Abstract: The invention relates to a method of expressing proteins in higher eukaryotes in vitro. In general, the invention sets forth a method of expressing exogenous proteins as fusion partners with the immunoglobulin molecules of avian species specifically chickens. The technology involves, in one embodiment, retroviral-mediated gene transfer and transplantation of stem cells from the Bursa of Fabricus in chickens.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel nucleotide sequences and the polypeptide sequences derived therefrom, which are involved in yeast and mammalian telomere regulation. Methods for screening drugs and compositions are also provided. The invention furthermore relates to methods involving a diagnostic and/or therapeutic use of these gene(s)/protein(s), principally for treating cancer and aging.

Abstract: Skeletal implant of the type to be used to connect at least two elements of a skeleton. The skeletal implant includes a first part adapted to be connected to at least one of the at least two elements of the skeleton. A second part is adapted to be connected to another of the at least two elements of the skeleton. A variable volume element is adapted to move the first and second parts with respect to each other. A high-pressure chamber supplies fluid to the variable volume element. A low-pressure chamber receives fluid from the variable volume element. A recharging variable volume element is adapted to communicate with the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber. The recharging variable volume element is responsive to displacements of corporal parts of a user and recharges the high-pressure chamber with fluid. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: Methods for identifying Rheb effectors are provided. The Rheb effectors can be Rheb agonists or antagonists and can be utilized as lead compounds for the development of drugs for the treatment of diabetes or diseases associated with abnormal cell growth. Non-human, transgenic animals over-expressing Rheb protein, and methods of making such transgenic animals, are also provided.

Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences encoding eukaryotic Rrn3 polypeptides are provided. Rrn3 is a eukaryotic RNA polymerase I transcription factor. The Rrn3 polypeptides, and antibodies thereto, can be used as diagnostic tools, as therapeutic agents and to identify agonist and antagonists of Rrn3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tracheal ventilating device, especially a tracheal tube or tracheal cannula which obturates the trachea as hermetically as possible for ventilating a patient, the device comprising a cuffed balloon which blocks the trachea below the glottis and through which a ventilating cannula is passed, with the cuffed balloon when filled or inflated and freely unfolded without any limitation, being larger than when placed in the trachea in an inflated state, and being made from a soft flexible foil material. To intubate a patient with said device as gently as possible at low pressures over a long period of time and with a low risk of infection, the invention suggests that the draped fold of the cuffed balloon should rest on the trachea and be designed in such a way that the loop created at the dead end of a fold has a small diameter which inhibits the free flow of secretion through the loop of said fold.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods for stimulating a cell expressing an NKG2D receptor, including artificially engineered cell populations. Provided, in accordance with the invention. are monoclonal antibodies that bind to NKG2D extracellular domains and facilitate the interaction of other NKG2D domains with DAP10. Of particular interest are treating cancers and viral infections, and the stimulation, both in vivo and ex vivo, of cytokine secretion.

Abstract: A tracheal tube by which the trachea is closed watertight by a fixation cuff blocking the trachea below the glottis, through which a ventilation cannula passes, and, situated cranially to it, above the cuff, a tampon-bladder made of flexible material expansible through the influx of fluid, which when filled differs in shape from the shape of the cuff, would represent an improvement by means of which a patient could be intubated in the gentlest way over a long period with minimal risk of infection. In the invention this is accomplished by situating the tampon-bladder immediately against the cuff and constructing it of foil-like material and so designing it that when fully distended in size it fills the subglottal space.

Abstract: Hypercellular nonhuman organisms have functionally inactivated expression of a cyclin inhibitor gene, especially p27. The growth rate of nonhuman organisms are increased such that a desired size is attained more quickly than as compared to nonvariant organisms. Inhibitors of the p27 cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor protein or sequences encoding the protein modulate vertebrate cell cycle progression and increase the proportion of dividing cells to non-dividing cells in a population of treated cells. As the proportion of dividing cells increases, the cell population, e.g., hematopoietic progenitor (stem) cells, is more efficiently used for gene therapy applications. Transgenic animals and plants, and knockout alleles are provided.

Abstract: A method for analyzing large data arrays is provided. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for analyzing data from two or more data arrays. Each array includes a plurality of members, each member provides a signal, and the data is indexed by one or more parameters. In one embodiment, the method includes fitting a model to the data; determining the goodness of the fit by evaluating the statistical significance of the fit; and determining the statistical significance of the signal. In another embodiment, the method further includes correcting the data for heterogeneity among members prior to fitting the model to the data.

