Abstract: The gene expressing the beta subunit of human thyroid stimulating hormone has been isolated. The gene has been incorporated into plasmid pBR322. Vectors can be used to transform cells which in turn produce pure beta subunits. The beta subunits can then be combined with the alpha subunit of human glycoprotein hormones to produce pure thyroid stimulating hormone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a plasma chemical vapor deposition apparatus for forming an amorphous thin film, a microcrystalline thin film or a polycrystalline thin film on a surface of a target substrate by utilizing a glow discharge generated by an electric power supplied from a power source, comprising a reaction vessel, means for supplying a reactant gas into the reaction vessel, discharge means for discharge a waste gas of the reactant gas out of the reaction vessel, a ladder-shaped electrode for discharge generation arranged within the reaction vessel, a power source for supplying a high frequency power of 30 MHz to 200 MHz to the ladder-shaped electrode for a glow discharge generation, a heater for heating and supporting a target substrate, the heater being arranged within the reaction vessel in parallel to the ladder-shaped electrode for discharge generation, and a power distributor for uniformly distributing a high frequency power to the ladder-shaped electrode for discharge generation through a power supply wire.

Abstract: The invention describes catalytic nucleic acid based compounds capable of cleaving nucleic acid polymers both in vivo and in vitro. Two embodiments of this invention are compounds with a short stem that does not base pair, a minizyme, and compounds with DNA hybridizing arms and RNA catalytic domain and stem, DNA-armed ribozymes. The compounds of this invention, while nucleotide based may be substituted or modified in the sugar, phosphate, or base. Methods of use and methods of treatment are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of amplifying a sequence of interest present within a nucleic acid molecule. In addition, this invention provides a method of determining the nucleotide sequence of a sequence of interest present within a nucleic acid molecule (e.g. GAWTS and RAWTS) which can be used to sequence tissue specific genes (e.g. tsRAWTS) and genes across species (e.g. zooRAWTS). In addition, this invention provides a method of synthesizing a polypeptide encoded for by a nucleic acid molecule (RAWIT). Further, the subject invention provides a method of determining an internal nucleotide sequence present within a nucleic acid molecule, and a method of determining a terminal nucleotide sequence present within a nucleic acid molecule (e.g. PLATS). Also provided for is a method of determining the nucleotide sequence of sequences present within a nucleic acid molecule which are adjacent to areas of known sequence (e.

Abstract: This invention is directed to morpholinone and morpholine derivatives which are selective antagonists for human &agr;1a receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for lowering intraocular pressure, inhibiting cholesterol synthesis, relaxing lower urinary tract tissue, the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, impotency, cardiac arrhythmia, sympathetic mediated pain, migraine, and for the treatment of any disease where the antagonism of the &agr;1a receptor may be useful. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fuel cell stack, comprising a fuel cell laminate body prepared by laminating a plurality of unit cells each having a solid polymer membrane sandwiched between electrodes and a fastening means for fastening the fuel cell laminate body in the direction of lamination of the unit cells, wherein the fastening means includes support members equipped with flanges and arranged at the upper and lower edges of the fuel cell laminate body, thin plates joined to the support members at the upper and lower end portions of the fuel cell laminate body, and fastening bolts for fastening the support members in the vertical direction of the fuel cell laminate body.

Abstract: A double-stranded cDNA molecule which includes DNA encoding human manganese superoxide dismutase has been created. The sequence of one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule which encodes human manganese superoxide dismutase has been discovered. Such molecules may be introduced in procaryotic, e.g., bacterial, or eukaryotic, e.g., yeast or mammalian, cells and the resulting cells cultured or grown under suitable conditions so as to produce human manganese superoxide dismutase or analogs thereof which may then be recovered. By this invention, human MnSOD gene fragments from various plasmids may be ligated to yield a complete genomic human MnSOD gene fragment. Human MnSOD or analogs thereof may be used to catalyze the reduction of superoxide radicals, reduce reperfusion injury, prolong the survival time of isolated organs, or treat inflammations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to objectively measure sensory discrimination thresholds at a test site in the upper aero digestive tract of a patient. A time and pressure controlled puff of air is delivered to the input of a Y-shaped tube; one output branch of the Y-shaped tube delivers the puff of air to the patient and the other output branch delivers the puff of air to a pressure transducer, for measurement and display of the pressure.

