Abstract: The invention provides a human E25a protein which is upregulated in cancerous cells, including those of hormone refractory prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer or other cancers of epithelial origin. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules encoding E25a protein, nucleic acid probes which hybridize with nucleic acid molecules encoding E25a protein, and antibodies which bind E25a protein. E25a protein and its related molecules can be useful as diagnostic markers of cancer, including hormone refractory prostate cancer, and as specific therapeutic targets in this disease. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing cancer, including hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is methods and compositions for reducing and preventing the excess accumulation of extracellular matrix in a tissue and/or organ or at a wound site using a combination of agents that inhibit TGF?, or using agents that inhibit TGF? in combination with agents that degrade excess accumulated extracellular matrix. The compositions and methods of the invention are used to treat conditions such as fibrotic diseases and scarring that result from excess accumulation of extracellular matrix, impairing tissue or organ function or skin appearance in a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compositions involving lamellar gels and methods for making them. These compositions and methods of the invention are significant improvements in the field of gels, macromolecular targeting and macromolecular delivery to various biological systems.

Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device with liquid seal is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing the development of APC from precursor cells by administering a combination of GM-CSF and IL-4. The precursor cells include: cells contained in peripheral blood, CD14+ cells and precursors in bone marrow. Thus, administration of GM-CSF and IL-4 can be used as a form of cytokine immunotherapy. One embodiment of the present invention involves systemic administration of GM-CSF and IL-4. In this embodiment, APC are required to directly access tumor antigens as they exist in vivo within the patient. A further embodiment of the present invention involves co-administration of a tumor-associated or tumor-specific antigen, with GM-CSF and IL-4, to induce antigen-specific immunity mediated by APC. Yet another embodiment of the present invention describes systemic administration of GM-CSF and IL-4 to achieve reduced tumor burden.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating and identifying antibodies directed against a B7 antigen having SEQ ID NO. 8 or a fragment of SEQ ID NO. 8, which antibodies inhibit B cells from binding CD28, comprising immunizing an animal with the B7 antigen so as to produce the antibodies; and screening the antibodies for antibodies that bind B7 and inhibit CD28 binding to B cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides adipose-derived stem cells and lattices. In one aspect, the present invention provides a lipo-derived stem cell substantially free of adipocytes and red blood cells and clonal populations of connective tissue stem cells. The cells can be employed, alone or within biologically-compatible compositions, to generate differentiated tissues and structures, both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the cells can be expanded and cultured to produce hormones and to provide conditioned culture media for supporting the growth and expansion of other cell populations. In another aspect, the present invention provides a lipo-derived lattice substantially devoid of cells, which includes extracellular matrix material from adipose tissue. The lattice can be used as a substrate to facilitate the growth and differentiation of cells, whether in vivo or in vitro, into anlagen or even mature tissues or structures.

Abstract: An immunoassay device and assay to detect an antigen, such as PSA, in a biological sample. The device comprises a solid support having multiple reaction zones containing capture antibodies directed to the antigen. Exposure of a test sample to a mixture of incubation antibodies with known and different concentrations prior to exposure to the capture antibodies in the reaction zones facilitates determination of a range of concentrations of the antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel prostate cell-surface antigen, designated Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA), which is widely over-expressed across all stages of prostate cancer, including high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate tumors.

Abstract: This invention provides modified recombinant Ad vectors (e.g., AdE1− vectors) undergoing defined homologous recombination in order to create predictably rearranged genomic derivatives in a host cell. Genomic rearrangements can be achieved, for example, by incorporating two IR sequences within one vector genome and enabling genomic rearrangement by coinfection with two parental vectors of one type (also referred to herein as a one vector system) or by homologous recombination of overlapping regions in two distinct types of parental vectors (with or without IR sequences) and enabling genomic rearrangement only upon coinfection of the host cell with the two distinct parental vectors (also referred to herein as two vector system).

Abstract: A system and method for forming a framework of foundation elements as a component of and foundation for an impression and to support a prosthesis to form a final restoration in a patient. The foundation elements and the prosthesis may be made of the same or similar prosthetic material, or of a metallic or metal alloy material. Each foundation element includes a base member defining a bore therethrough and at least one elongate member extending from the base member. To form the framework, each foundation element is attached to an implant in a patient and a free end of the elongate member is oriented and cut such that it optimally contacts a base member of an adjacent foundation element and is rigidly bonded thereto. A rigid framework is thereby produced which is used to produce the impression. The impression is removed from the patient and a master model is made therefrom. The rigid framework is removed from the impression material and placed along with the master model in an articulator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of transferring therapeutic genes to brain tumor cells in order to kill the cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of transferring therapeutic genes to brain tumor cells in order to kill the cells.

Abstract: A water processing device for removing contaminants from water for consumption, consisting of: 1) a heat exchanger; 2) a heater; 3) a boiler chamber; 4) a liquid level control device; 5) a demister; 6) a degasser; and, 7) a self-cleaning component. A water seal to prevent steam from leaking from the device is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides the molecular basis for cytokine induction of NF-&kgr;B-dependent immune and inflammatory responses, emphasizing a role for both NIK-NIK and NIK-IKK protein—protein interactions. A relatively small region of NIK selectively impairs the NIK-IKK interaction. The present invention provides a novel and highly specific method for modulating NF-&kgr;B-dependent immune, inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic responses, based on interruption of the critical protein—protein interaction of NIK and IKK. The present invention provides methods for inhibiting NF-&kgr;B-dependent gene expression, using mutant NIK proteins. One embodiment of the present invention provides kinase-deficient NIK mutant proteins that inhibit activation of IKK. Another embodiment of the invention provides N-terminus NIK mutant proteins that bind IKK, thus inhibiting NIK/IKK interaction.

Abstract: The invention identifies the B7 antigen as a ligand that is reactive with the CD28 receptor on T cells. Fragments and derivatives of the B7 antigen and CD28 receptor, including fusion proteins having amino acid sequences corresponding to the extracellular domains of B7 or CD28 joined to amino acid sequences encoding portions of human immunoglobulin C&ggr;1, are described. Methods are provided for using B7 antigen, its fragments and derivatives, and the CD28 receptor, its fragments and derivatives, as well as antibodies and other molecules reactive with B7 antigen and/or the CD28 receptor, to regulate CD28 positive T cell responses, and immune responses mediated by T cells. The invention also includes an assay method for detecting ligands reactive with cellular receptors mediating intercellular adhesion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the utilization of monocytes growth factor CD137 or of a functional analogue thereof in order to produce a medicament for promoting the proliferation of peripheral monocytes of a mammal. The invention especially relates to the utilization of the growth factor for treating pathological conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an expression vector encoding monospecific or bispecific fusion protein. In one embodiment the expression vector encodes a monospecific fusion protein, which vector comprises a recombinant monospecific single chain cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a first binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen. In another embodiment the expression vector encodes a bispecific fusion protein, which vector comprises a recombinant bispecific single chain cassette comprising a DNA sequence encoding a first binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen and a DNA sequence encoding a second binding domain capable of binding a cell surface antigen, each domain capable of binding a different antigen. The present invention also provides a method for producing a biologically active monospecific or bispecific fusion protein in a mammalian cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a processed neural signal that encodes a reach plan, comprising the target location of the planned encoded relative to an eye-centered reference frame. The present invention also provides methods for generating and decoding the processed neural signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods of preparing a bilayer structure for encapsulating multiple containment units. These containment units can contain therapeutic, diagnostic agents or imaging agents that can be released through the bilayer structure. A suitable example of such a containment unit is a unilamellar or multilamellar vesicle.