Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the therapeutic intervention of Parkinson's disease. More particularly, methods of making and sequestering dopamine are disclosed. Additionally, methods of genetically modifying donor cells by gene transfer for grafting into the central nervous system to treat defective, diseased or damaged cells are disclosed. Methods and compositions for carrying out such gene transfer and grafting are described.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors to transduce cardiomyocytes in vivo by infusing the rAAV into a coronary artery or coronary sinus. rAAV infection is not associated with detectable myocardial inflammation or myocyte necrosis. Thus, rAAV is a useful vector for the stable expression of therapeutic genes in the myocardium and can be used to deliver genes for inducing angiogenesis, inhibiting angiogenesis, stimulating cell proliferation, inhibiting cell proliferation and/or treating or ameliorating other cardiovascular conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transceiving a signal. The method includes the steps of transmitting a superposed frequency component of the signal within each of a plurality of non-adjacent frequency bands, using analogue or digital filters within a receiver to suppress all signals outside the plurality of frequency bands and to pass a filtered signal within the plurality of non-adjacent frequency bands, determining a set of substantially non-uniformly spaced times at which the filtered signal within the plurality of non-adjacent frequency bands should be sampled and sampling the filtered signal at the determined times to provide sampled data. The method further includes the steps of Fourier transforming subsets of the sampled data, linearly combining the Fourier transformed subsets using a reconstruction matrix and extracting the signal from the linear combinations of the Fourier transformed subsets.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring at least one of a system, a process and a data source. A method and system have been developed for carrying out surveillance, testing and modification of an ongoing process or other source of data, such as a spectroscopic examination. A signal from the system under surveillance is collected and compared with a reference signal, a frequency domain transformation carried out for the system signal and reference signal, a frequency domain difference function established. The process is then repeated until a full range of data is accumulated over the time domain and a Sequential Probability Ratio Test methodology applied to determine a three-dimensional surface plot characteristic of the operating state of the system under surveillance.

Abstract: Novel growth peptides derived from protein factors having molecular weights of about 22 and 45 kDa stimulate mitogenic activity of epithelial, but not fibroblastic cells, in particular, kidney epithelial cells. A source of the factors is scrape-wounded kidney epithelial cells in culture. Synthetic peptides having sixteen amino acids or less, in particular a hexapeptide, YPQGNH (SEQ ID NO: 2) maintain the mitogenic activity. The peptide AQPYPQGNHEASYG (14-Ser) (SEQ ID NO: 15) is effective in reversing acute renal failure in animals. The growth-promoting characteristics of the 22 and 45 kDa proteins and the peptides are useful in treating and diagnosing patients with kidney disease. Nucleotide sequences that encode the factor are useful to develop probes to locate similar factors, to identify genetic disorders involving the factor, and to produce the factor by genetic recombinant methods. The nucleotide sequences and fragments thereof, are also useful for diagnosis and treatment of kidney disorders.

Abstract: An extractant medium for extracting alkaline earth cations from an aqueous acidic sample solution is described as are a method and apparatus for using the same. The separation medium is free of diluent, free-flowing and particulate, and comprises a Crown ether that is a 4,4′(5′)[C4-C8-alkylcyclohexano]18-Crown-6 dispersed on an inert substrate material.

Abstract: A cross-linked water-insoluble ion exchange resin comprised of polymerized monomers having a phenyl ring is disclosed. A contemplated resin contains (i) polymerized phenyl ring-containing monomers having a phosphonic acid ligand linked to the phenyl ring, (ii) about 2 to about 5 millimoles per gram (mmol/g) of phosphorus as phosphonic acid ligands, and (iii) a sufficient amount of a sulfonic acid ligand such that the ratio of mmol/g of phosphonic acid to mmol/g sulfonic acid is up to 3:1. A process for removing polyvalent metal cations from aqueous solution, and a process for removing iron(III) cations from acidic copper(II) cation-containing solutions that utilize the contemplated resin or other resins are disclosed.

Abstract: An autocrine crystal adhesion inhibitor called CAI is an anionic, sialic acid-containing glycoprotein secreted by kidney epithelial cells that blocks adhesion of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals to the cell surfaces. Novel amino acid sequences are shown for the amino-acid terminus and 6 interval fragments. Persons may be classified according to risk of developing kidney stones, by measuring the amount of CAI in a biological sample. Treatment efficacy is also monitored by this method. CAI is administered in vivo to prevent nephrolithiasis. A rapid, simple assay to detect agents that inhibit adhesion of COM crystals to the surface of kidney epithelial cells is characterized.

Abstract: A non-imaging optical system for operating on light using broken symmetry reflector surfaces (30). The theoretical upper limit for concentration of direct solar radiation at low latitudes with stationary concentrators is determined from the projected solid angle sampled by the apparent motion of the sun. Based on the fact that the solar radiation is not uniformly distributed within this projected solid angle, we derive higher concentrations which apply when rejecting the lower density radiation. Trough type systems, which have translational symmetry, cannot be ideal stationary concentrators. Efficiency is improved by using broken symmetry for surfaces of the reflector (30) and the light source or concentrator. We note that what applies to concentrators applies equally to reflectors for illumination.

