Abstract: The present invention provides integrase interacting proteins including cofactors which promote strand transfer activity of viral integrase, more particularly HIV integrase, and methods and uses relating thereto. The present invention also relates to methods of identifying molecules interacting with integrase interacting protein and their use as an antiviral.

Abstract: The present inventions features methods for treating or preventing cancer (e.g., cancer of the central nervous system) by administering a compound that inhibits PAK kinase activity and/or merlin phosphorylation to a mammal (e.g., a human). The invention also provides screening methods for identifying additional inhibitors of PAK kinase activity and/or merlin phosphorylation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antistatic agent for vinyl chloride-based resins which can impart superior antistatic properties to the vinyl chloride-based resin, and which can thereby solve various problems arising from charging of the vinyl chloride-based resin with static electricity, a vinyl chloride-based resin composition containing this antistatic agent, and a method for manufacturing this composition. The present invention provides an antistatic agent for vinyl chloride-based resins which consists of silica particles containing at least 99.0% by mass of SiO2 and 0.00005% 80.5 ppm by mass or less of sodium, and which has such a particle size distribution that at least 98% by mass of the silica particles is occupied by the particles having a particle diameter in the range from 30 to 1,000 nm.

Abstract: The invention concerns a monoclonal antibody directed against mammalian aurora-A kinase, the method for obtaining same, as we ll as its uses in cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and in pharmaceutical compositions for cancer treatment.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating transplant rejection in a mammalian transplant recipient are provided. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of Serp-1, its analogs, and biologically active fragments thereof in combination with an anti-rejection agent, such as cyclosporin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a subject in need of such treatment. The compositions and methods are useful for treating acute and chronic allograft and xenograft transplant rejection in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retroviral vector containing a membrane protein having a hemagglutinin activity. The present inventors constructed a retroviral vector pseudotyped by the membrane protein having a hemagglutinin activity. This viral vector showed gene transfer at a high efficiency into host cells. In particular, it was established that genes can be transferred thereby at a high efficiency into cells into which genes can hardly be transferred by the conventional techniques, for example, blood cells and hematopoietic cells including hematopoietic stem cells, and mucous cells including mucosa epithelial cells. The viral vector of the present invention is highly useful as a vector for gene therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric flavivirus vaccines against West Nile virus and methods of using these vaccines to prevent or treat West Nile virus infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel quencher composition comprising anthraquinone quencher moieties. The anthraquinone quencher moieties are useful as quencher labels when attached to biomolecules such as natural or modified polynucleotides, oligonucleotides, nucleosides, nucleotides, carbohydrates and peptides. For example, polynucleotides can be labeled at the 3? terminus with fluorescence quencher solid support compositions, and polynucleotides can be labeled at internally or at the 5? terminus. The detectable probes may have a format like molecular beacons, scorpion probes, sunrise probes, conformationally assisted probes and TaqMan probes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a group of trisubstituted and tetrasubstituted pteridine derivatives, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, N-oxides, solvates, dihydro- and tetrahydro-derivatives and enantiomers, possessing unexpectedly desirable pharmaceutical properties, in particular which are highly active immunosuppressive agents, and as such are useful in the treatment in transplant rejection and/or in the treatment of certain inflammatory diseases. These compounds are also useful in preventing or treating cardiovascular disorders, allergic conditions, disorders of the central nervous system and cell proliferative disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutical preparations and their use in therapy for preventing or treating trauma, ischemia, stroke and degenerative diseases associated with cell death. Methods and compositions of the invention are particularly useful for treating neurological disorders associated with cellular necrosis.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for altering the expression profile of a cell to convert the cell from one cell type to a desired cell type (e.g., T-cells). These reprogrammed cells may be used in a variety of medical applications for treating a mammal in need of a particular cell type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of a transgenic bovine which comprises a genetic modification that results in inactivation and loss of expression of its endogenous antibodies, and the expression of xenogenous antibodies, preferably human antibodies. This is effected by inactivation of the IgM heavy chain expression and, optionally, by inactivation of the Ig light chain expression, and by the further introduction of an artificial chromosome which results in the expression of non-bovine antibodies, preferably human antibodies.

