Abstract: Test strip device for accepting a liquid sample and forming an even fluid front across the test strip. When the sample is applied to a contacting surface, it runs down the surface where it collects between the contacting surface and a slope surface. As the sample collects, it evenly reaches fluid flow contact with an absorbent membrane. As a result, the sample forms an even fluid front across the membrane, improving the performance of the test strip device. Methods for using the device to accept a sample and to detect an analyte in the liquid sample are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of the novel I-1 and I-2 polypeptides, which are associated with human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods of diagnosing and treating inflammatory bowel disease using the IBD-associated I-1 and I-2 antigens also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an action between an inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein and members of the caspase family of cell death proteases, for example, an interaction of the X chromosome linked IAP (XIAP) and caspase-3, caspase-7 or caspase-9, wherein the IAP regulates the activity of the caspases. The invention provides screening assays for identifying agents that alter the specific association of an IAP such as XIAP, c-IAP-1 or c-IAP-2 and a caspase such as caspase-3 or caspase-7. The invention also provides screening assays for identifying agents that alter the specific association of an IAP such as XIAP, c-IAP-1 or c-IAP-2 and a pro-caspase such as pro-caspase-9. In addition, the invention also provides methods for identifying agents that modulate the activity of a caspase in the presence of an IAP and that regulate the activation of a pro-caspase by an IAP.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transplanting a histoincompatible organ allograft in a subject, methods for enhancing organ allograft survival in a subject, methods for reducing the amount of anti-HLA alloantibodies in a transplant candidate and methods to make candidate less susceptible to rejection.

Abstract: A combination of retroviral and adenoviral vectors are used for high efficiency gene transfer into hepatocytes, resulting in long term gene expression. Hepatocytes are transduced in vivo with a recombinant adenovirus vector that expresses a molecule capable of inducing hepatocyte regeneration, such as urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) or tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), resulting in a high rate of liver regeneration. During the regenerative phase, ex vivo or in vivo retroviral-mediated gene transfer into hepatocytes results in greater transduction efficiencies. The compositions and methods thus provide new means for gene therapy, and transgenic non-human animals useful in developing new therapeutic and preventative agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides cyclic peptides that recognize the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif characteristic of many integrin ligands. These cyclic RGD-binding peptides, which comprise the motif (W/P)DD(G/L)(W/L)(W/L/M), have a structure that functionally mimics the RGD-binding site on an integrin. The invention further provides an antibody selectively reactive with a cyclic RGD-binding peptide containing the sequence (W/P)DD(G/L)(W/L)(W/L/M). The invention also provides a method to reduce or inhibit cell attachment to an RGD-containing ligand using a cyclic RGD-binding peptide of the invention.

