Abstract: Compositions and methods for prevention or treatment of disease are provided which comprise analogs of Resveratrol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved eco-friendly process for the preparation of vinylpyridine from corresponding picoline over modified zeolite catalyst in vapour phase which comprises reacting picoline with formaldehyde with a molar ratio of formaldehyde to picoline in the range of 1:1 to 4:1, at a temperature ranging between 200° C. to 450° C., at a weight hourly in the range of 0.25 hr−1-1.00 hr−1 over a modified commercial zeotlite catalyst to obtain a high yield and selectivity of the desired product.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting growth of cancer cells and treating cancer in a patient by administration of a vector expressing pRb2/p130 are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to animal having functionally disrupted endogenous Tpl2. These animals are resistant to Lps induced endotoxin shock and TNF&agr;-mentioned inflammatory disease. A method of identifying Tpl2 specific inhibitors of endotoxin shock or antagonists to inflammation on and a method of treating or preventing TNF&agr;-mediated inflammatory diseases and Lps induced endotoxin shock in animals are also within the scope of this invention. The present invention is also directed to Tpl2 encoding nucleic acid molecules (SEQ ID NOS: 1 and 3) and polypeptides (SEQ ID NOS: 2 and 4) encoded by such molecules.

Abstract: Novel materials for making low ignition propensity products are disclosed. Specifically, a treated cigarette paper for making low ignition propensity cigarettes are disclosed. The cigarette base paper containing a thermoplastic polymer aqueous suspension coated regions on a surface of the base paper so as to obtain coresta porosities of less than 15 is provided. This cigarette paper is further treated with a conditioning medium which is either water alone or water with a burning chemical such as an alkali metal containing organic salt either on the same surface bearing the thermoplastic polymer or on the opposite surface. The self-extinction characteristics of the cigarettes with the treated paper are improved. A method for making a cigarette paper for low ignition propensity cigarettes comprising a plurality of regions of a thermoplastic polymer aqueous suspension printed on to a surface of a base paper is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing and treating cancer are provided that comprise extracts of Inula britannica or compounds isolated therefrom. The compounds of 1-O-acetylbritannilactone or 1,6-O,O-diacetylbritannilactone are isolated and used for inducing apoptosis in cells and for treating cancer in an animal. Induction of apoptosis comprises contacting cells with a composition comprising the compounds in an amount sufficient to induce Bcl-2 protein phosphorylation. Further, treatment of cancer in an animal comprises administering to an animal a composition comprising the compounds in an amount sufficient to induce Bcl-2 protein phosphorylation to treat the cancer.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules, proteins and antibodies are provided which may be used in biological screens to identify therapeutic agents involved in the regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptotic cell death.

Abstract: A sample of normal tissue specimens obtained from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics is profiled in order to generate a plurality of structural indices that correspond to statistically significant representations of characteristics of tissue associated with the population. The structural indices include cell density, matrix density, blood vessel density and layer thickness. Alternatively, the sample of normal tissue specimens obtained from the subset of the population of subjects with shared characteristics can also be profiled in order to generate a plurality of cell function and/or mechanical indices that correspond to statistically significant representations of characteristics of tissue associated with the population. Structural, mechanical and/or cell function indices for a plurality of tissue populations are determined, and then stored in a database. The database information is then used to classify tissue specimens (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating diminished visual acuity in a human patient who has been diagnosed as suffering from a disease or disorder of the posterior region of the eye. These involve topical application to the eye, an amount of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor containing composition is carried out so that it is sufficient to provide a therapeutic benefit to alleviate the diminished visual acuity in the human patient. The composition is administered at bedtime after an eye straining work for about 20 minutes.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and preventing restenosis by transducing the vascular smooth muscle cells with a viral veactor expressing RB2/p130 are provided.

Abstract: A sample of normal tissue specimens obtained from a subset of a population of subjects with shared characteristics is profiled in order to generate a plurality of structural indices that correspond to statistically significant representations of characteristics of tissue associated with the population. The structural indices include cell density, matrix density, blood vessel density and layer thickness. Alternatively, the sample of normal tissue specimens obtained from the subset of the population of subjects with shared characteristics can also be profiled in order to generate a plurality of cell function and/or mechanical indices that correspond to statistically significant representations of characteristics of tissue associated with the population. Structural, mechanical and/or cell function indices for a plurality of tissue populations are determined and then stored in a database, and subscribers/users are granted access to all or part of the database based on a subscription fee.

Abstract: A physics based model of the absorption of light by histological stains used to measure the amount of one or more stains at locations within tissue is disclosed. The subsequent analysis results in several improvements in the detection of tissue on a slide, improvements to autofocus algorithms so focusing during image acquisition is confined to tissue, improvements to image segmentation and identification of tissued and its features, improvements to the identification of stain where multiple stains are used, and improvements to the quantification of the extent of staining. The invention relates to the application of these improvements to stain detection and quantification to provide for objective comparison between tissues and closer correlation between the presentations of such features and concurrent patterns of gene or protein expression.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a physiological method for improving vision in a human patient. This method involves topical application to the eye, an amount of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor containing composition so that it is sufficient to provide a therapeutic benefit to improve the visual acuity in the human patient. The composition is administered topically and at bedtime after an eye straining work for about 20 minutes. The method disclosed herein is used for treatment and prevention of congenital and acquired color vision blindness, treatment of ocular hypertension and glaucoma, prevention of the progression of myopia, treatment of strabismus or squint, potentiation of best visual acuity, neuro-protection, treatment of aberrations secondary to pupil dilation.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting activities of a tRNA of a selected pathogen is provided wherein a cell infected with a selected pathogen is contacted with an effective amount of an oligonucleotide targeted to a region of the cloverleaf structure of a tRNA of the selected pathogen. Compositions for inhibiting activities of a tRNA of a selected pathogen which contain an oligonucleotide targeted to a region of cloverleaf structure of a tRNA of the selected pathogen are also provided. In addition, methods of killing the pathogen with these compositions are provided.

Abstract: A fusion capsid protein comprising a plant virus capsid protein fused to an antigenic polypeptide is used as a molecule for presentation of that polypeptide to the immune system of an animal such as a human. The plant virus capsid protein is that of an alfalfa mosaic virus (AlMV) or ilarvirus.

Abstract: Transgenic animals which express human collagen gene and have an inactivated endogenous collagen gene are provided. Compositions comprising humanized chondrocytes isolated from these transgenic animals are also provided. In addition, methods of screening potential therapeutics for cartilage related disorders in these animals are provided.

Abstract: Chimeric viral proteins and nucleic acid constructs that code for them and are useful as therapeutic agents are disclosed.

Abstract: Genes and polypeptides encoded thereby of human chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase are provided. Vectors and host cells comprising these genes and transgenic animals capable of expressing them are also provided. In addition, methods of identifying polymorphic chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase in humans and activators or inhibitors of this enzyme are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides peptides of pRb2/p130 or mutants or fragments thereof which inhibit cdk2 kinase activity. Method of inhibiting cdk2 kinase activity in cells with these peptides are also provided.

Abstract: An injectable physiologically acceptable aqueous phase fluorocarbon emulsion, which has substantially no free fluorocarbon, has an excellent stability is prepared by a process of the invention. Typically, more than about 99.8 wt. % of the fluorocarbon remains in the size range of about 0.2 to 0.4 microns even after being stored at room temperature for one year or more in sealed containers under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The emulsion is useful in medical applications, for example, coronary angioplasty, cancer therapy, among others.