Abstract: Complex of an anti-cocaine aptamer and the dye diethylthiotricarbocyanine behaves as a calorimetric sensor with attenuation in absorbance at 760 nm for cocaine in the concentration range of 2-5000 ?M. Mechanistic studies indicate an intermolecular displacement of the dye as the mechanism of action of the sensor. As the dye is insoluble in buffer, cocaine binding can be detected as displaced dye precipitates and supernatant decolorizes.

Abstract: Genes and the proteins encoded thereby that are involved in stroke response and/or are regulated by FK506 are disclosed. These genes were discovered using in vivo or in vitro stroke models by determining which genes were differentially upregulated or downregulated upon treatment of the model with FK506. They were also found by a functional assay of genes specifically selected for conferring to cells resistance to hypoxia, dopamine or glutamate treatment. The disclosure includes such genes and proteins as well as analogs, salts and functional derivatives of such proteins, and DNA encoding such analogs, and methods of use. Methods for treating the effects of stroke, hypoxia and/or ischemia by regulating such genes or proteins are disclosed. Methods for screening for compounds capable of regulating the genes and proteins of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to constructs capable of infecting mammalian cells comprising at least one semi-purified or pure SV40 capsid protein and a constituent selected from the group consisting of an exogenous DNA, a vector comprising an exogenous DNA, an exogenous RNA, a vector comprising an exogenous RNA, an exogenous protein or peptide product, and antisense RNA, ribozyme RNA or any RNA or DNA which inhibits or prevents the expression of undesired protein(s) in the mammalian cell and optionally further comprising operatively linked regulatory elements sufficient for the expression and/or replication of the exogenous protein in a mammalian cell. The invention further relates to a method for the in vitro construction of SV40 virus or pseudovirus constructs according to the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method of treating burn-induced weight loss in a burn patient which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxandrolone to the patient. The invention also provides a method of treating a wound in a patient suffering from a wound which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxandrolone to the patient. The subject invention further provides a method of treating burn-induced weight loss in a burn patient which comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of an oxandrolone in conjunction with a protein supplement to the patient.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a class of miniribozymes, capable of hybridizing with a target RNA to be cleaved and exhibiting very high cleavage rates at low Mg2+ concentration. The miniribozymes may be used in vitro or in vivo. They may be used as diagnostic or therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A pipe coupling comprises a socket having a ball valve in which a through bore having one end that allows insertion of a plug is formed and a casing supporting the ball valve for rocking motion. The casing has a slot extending from its flank to the top. The slot has a flank opening and a top opening. The flank opening is wider than the top opening. A lock element is located for movement in the through bore of the ball valve. When the one end of the through bore of the ball valve is aligned with the flank opening, the lock element advances into the flank opening, thereby preventing the ball valve from rocking. When the lock element is pushed into the through bore of the ball valve by the plug, it is disengaged from the flank opening, whereupon the ball valve is allowed to rock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for decreasing cerebral vasoconstriction in a subject suffering from chronic or acute cerebral amyloid angiopathy which comprises administering to the subject an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) in an effective amount to inhibit transcytosis of amyloid &bgr; peptides across the blood-brain barrier in the subject, thereby decreasing cerebral vasoconstriction in the subject. The invention further provides for a method for ameliorating neurovascular stress in a subject which comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of an inhibitor of receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE), so as to increase cerebral blood flow in the subject, thereby ameliorating neurovascular stress in the subject.

