Abstract: In a wide variety of human solid tumors, an aggressive, metastatic phenotype and poor clinical prognosis are associated with expression of the receptor tyrosine kinase Met. Disclosed herein are (a) a monoclonal antibody named Met4, which antibody is specific for Met, and (b) a hybridoma cell line that produces Met4. The Met4 antibody is particularly useful for detecting Met in formalin-fixed tissue. Methods of using the Met4 antibody for detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluating therapeutic efficacy are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides prognostic and diagnostic methods for cancer, as well as methods for monitoring or staging cancer. Methods involve assaying for tumor-derived soluble MIC polypeptide—either MICA or MICB or both—in a sample from a subject. Assays can be implemented with a MIC polypeptide binding agent such as a MIC polypeptide antibody or recombinantNKG2D. An ELISA sandwich assay is employed in some embodiments of the invention to identify a soluble MIC polypeptide. In additional embodiments, a sample is assayed for tumor cell-surface bound MIC in addition to assaying for soluble MIC. The invention also provides methods of cancer therapy involving detecting cancer in the subject by assaying for soluble MIC polypeptide and then administering a cancer therapy.

Abstract: A multi-piece swivel coupling kit with a snap connection for ready and rapid assembly with the capability to be disassembled and reconfigured as required by the specific installation. The swivel coupling kit includes a tubular socket member having a line connecting end and multiple coupling ends and multiple tubular stem members each having a line connecting end and a coupling end connectable to one of the coupling ends of the tubular socket member. The multiple coupling ends including integral complementing annular projections and recesses which define a close fitting bearing unit creating forced engagement between the projections and recesses to establish smooth engagement and rotational support of the socket member and each of the stem members. The multiple coupling ends of the tubular socket member are configured to allow releasable configuration, reconfiguration and expansion of the multiple tubular stem members along a X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis and in a X plane, a Y plane and a Z plane.

Abstract: Provided are quantitative PCR-based compositions and methods for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in a patient sample, such as bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The methods presented herein involve isolating a patient sample, optionally extracting DNA from the sample, carrying out a quantitative PCR (qPCR) reaction on the sample to generate an amplicon that includes a region of an Aspergillus spp. ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, and detecting the PCR amplicon. The present disclosure also provides primers and primer sets for specifically detecting an Aspergillus spp. fungal pathogen in the presence of human ribosomal DNA (rDNA).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for detecting the genome-wide presence of methylated DNA and palindrome formation. The present disclosure also provides methods for specific enrichment of methylated DNA or DNA having a DNA palindrome. These methods have demonstrated that somatic palindromes and methylated DNA occur frequently and are widespread in human cancers. Individual tumor types have a characteristic non-random distribution of palindromes in their genome and a small subset of the palindromic loci are associate with gene amplification. The disclosed method can be used to define the plurality of genomic DNA palindromes and regions having methylated DNA associated with various tumor types and can provide methods for the classification of tumors, and the diagnosis, early detection of cancer as well as the monitoring of disease recurrence and assessment of residual disease.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing tubulars on a floating semi-submersible drilling or production vessel. The apparatus comprises a storage device for storing tubulars in a submerged position, essentially below a splash zone. The storage device is generally open to the surroundings so that the tubulars are externally exposed to surrounding water. It is also described an apparatus for transporting tubulars between a storage and a derrick on an offshore drilling and/or production platform having a platform deck. The apparatus is situated below the platform deck and is adapted for movement under the platform deck. A method for disassembling a pipe string is also described.

Abstract: A mowing finger arrangement has a lower element (4) and an upper element (3). The lower (4) and upper (3) elements are connected to each other and form two mowing fingers (1, 2) and a blade gap (15). The blade gap (15) guides a mowing sickle between the lower element (4) and the upper element (3). The lower element (4) forms lower counter cutting edges (20, 21). The upper element (3) forms upper counter cutting edges (22, 23) for the mowing sickle. The two mowing fingers (1, 2) are connected to each other via a rear (26) and a front (29) connection web on the upper element (3) and via a rear (35) and a front (34) connection web on the lower element (4). The two front connection webs (29, 34) of the lower element (4) and the upper element (3) define part of the blade gap (15).

