Abstract: The invention provides isolated AGS nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, including AGS specific promoters, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and a process of transcribing or expressing a heterologous sequence by culturing the host cells under appropriate conditions.

Abstract: A method of preparing a protein array based on biochemical protein-protein interaction is provided. An array of a first protein which includes a PDZ domain is deposited on a substrate. A second protein, which includes an amino acid sequence (S/T)—X—(V/I/L)—COOH (each hyphen represents a peptide bond, each parenthesis encloses amino acids which are alternatives to one other, each slash within such parentheses separates the alternative amino acids, and the X represents any amino acid which is selected from the group comprising the twenty naturally occurring amino acids), is applied to the first protein array. The amino acid sequence (S/T)—X—(V/I/L)—COOH of the second protein is bound to the PDZ domain of the first protein.

Abstract: Device for restricting movement of a bone joint comprises a rigid material sandwiched between two foam layers, the pad having a surface adapted to be fastened to a user by adhesive material, the pad having a generally rectangular shape defined by two generally parallel sides, a top and a bottom, and having two pad portions desired by a crease line extending between the two sides, the two pad portions forming a determined angle less than 180 degrees with respect to each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel aminoindenes having the structure: wherein n is 1 or 2, R1 is hydrogen, linear or branched chain C1-C8 alkyl or linear or branched chain C1-C8 alkoxy and R2 is hydrogen or a halogen. Such compounds may be used to treat neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, head trauma, stroke, hypoxia, anoxia, epilepsy, convulsions, seizures.

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 a) 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: A screening assay in yeast is disclosed wherein G-protein coupled-receptor independent activators and inhibitors of the pheromone pathway can be identified using a mammalian cDNA library. Novel Activator of G protein Signaling (“AGS”) proteins, which are Ras-related proteins that stimulate G protein activity in a receptor-independent manner, are disclosed, as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding AGS proteins. In addition to isolated AGS proteins, the invention further provides isolated AGS fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-AGS antibodies. The invention also provides isolated AGS nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which an AGS gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a purified endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II, wherein the polypeptide has an apparent molecular weight of about 20,000 Daltons. The present invention also provides for an effector cell activating protein comprising a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence wherein at least four amino acid residues are the same as RIGRTVT and are in the same relative positions. The invention also provides for a DNA which encodes the effector cell activating protein. The invention also provides for methods of inducing inflammation in a subject and methods of treating tumors in a subject. The invention also provides for a pharmaceutical composition which comprises the endothelial monocyte activating polypeptide II and a carrier.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel aryl sulfonamide and sulfamide compounds which bind selectively to and inhibit the activity of the human Y5 receptor. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for the treatment of feeding disorders such as obesity, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and abnormal conditions such as sexual/reproductive disorders, depression, epileptic seizure, hypertension, cerebral hemorrhage, congestive heart failure or sleep disturbances and for the treatment of any disease in which antagonism of a Y5 receptor may be useful.

Abstract: The present invention relates a method for re-sensitizing vancomycin resistant Gram-positive bacteria in which resistance results from the conversion of an amide bond to an ester bond in the cell wall peptide precursors of the bacteria which comprises using an antibacterial amount of vancomycin or a homolog of vancomycin and an amount of an agent effective to selectively cleave the ester bond so as to thereby re-sensitize vancomycin resistant bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting human antibodies in a sera solution. The invention also provides a method of quantitating anti-glycolipid antibody levels in solutions. The invention provides a method of diagnosing disease states, including neurological diseases, by quantitating a subject's antibody levels.