Abstract: A conjugate of a synthetic polypeptide containing RGD or (dR) GD and a biodegradable polymer, such as hyaluronic acid or chondroitin sulfate is disclosed. Methods of making the conjugate and using it to aid wound healing by providing a temporary matrix are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of determining a risk of pouchitis development following a surgical procedure whereby colon is removed and an internal pouch is created in a patient with UC by determining a first pANCA titer, where the first pANCA titer is determined following the surgical procedure; determining a second pANCA titer at a later time; and comparing the first pANCA titer and the second pANCA titer, where a significantly elevated second pANCA titer indicates an increased risk of pouchitis development.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease (CD) by determining whether perinuclear anti-neutrophil antibody (pANCA) is present in a patient with CD, where the presence of pANCA indicates a clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis (UC). Also provided is a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease in a patient with CD by determining whether pANCA or speckling anti-pan polymorphonuclear antibody (SAPPA) is present in the patient with CD, where the presence of pANCA indicates a clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis and where the presence of SAPPA indicates a clinical subtype of CD having perforating, fistulizing or small bowel obstructive disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a substance for the ability to affect the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer comprising combining the substance and a solution containing retinoid X receptors and determining the presence of homodimer formation. Also provided is a method of screening a substance for an effect on a retinoid X receptor homodimer's ability to bind DNA comprising combining the substance with the homodimer and determining the effect of the compound on the homodimer's ability to bind DNA. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor heterodimer comprising increasing the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer, thereby preventing the retinoid X receptor from forming a heterodimer and preventing the resulting heterodimer activity is also provided. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor homodimer is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting cell migration and tissue regeneration. The composition contains a ligand for the .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 integrin and a ligand for the insulin receptor, the PDGF receptor, the IL-4 receptor, or the IGF receptor, combined in a matrix. The combination of .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 ligand and growth factor produces an unexpected synergistic effect in enhancing wound healing compared with the effect of each component separately. The present invention also provides a method of wound healing and a method of inducing tissue regeneration by applying the compositions of the present invention to the site of the wound.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human protein, SATB1, that binds matrix/scaffold-associating DNA regions (MARs). The novel human protein, predominantly expressed in the thymus, has an approximate molecular weight of about 85.9 kD. The SATB1 cDNA encodes a 763 amino acid sequence protein that is capable of binding to special AT rich sequences (ATC sequences). The invention further provides antibodies specifically reactive with such protein. Isolated nucleic acids encoding the novel MAR-binding protein are also provided, as well as vectors containing the nucleic acids and recombinant host cells transformed with such vectors. The invention further provides methods of detecting such nucleic acids by contacting a sample with a nucleic acid probe having a nucleotide sequence capable of hybridizing with the isolated nucleic acids of the present invention. Such probes can correspond to the ATC sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding proteins and fragments thereof that bind to Bcl-2-related proteins. The invention also provides a Bcl-2-associated protein (BAP) such as Bcl-2-associated protein-1 (BAP-1), which binds to Bcl-2. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically bind to a BAP. The invention further provides methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BAP such as BAP-1 or Raf-related protein with a Bcl-2-related protein and methods for detecting agents that induce dissociation of a bound complex formed by the association of a BAP and a Bcl-2-related protein. The invention further provides methods for modulating the activity of a Bcl-2-related protein in a cell by introducing into the cell a nucleic acid encoding a BAP or by introducing into the cell an antisense nucleotide sequence, which is complementary to a region of a gene encoding a BAP.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified protein, p114-MBP, which has an apparent molecular mass of about 114 kDa and specifically associates with a matrix attachment region DNA sequence context (MAR). p114-MBP is characterized, in part, by having substantial MAR binding activity in malignant tumor tissue but not in a corresponding non-cancerous tissue. The invention also provides a method of detecting the presence of malignant tumor tissue in a cell sample suspected of containing malignant tumor tissue by contacting the sample with a MAR, under conditions that allow the specific association of the MAR with p114-MBP, and detecting such specific association, which indicates the presence of malignant tumor tissue in the cell sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified cellular factor that can regulate the expression of genes that encode proteins involved in cholesterol metabolism. The invention also provides methods of obtaining the cellular factors of the invention in a substantially purified form. The invention further provides a method of using a cellular factor of the invention to reduce cholesterol levels in a subject having hypercholesterolemia comprising administering a cellular factor to the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified mammalian trophinin which can mediate cell adhesion. The invention also provides substantially purified trophinin-assisting proteins, which interact with trophinin to mediate cell adhesion. The invention also provides antibodies that are specifically reactive with trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein. The invention further provides a nucleic acid molecule encoding trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides a nucleotide sequence that can hybridize to a nucleic acid molecule encoding trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein. The invention further provides methods to detect trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein or a nucleic acid molecule encoding trophinin or a trophinin-assisting protein in a sample.

Abstract: A bare eyed stereogram based on continuous tone, non-random dot art and a process for making the stereogram. A computer implemented process for making the stereogram uses a computer system having a central processing unit, memory, storage, a user interface, an edit program and display means. The art is input to the system in the form of repeating bands of picture elements in a stereogram base. The picture elements have assigned information, and depth information as well. Below a threshold value, new information is assigned by the method of smear. At or above the threshold value, information is provided by a number of techniques which import the information values of picture elements outside the stereogram base. Preferably some of the information is color information and the external color information values are altered to blend with colors in the surrounding base. A process for making a stereogram with wide repeating bands that can be viewed at a distance is shown.

Abstract: The present invention provides viral integrase inhibiting peptides having the general structure, ##STR1## where Xaa is an amino acid or an amino acid analog, the stereochemistry of the amino acids or amino acid analogs can be D-amino acids or L-amino acids and the amino and carboxy termini of the peptide can be modified. The invention also provides viral inhibiting peptides having essentially the amino acid sequence, ##STR2## The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a viral integrase inhibiting peptide and methods of using a viral integrase inhibiting peptide in vitro or in vivo to reduce or inhibit viral integrase activity in a cell and the infectivity of a virus.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of screening a substance for the ability to effect the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer comprising combining the substance and a solution containing retinoid X receptors and determining the presence of homodimer formation. Also provided is a method of screening a substance for an effect on a retinoid X receptor homodimer's ability to bind DNA comprising combining the substance with the homodimer and determining the effect of the compound on the homodimer's ability to bind DNA. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor heterodimer comprising increasing the formation of a retinoid X receptor homodimer, thereby preventing the retinoid X receptor from forming a heterodimer and preventing the resulting heterodimer activity is also provided. A method of inhibiting an activity of a retinoid X receptor homodimer is also provided. In addition, a method of screening a response element for binding with a retinoid X receptor homodimer is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a disease or pathological condition resulting in apoptotic cell death. The method includes increasing the activity of Bcl-2 in cells affected by the disease or pathological condition. Diseases or pathological conditions can include, for example, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and viral infections. Also provided is a method of prolonging the in vivo survival of transplanted cells for the treatment of a disease or pathological condition. The method includes increasing the activity of Bcl-2 in a population of cells and transplanting the population of cells having increased Bcl-2 activity into a subject. Diseases or pathological conditions can include, for example, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and viral infections. A method to enhance the sensitivity of malignant cells to therapy is provided that includes decreasing the activity of Bcl-2 in the malignant cells.