Abstract: A system and method for digital imaging. A digital radiological image of a subject is obtained having at least one low density region. The image is processed using first weighting factors in the at least one low density region of the digital image and second weighting factors smaller than the first weighting factors in regions of the digital image other than the at least one low density region. A processed digital image is obtained and a representation of the processed digital image is produced. In the processing of the image, unsharp mask filtering is employed using a processing curve having maximum unsharp mask filtering in the at least one low density region of the digital image and a constant amount of unsharp mask filtering less than the maximum unsharp mask filtering in the regions of the image other than the low density regions.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides that encode plant and cyanobacterial polypeptides that participate in the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA. Isolated cyanobacterial and plant polypeptides that catalyze acetyl-CoA carboxylation are also provided. Processes for altering acetyl-CoA carboxylation, increasing herbicide resistance of plants and identifying herbicide resistant variants of acetyl-CoA carboxylase are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is, directed to methods for detecting the presence of genetic polymorphisms that correlate with altered gene expression. More specifically, the present invention is directed to methods for detecting the genetic polymorphisms located in the UGT1A1 promoter. The invention also provides methods for optimizing drug dosages based upon the presence of the polymorphisms. The invention further provides methods of predicting sensitivity to xenobiotics and diagnostic kits for detecting genetic polymorphisms.

Abstract: Methods for the expression of kringle domains of apoliprotein(a) are described. The domains, including kringle 4 domains and the unique kringle 5 domain, are efficiently expressed as fusion proteins from transformed Escherichia coli host cells. The fusion polypeptides may be employed directly to generate antibodies to human lipoprotein (a) or cleaved to provide the pure kringle polypeptide. Monoclonal antibodies to the kringle 4 domains and to kringle 5 domain may be employed to assay levels of human apolipoprotein (a) in blood as a measure of risk of coronary heart disease.

Abstract: The present invention features a human Nkx-2.2 polypeptide and nucleotide sequences encoding Nkx-2.2 polypeptides. In a particular aspect, the polynucleotide is the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In addition, the invention features polynucleotide sequences that hybridize under stringent conditions to SEQ ID NO:1. In related aspects the invention features expression vectors and host cells comprising polynucleotides that encode a human Nkx-2.2 polypeptide. The present invention also relates to antibodies that bind specifically to a human Nkx-2.2 polypeptide, and methods for producing human Nkx-2.2 polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated and purified polynucleotides that encode plant and cyanobacterial polypeptides that participate in the carboxylation of acetyl-CoA. Isolated cyanobacterial and plant polypeptides that catalyze acetyl-CoA carboxylation are also provided. Processes for altering acetyl-CoA carboxylation, increasing herbicide resistance of plants and identifying herbicide resistant variants of acetyl-CoA carboxylase are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a series of nucleic acid probes for use in diagnosing and monitoring certain types of leukemia using, e.g., Southern and Northern blot analyses and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). These probes detect rearrangements, such as translocations involving chromosome band 11q23 with other chromosomes bands, including 4q21, 6q27, 9p22, 19p13.3, in both dividing leukemic cells and interphase nuclei. The breakpoints in all such translocations are clustered within an 8.3 kb BamHI genomic region of the MLL gene. A novel 0.7 kb BamH1 cDNA fragment derived from this gene detects rearrangements on Southern blot analysis with a single BamHI restriction digest in all patients with the common 11q23 translocations and in patients with other 11q23 anomalies. Northern blot analyses are presented demonstrating that the MLL gene has multiple transcripts and that transcript size differentiates leukemic cells from normal cells. Also disclosed are MLL fusion proteins, MLL protein domains and anti-MLL antibodies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconstructing a tomographic image using the parallel beam filtered backprojection algorithm from fan beam data, q(.alpha., .beta.). The method includes the steps of performing a fast fourier transform on the fan beam data, q(.alpha., .beta.), with respect to a set of projection angles, .beta. and forming a linear combination of complementary data elements of the transformed data, lying at projection bins of .alpha. and -.alpha.. The method further includes the steps of linearly interpolating the linear combination to obtain a regularly spaced set of data, P.sub.k.sup.(.omega.) (.xi.), in fourier space and performing an inverse fourier transform on the linearly interpolated data. Finally, the method includes the step of reconstructing an image from the inverse transformed data using the filtered back projection algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for interpolating a first set of multi-dimensional sample values from a second set of multi-dimensional sample values. The method includes the steps of determining a set of relationships between a second sampling space from which the second set of samples are obtained and a first sampling space into which the first set of samples are interpolated and calculating a partial Fourier transform of the second set of samples. The method further includes the steps of obtaining a partial Fourier transform of the first set of samples using the calculated partial Fourier transform of the second set of samples based upon the determined relationship between the first and second space and performing an inverse partial Fourier transform on the obtained partial Fourier transform of the first set of sample values to recover the first set of sample values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for generating a magnetic resonance image of a biotic structure. The method includes the steps of generating a plurality of datasets by modulating a free induction decay of at least some MR detectable nuclei in the biotic structure with a sinusoidally oscillating magnetic field gradient and using the spectroscopic and spatial information present in the acquired signal to approximate a set of instantaneously acquired gradient echoes. The method further includes the step of synthesizing images based upon the approximated acquired gradient echoes.

Abstract: Combination of low doses of irradiation and chelerythrine results in increased apoptosis in tumor cells. The doses of either irradiation or chelerythrine alone are such that increased apoptosis or decreased tumor growth or proliferation would not be expected.