Abstract: This invention is directed to dihydropyrimidine compounds of the following formula: wherein A is which are selective antagonists for human &agr;1C 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, impotence, cardiac arrhythmia and for the treatment of any disease where antagonism of the &agr;1C 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: This invention is directed to compounds which are selective antagonists for melanin concentrating hormone-1 (MCH1) receptors. 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 therepeutically 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: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid encoding a human MCH1 receptor, a purified human MCH1 receptor, vectors comprising isolated nucleic acid encoding a human MCH1 receptor, cells comprising such vectors, antibodies directed to a human MCH1 receptor, nucleic acid probes useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding human MCH1 receptors, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to unique sequences of nucleic acid encoding human MCH1 receptors, transgenic, nonhuman animals which express DNA encoding a normal or mutant human MCH1 receptor, methods of isolating a human MCH1 receptor, methods of treating an abnormality that is linked to the activity of a human MCH1 receptor, as well as methods of determining binding of compounds to mammalian MCH1 receptors.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel indole and benzothiazole compounds which are selective for cloned human alpha 2 receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for any indication where use of an alpha 2 agonist may be appropriate. Specifically, this includes use as analgesic, sedative and anaesthetic agents. In addition, this invention includes using such compounds for lowering intraocular pressure, presbyopia, treating migraine, hypertension, alcohol withdrawal, drug addiction, rheumatoid arthritis, ischemic pain, spasticity, diarrhea, nasal decongestion, urinary incontinence as well as for use as cognition enhancers and ocular vasoconstriction agents. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A bag (1) for fast-food restaurants, intended to contain consumable food products, is provided. The bag (1) comprises a bottom (2) and a peripheral side envelope (3), defining an orifice (4) in its upper part. The bag includes at least one pre-shaped support (5) with an attachment element (14) to receive and support in a stable manner at least one dish (6) intended to contain an accompanying sauce for the food products placed in the bag.

Abstract: This invention is directed to compounds which are selective antagonists for melanin concentrating hormone-1 (MCH1) receptors. 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. This invention also provides a method of modifying feeding behavior of a subject which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a compound of the invention effective to decrease the consumption of food by the subject.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of modifying feeding behavior, including increasing or decreasing food consumption, e.g., in connection with treating obesity, bulimia or anorexia. These methods involve administration of compounds that are selective agonists or antagonists for the Y5 receptor. One such compound has structure (I). In addition, this invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Y5 receptor, an isolated Y5 receptor protein, vectors comprising an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a Y5 receptor, cells comprising such vectors, antibodies directed to the Y5 receptor, nucleic acid probes useful for detecting nucleic acid encoding Y5 receptors, antisense oligonucleotides complementary to any unique sequences of a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a Y5 receptor, and nonhuman transgenic animals which express DNA encoding a normal or a mutant Y5 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for inhibiting growth of a bacterium which consists essentially of contacting the bacterium with a compound having the structure: wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 may be independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, —OH, —OR7, —CN, —COR7, —SR7, —N(R7)2, —NR7COR8, —NO2, —(CH2)pOR7, —(CH2)pX(R7)2, —(CH2)pXR7COR8, a straight chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10 alkynyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkenyl, thioalkyl, methylene thioalkyl, acyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or heteroaryl; wherein a linkage to the benzene ring may alternatively be —N—, —S-—, —O— or —C—; wherein R7 or R8 may be independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, —OH, —CN, —COH, —SH2, —NH2, —NHCOH, —(CH2)pOH, —(CH2)pX(CH2), —(CH2)pXCOH, a straight chain or branched, substituted or unsu

Abstract: Experiments designed to define the differences between the 21 oncogene of DNA isolated from human bladder cancer cells and its corresponding proto-oncogene are described herein. Also described is the determination of the difference between the rat neu oncogene and its corresponding proto-oncogene. Also described are nucleic acid probes reactive with regions of the proto-oncogene or oncogene, as are methods for their use in detecting the occurrence of the two types of genes. Antibodies specific for gene products encoded by the neu genes are also described, as are methods for their use.

Abstract: Immobilized cell beads incorporating formulated microbial consortium comprising a synergistic mixture of the following bacterial strains namely, Enterobacter sakazaki, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas sobria selected from the following isolated bacterial strains namely, Yersinia enterocolitica, Aeromonas sobria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Serratia liquefaciens, Enterobacter sakazaki, Citrobacter amalonaticus, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloaca, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus are prepared, the formulated microbial consortium is immobilized in an appropriate immobilizing agent resulting in the formation of beads and the beads are used for instant BOD estimation using an electronic device and the formulated cell beads are reusable and are capable of assimilating most of the organic matter present in varied industrial effluents.