-8 (IL-8), and the relevant chemokine receptors may for example be corresponding chemokine receptors (CCR-2, CCR-4, CXCR-1, and CXCR-2). In one aspect, the invention provides for the use of phenanthrene-9,10-dione in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: Water-soluble metal ion affinity compounds and methods for using the same are provided. The subject compounds include an aspartate based metal chelating ligand bonded to a water-soluble polymeric substrate, where the ligand is complexed with a metal ion. In certain embodiments, the subject compounds further include a member of a signal producing system, e.g., a directly or an indirectly detectable label moiety. Also provided are water-insoluble supports having the subject compounds present on, e.g., immobilized on, at least one surface thereof. The subject compounds find use in a variety of different applications, including analyte detection and analyte purification applications.