Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: Topical administration of a generator of H2S in biological tissues for the treatment of eye disorders, such as glaucoma. NaHS caused a time-dependent decrease in intraocular pressure in normotensive, conscious albino rabbits indicating a similar role for H2S in the regulation of aqueous humor dynamics in animals and humans. H2S donors, NaHS and Na2S, inhibited field-stimulated [3H]NE release from porcine isolated iris-ciliary bodies and produced relaxation of pre-contracted iris muscle strips indicating a pharmacological role for H2S in the anterior uvea. The observation that donors of H2S can alter sympathetic neurotransmission and induce an inhibitory action on iris smooth muscle suggests that this gas has the potential to influence several physiological/pathological processes in the eye. The ability of NaHS or Na2S to inhibit [3H]NE release mimics the well-established action some antiglaucoma drugs (e.g.

Abstract: Oliognucleotide primers are provided that are specific for nucleic acid characteristic of certain beta-lactamases. The primers can be employed in methods to identify nucleic acid characteristic of family-specific beta-lactamase enzymes in samples, and particularly, in clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods for processing a two-dimensional image from three-dimensional image information is disclosed. Images are segmented into foreground regions and background regions. An object-centered coordinate system is created and a hierarchical anatomical model is accessed to classify object in order to identify an anatomical object. The anatomical text labels are generated and positioned on the image slices and at least one image slice is displayed.

Abstract: A method of isolating RNA from a biological specimen is provided, whereby a biological specimen is contacted with an admixture of (i) a mono-phasic solution of phenol and guanidine isothiocyanate and (ii) a lysis buffer under conditions and for a time appropriate to form a homogenate. Next, the homogenate is admixed with a water-immiscible organic solvent under conditions and for a time appropriate to form an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The aqueous phase is then contacted with a C1-C4 lower alcohol under conditions and for a time to form a precipitated RNA. The precipitated RNA is then recovered by centrifugation and decanting of the aqueous phase. The method can also be used to isolate total RNA. In an alternative embodiment, the biological sample is contacted with (i) a lysis buffer, and (ii) a mono-phasic solution of phenol and guanidine isothiocyanate under conditions and for a time appropriate to form a homogenate. The remaining steps of this embodiment are the same as above.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanoparticles and methods for using nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include at least three antiretroviral agents. When introduced to cells the nanoparticles cause an increase in the intracellular concentration of the antiretroviral agents to a level that is at least the IC50 against HIV-I or HIV-2. This concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the cells are contacted with the nanoparticle. When administered to a subject the nanoparticles cause the concentration of the antiretroviral agents to increase to at least 100 ng/ml in the serum of the subject, at least 0.5 ?g/gram tissue in an organ of the subject, or a combination thereof. Such a concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the administration.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: A calendar system displays event data via an electronic calendar form that is accessible over a network by a user of a client computer. The system stores event data for multiple events and selectively displays event data based on whether a calendar access request is received from a guest user or an authenticated user. The system displays event data via a default calendar to guest users and displays event data via a customized calendar to authenticated users. The default calendar displays event data for related events based on a contextual relationship that is derived by examining event data for each the multiple events to determine a position separation and/or a frequency of a user supplied keyword in the event data. The customized calendar displays events based on contextual relationships and based on the viewing history of the user and other input data from user.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a microorganism produces an AmpC ?-lactamase is disclosed in which a culture of a microorganism suspected of producing a ?-lactamase that inactivates a ?-lactam-containing antibiotic is admixed with an effective amount of each of i) a ?-lactam-containing antibiotic, ii) a ?-lactamase inhibitor to which AmpC ?-lactamase is resistant, and iii) a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing amount to form an assay culture. That assay culture in maintained under appropriate culture conditions and for a time period sufficient to determine the interaction of the microorganism with the AmpC ?-lactamase resistant inhibitor and antibacterial compound, and thereby determine the presence of an AmpC ?-lactamase, wherein a positive test indicates the presence of an AmpC ?-lactamase.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides having an amino acid sequence having at least 70% identity to SEQ ID NO:20, wherein the polypeptide has ER-?36 activity. The invention further provides methods for identifying agents that bind to such polypeptides, methods for detecting such polypeptides, and methods for altering the activity of such polypeptides. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind to an amino acid sequence depicted at SEQ ID NO:1, or an immunogenic fragment thereof, and methods for making and using such antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps. First, a culture of the microorganism whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. Next, the assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.

Abstract: Oliognucleotide primers are provided that are specific for nucleic acid characteristic of certain beta-lactamases. The primers can be employed in methods to identify nucleic acid characteristic of family-specific beta-lactamase enzymes in samples, and particularly, in clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying the US A300 strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of deriving a stem cell from a skin cell.

Abstract: The invention encompasses methods of detecting and diagnosing low bone mass density. The method comprises, in part, obtaining nucleic acid expression data from a plurality of nucleic acid sequences, wherein at least one nucleic acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of ESR1, MAPK3, MECP2, PSTPIP1, SLA, STKL1, WNK1, and ZNF446.

Abstract: Oliognucleotide primers are provided that are specific for nucleic acid characteristic of certain AmpC beta-lactamases. The primers can be employed in methods to detect the presence or absence of an AmpC beta-lactamase gene in samples, and to identify nucleic acid characteristic of AmpC beta-lactamase genes in samples, particularly, in clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: A method and system for assigning resources such as housing associated with an educational institution via communication network is disclosed. A user of a client computer sends a registration request defining registration data to a server facilitating a resource assignment service. The resource assignment service then determines the eligibility of users to use the service based on retrieved registration data, and assigns a randomly generated personal identification number (PIN) to eligible users. The resource assignment service can then assign a timeslot for eligible users to request a desired resource as a function of their assigned PINs. Users may then use the client computer to during their assigned timeslots to submit requests to the resource assignment service for desired resource assignments.

Abstract: Oliognucleotide primers are provided that are specific for nucleic acid characteristic of certain beta-lactamases. The primers can be employed in methods to identify nucleic acid characteristic of family-specific beta-lactamase enzymes in samples, and particularly, in clinical isolates of Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting production of antibiotic-inactivating factor and for determining the antibiotic susceptibility of a microorganism comprising the following steps, a culture of the microorganism suspected of producing inactivating factors and/or whose susceptibility is to be determined is admixed with an antibiotic to which susceptibility is to be assayed, and a permeabilizing agent for the microorganism present in a non-growth-inhibiting microorganism-permeabilizing effective amount to form an assay culture. The assay culture is incubated under appropriate culture conditions and for a time sufficient to determine production of antibiotic-inactivating factors and/or the susceptibility of the microorganism to the antibiotic.