Abstract: Overexpression of a CRAF1 (CD40 receptor-associated factor 1) gene truncated by 323 to about 414 amino acids at the amino inhibits CD40-mediated cell activation, and is used to treat conditions characterized by an unwanted level of CD40-mediated intracellular signaling.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y5 receptor which hybridizes under high stringency conditions to a nucleic acid molecule of SEQ ID NO:3, vectors comprising such isolated nucleic acid molecules, and cells comprising such vectors.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Tumor necrosis factor Receptor-Associated Factor protein-interacting hereditary multiple extoses (TREX) protein and vectors comprising the isolated nucleic acid encoding TREX. This invention also provides a purified TREX protein and antibodies thereto. This invention further provides oligonucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with the isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding TREX. This invention further provides an antisense oligonucleotide against a genomic DNA molecule encoding TREX. This invention further provides methods of: (1) inhibiting TREX protein interaction, (2) inhibiting overexpression of TREX protein, and (3) inhibiting growth of a tumor. This invention further provides assays for: (1) screening for compounds that inhibit TREX binding, (2) detecting predispositions to cancer comprising TREX mutations, and (3) diagnosing cancer comprising TREX mutations.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides a method of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of matter comprising 29p protein having bound thereto an agent whose delivery into a eukaryotic cell is desired. The present invention also provides a monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to 29p protein. The present invention further provides methods for delivering an agent into a eukaryotic cell, and methods for causing a eukaryotic cell to secrete a desired protein in the form of a fusion protein. The present invention further provides 29p protein-containing pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention still further provides nucleic acid molecules which hybridize to at least a portion of a nucleic acid molecule encoding 29p protein. Finally, the present invention provides methods for detecting the presence of, and quantitatively determining the amount of, a 29p protein-encoding nucleic acid molecule in a sample.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of diagnosing a predisposition to cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and; (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity. This invention also provides a method of assessing the severity of cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody which specifically induces an immune response against a glycosphingolipid. Additionally, this invention provides a method of producing the anti-idiotypic monoclonal antibody. Finally, this invention provides a composition of matter comprising an effective amount of a cytokine and a melanoma ganglio-side-specific antibody attached to a carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides humanized polyclonal and humanized monoclonal antibodies directed against an epitope on glatiramer acetate, also known as Copolymer 1, Copolymer-1, Cop-1 or Cop. Additionally, the subject invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibody directed against an epitope on glatiramer acetate for the treatment of a disease associated with demyelination of central nervous system axons. Also encompassed by the subject invention is a method of treating a subject suffering from a disease associated with demyelination of central nervous system axons. The subject invention further contains methods of stimulating remyelination of central nervous system axons. In addition, the subject invention provides a method of stimulating proliferation of lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides molecular weight markers for accurate determination of the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolymers. The present invention further provides a plurality of molecular weight markers for determining the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolymers which display linear relationships between molar ellipticity and molecular weight, and between retention time and the log of the molecular weight. The molecular weight markers also optimally demonstrate biological activity similar to glatiramer acetate or corresponding copolymers and can be used for treating or preventing various immune diseases.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of detecting whether a subject is either predisposed to or afflicted with a pulmonary disease which comprises (1) obtaining a suitable sample from the subject; (2) detecting in the sample a bone morphogenetic protein receptor-II mutation which is not present in wildtype bone morphogenetic protein receptor-II, wherein the presence of a mutation indicates that the subject is predisposed to or afflicted with the pulmonary disease. In one embodiment, the pulmonary disease is Familial Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.

Abstract: This invention pertains to compounds having the structure: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, substituted alkyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or alkylaryl moiety or together form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring, provided that both R1 and R2 are both not hydrogen atoms or that neither R1 or R2 is 1-phenylethyl; R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, or alkylaryl moiety; R4 is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl moiety; and R5 and R6 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl moiety, and the use of these compounds to treat a disease associated with increased levels of adenosine in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a compound having the structure: (AA1)n-Cys-(AA2)m wherein n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and m=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, provided the sum of (n+m) is greater than or equal to two and less than or equal to five, if n=1, (AA1)n=Ala-, if n=2, (AA1)n=Gln-Ala-, if n≧3, (AA1)n=(Xaa)p-Gln-Ala-, and Xaa=any amino acid and wherein if n=n3, p=1, if n=4, p=2, if n=5, p=3, if m=1, (AA2)m=-Arg, if m=2, (AA2)m=-Arg-Gly, if m≧3, (AA2)m=-Arg-Gly-(Xaa)q, wherein if m=3, q=1, if m=4, q=2, if m=5, q=3. The present invention provides for a method of inhibiting cell death and a method for alleviating symptoms of a neurodegenerative disorder in a subject.

Abstract: This invention provides a protein free of cell membranes and other cellular components, said protein being specifically recognized by an antibody that specifically binds an epitope that is specifically bound by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. This invention further provides a protein that is a fragment of a protein specifically recognized by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916, wherein said fragment is free of cell membranes and other cellular components and comprises an epitope that is specifically bound by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916. This invention also provides a protein free of cell membranes and other cellular components, said protein consisting essentially of an epitope that is specifically bound by monoclonal antibody 5c8 produced by the hybridoma having ATCC Accession No. HB 10916.