Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of stimulating ciliary beat frequency to promote mucociliary or cough clearance of retained mucus secretions from the lungs, sinuses, upper airways, ears, eyes, genito-urinary tract, spermatozoa, ovaries, fallopian tubes, neutrophils, and macrophages of a patient. The method comprises administering uridine triphosphates, adenosine triphosphates, cytidine triphosphates, or dinucleoside tetraphosphates and the derivatives thereof to an affected body of a patient, to treat dysfunction of the mucociliary clearance system as a result of impaired ciliary movement in the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the photolithographic synthesis of biochips in which photolabile protective groups of the 2-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl type are used, whereby the irradiation step that is common in the photolithographic chip synthesis is carried out in the presence of a base, preferably a secondary or uerriary base.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of regulating water and mucin secretions and fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract. The invention also provides a method for treating a gastrointestinal disease in which the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal system is impaired. The invention additionally provides a method for correcting disorders of fluid secretion or absorption in the gastrointestinal system. The method comprises administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising a purinergic P2Y receptor agonist, in an amount effective to regulate water and mucin secretions or to correct abnormal fluid transport in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: This invention provides a DNA polymerase that is a mutant form of a naturally occurring DNA polymerase, of which one or more amino acids in the active site are mutated. The DNA polymerase mutant of this invention is characterized by altered fidelity or altered enzymatic activity in comparison with the naturally occurring DNA polymerase. For example, the DNA polymerase mutant provides increased enzymatic activity, altered dNTP/rNTP specificity, or enhanced fidelity. In one aspect of the invention, the naturally occurring DNA polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence motif: AspTyrSerGlnIleGluLeuArg in the active site. In another aspect of the invention, the naturally occurring DNA polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence motif: LeuLeuValAlaLeuAspTyrSerGlnIleGluLeuArg in the active site.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating edematous retinal disorders. The method comprises administration of a P2Y receptor agonist to stimulate the removal of pathological extraneous fluid from the subretinal and retinal spaces and thereby reduce the accumulation of said fluid associated with retinal detachment and retinal edema. The P2Y receptor agonist may be administered with therapeutic and adjuvant agents commonly used to treat edematous retinal disorders. The pharmaceutical composition useful in this invention comprises a P2Y receptor agonist with enhanced resistance to extracellular hydrolysis, such as dinucleoside polyphosphate compounds.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an isolated DNA sequence encoding an antigen of Taenia solium metacestodes. A 10 kDa antigen of Taenia solium metacestodes (TSM) has been shown to be specific for immunodiagnosis of Neurocysticercosis (NCC), which is an important cause of neurological disease worldwide. This invention discloses a method of cloning a cDNA library encoding a 10 kDa protein from Taenia solium metacestodes. The cloned cDNA contained a 258 bp complete open reading frame, encoding an 86 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 9,582 Da. It showed 73% homology with a 10 kDa antigen of T. crassiceps. The recombinant protein was expressed bacterially as a fusion protein at a high level. A recombinant TSM antigen prepared according: to this invention is useful in detecting neurocysticerocosis disease. In immunoblot with purified recombinant protein, 97% of sera from active NCC showed strong reactivity while 14% of sera from chronic calcified NCC were weekly positive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the quality of oligomer arrays, which is characterized in that a phosphate unit is fused to certain array positions, said phosphate unit being linked to a signal-generating reporter group, the degree of oligomer synthesis is determined using the signal of the reporter group, and the reporter group is then split off again.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain novel dinucleotide polyphosphates of general Formulae I, II and III, and formulations thereof which are selective agonists of the P2Y purinergic receptors. They are useful in the prevention, management or treatment of diseases and disorders associated with abnormalities of tissue fluid secretion, hydration and clearance, including chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (chronic bronchitis, PCD, cystic fibrosis, immobility-associated pneumonia), sinusitis, otitis media, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, dry eye disease, glaucoma, retinal degeneration, and edematous retinal disorders, including retinal detachment, vaginal dryness, and gastrointestinal tract disease. Finally, these novel dinucleotides may be useful for diagnostic purposes, such as the facilitation of sputum induction and expectoration for the analysis of respiratory tract secretions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the synthesis of a pharmaceutically useful dinucleotide, P1, P4-di(uridine 5′)-tetraphosphate, and demonstrates the applicability to the production of large quantities. The methods of the present invention substantially reduce the time required to synthesize diuridine tetraphosphate, for example, to three days or less. The tetrasodium, ammonium, lithium and potassium salts of P1, P4-di(uridine 5′)-tetraphosphate prepared by these methods are stable, soluble, nontoxic, of high purity and easy to handle during manufacture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound which contains boron and which comprises the following general formula (1) in which Cb represents carborane, R2 and R3, independent of one another, represent a hydrogen atom or an organic radical, and R and R1, independent of one another, represent a hydrogen atom or an organic group, or R and R1 form a carbonyl group with the carbon atom to which they are bound. The invention also relates to a method of producing a compound containing boron and to the application of the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for inhibiting CD95-independent apoptosis, comprising the following steps: (a) blocking the bonding of HIV-1 gp120 on receptors CD4 and/or CXCR4 or of a factor competing for this bonding, and/or (b) inhibiting the signal path induced by the bonding of (a). The invention also relates to a system for identifying substances which can be utilized for inhibiting CD95-independent apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of stimulating cervical and vaginal secretions in a mammal by treatment with P2Y2 and/or P2Y4 purinergic receptor agonists. Treatment of vaginal dryness associated with menopause, chemotherapy, and various disease states as well as the treatment of vulvar pain is discussed. Suitable agonists such as UTP, CTP, ATP, dinucleotides and analogs thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding hypusines mutants having the biological activity of an inhibitor of cellular proliferation. The present invention further relates to vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules, to hosts transformed with said vectors, to methods of producing the polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention as well as to the polypeptide itself. In addition, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions comprising one or more of the aforementioned compounds, the methods for synchronizing cell growth and to the use of the vector of the invention in gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant viral nucleic acid selected from a (+) sense, single stranded RNA virus possessing a native subgenomic promoter encoding for a first viral subgenomic promoter, a nucleic acid sequence that codes for a viral coat protein whose transcription is regulated by the first viral subgenomic promoter, a second viral subgenomic promoter and a second nucleic acid sequence whose transcription is regulated by the second viral subgenomic promoter. The first and second viral subgenomic promoters of the recombinant viral nucleic acid do not have homologous sequences relative to each other. The recombinant viral nucleic acid provides the particular advantage that it systemically transcribes the second nucleic acid in the host. Host organisms encompassed by the present invention include procaryotes and eucaryotes, particularly animals and plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides an AAV vector having a foreign DNA coding for a protein that boosts immunogenicity of cells. The invention also provides a vaccine containing such a vector and the use of both.

