Abstract: The present invention is directed to the application of nuclear receptor transcription factors as molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of myeloid leukemia. More specifically, nor-1 and nur77 nuclear receptors are targets for myeloid leukemia therapy.

Abstract: Assays for analyzing a sample comprising nucleic acid are described, in which the sample is contacted with an array comprising a set of oligonucleotides attached to a solid support at identifiable locations, wherein each oligonucleotide in the set comprises a label at the distal end of the oligonucleotide; incubating the contacted array to allow hybridization of nucleic acid in the sample to the oligonucleotides of the array; subjecting the hybridized array to a cleavage agent which cleaves incompletely hybridized oligonucleotides but does not cleave completely hybridized oligonucleotides; washing the cleaved array; and assessing a pattern of negative and positive signals on the washed, cleaved array, wherein a negative signal corresponds to an incompletely hybridized oligonucleotide that was cleaved by the cleavage agent, thus removing the label, and a positive signal corresponds to an oligonucleotide that was not cleaved by the cleavage agent, thus retaining the label.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an enhanced gene transcription system including a systematic method of selecting efficient promoter-enhancers, of optimizing plasmid design and increasing transcription of a cDNA of interest in transfected target cells. The present invention identifies abundantly, selectively expressed genes and creates plasmids comprising the promoters-enhancers of those genes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for the in vivo transport and deliver of nucleic acids. More particularly, it concerns the use of lipoproteins, including but not limited to, low density lipoproteins (“LDL”), and/or apolipoproteins for the binding and in vivo transport of nucleic acids. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of lipoproteins in the early detection of cancer and/or metastatic cancer and/or arteriosclerosis.

Abstract: The verified cDNA sequences for human, bovine and porcine lactoferrin protein have been used to prepare recombinant lactoferrin for therapeutic and nutritional applications. Regions of the cDNA such as the Fe binding sites can be used to make an hLF polypeptide product. The present invention provides novel plasmids, transfected eucaryotic cells and methods of producing these plasmids and transfected eucaryotic cells. The novel plasmid contains the cDNA for lactoferrin protein. Methods for the production of lactoferrin protein in fungi and bacteria are also provided. Thus, the present invention provides an efficient and economical means for the production of recombinant lactoferrin protein and lactoferrin related polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aldehyde reductase bidirectional promoter which promotes transcription of two different sequences linked in opposite orientations. Vectors containing said promoter and methods of using said promoter are described.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method that will increase the efficiency of second strand cDNA synthesis through a mechanism of “terminal continuation” before further RNA amplification by RNA transcription using, for example, a bacteriophage promoter. In a specific embodiment, a transcription promoter is attached to the 5′ region of cDNA through the same mechanism of “terminal continuation”. Genetic signals are subsequently amplified in a linear manner through RNA transcription. In specific embodiments, the orientation of the transcribed RNA is either sense or antisense, depending on the desired downstream application. In other embodiments, the present invention pertains to methods for extraction and amplification of RNA, particularly mRNA, from histologically stained tissues and cells.

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 directed to compositions and methods regarding the signaling for the presence of DNA damage or replication stress and activating cell cycle checkpoints. Specifically, ATRIP was identified as an interactor with ATR, a member of the phosphatidylinositol kinase-related protein family that includes ATM and DNA-PK. In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to ATRIP and ATR acting as mutually dependent partners in cell cycle checkpoint signaling pathways.

Abstract: Linear double-stranded DNA fragments containing a promoter, a nucleotide sequence, such as a transgene, preferably non-viral, and a 3′ untranslated region, are delivered to tissue of an animal by direct injection accompanied by electroporation. Long-term expression of the transgene results in prolonged availability of proteins, hormones, or enzymes that may be deficient in the mammal. In addition, the linear fragments increase the safety of the vectors for mammalian gene therapy by avoiding deleterious side effects.