Abstract: A system for performing antiviral drug susceptibility and resistance testing is automated using software and robotics. The system includes a transfection apparatus, an infection apparatus and a plate reading apparatus. One or more of the apparatuses may be automated.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) polypeptides. This invention provides an isolated polypeptide molecule of KSHV. This invention provides an antibody specific to the polypeptide. Antisense and triplex oligonucleotide molecules are also provided. This invention provides a vaccine for Kaposi's Sarcoma (KS). This invention provides methods of vaccination, prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of a subject with KS and of detecting expression of a DNA virus associated with Kaposi's sarcoma in a cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystal having a spiral coil structure and a dipole moment along its axis and a helical discotic switch using the same, wherein the helicene compound has the structure: wherein X is O, or S and Y is —O—C(═O)CH2—O—R5, wherein R5 is H, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently the same or different and are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting HIV-1 infection of CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited, thereby inhibiting the HIV-1 infection. This invention provides non-chemokine agents capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells.

Abstract: This invention provides an immunoconjugate which comprises 1) a non-peptidyl toxin and 2) a CD4-gamma2 chimeric heavy chain homodimer linked thereto. This invention also provides an immunoconjugate which comprises 1) a gamma radiation-emitting radionuclide of low to moderate cytotoxicity and 2) a CD4-gamma2 chimeric heavy chain homodimer linked thereto. This invention further provides an immunoconjugate which comprises 1) a non-peptidyl toxin and 2) a heterotetramer comprising two heavy chains and two light chains, both heavy chains being either 1) IgG2 heavy chains or b) chimeric CD4-IgG2 heavy chains, and both light chains being either a) kappa light chains or b) chimeric CD4-kappa light chains.

Abstract: This invention is directed to triazine derivatives which are selective antagonists for a NPY (Y5) receptor. The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention provides a pharmaceutical composition made by combining a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of this invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. This invention further provides a process for making a pharmaceutical composition comprising combining a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Activation of cells bearing CD40 on their cell surface by CD40 ligand is inhibited by contacting the cells with an agent capable of inhibiting interaction between CD40 ligand and the cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the cells. Activation of cells bearing CD40 on their surface by CD40 ligand in a subject is inhibited by administering to the subject an agent capable of inhibiting interaction between CD40 ligand and the cells, in an amount effective to inhibit activation of the cells. Reperfusion injury, in an non-transplant recipient, is a condition associated with CD40 ligand-induced activation of CD40-bearing cells. Therefore, reperfusion injury can be treated by the administration of anti-human CD40L monoclonal antibodies, such as those described herein (e.g. 5c8 mAb).

Abstract: A discharge tube (11) made of a dielectric material extends through a hole (3) of a rectangular waveguide (1) and through a coaxial microwave cavity (4) so as to be coaxial with the central axis of the cavity (4). This discharge tube (11) has a double-tube structure including an outer tube (12) and an inner tube (13). The sectional area of an annular gap formed between the outer tube (12) and the inner tube (13) is held constant over the entire length of the inner tube (13). This allows the generation of a stable thermal plasma when a reaction gas containing an organic halide and water vapor is supplied into the outer tube through the annular gap with a microwave transmitted from the rectangular waveguide (1) into the cavity (4).

Abstract: A method of preventing or treating in a subject mastocytosis which comprises administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound having the structure: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof so as to thereby prevent or treat mastocytosis in the subject.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for detecting the presence of human malignant cells in a sample of tumor cells; determining whether a tumor present in a human subject is malignant; obtaining an enriched population of live human malignant cells; determining the amount of intact luteinizing hormone in a sample; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of intact follicle stimulating hormone in a sample; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of intact human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample; determining whether a subject is pregnant; determining the ovulatory stage of a subject; determining the amount of free &agr; subunit of human luteinizing hormone in a sample; determining whether a subject has a malignant tumor; determining the amount of nicked human chorionic gonadotropin in a sample; and determining the likelihood of a fetus's being afflicted with Down's syndrome.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule which encodes dorsalin-1. This invention also provides a nucleic acid probe capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a dorsalin-1. The invention also provides a vector and host vector system for the production of a polypeptide having the biological activity of dorsalin-1 which comprises the above-described vector in a suitable host. This invention also provides a purified vertebrate dorsalin-1. This invention provides a method for stimulating neural crest cell differentiation, a method for regenerating nerve cells, a method for promoting bone growth, a method for promoting wound healing and a method for treating neural tumor using purified dorsalin-1. This invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising purified dorsalin-1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Finally, this invention provides an antibody capable of binding to dorsalin-1.

Abstract: This invention provides for a human T cell leukemia cell line designated D1.1 having ATCC Accession No. CRL 10915. The cell line is capable of constitutively providing contact-dependent helper function to B cells.