Abstract: Novel enzymatically produced melanins are described that are useful in the treatment of HIV infection. The novel melanins are optionally modified to contain chemical moieties such as halogens, sulfates, or sulfonyl groups. Additionally, the novel enzymatically synthesized melanins may be modified, or further modified, by chemical oxidation.

Abstract: A method for extracting proteins from the intercellular space of plants is provided. The method is applicable to the large scale isolation of many active proteins of interest synthesized by plant cells. The method may be used commercially to recover recombinantly produced proteins from plant hosts thereby making the large scale use of plants as sources for recombinant protein production feasible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transduction system, comprising (a) a rep-negative AAV vector containing a foreign DNA and (b) a product providing an AAV Rep protein. The invention also relates to the use of the transduction system.

Abstract: A method and preparation for the stimulation of mucosal hydration in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the mucosal surfaces of the subject a purinergic receptor agonist such as uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP), dinucleotide triphosphates; cytidine 5′-diphosphate (CDP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), or their therapeutically useful analogs and derivatives, in an amount effective to stimulate mucin secretion. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include: topical administration via a liquid, gel, cream, or as part of a contact lens or selective release membrane; or systemic administration via nasal drops or spray, inhalation by nebulizer or other device, oral form (liquid or pill), injectable, intra-operative instillation or suppository form.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of compiling a plant functional gene profile, a method of changing the phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, a method of determining a change in phenotype or biochemistry of a plant, and a method of determining the presence of a trait in plant. The methods comprise expressing transiently a nucleic acid sequence of a plant into a host plant to affect phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant. A viral vector functional genomic screen has been developed to identify nucleotide sequences in transfected plants by systemically knocking out endogenous gene expression in an antisense mechanism. Once the presence of a trait in a plant is identified by phenotypic or biochemical changes in the host plant, the nucleic acid insert in the cDNA clone or in the vector that results in the changes is then sequenced. The present invention exemplifies that genes encoding GTP binding proteins in one plant can silence endogenous gene expression in a different plant.