Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using same in the treatment of affective disorders, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, eating disorders, supranuclear palsey, irritable bowl syndrome, immune supression, Alzheimer's disease, gastrointestinal diseases, anorexia nervosa, drug and alcohol withdrawal symptoms, drug addiction, inflammatory disorders, or fertility problems. The novel compounds provided by this invention are those of formula: wherein R1, R3, R5, Q, Z, Y, V, X and X′ are as defined herein.

Abstract: A labor saving system, method, and apparatus for connecting or coupling lengths of electric metallic tubing (“EMT”). The invention uses couplings/connectors that have barbs that are designed to engage corresponding indentations on EMT to ensure proper installation. In one aspect, the invention is an EMT having: an EMT inner surface forming an EMT cavity; an EMT outer surface; an EMT first end; and at least one indentation in the EMT outer surface at or near the EMT first end, the indentation adapted to receive a corresponding barb from a sleeve device. In another aspect, the invention is a sleeve device comprising; a sleeve inner surface formning a sleeve cavity adapted to receive an end of an EMT; a sleeve outer surface; a first sleeve end; at least one barb on the sleeve inner surface at or near the first sleeve end, the barb adapted to engage a corresponding indentation on the EMT.

Abstract: Selph-replicating, locus control region (LCR)-containing, episomal expression vectors for tissue-specific gene expression for long-term persistent, tissue-specific expression of a gene of interest are described.

Abstract: The invention relates to host cells and methods of preparing a substantially RNA-free cellular component, comprising culturing cells producing the cellular component in a medium and lysing the cells to produce a cell lysate, wherein the cell lysate contains the cellular component and sufficient RNase activity to degrade substantially all of the RNA molecules present in the cell lysate. The invention also relates to substantially RNA-free cellular components.

Abstract: The invention provides recombinant antibody molecules comprising antigen binding regions derived from the heavy and/or light chain variable regions of a donor anti-CD3 antibody, e.g. OKT3, and which have anti-CD3 binding specificity, preferably of affinity similar to that of OKT3. The recombinant antibody is preferably a humanized antibody and may be a chimeric or CDR-grafted antibody. A method is disclosed for preparing CDR-grafted humanized antibodies in which, in addition to the CDR's non-human antibody residues are preferably used at positions 23, 24, 49, 71, 73 and 78 of the heavy chain variable region and at positions 46, 48, 58, and 71 of the light chain variable region. The recombinant, especially the humanized, anti-CD3 antibodies may be used for in vivo therapy or diagnosis.

Abstract: Compositions comprising (A) non-branched polybutadiene having terminal hydroxyl functionality less than 2 per molecule by average; and (B) branched polybutadiene having terminal hydroxyl functionality more than 2 per molecule by average; the weight ratio of (A) to (B) being about 99:1 to 1:99. These compositions are reacted with organic polyisocyanates to form prepolymers which are cured by reaction with a chain extender such as a diol to produce cured resins which exhibit unexpectedly improved tear strength properties and themoplasticity with high modulus, and improved tackiness and shelf life for hot melt adhesives. The prepolymers have lower viscosity and better storage stability as compared with those from conventional branched polybutadienes of the (B) type. Alternatively, the compositions can be cured directly in a one-shot reaction with diisocyanates to form a polyurethane with the described combination of properties.

Abstract: Methods, systems and kits are provided for detecting molecules expressing a selected epitope in a sample through use of an epitope detector containing a single chain Fv for the selected epitope or a constrained epitope specific CDR attached to an oligonucleotide.

Abstract: A system is described which utilizes a novel system of repressor titration for maintenance of a plasmid useful in gene therapy and production of a recombinant protein. The system utilizes a transformed host cell containing a plasmid including an operator susceptible to binding by a repressor expressed in trans, a first chromosomal gene encoding the repressor, and a second chromosomal gene that is functionally associated with an operator and essential for cell growth, wherein the plasmid is present in the cell in sufficient numbers to titrate the repressor such that the essential gene is expressed, thereby permitting cell growth.

Abstract: An effective anti-IL-5 recombinant antibody molecule comprising heavy and/or light chain antigen-binding residues from a donor antibody.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of contaminants that come into contact with wafer substrates during the production of integrated circuit devices. The system allows for uniform overflow of processing liquid from a process tank while preventing contaminants from reentering the process tank and contacting the wafers. The system in one aspect comprises an inner weir with a top surface, and overflow wall with at least one recess having a bottom, and a structure, the structure connecting the overflow wall and the inner weir to form a drainage basin with at least one drain hole; wherein the top surface of the inner weir is below the bottom of the at least one recess.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing an abnormality in endometrial glandular development in a woman suspected of being infertile are disclosed. Methods of predicting abnormal endometrial glandular development are also disclosed. In addition, methods of assessing the suitability of the endometrium for embryo implantation in a woman undergoing ovulation induction are disclosed. Further, methods of evaluating the effect of a hormonal protocol on endometrial glandular development in a woman undergoing a hormonal protocol to produce a mock cycle are disclosed. Methods of evaluating a hormone replacement therapy protocol in a woman undergoing hormone replacement therapy are disclosed. Further, methods of diagnosing endometrial glandular mitotic arrest in a woman suspected of having endometrial hyperplasia are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing protein in a recombinant expression system that comprises translation of mRNA transcribed from a heterologous DNA sequence in the expression system, said method comprising the steps of predicting the secondary structure of mRNA transcribed from a native heterologous DNA sequence; modifying the native heterologous DNA sequence to produce a modified heterologous DNA sequence wherein mRNA transcribed from the modified heterologous DNA sequence has a secondary structure having increased free energy compared to that of the secondary structure of the mRNA transcribed from the native heterologous DNA sequence; and using the modified heterologous DNA sequence in the recombinant expression system for protein production. The invention also provides injectable pharmaceutical compositions comprising a nucleic acid molecule that includes a modified coding sequence.

