Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases associated with atherosclerosis. The invention further relates to methods of diagnosing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases associated with atherosclerosis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides biological systems and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent or an imaging agent to atherosclerotic lesions such as vulnerable plaques.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to heterocyclic compounds that are ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. A second aspect of the invention relates to the use of a compound of the invention for modulation of a mammalian nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of the invention for treating a mammal suffering from Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias, Tourette's syndrome, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety, pain, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, chemical substance abuse, alcoholism, memory deficit, pseudodementia, Ganser's syndrome, migraine pain, bulimia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome or late luteal phase syndrome, tobacco abuse, post-traumatic syndrome, social phobia, chronic fatigue syndrome, premature ejaculation, erectile difficulty, anorexia nervosa, disorders of sleep, autism, mutism or trichtillomania.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds and formulations thereof which compounds are ligands, e.g., agonists or antagonists, for a metabotropic glutamate receptor or a NAALADase enzyme or both. The present invention also relates to methods of modulating the activity of a metabotropic glutamate receptor or a NAALADase enzyme or both, e.g., in a subject in need thereof, using a compound or formulation of the present invention. The present invention also relates to methods of treating a subject suffering from a chronic or acute disease, malady or condition due at least in part to an abnormality in the activity of an endogenous metabotropic glutamate receptor or a NAALADase enzyme or both, using a compound or formulation of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are inhibitors of the serine/threonine kinase Akt, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such inhibitors, and a method of preventing or treating a disease or condition in an animal by the use of such inhibitors.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the invention relates to methods of diagnosing cervical cancer by using a combination of certain biomarkers such as hTERT, IGFBP-3, transferrin receptor, beta-catenin, Myc-HPV E6 interaction, HPV E7, and telomere length. In other aspects, the invention relates to methods of detecting immortalization of cervical cells by using a combination of certain biomarkers. In yet other aspects, the invention relates to methods of classifying the grade of a cervical lesion for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in a female. In further aspects, the invention relates to methods of treating cervical cancer by administering a therapeutic agent that targets one or more of these biomarkers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of detecting a malignancy or a pre-malignant lesion in breast or other tissue, or a pathologic condition, by detecting the presence of single-chain or two-chain forms of matriptase in the tissue. The invention is further directed to a method of treating malignancies, which have the phenotype of matriptase production by administering a tumor formation inhibiting effective amount of concentrate of Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBIC), or other matriptase inhibitor. The invention also is directed to nucleic acids encoding a matriptase protein or fragments thereof, and their use for structure elucidation and modeling to identify other inhibitors of matriptase, as well as to methods of identifying matriptase modulating agents, including activators and inhibitors.

Abstract: A gene that is a modulator of tumor growth and metastasis in certain cancer types is provided. SCC-112 (about 150 kDa) and/or a mutant form of SCC-112 (about 65 kDa) is a tumor suppressor molecule. This gene and corresponding polypeptide have diagnostic and therapeutic application for detecting and treating cancers that involve expression of SCC-112 such as breast and kidney cancers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel HLF protein which is a member of the heregulin family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human HLF protein. HLF polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of HLF activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting disorders of the regulation of cell growth and therapeutic methods for treating disorders of the regulation of cell growth.

Abstract: A compound of formula: in which (i) aa1 is Adi and aa4 is Glu or (ii) each of aa1 and aa4 is Adi, L is sulfur, sulfoxide, oxygen or methylene, which compound (and its conjugates) bind to an SH2 domain in a protein comprising an SH2 domain, is non-phosphorylated, is redox-stable in vivo, is characterized by an IC50 in vivo of less than about 4.0 ?M with respect to the SH2 domain in Grb2, and, upon binding to the SH2 domain of Grb2, has a turn conformation. A conjugate comprising a compound as described above and a carrier agent, a composition comprising (i) a compound or a conjugate as described above and (ii) a carrier, a method of inhibiting binding of an SH2 domain in a protein comprising an SH2 domain to a target protein in an animal, wherein the SH2 domain is contacted with a target protein-binding inhibiting effective amount of a compound or a conjugate as described above, and a method of synthesizing such conjugates.

