Abstract: This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes mammalian ACAT-Related Enzyme 2 Required for Viability protein (ARV1p), wherein the encoded ARV1p protein has the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 7. This invention provides an isolated nucleic acid which encodes yeast ACAT-Related Enzyme 2 Required for Viability protein (ARV1), wherein the encoded ARV1 protein has the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 5. This invention provides a purified mammalian ACAT-Related Enzyme 2 Required for Vialbility protein (ARV1p) having the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 7. This invention provides a purified yeast ACAT-Related Enzyme 2 Required for Vialbility protein (ARV1p) having the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 5. This invention provides a method for identifying a chemical compound which is capable of inhibiting or stimulating ACAT-Related Enzyme 2 Required for Viability protein (ARV1p) which is capable of inhibiting ARV1p.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds which are analogs to the hydrolysis transition-state of a cocaine benzoyl ester group. This invention also provides such analogs linked to carrier proteins, and antibodies thereto. This invention further provides pharmaceutical composition for decreasing cocaine concentration in a subject using the antibodies produced.

Abstract: The invention provides for a non-human transgenic animal whose cells contain a recombinant DNA sequence comprising: (a) a nerve tissue specific promoter operatively linked to a DNA sequence which encodes human receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), and (b) a nerve tissue specific promoter operatively linked to a DNA sequence encoding a mutant human amyloid precursor protein hAPP695, hAPP751 and hAPP770 bearing mutations linked to familial Alzheimer's disease in humans, wherein said non-human transgenic animal exhibits at least one phenotype from the group consisting of: increased expression of M-CSF gene in cerebral cortex; increased expression of IL-6 gene in cerebral cortex; increased neuronal stress; increased neurotoxicity; neuron loss; increased level of activated form of caspase 3 in brain; and increased level of phosphorylated tau protein in brain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation for camptothecin and camptothecin-like compounds and to novel intermediates used in this preparation. In particular, the invention provides a process for the preparation of the camptothecin derivative of formula (I′) known by the chemical name “7-(4-methylpiperazino-methylene)-10,11-ethylenedioxy-20(R,S)-camptothecin”, which comprises cyclising the compound of formula (II′), wherein X is halogen, particularly chloro, bromo, or iodo; and when the compound of formula (I′) is obtained as a mixture of enantiomers optionally resolving the mixture to obtain the desired enantiomer; and/or if desired, converting the resulting compound of formula (I′) or a salt thereof into a physiologically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of treating a burn or healing a wound in a mammal by administering a chromatographically recovered polypeptide having the N-terminal amino acid sequence Ala-Leu-Asp-Thr-Asn-Tyr-Cys-Phe-Arg-Asn-Leu-Glu-Glu-Asn-Cys-Cys-Val. This polypeptide is known as TGI, TGI-1 and TGI-2. It is also referred to as TGF-&bgr;3. The invention is also directed to a compositions which comprises the chromatographically recovered polypeptide. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical compositions to inhibit the growth of epithelial cells or heal a wound or treat a burn consisting of the chromatographically recovered polypeptide.

Abstract: The present method provides for an isolated peptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequence of a V-domain of a receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE). The present invention also provides for an isolated peptide having an amino acid sequence A-Q-N-I-T-A-R-I-G-E-P-L-V-L-K-C-K-G-A-P-K-K-P-P-Q-R-L-E-W-K (SEQ. ID No: 1). The present invention provides for a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effect amount of an isolated peptide having an amino acid sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequence of a V-domain of RAGE.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an isolated human EN-RAGE peptide. The present invention also provides for a method for determining whether a compound is capable of inhibiting the interaction of an EN-RAGE peptide with a RAGE peptide. The present invention also provides for a method for inhibiting inflammation in a subject which comprises administering to the subject a compound capable of interfering with the interaction between EN-RAGE peptide and receptor for advanced glycation endproduct (RAGE) in the subject thereby inhibiting inflammation in the subject.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of mania in bipolar disorder using derivatives of valproic acid and 2-valproenic acid amides having the following structures: wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently the same or different and are hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl group, an aralkyl group, or an aryl group, and n is an integer which is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 3, or a compound containing a valproic or a 2-valproenic moiety, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising these derivatives or compounds.

Abstract: A method for production of high amounts of carotenoids in plants, bacteria or cells. Carotenoid-associated proteins CHRC and CHRD isolated from corollas of Cucumis sativus, chrc gene, CHRC deduced sequence, the molecular cloning, cDNA and RNA. A new CHRC promoter able to direct expression for foreign genes. The cloned promoter comprising approximately 3.5 Kb of the CHRC upstream region.

Abstract: A wall construction comprises block members or sections stacked vertically about five high and abutting horizontally to form a wall. Each block member or section comprises a top plate, bottom plate and two side studs. The block members are attached side by side by fastening plates on the top and bottom which overlap adjacent blocks, including one top fastening plate which overlaps the top plates of two adjacent blocks, and a bottom plate which overlaps the bottom plates of two adjacent blocks. The vertical components may be 2×4 dimensional wood pieces on the order of 15-20″ long, and the horizontal components about 30-40″ long. Steel studs may be used instead of wood pieces, and horizontal components may be up to eight feet long.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a brain cyclic nucleotide gated ion channel (BCNG) protein. An isolated BCNG protein is also provided as is a composition comprising a BCNG encoding nucleic acid or protein or a portion thereof. The present invention also provides a method of identifying an ion channel subunit related protein encoding nucleic acid molecule in a sample. The invention further provides a method for evaluating the ability of a compound to modulate an ion channel associated neurological, cardia, or renal condition. The invention also provides a method for evaluating the ability of a compound to interact with a BCNG-related ion channel subunit protein. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for identifying a compound capable of modulating the activity of a BCNG-related protein. The present invention additionally provides a method of treating a cardiac, renal or neurological condition.