Abstract: An isolated protein designated p27 is disclosed. The p27 protein has an apparent molecular weight of about 27 kD, and is capable of binding to and inhibiting the activation of a cyclin E-Cdk2 complex. A nucleic acid sequence encoding p27 protein is disclosed, as well as a method for producing p27 in cultured cells. in vitro assays for discovering agents which effect the activity of p27 are also provided. Methods of diagnosing and treating hypoproliferative and hyperproliferative disorders are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods by which the use of certain MHC-related molecules can be exploited in understanding and regulating the immune response. More particularly, the present invention describes the use of molecules expressed by certain cell types as markers, reagents and targets in the diagnosis and treatment of certain disease states including GVHD, cancer and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to diagnostic applications. For autoimmune diseases more particularly, it is demonstrated herein that individuals with SLE, APLA, MCDS and PSS have antibodies that are specific for SR proteins. Thus, in particular aspects the present invention provides methods and compositions for diagnosing autoimmune disease using SR proteins and antibodies to detect the presence of SR protein-specific antibodies in an individual suspected of having autoimmune disease, wherein the presence of such antibodies is indicative of said individual suffering from autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates that JSRV envelope protein (Env) can be used to transduce human and other mammalian cells. Hybrid retrovirus packaging cells have been constructed that express the JSRV Env and retrovirus Gag-Pol proteins, and can produce JSRV-pseudotype vectors at high titers. Using high-titer virus the host range for JSRV has been established, and included sheep, human, monkey, bovine and dog cells, but not murine, rat or hamster cells. Retroviral packaging cell lines comprising the JSRV envelope protein, and receptor binding fragments thereof, are provided which transiently and stably produce high titers of recombinant retrovirus particles which can be used to transfer a heterologous gene to a eukaryotic cell.

Abstract: Immortalized human stromal cell lines sustain and expand human hematopoietic precursor cells. The precursor cells are obtained from a blood product and inoculated into a culture medium conditioned by exposure to a human stromal cell line. Preferred human stromal cell lines secrete SCF, LIF, MIP1&agr;, and IL-6, as exemplified by a human stromal cell line designated HS-1. The conditioned culture medium may be supplemented with additional growth factors, such as interleukin-3. After expansion the human hematopoietic precursor cells are harvested and returned to a patient or frozen and stored. The immortalized human stromal cell lines can also be used as feeder layers in ex vivo bone marrow cultures or in colony forming assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying targets of a drug in a cell by comparing (i) the effects of the drug on a wild-type cell, (ii) the effects on a wild-type cell of modifications to a putative target of the drug, and (iii) the effects of the drug on a wild-type cell which has had the putative target modified of the drug. In various embodiments, the effects on the cell can be determined by measuring gene expression, protein abundances, protein activities, or a combination of such measurements. In various embodiments, modifications to a putative target in the cell can be made by modifications to the genes encoding the target, modification to abundances of RNAs encoding the target, modifications to abundances of target proteins, or modifications to activities of the target proteins. The present invention also provides methods for drug development based on the methods for identifying drug targets.

Abstract: Transgenic non-human animals one having a general deletor construct and a second having a general reporter construct are described. The general deletor animals express a heterologous recombinase under the control of an ubiquitously expressed endogenous promoter. Specifically, the Cre recombinase is inserted into the ROSA26 locus of the mouse. The general reporter animals have a gene which is desired to remove flanked by sites recognized by the is heterologous recombinase. This flanked sequence is operatively associated with a marker gene such that when the gene sequence flanked by sites recognized by the heterologous recombinase is excised, the reporter gene is expressed. When the general deletor mouse is crossed with the general reporter mouse the heterologous recombinase is expressed in essentially all cells of the resultant descendants under the control of the ubiquitous promoter. Expression of the recombinase results in the excision of the desired gene in essentially all cells of the descendant animals.

Abstract: Provided are methods of classifying and prognosticating human neuroectodermal tumors by analyzing a sample of the tumor to determine whether various bHLH proteins are detectably expressed in the sample. In the methods disclosed herein, expression of the bHLH genes is assessed by measuring transcripts or proteins expressed from the genes.

Abstract: A family of compounds effective in suppressing lymphocyte activation is comprised of 7-(oxoalkyl)1,3-dialkyl xanthines, other than denbufylline, of the formula in which R1 and R2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of straight-chain or branched alkyl radicals with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, alkoxyalkyl and hydroxyalkyl radicals, and A represents a hydrocarbon radical with up to 4 carbon atoms which can be substituted by a methyl group.

Abstract: A new variety Floribunda rose, (Rosa hybrida) suitable for garden decoration, having flowers of pale peach and pink coloration.