Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated target sequence. The target sequence is a splice variant of PDE5 called a PDE5a1, a component of which is presented as SEQ ID No 1. The identified target sequence of the present invention may be used to as a target to identify agents (such as modulators) useful in the prevention and/or treatment of a disease associated with scarring and/or fibrosis or to selectively identify smooth muscle cells and myofibroblasts and myoepithelial cells in samples of normal and diseased tissue from individuals.

Abstract: The invention features novel osteoregulin polypeptides, nucleic acid sequences which encode the polypeptides, vectors, antibodies, hosts which express heterologous osteoregulins, and animal cells and mammals with a targeted disruption of an osteoregulin gene. These osteoregulins play a role in regulating bone homeostasis, adiposity, and the calcification of atherosclerotic plaques. Accordingly, the invention also features screening assays to identify modulators of osteoregulin activity as well as methods of treating mammals for diseases or disorders associated with osteoregulin activity.

Abstract: An improved device for equilibrium dialysis procedures utilizing a dialysis membrane inserted in a gap in and separating all of any number of test wells contained in the dialysis block into at least a donating and receiving side which can be accessed and manipulated at any time during testing from the top of the device is described. The device may be constructed from a series of nine blocks of virgin teflon, cut and made flat to achieve certain dimensions ideal for making the device compatible with standard 96-well format laboratory equipment and conducive to robotic automation. The bars are placed side-by-side and connected by a pair of alignment pins along which the bars can slide on a horizontal plane relative to one another, individually or collectively, to aid in assembly, usage and cleaning. The bars are further held together during usage by a clamping mechanism to prevent any leakage of the sample being tested.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods for monitoring urine for type II collagen fragment using a combination of a capture antibody and a detection antibody, such that type II collagen is distinguished from other collagen fragments.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel methods of measuring the activity and/or levels of ABCA1 protein, including the use of acceptors of ABCA1 substrates, as well as methods involving the measurement of ABCA1 mRNA and protein levels.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): are antithrombotic agents, having utility in a variety of therapeutic areas including the prevention and/or treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery, major medical illness, paralysis, malignancy, prolonged immobilisation trauma, application of lower limb plaster casts, or fractures of the lower limbs or pelvis; recurrent DVT; DVT during pregnancy when there is a previous history thereof; reocclusion following thrombolytic therapy; chronic arterial obstruction; peripheral vascular disease; acute myocardial infarction; unstable angina; atrial fibrillation; thrombotic stroke; transient ischaemic attacks; disseminated intravascular coagulation; coagulation in extra-corporeal circuits; occlusion of arterio-venous shunts and blood vessel grafts (including coronary artery by-pass grafts); and restenosis and occlusion following angioplasty.

Abstract: A method of preventing sudden death which comprises administering to a mammal, including a human, a therapeutically effective amount of a corticotropin releasing factor antagonist.

Abstract: Methods of using prostaglandin agonists for the reduction of intraocular pressure, and accordingly glaucoma.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical combination compositions including certain estrogen agonists/antagonists and prostaglandins or prostaglandin agonists/antagonists. The compositions are useful for the treatment of bone disorders including osteoporosis.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): Are antithrombotic agents, having utility in a variety of therapeutic areas including the prevention and/or treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery, major medical illness, paralysis, malignancy, prolonged immobilisation trauma, application of lower limb plaster casts, or fractures of the lower limbs or pelvis; recurrent DVT; DVT during pregnancy when there is a previous history thereof; reocclusion following thrombolytic therapy; chronic arterial obstruction; peripheral vascular disease; acute myocardial infarction; unstable angina; atrial fibrillation; thrombotic stroke; transient ischaemic attacks; disseminated intravascular coagulation; coagulation in extra-corporeal circuits; occlusion of aterio-venous shunts and blood vessel grafts (including coronary artery by-pass grafts); and restenosis and occlusion following angioplasty.

Abstract: A method of treating atrial fibrillation in mammals using loratadine.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-6 alkyl, halo-(C.sub.1-6 alkyl), C.sub.3-7 cycloalkyl, C.sub.2-6 alkylnyl, hydroxy-(C.sub.2-6 alkylnyl), (C.sub.1-4 alkoxy)-(C.sub.2-6 alkylnyl), aryl, aryl-(C.sub.1-4 alkyl), heteroaryl or heteroaryl-(C.sub.1-4 alkyl); R.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1-4 alkyl; R.sup.3 is aryl, heteroaryl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl or C.sub.4-7 cycloalkyl; X is O or S; Y is bond, --CH.sub.2 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 O--, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which are useful muscarinic receptor antagonists in treaatment of e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new form of biocompatible materials (e.g., lipids, polycations, polysaccharides) which are capable of undergoing free radical polymerization, e.g., by using certain sources of light; methods of modifying certain synthetic and naturally occurring biocompatible materials to make polymerizable microcapsules containing biological material coated with said polymerizable materials, composites of said polymerizable materials, methods of making microcapsules and encapsulating biological materials therein, and apparatus for making microcapsules containing biological cells (particularly islets of Langerhans) coated with polymerizable alginate or with a composite thereof (e.g., alginate and PEG). The present invention also relates to drug delivery systems relating to the foregoing, as well as bioadhesives and wound dressings made utilizing the foregoing technology.

Abstract: Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS)-associated mutant CuZnSODs, A4V and G93A, have been discovered to catalyze the generation of hydroxyl radical from hydrogen peroxide at higher rates than that of wild type CuZnSOD. The copper chelator diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) has been found to inhibit both radical generation and SOD activity of mutant CuZnSODs A4V and G93A at DDC concentrations significantly lower than those required to inhibit wild type CuZnSOD enzyme. In a neural cell culture model of FALS, DDC reverses the effect of four FALS-associated mutants, but does not alter the survival of cells expressing only wild type CuZnSOD. Thus, radical formation may be modulated and ALS treated in subjects with a mutant CuZnSOD enzyme by the administration of copper chelating agents. Treatment can also be affected by the administration of radical scavenging agents, or the administration of expression inhibitors specific for the mutant genes.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods to render cells non-adhesive and/or non-immunogenic with respect to macromolecules typically encountered in culture media or in physiological media.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided nucleic acids encoding human metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes and the proteins encoded thereby. In a particular embodiment, the invention nucleic acids encode mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR3 and mGluR5 subtypes of human metabotropic glutamate receptors. In addition to being useful for the production of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, these nucleic acids are also useful as probes, thus enabling those skilled in the art, without undue experimentation, to identify and isolate related human receptor subunits. In addition to disclosing novel metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes, the present invention also comprises methods for using such receptor subtypes to identify and characterize compounds which affect the function of such receptors, e.g., agonists, antagonists, and modulators of glutamate receptor function.