Abstract: This invention provides a compound comprising the structure: &thgr;&agr;YDINYYTSE&bgr;&lgr; wherein each T represents a threonine, each S represents a serine, each E represents a glutamic acid, each Y represents a tyrosine; each D represents an aspartic acid, each I represents an isoleucine; and each N represents an asparagine; wherein &agr; represents from 0 to 9 amino acids, with the proviso that if there are more than 2 amino acids, they are joined by peptide bonds in consecutive order and have a sequence identical to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 beginning with the I at position 9 and extending therefrom in the amino terminal direction; wherein &bgr; represents from 0 to 13 amino acids, with the proviso that if there are more than 2 amino acids, they are joined by peptide bonds in consecutive order and have a sequence identical to the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 beginning with the P at position 19 and extending therefrom in the carboxy terminal direction; wherein &thgr; represents an amino

Abstract: This invention provides a modified vaccinia topoisomerase enzyme containing an affinity tag which is capable of facilitating purification of protein-DNA complexes away from unbound DNA. This invention further provides a modified sequence specific topoisomerase enzyme. This invention provides a method of ligating duplex DNAs, a method of molecular cloning of DNA, a method of synthesizing polynucleotides, and a method of gene targeting. Lastly, this invention provides a recombinant DNA molecule composed of segments of DNA which have been joined ex vivo by the use of a sequence specific topoisomerase and which has the capacity to transform a suitable host cell comprising a DNA sequence encoding polypeptide activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of synthesizing a compound having the structure: as well as other related glycoconjugates useful as vaccines for inducing antibodies to epithelial cancer cells in an adjuvant therapy therefore, and in a method for preventing recurrence of epithelial cancer. The present invention also provides a vaccine comprising an amount of the compound described above effective to prevent the recurrence of cancer in a subject.

Abstract: A pair of electrodes are provided through a base. A cap and the base constitute a chamber, and are connected to each other by fitting projections provided on the base, into locking grooves formed in the cap. A fuse element is connected to upper portions of the electrodes, located in the chamber, by appropriate means such as soldering or welding. The base is in the form of a rectangle having long sides and short sides. A pair of semi-elliptic air pass holes are formed in substantially central portions of the base along the respective long sides, and opposed to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable compacted, compressed or hard tableted vaccine composition comprising at least one freeze dried antigenic component and a dissolution aid. A method to facilitate immunizing a subject against a disease comprising the steps of first dissolving the compacted, compressed or hard tableted vaccine composition in a package with a diluent to form a vaccine solution, and administering the resulting vaccine solution in an amount effective for immunizing is also provided.

Abstract: A writing tool is provided. An ink reservoir (7) and an ink supply passage (9) are formed in a barrel (1) provided with a brush body (2). Ink contained in the ink reservoir (7) is supplied to the brush body (2) via the ink supply passage (9). A wire (17) movably provided in the ink supply passage (9) is movably supported by a coiled spring (16). A ball (18) is provided in the ink reservoir (7). While the barrel (1) is being moved, the ball (18) collides with the coiled spring (16), thereby moving the wire (17).

Abstract: This invention is directed to compounds of the following formula: wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; when a is 1, b is 1, m is from 0-3, X is O or S, Y is halogeno, R1 is hydrogen C1-4 alkyl, R2 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C6-12 aryl, C6-12 aralkyl each optionally substituted. This invention is also directed to the use of these compounds for treating depression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia's such as senile dementia, dementia of the Parkinson's type, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. This invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: This invention provides an isolated protein of approximately 40 kDa which is purified from human aortic tissue and immunoreactive with AAA-associated immunoglobulin. Also provided are a method of diagnosing AAA disease in a subject using said isolated protein and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said isolated protein. A method of alleviating AAA disease in a subject comprising administering said pharmaceutical composition comprising the isolated protein is also provided. The subject invention also provides a recombinantly produced human aortic protein which is immunoreactive with AAA-associated immunoglobulin. Also provided are a method of diagnosing AAA disease in a subject using said recombinantly produced protein and a pharmaceutical composition comprising said recombinantly produced protein. A method of alleviating AAA disease in a subject comprising administering said pharmaceutical composition comprising the recombinantly produced protein is also provided.

Abstract: Myocardial revascularization is performed by an apparatus and method which forms channels in the myocardium from inside the ventricular cavity without penetrating the full thickness of the ventricular wall. A catheter has a fiber optic connected at its handling end to a laser, and terminates at the insertable end of the catheter. A servomotor controls the advancing of the fiber to stop positions relative to the catheter. At each stop position another channel is created. An aiming beam aids in directing the channel forming fiber end to different desired channel positions.