Abstract: Oligonucleotide inhibitors that inhibit expression of a mammalian MBD2/DNA demethylase (MBD2/dMTase) are provided. The oligonucleotide inhibitors can be used to inhibit the growth or proliferation of tumor cells in vitro and in vivo. The use of the oligonucleotide inhibitors in the treatment of cancer and methods of identifying potential target genes for cancer therapy or diagnosis using the oligonucleotide inhibitors are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of measuring gastric emptying time comprising providing to a patient a meal comprising a breath test food additive substrate, wherein the substrate is a linear or cyclic acyl aminoacid peptidomimetic that includes a radioactive or non-radioactively labeled carbon atom; having the patient digest the meal so that the carbon labeled nutrients therein are absorbed in the small intestine and metabolized to labeled CO2; and, at periodic intervals, detecting the level of labeled CO2 in breath samples taken from the patient to determine the rate of gastric emptying are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for the prediction of fiber length and the selection of superior trees using genetic marker loci. The method comprises comparing genotypic survey data to phenotypic data collected from the same trees used to create the genotypic survey and identifying particular genetic marker loci or quantitative trait loci (QTL's) that are associated with fiber length. The method allows superior trees to be identified, from both plantations and natural populations, and selected for in tree improvement breeding programs by genotyping with identified genetic marker loci.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to determine predisposition to coagulation disorders, such as thrombosis, to a method for diagnosis of lupus, and therapeutical uses thereof in the treatment of coagulation disorders.

Abstract: The present invention to an isolated DNA which codes for a gene essential for cell wall glucan synthesis of Candida albicans, wherein the gene is referred to as CaKRE9, wherein the sequence of the DNA is as set forth in FIG. 1. The present invention relates to antifungal in vitro and in vivo screening assays for identifying compounds which inhabit the synthesis, assembly and/or regulation of &bgr;1,6-glucan. There is also disclosed an in vitro method for the diagnosis of disease caused by fungal infection in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel DNA assay for the diagnosis and/or prediction of autoimmune diabetes. The present invention relates to a DNA assay for the prediction of autoimmune diabetes in human subjects, which comprises the steps of a) obtaining a DNA sample from the subject and amplifying at least one class III allele of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) located upstream of the insulin gene (INS) which is associated with silencing of thymic insulin mRNA expression; and b) subjecting the sample to electrophoresis to identify the silencing class III allele.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for denaturation of proteins, which comprises the steps of: a) subjecting a protein solution to a high pressure homogenizer at a pressure of about 500 to about 5000 bar, at a recirculation ranging from 0 to about 50 and at a temperature ranging from about 20° C. to about 80° C. for a period of time on the order of milliseconds, wherein the protein solution consisting of a protein fraction dispersed in water, buffer or salt solution at a concentration ranging from about 2% to about 35% w/w and at a pH adjusted between about 2.0 to about 12.0; b) concentrating the protein solution by i) evaporation, ii) ultrafiltration and sprayed dried or iii) ultrafiltration and freeze dried.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating and diagnosing protein trafficking disorders and controlling secretory protein production. The present invention also relates to methods for folding unfolded proteins, especially in heterelogous expression systems. The methods comprise exposing an unfolded protein to a biological preparation comprising ERp57 in combination with calnexin or calreticulin under conditions to permit folding of the unfolded protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diblock copolymers and more particularly to polycaprolactone-b-polyethylene oxide (PCL-b-PEO) diblock copolymers used in micellar systems, for delivering a biologically active agent to a site. There is provided a diblock copolymer compound comprising a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block, the hydrophilic block comprising a polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer, the hydrophobic block comprising a polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer, the PCL polymer comprising a number of caprolactone monomers selected from 5 to 150, the PEO polymer comprising a number of ethylene oxide monomers selected from 30 to 100. The diblock copolymer compound of the present invention may be used to form a micellar delivery system for delivering biologically active agents such as lipophilic drugs to sites such as the central nervous system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of regulating the transcription of transgene in genetically-modified organisms. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of expression vectors harboring the coding sequence of a gene of interest under the transcriptional control of promoting sequences for which activity is regulated by the presence of nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the assessment of ultraviolet radiation UV effects on sunscreen-treated and non-treated human skin using a more sensitive technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the effect of a test sample on UGGT activity. The method comprises the steps of: a) exposing an acceptor substrate of UGGT such as acid phosphatase to a labeled donor such as UDP-3H-glucose in the presence of the test sample and UGGT; and b) detecting the amount of donor which was transferred to the acceptor substrate wherein a decrease of donor intake when compared to a control means that the test sample is a UGGT stimulator and a decrease means that the test sample is a UGGT inhibitor. The present invention also relates to an isolated mammalian cDNA which encodes for rat UGGT and to methods of producing mammalian UGGT using recombinant vectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an Extract of Echinops spinosus L (Asteraceae) and organic solvent soluble fractions of the extract that may be used in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a disposable electrophoresis cassette particularly suitable for pre-cast polyacrylamide gels for protein and nucleic acid electrophoresis. The invention also comprises a support plate for the said cassette that acts as a heat sink and provides a more uniform migration front in operation since the temperature of the gel is substantially the same during electrophoresis operation. Also disclosed is a novel comb element for filling the cassette, and a novel method therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to measure in vivo the effect of a drug on the function of the nerve cells of the brain of a patient suffering from a neurological disease, which comprises the steps of: a) measuring NAA signal intensity using MRS of the brain of the patient; b) subjecting the patient to a treatment with the drug to be tested and measuring NAA signal intensity using MRS of the brain of the patient; and c) comparing the spectra of steps a) and b) to determine whether the drug has an effect on the function of the nerve cells of the brain; whereby the increase in the NAA signal of step b) is indicative of a drug with a positive effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production and secretion into animal's semen of an exogenous recombinant protein comprising the steps of: a) producing a non-human transgenic animal characterized by an expression system comprising a promoter specific for the genital tract or accessory glands operatively linked to an exogenous DNA sequence coding for the recombinant protein through a DNA sequence coding for a signal peptide effective in secreting and maturing the recombinant protein in genital tract tissue; b) collecting semen produced by the non-human transgenic animal; and c) isolating the exogenous recombinant protein from the semen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting genetic variation in individuals by PCR amplification of the locus of interest, transferring the resulting PCR products to a membrane filter, hybridizing with allele-specific-oligonucleotides (ASOs), and visualizing the results. Such a method is in the field of diagnostics, pharmacogenetics, cancer therapeutics, and drug metabolism. In particular, the present invention relates to the detection of genetic polymorphisms in gene encoding xenobiotics metabolizing enzymes CYP1A1, CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and NAT2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transgenic mouse to serve as a small animal model of AIDS which comprises at least a DNA sequence coding for HIV-1 nef or a HIV-1 DNA genome essentially consisting in entire HIV-1 coding sequences under the control of the human CD4 gene promoter flanked by the enhancer of the mouse CD4 gene for expression in T cells and in cells of monocyte/microphage lineage. There is also provided a method to screen for therapeutic agents for the treatment of AIDS, which comprises the steps of: a) administering the therapeutic agent to the mouse of the present invention; and b) determining the effects of the therapeutic agent.