Abstract: Inadequate growth due to deficiencies in growth hormone (GR), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), or genetic diseases can be ameliorated utilizing recombinant protein therapy with a novel GHRH analog having a sequence (SEQ ID NO:1). Also included is (1) a method of treating growth hormone-related deficiencies associated with the growth hormone pathway; (2) a method for treating growth hormone-related deficiencies associated with genetic disease; (3) a method to improve growth performance in an animal; (4) a method of treating an animal having a growth deficiency disease; (5) a method of increasing the efficiency of an animal used for food; and. (6) a method to enhance growth in an animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of MHC-I and MHC-II hTRT restricted epitopes and the use of these identified epitopes to elicit an immune response against the epitope. More particularly, the identified epitopes are administered to a subject to treat hyperproliferative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of apoptosis and programmed cell-death. More particularly, it relates to expression vectors, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for inhibiting cell-death using the expression vectors and/or pharmaceutical compositions. Yet further, the present invention also relates to methods of using the expression vector to screen for additional regulators of an anti-apoptotic gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant proteins of steroid hormone receptors. These mutant proteins are useful in methods of distinguishing a steroid hormone receptor antagonist from a steroid hormone receptor agonist. The present invention also provides plasmids containing mutated steroid hormone receptor proteins and cells transfected with those plasmids. In addition, the present invention provides methods for determining whether a compound is a steroid hormone receptor antagonist or agonist. Also, the present invention provides methods of determining endogenous ligands for steroid hormone receptors. The invention further provides a molecular switch for regulating expression in gene therapy and methods of employing the molecular switch in humans, animals, transgenic animals and plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to the detection of apoptotic cells using a novel assay that employs ligation of DNA fragments in situ to selectively label apoptotic cells. The assay may be used in combination with known in situ methodologies to simultaneously detect apoptotic cells and specific biomolecules present in the apoptotic cell.

Abstract: A diverse set of tubulin binding ligands 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, and phosphoramidates capable of demonstrating selective targeting and destruction of tumor cell vasculature.

Abstract: Inadequate growth due to deficiencies in growth hormone (GR), growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), or genetic diseases can be ameliorated utilizing recombinant protein therapy with a novel GHRH analog having a sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1). Also included is (1) a method of treating growth hormone-related deficiencies associated with the growth hormone pathway; (2) a method for treating growth hormone-related deficiencies associated with genetic disease; (3) a method to improve growth performance in an animal; (4) a method of treating an animal having a growth deficiency disease; (5) a method of increasing the efficiency of an animal used for food; and, (6) a method to enhance growth in an animal.

Abstract: Double-stranded cDNA was synthesized from nucleic acid extracted from Norwalk virus purified from stool specimens of volunteers. One clone was isolated from a cDNA library constructed in a pUC-13 vector after amplification of the cDNA. The specificity of this cDNA (pUCNV-953) was shown by hybridization assays. The cDNA reacted with post (but not pre-) infection stool samples from Norwalk volunteers and with highly purified Norwalk virus, but not with other common enteric viruses such as hepatitis A virus and rotavirus. Finally, the probe detected virus in the same fractions of CsCl gradients in which viral antigen was detected using a specific Norwalk virus radioimmunoassay, and particles were detected by immune electron microscopy. Single-stranded RNA probes derived from the DNA clone after subcloning into an in vitro transcription vector were also used to show that the Norwalk virus contains a ssRNA genome of about 8 kb in size.

Abstract: A non-metallic medical device treated with a antimicrobial agents is provided. Different combinations of antimicrobial agents can be used for different types of non-metallic medical devices depending on the types of infections related to each device. The combination of different antimicrobial substances has a synergistic effect against certain bacteria and fungi. An antimicrobial agent can be used to treat a non-metallic medical device by mixing the antimicrobial agent with an acid solution and glycerol and exposing the non-metallic medical device to the resulting mixture such that an enough of the antimicrobial agent binds to a portion of the non-metallic medical device to inhibit the growth of bacterial and fungal organisms.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a first oligonucleotide comprising the sequence of or derived from 5′-CTAGGGCGGGCGGGACTCACCTAC-3′or the nucleic acid sequence complementary thereto. The first oligonucleotide can be used with a nucleic acid of between 15 and 30 nucleotides that does not comprise the sequence of the first oligonucleotide and is found in the region from V&bgr; to J&bgr; of the V&bgr;13.1 gene in V&bgr;13.1 T cells, wherein the sequences of the oligonucleotide and the nucleic acid are not found on the same strand of the V&bgr;13.1 gene pair, to amplify a portion of the V&bgr;13.1 gene. Alternatively, the first oligonucleotide can be used with a labeling moiety in methods of detecting a LGRAGLTY motif found in T cell receptors of V&bgr;13.1 T cells. This motif is associated with autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Once the motif is detected, the autoimmune disease can be treated or its progress monitored.