Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus which includes a polypod support which includes a fiber optic supporting platform. The fiber optic supporting platform includes an opening. The apparatus further includes at least three legs forming a tripod, each of the legs having two ends, a first end being secured to the fiber optic supporting platform and the second end being adapted for attachment to the skin of the patient, a first tube having an outer diameter, a second tube having an outer diameter and an inner diameter, where the inner diameter of the second tube surrounds the outer diameter of the first tube and where the outer diameter of the second tube is slidably mounted within the opening of the fiber optic surrounding platform and a fiber optic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding Rickettsia felis outer membrane proteins (R. felis omp). Expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules are also provided, as well as methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of R. felis omp in host cells. The invention further provides a method of screening a substance for the ability of the substance to modify R. felis omp function, and a method for isolating other R. felis omp molecules. DNA oligomers capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid molecule encoding the R. felis omp are provided, which can be used to detect R. felis omp in a sample. An isolated R. felis omp is also provided. Antibodies specific for the protein, and fragments thereof, are provided, as are compositions comprising the protein and a compatible carrier. The subject invention further provides a method of preventing R. felis infections by R. felis present in a carrier host, and a method of reducing R.

Abstract: The invention provides the development of models for cell migration, including an in vitro model and an in vivo model. The in vitro model for cell migration comprises a first extracellular matrix containing a cell (the cell which will migrate) and a second extracellular matrix in physical contact with the first extracellular matrix. The first extracellular matrix simulates a first natural environment in which the cell naturally resides, and the second extracellular matrix simulates a second natural environment into which the cell naturally migrates from the first natural environment. The in vivo model according to the subject invention comprises an animal model having a naturally occurring first extracellular matrix containing a cell, and a second extracellular matrix in physical contact with the first extracellular matrix. The first and second extracellular matrices are generally as described above for the in vitro model, except that the first extracellular matrix is part of an animal model.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for screening a test compound for the ability of the test compound to induce a response from human naive T-cells. The method comprises admixing human naive T cells, macrophages/monocytes, immortalized B cells lacking class I and class II major histocompatibility antigens, and a test compound; and determining whether the test compound induces a response from the human naive T cells. The invention further provides a method for primary in vitro sensitization of human naive T-cells. The method comprises admixing human naive T cells, macrophages/monocytes, immortalized B cells lacking class I and class II major histocompatibility antigens, and an antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating lung inflammation in a subject which includes administering butylated hydroxyanisol to the subject in an amount effective to treat lung inflammation. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting interferon regulatory factor activation in a subject and in an alveolar cell. Another aspect of the invention relates to an assay.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding human platelet F11 receptors. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules are also provided, as well as methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of the human platelet F11 receptor in host cells. The invention further provides a method of screening a substance for the ability of the substance to modify human platelet F11 receptor function, and a method for isolating other human platelet F11 receptor molecules. DNA oligomers capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid molecule encoding the human platelet F11 receptor are provided, which can be used to detect human platelet F11 receptor in a sample.

Abstract: Provided is the active site of human gamma glutamyl hydrolase. The active site resides in amino acid residues 110, 171, 220 and 222 of SEQ ID NO:1. Thus provided is an inactive gamma glutamyl hydrolase protein, as well as a fragment thereof. A method of inactivating a gamma glutamyl hydrolase protein is also provided, as is a molecule capable of binding to one or more of amino acid residues 110, 171, 220 or 222 of SEQ ID NO:1 which can be used in such a method. A method for identifying a molecule that inactivates gamma glutamyl hydrolase is provided, as is a nucleic acid molecule encoding the inactive gamma glutamyl hydrolase.

Abstract: Provided is a signal peptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1. Further provided is a fusion protein comprising the signal peptide fused to a heterologous protein. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding the signal peptide and encoding the fusion protein, as well as vectors and recombinant host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules. The recombinant host cell can be a recombinant bacterium having a functional type III secretion system and having loss-of-function mutations in genes that encode secreted substrate proteins of the type III secretion system. The recombinant host cell can be used in a method of producing the heterologous protein.