Abstract: Drying semiconductor wafers or substrates by introducing an polar organic compound in liquid form into or onto means for enhancing evaporation within a process chamber and allowing the liquid to evaporate and form a drying vapor within the process chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of and compositions for vaccinating a mammal against a disease, wherein a mixture is administered which includes (i) a nucleic acid which encodes a first epitope and (ii) a peptide containing a second epitope such that both of the nucleic acid and the second epitope are taken up by and the nucleic acid is expressed in a professional antigen presenting cell of the mammal, and the first and second epitopes are processed in the cell such that an immune response is elicited in the mammal to the epitopes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide comprising a ubiquitous chromatin opening element (UCOE) which is not derived from an LCR. The present invention also relates to a vector comprising the polynucleotide sequence, a host cell comprising the vector, use of the polynucleotide, vector or host cell in therapy and in an assay, and a method of identifying UCOEs. The UCOE opens chromatin or maintains chromatin in an open state and facilitates reproducible expression of an operably-linked gene in cells of at least two different tissue types.

Abstract: CDR-grafted antibody heavy and light chains comprise acceptor framework and donor antigen binding regions, the heavy chains comprising donor residues at at least one of positions (6, 23) and/or (24, 48) and/or (49, 71) and/or (73, 75) and/or (76) and/or (78) and (88) and/or (91). The CDR-grafted light chains comprise donor residues at at least one of positions (1) and/or (3) and (46) and/or (47) or at at least one of positions (46, 48, 58) and (71). The CDR-grafted antibodies are preferably humanized antibodies, having non human, e.g. rodent, donor and human acceptor frameworks, and may be used for in vivo therapy and diagnosis. A generally applicable protocol is disclosed for obtaining CDR-grafted antibodies.

Abstract: Disclosed are DNA elements and constructs useful for obtaining tumour-selective gene expression in tumours having a mutated &bgr;-catenin/APC pathway. In particular, the use of these constructs to express genes encoding therapeutic proteins in colorectal cancer cells is described. The constructs comprise multiple repeats of a TCF-binding element operably linked to a promoter. By means of such a construct, tumour cell-specific expression of a prodrug-converting enzyme such as nitroreductase may be achieved. Coupled with systemic administration of a suitable prodrug, such as CB1954, selective killing of such tumour cells can be demonstrated.

Abstract: Disclosed are constitutively activated, non-endogenous versions of endogenous human GPCRs comprising the following amino acid sequence region (C-terminus to N-terminus orientation) and/or the following nucleic acid sequence region (3′ to 5′ orientation) transversing the transmembrane-6 (TM6) and intracellular loop-3 (IC3) regions of the GPCR: P1AA15X  (a) and/or Pcodon(AA-codon)15Xcodon,  (b) respectively. In a preferred embodiment, P1 and Pcodon are endogenous proline and an endogenous nucleic acid encoding region encoding proline, respectively, located within TM6 of the non-endogenous GPCR; AA15 and (AA-codon)15 are 15 endogenous amino acid residues and 15 codons encoding endogenous amino acid residues, respectively; and X and Xcodon are non-endogenous lysine and non-endogenous nucleic acid region encoding lysine, respectively, located within IC3 of the non-endogenous GPCR.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel methods of using elongation factor p (efp) and related constituents of ribosomal complexes which comprise efp, the 50S ribosomal subunit, the 30S ribosomal subunit, the 70S initiation complex, and related proteins, cofactors and enzymes. Methods of identifying compounds which modulate prokaryotic elongation factor p and modify cell function are described. Both in vitro and in vivo methods for identifying compounds which modulate such constituents and affect cell function are described. Such identified compounds, including various antibiotics, which specifically affect cell growth, methods of treating various disorders with such compounds, and antiseptics containing such compounds are described. The present invention is also directed to methods and compounds that modulate prokaryotic elongation factor p.

Abstract: A scalable method for the production of highly purified plasmid DNA in Escherichia coli is described, which method includes growing plasmid-containing cells to a high biomass in exponential growth and lysing the cells by raising the pH of the culture to a carefully controlled pH value in which chromosomal DNA is denatured but plasmid DNA is reversibly renatured. The method has been developed for the production of pharmaceutical grade DNA for use in in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy.