Abstract: The identification of mutations in NURR1 provides molecular tools for the development of diagnostic, prophylactic and therapeutic agents for Parkinson's Disease. In specific embodiments, two point mutations are identified in exon 1 of the NURR1 gene in 10/107 (9.3%) cases of familial Parkinson's disease (PD). The mutations reduce NURR1 gene expression (mRNA and protein levels) by 87–95% and decrease tyrosine hydroxylase (a rate-limited dopamine synthesis enzyme) gene expression in vitro. It is also demonstrated that in vivo NURR1 mRNA levels in the lymphocytes from the PD patients with the exon 1 mutation are reduced by 68–84%, and in over 50% sporadic PD patients the NURR1 mRNA levels in lymphocytes are significantly reduced. A homozygous polymorphism is identified in intron 6 of NURR1 that correlates with the presence of Parkinson's disease. A splicing variant in NURR1 exon 5 is identified.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition and process for avoiding non-specific uptake of targeted liposomal complexes in the lung and other highly vascular issues. The reversible masking of liposomal complexes allows increased delivery of nucleic acid molecules to target cells or tissues.

Abstract: The present invention is designed to efficiently calculate isotopic distribution in order to simulate mass spectra data for any chemical compound of interest. The simulated spectra considers the various isotopes of the compound based upon a probability calculation that takes into consideration the natural abundance of each isotope of individual elements of the compound. The probability calculation generates a relative probability associated with each isotope species of the subject compound. The simulated spectra are displayed on an x-y coordinate illustrating the calculated formula weight on the abscissa (x-axis) and the intensity of the specific species on the ordinate (y-axis). This theoretical data is then compared to experimental data taken from a mass spectrometer in order to identify the chemical compound at issue.

Abstract: An exercise machine including a frame and a drive arm pivotedly engaged to the frame, for example, on an upright thereof. A cylinder is mounted at one point to the frame and, at a removed end of a plunger, has links or rod members to engage the removed end of the plunger to the frame and also to the drive arm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of metastatic diseases using metastatic sequences, such as caveolin, to target metastatic cells. According to the methods of the present invention, certain cancers, including metastatic prostate cancer, may be treated by therapies which suppress expression of the caveolin gene. The present invention relates to biological technologies designed to block the activity of caveolin or the function of caveolae, including vector delivery of antisense caveolin sequences, the use of anti-caveolin antibodies, the use of promoters, and other approaches targeting the expression of caveolin.

Abstract: A boat propeller includes a hub having a front, back, and an axis of revolution extending therebetween. A plurality of blades provide and extend from the hub between the front and back. Each blade includes a surface adjacent of the hub disposed at an oblique angle to the hub axis and a blade tip having an adjacent surface forming a dihedral angle with a surface adjacent to the hub extended on the forward camber only. The surface adjacent to the blade tip is inclined at a greater angle to the hub axis than the surface adjacent to the hub. Each blade includes a trailing edge extending radially from the hub with each trailing edge being substantially straight and a tip is provided joining the trailing edges at approximately a 90° angle. An arcuate leading edge is provided between each blade tip and a hub and a flange is disposed on each blade tip and extends parallel to the hub axis toward the hub back.

Abstract: A system and method for independently controlling the collimation and lateral positioning of a light beam comprises at least one acousto-optic deflector and a pair of counter propagating acoustic waves with offset frequencies. While the frequency offset controls the lateral positioning of the light beam, a frequency gradient across the acousto-optic deflectors controls the collimation of the light beam.

Abstract: Peptide mimetic small molecule inhibitors of Sur-2 are provided having the general formula:

Abstract: This invention relates to a gene encoding RTVP that has been shown to be up-regulated by p53 using differential display-PCR and subsequently by co-transfection studies. RTVP-1 mRNA is abundant in normal mouse and human prostatic epithelial cells and primary tumors, but is significantly down regulated in metastatic mouse and human prostate cancer. In prostate cancer cells overexpression of the mouse RTVP-1 gene (mRTVP-1) induced apoptosis that was accompanied by increased caspase 8, 9 and 3 activities. mRTVP-1-stimulated apoptosis was also associated with increased levels of bax, bad and activated BID; reduced levels of bcl-2 and bcl-XL; and cytosolic cytochrome c accumulation. Adenoviral-vector-mediated mRTVP-1 expression lead to potent growth suppression and antimetastatic activities in an orthotopic mouse model of prostate cancer in vivo. These therapeutic activities were associated with anti-angiogenic effects and importantly a local and systemic immune response.

Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods for identifying T-cell epitopes independent of the subject's HLS type by simultaneously analyzing the culture for multiple parameters of immune reactivity to identify at least one epitope wherein the epitopes that elicit immune reactivity of interest in the subset are identified as targeting agents for the subset.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a polynucleotide of interest, comprising providing one or more sets of consecutive oligonucleotide primers differing within each set by one base at the growing end therof; annealing a single strand of the polynucleotide or a fragment of the polynucleotide to the oligonucleotide primers under hybridization conditions; subjecting the primers to single base extension reactions with a polymerase and terminating nucleotides, the terminating nucleotides being mutually distinguishable; and observing the location and identity of each terminating nucleotide to thereby analyze the sequence or a part of the nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide of interest, is disclosed. An apparatus comprising a solid support to which is attached at defined locations thereon one or more sets of consecutive oligonucleotide primers differing within each set by one base at the growing end thereof is also described.

Abstract: A diverse set of tubulin binding agents have been discovered which are structurally characterized, in a general sense, by a semi-rigid molecular framework capable of maintaining aryl-aryl, pseudo pi stacking distances appropriate for molecular recognition of tubulin. In phenolic or amino form, these ligands may be further functionalized to prepare phosphate esters, phosphate salts, phosphoramidates, and other prodrugs capable of demonstrating selective targeting and destruction of tumor cell vasculature.

Abstract: Ovary-specific proteins O1-180, O1-184 and O1-236, polynucleotides encoding them, antibodies which are immunoreactive with them and vectors and host cells containing O1-180, O1-184 or O1-236 are provided. Also provided are methods for detecting cell proliferative or degenerative disorders of ovarian origin and which are associated with O1-180, O1-184 or O1-236. Further provided are methods for the evaluation of potential contraceptives using the proteins of the invention, as well as methods for the screening for genetic mutations in signaling pathways that are associated with some forms of human infertility or gynecological cancers, also using the proteins/mRNAs/genes of the invention. The proteins/mRNAs/genes of the invention may also be used as markers for identifying primary and metastatic neoplasms of ovarian origin and as indicators of developmental anomalies in prenatal screening procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technology called Pulse-Multiline Excitation or PME. This technology provides a novel approach to fluorescence detection with application for high-throughput identification of informative SNPs, which could lead to more accurate diagnosis of inherited disease, better prognosis of risk susceptibilities, or identification of sporadic mutations. The PME technology has two main advantages that significantly increase fluorescence sensitivity: (1) optimal excitation of all fluorophores in the genomic assay and (2) “color-blind” detection, which collects considerably more light than standard wavelength resolved detection. Successful implementation of the PME technology will have broad application for routine usage in clinical diagnostics, forensics, and general sequencing methodologies and will have the capability, flexibility, and portability of targeted sequence variation assays for a large majority of the population.

Abstract: A method for modulating lipid metabolism in a subject by administering 9-cis retinoic acid is presented. The 9-cis retinoic acid is more specific for the retinoid X receptor than is retinoic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the enhancement of cognition in an individual by delivery of a histone acetylation regulator, such as a histone deacetylase inhibitor. The individual may have normal or poor memory, and the poor memory may be the result of a pathogenic condition or a non-pathogenic condition, such as with normal aging-related impairment. In a specific embodiment, enhancement of cognition occurs in an individual having a mental retardation syndrome.

Abstract: A method for treating glycogen storage disease by administering an effective amount of a composition that includes ketogenic odd carbon fatty acids that ameliorate the symptoms of these diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides biological molecules modified by reaction with a compound having the formula: R1—X—R2, wherein R1 is a cyclic ether group or an amino group, R2 is an alkoxysilane group and X is a moiety chemically suitable for linking the cyclic ether group or the amino group to the alkoxysilane group. The invention also provides arrays, or “biochips,” comprising these modified biological molecules. Also provided are methods for making and using these compositions.

Abstract: Composition and method for stimulating angiogenesis, stimulating myogenesis, upregulating angiogenic factors and angiopoietins, and treating the muscular and vascular complications of diabetes. Overall, the embodiments of the invention can be accomplished by delivering a heterologous nucleic acid sequence encoding insulin-like growth factor I (“IGF-I”) or a functional biological equivalent thereof into the cells of the subject and allowing expression of the encoded gene to occur while the modified cells are within the subject. The nucleic acid sequence maybe delivered by a vector system including a synthetic myogenic promoter and a 3? untranslated region. The preferred method to deliver the constitutive or inducible nucleic acid encoding sequences of IGF-I or the functional biological equivalents thereof is directly into the cells of the subject by the process of in vivo electroporation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving hearing by irradiating the cochlea with a laser beam. In one embodiment, an apparatus for improving hearing comprises a laser source that emits at least one laser beam to irradiate at least a portion of a basilar membrane. The laser source emits the at least one laser beam under suitable conditions to change a frequency response of the basilar membrane. In an embodiment, the laser source irradiates the cochlea at a defined pulse duration to change the physical properties of the cochlea. The irradiated portion of the cochlea may be the basilar membrane.