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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 is directed to methods for restoring reading vision and increasing the amplitude of accommodation in presbyopic patients. The method involves topically administering to the patient an amount of a composition sufficient to inhibit acetylcholine esterase activity in the eye of the patient. The invention discloses dose ranges of acetylcholine esterase inhibitor in the composition used for restoring reading vision and increasing the amplitude of accommodation in presbyopic patients and successful correction of presbyopia in these patients. The methods disclosed herein are also used to treat other disorders such as dry eye syndrome, hyperopia, myopia, amblyopia, glaucoma and cataracts.

Abstract: A protein which is capable of inhibiting epidermal growth factor-induced cellular proliferation is disclosed, as well as a method of obtaining it from a host cell, and a method of obtaining the same in purified form. Therapeutic uses of, and pharmaceutical compositions containing EGFI, TC4 and CDC25 are also described. In addition, the use of EGFI-related gene therapy is described.

Abstract: G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRK) play an important role in phosphorylating and regulating the activity of G protein-coupled receptors. Complementary DNAs (cDNAs) that encode two novel members of the G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) family are provided in the present invention. These cDNAs encode GRK5 (590 amino acids) and GRK6 (576 amino acids) which represent two new members of the GRK family that have distinct tissue distribution and substrate specificity. The availability of the cDNAs enables the generation of reagents to modulate the activity of endogenous kinases. These include dominant negative mutations and antisense oligonucleotides or stably transfected antisense constructs to block expression of the kinase to generate a cell with a reduced ability to desensitize to various agents. Expression of GRK5 and GRK6 also permits identification of specific inhibitors and activators of these two kinases.