Abstract: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) specific polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are the use of these polypeptides for the production of polypeptide-specific antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of EBV-associated disease.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to 1,8-diarylnaphthalene compounds. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention is an N-oxide of a 1,8-diarylnaphthalene. In certain embodiments, the aryl group is an optionally substituted acridyl group. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention is a single steroisomer. In certain embodiments, a compound of the invention is a single enantiomer. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample by monitoring the fluorescence of a compound of the invention in a sample. In certain embodiments, the analyte is a metal ion. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of determining the enantiomeric purity of an analyte by monitoring the fluorescence of a compound of the invention in the presence of the analyte. In certain embodiments, the analyte is a compound that is capable of hydrogen bonding.

Abstract: The invention features methods for treating neurotoxicity associated with therapeutic agents, e.g., chemotherapeutic agents, and compositions and kits for use therein. The methods employ an extract of Ginkgo biloba to mitigate the neurotoxic effects of the therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence or concentration of an analyte in a sample, wherein: a) the sample is contacted with an immobilized first binding reagent which is capable of binding the analyte if present in the sample; b) the sample is contacted with a second binding reagent which comprises a fusion protein having a reporter domain and a binding domain, and which is capable of binding the analyte if present in the sample, the first and second binding reagents being capable of binding the analyte simultaneously if present in the sample, such that said second binding reagent becomes immobilized through the analyte bound to the first binding reagent; and detecting whether the second binding reagent has become immobilized to thereby detect the presence or concentration of said analyte.

Abstract: This invention relates to the AIB1 protein as a coactivator that potentiates the transcriptional activity of nuclear hormone receptors. The gene is amplified in a subset of human breast cancers. One splice variant of AIB1 transcribes a mRNA that lacks the exon 3 sequence. ?3-AIB1 mRNA encodes a 130 kDa protein that lacks the N-terminal basic helix-loop-helix and a portion of the PAS dimerization domain. This 130 kDa protein was detected in MCF-7 breast cancer cells at levels 5-10% of the full length protein, whereas in non transformed mammary epithelium lines the ?3-AIB1 protein is present at significantly lower levels compared to the full length AIB1. The abundance of ?3-AIB1 mRNA is increased in human breast cancer specimens relative to that in normal breast tissue. Functional reporter gene assays revealed that the ability of ?3-AIB1 to promote transcription mediated by the estrogen or progesterone receptors was significantly greater than that of the full-length protein.

Abstract: Novel acetone- or alcohol-fixed viral capsid proteins, bacteria-containing, and papillomavirus L1-GST fusion proteins are described. These proteins are useful in vaccine preparation and as diagnostics.

Abstract: A method of preparing an antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted cationic immunoliposome or polymer complex comprises the steps of (a) preparing an antibody or antibody fragment; (b) mixing said antibody or antibody fragment with a cationic liposome to form a cationic immunoliposome or with a cationic polymer to form a polyplex; and (c) mixing said cationic immunoliposome or said polyplex with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to form said antibody- or antibody fragment-targeted cationic immunoliposome or polymer complex.

Abstract: The present invention provides phenylalanine derivatives that inhibit SH2 domain binding with a phosphoprotein. These derivatives include compounds of the formula: W—Y-(AA)n-Z wherein n is 0 to 15; Y is a phenylalanyl radical having a phenyl ring, an amine end, and a carboxyl end, the phenyl ring having one or more substituents, e.g., hydroxyl, carboxyl, formyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxyalkyloxy, dicarboxyalkyl, dicarboxyalkyloxy, dicarboxyhaloalkyl, dicarboxyhaloalkyloxy, and phosphonoalkyl, or phosphonohaloalkyl; W is a moiety attached to the nitrogen of Y and is, e.g.

Abstract: The expression and subcellular localization of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) is shown in this application to correlate with the metastatic potential of cells, and increased cell proliferation. Inhibition of PBR expression, function or stability results in a decrease in cell proliferation. Compositions and methods for regulating and/or monitoring PBR and its expression are useful for the detection, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of solid tumors, in particular, breast cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of oligonucleotide containing cationic liposomal formulations to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, particularly as a means to sensitize cancerous tumor tissues to the efficiencies of chemotherapy. This is particularly advantageous in the context of treating raf expressing tumors such as breast, lung, pancreatic and prostate tumors.

Abstract: A gene that is a modulator of tumor growth and metastasis in certain cancer types is provided. This gene and corresponding polypeptide have diagnostic and therapeutic application for detecting and treating cancers that involve expression of BRCC2 such as breast cancer and lung cancer.