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for generating in vivo biotinylated, secreted recombinant polypeptides comprising recombinantly co-expressing in a yeast cell (a) a secreted recombinant polypeptide comprising a biotin accepting site; and (b) a biotin ligase fused to the golgi localization domain so that the biotin ligase is localized to the golgi of the yeast cell where it acts on the biotin-accepting site of the secreted polypeptide as it transits the secretory system.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and combinations of methods for identifying agents that modulate the apoptotic state of a cell by binding to the hydrophobic groove of a Bcl-2 family member anti-apoptotic protein. In certain embodiments, the methods generally comprise the use of Bcl-2 family member proteins having one or more mutations in the hydrophobic groove that, relative to a corresponding protein lacking the mutation, affect, e.g., binding of desired agents or in vitro antimycin sensitivity without substantially altering tertiary protein structure. In these embodiments, the methods comprise the identification of agents that exhibit reduced binding affinities and/or other biological activities for the mutant proteins relative to the corresponding Bcl-2 family member lacking the mutation.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for determining the contributions of canid populations to a canid genome. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) obtaining the identity of one or both alleles in a test canid genome for each of a set of markers; and (b) determining the contributions of canid populations to the test canid genome by comparing the alleles in the test canid genome to a database comprising canid population profiles, wherein each canid population profile comprises genotype information for the set of markers in the canid populations.

Abstract: The present invention provides prognostic and diagnostic methods for cancer, as well as methods for monitoring or staging cancer. Methods involve assaying for tumor-derived soluble MIC polypeptide—either MICA or MICB or both—in a sample from a subject. Assays can be implemented with a MIC polypeptide binding agent such as a MIC polypeptide antibody or recombinant NKG2D. An ELISA sandwich assay is employed in some embodiments of the invention to identify a soluble MIC polypeptide. In additional embodiments, a sample is assayed for tumor cell-surface bound MIC in addition to assaying for soluble MIC. The invention also provides methods of cancer therapy involving detecting cancer in the subject by assaying for soluble MIC polypeptide and then administering a cancer therapy.

Abstract: A tine carrier arrangement for a reel of a harvester for cereals has a tine carrier (1) rotatably attached on the reel around a rotational axis D. An adjustment element (3) is connectable to an adjustment arrangement of the reel for rotating the tine carrier (1) around the rotational axis D. The connection mechanism detachably connects the tine carrier (1) and the adjustment element (3) to each other to enable different rotational positions of the tine carrier relative to the rotational axis D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and methods of producing antibodies for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders. Generally, the present methods involve the use of antibodies that specifically bind to NKG2D receptors present on the surface of cells underlying the disorders.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for determining the contributions of canid populations to a canid genome. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) obtaining the identity of one or both alleles in a test canid genome for each of a set of markers; and (b) determining the contributions of canid populations to the test canid genome by comparing the alleles in the test canid genome to a database comprising canid population profiles, wherein each canid population profile comprises genotype information for the set of markers in the canid populations.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for detecting a fungal pathogen in a patient sample, involving isolating the sample, carrying out a PCR reaction on the sample to generate an amplicon that includes a region of the fungal 28S ribosomal RNA gene, and detecting the PCR amplicon. Also disclosed are sequences of primers for specifically detecting a broad range of fungal pathogens in the presence of human ribosomal DNA. In certain embodiments, the amplicon is detected by sequencing or by two-dimensional melt-curve analysis. In yet other embodiments, more than one fungal pathogen is detected in a sample using the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating immune disorders, particularly autoimmune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and methods of producing antibodies for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders. Generally, the present methods involve the use of antibodies that specifically bind to NKG2D receptors present on the surface of cells underlying the disorders.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions and methods involving incubating biological materials under hypoxic or anoxic conditions to induce stasis or suspended animation. Methods of screening for compounds that induce stasis or compounds that increase the ability to undergo stasis are included. Such methods have ramifications for preserving biological materials as well as reducing or preventing trauma to biological materials. Also contemplated are methods for screening compounds that are active or more active under hypoxic conditions than normoxic conditions. Such methods can be used to identify antitumor compounds that would operate under hypoxic conditions in which tumor cells survive.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for identifying bacteria associated with bacterial vaginosis and diagnosing bacterial vaginosis in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for specifically isolating and separating large segments of genomic DNA that can subsequently be used to determine a genomic haplotype. The invention relies on using a solid phase having a flat surface arrayed with oligonucleotides designed to specifically hybridize to each particular haplotype of an individual sample, e.g., oligonucleotides designed to specifically hybridize with each of the two HLA-B haplotypes, HLA-A, HLA-C, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and the like. The genomic DNA is contacted and hybridized to the arrayed oligonucleotides to form a genomic DNA/oligonucleotide complex. The excess genomic DNA is washed away and the haplotype separated genomic DNA is denatured from the oligonucleotide probe and collected. The method of the present invention allows for the separation of genomic DNA fragments of between approximately 2 to about 4 megabases (Mb).

Abstract: Device for absorption of wave energy, comprising a floating body (2) adapted to move as a result of the influence of waves, and energy transmission means (9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 7, 36, 42) for transmitting the movement of the floating body (2) to a generator, characterized in that the floating body (2) is movably arranged on a guiding rod (1) which is flexibly supported in a structure (4).