Abstract: Present invention is a system of blood glucose monitoring and intensive insulin therapy in a ICU for strict maintenance of normoglycemia which reduces intensive care and hospital mortality and morbidity of critically ill adult patients. The findings of present study also reveal factors determining insulin doses needed to maintain normoglycemia as well as the impact of insulin dose versus blood glucose level on the observed outcome benefits have been established. The invention provides a control system that adapts the flow of the insulin infusion based on insulin requirement calculated by blood glucose levels and clinical parameters such as history of diabetes, Body Mass Index, blood glucose level on admission, reason of ICU admission, time in the ICU, type and severity of illness, caloric intake, obesity, drugs affecting insulin sensitivity). This automated insulin monitoring systems significantly reduces the workload and human resource management problems for intensive insulin therapy in patients in the ICU.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed the expression of CXCL6 by cells which are able to form stable cartilage. The invention describes the use of these cells and of CXCL6 to promote cartilage (and underlying bone) formation e.g. in the repair of cartilage or osteochondral defects. The invention further describes the use of chemokines in the modulation of progenitor cell differentiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for preserving and extracting nucleic acids from saliva. The compositions include a chelating agent, a denaturing agent, buffers to maintain the pH of the composition within ranges desirable for DNA and/or RNA. The compositions may also include a reducing agent and/or antimicrobial agent. The invention extends to methods of using the compositions of the invention to preserve and isolate nucleic acids from saliva as well as to containers for the compositions of the invention.

Abstract: An in vivo assay to measure anchorage-independent growth and phenotypic stability of a certain cell population comprising subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in a mammal of a cell suspension of articular chondrocytes in an iso-osmotic liquid, the same suspension comprising articular chondrocytes in an amount equivalent to at least 1×106 chondrocytes as applied to immune-deficient mice. The outcome is linked to molecular markers. The present invention further relates to DNA chips and diagnostic tools comprising the latter to predict the outcome of ACT. Antibodies raised against positive and negative markers of chondrocyte stability can also be used for quality control on the chondrocytes. Therapeutical compositions comprising stable chondrocytes are very useful for tissue repair.

Abstract: The present invention relates to targeted delivery systems for delivering therapeutic agents to tumor. The invention further relates to methods of delivering a therapeutic agent to a tumor for the prevention and treatment of cancer by killing tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells. In particular, the present invention provides a tumor-targeted drug delivery system comprising a NGR-containing molecule linked to a delivery vehicle encapsulating a therapeutic agent, preferably a drug, such as a cytotoxic agent or a chemotherapeutic agent. Specifically, the delivery systems of the present invention are capable of delivering an increased amount of therapeutic agent to a tumor as compared to other delivery systems.

Abstract: Laser interferometers and high-quality linear encoders both are competitive linear measurement systems used in high-precision machines. Plane laser interferometry allows measuring to a target that moves perpendicular to the measurement direction and to set up the laser beam in line with the functional point. In this way, a stacking of measurement systems can be avoided and a measurement configuration complying with the Abbe principle can be configured. On the other hand, laser interferometry is known to be sensitive to environmental changes. High-quality linear scales are used as an alternative. A disadvantage of linear scales is that the target is only allowed to move along the measurement axis. For targets translating in more than one direction with a range over several millimeters, this leads to a simple stacking of several linear scales together with the supporting slides. This indirect way of measuring introduces errors and partially destroys the accuracy provided by modern linear scales.

Abstract: An in vivo assay to measure anchorage-independent growth and phenotypic stability of a certain cell population comprising subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in a mammal of a cell suspension of articular chondrocytes in an iso-osmotic liquid, the same suspension comprising articular chondrocytes in an amount equivalent to at least 1×106 chondrocytes as applied to immune-deficient mice. The outcome is linked to molecular markers. The present invention further relates to DNA chips and diagnostic tools comprising the latter to predict the outcome of ACT. Antibodies raised against positive and negative markers of chondrocyte stability can also be used for quality control on the chondrocytes. Therapeutical composition comprising stable chondrocytes are very useful for tissue repair.

Abstract: The present invention is related to synthetic and/or recombinant biologically active peptide derivatives of PTH(1-28). Some of the peptides of the invention are at least 90% identical to a peptide consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence X01ValSerGluIleGlnLeuMetHis AsnLeuGlyLysHisLeuAsnSer MetX02ArgValGluTrpLeuArgLysLysLeu (SEQ ID NO:1), wherein X01 is Ser, Ala or Gly; and X02 is Glu or Arg.