Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and method for ameliorating an immune response disorder. The monoclonal antibodies are specific for an epitope present on the leukocyte adhesion receptor .beta.-chain.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to viral vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conditionally replicating viral vector, methods of making, modifying, propagating and selectively packaging, and using such a vector, isolated molecules of specified nucleotide and amino acid sequences relevant to such vectors, a pharmaceutical composition and a host cell comprising such a vector, the use of such a host cell to screen drugs. The methods include the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of viral infection, in particular HIV infection, and, thus, are also directed to viral vaccines and the treatment of cancer, in particular cancer of viral etiology. Other methods include the use of such conditionally replicating viral vectors in gene therapy and other applications.

Abstract: A computer assisted method for conducting library research from a first location which is remote from the printed work storage location includes identifying at the first location a book to be viewed and delivering the request through computers and telecommunications apparatus to the book storage location followed by delivering the book to a book viewing station and remotely reviewing digital images of at least portions of the book created by a digital imaging system. The computer is programmed to permit a user at the first location to adjust the digital imaging system at the second location and to identify pages of the book to be viewed. Robots may be employed to deliver the book to the book viewing station from the book storage area and to return the book from the book viewing station to the book storage area. Hard copies of the digital image of one or more pages of the book may be made at the first location.

Abstract: Checkpoint gene-defective human cells are useful for screening potential anti-tumor agents. Potential therapeutic agents are screened for the ability to cause DNA accumulation or cell death in a checkpoint gene-defective human cell.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for partially embedding a biocompatible material, such as a titanium coil, in the surface of a polymer bone implant to provide a porous coating for bone cells to grow through thereby promoting long term stabilization of the implant. In one embodiment, the coil is wrapped around the implant and placed in a manifold where rollers biased by springs press against the coil. The coil-implant is rotated and heated by a hot gas stream, the rollers-springs pushing the coil into the surface of the implant. In a second embodiment, the coil is compressed and placed onto a needle wire which is placed against the surface of the implant. The point of contact is heated and the implant is rotated with the needle wire creating a channel in the softened polymer and feeding the coil, which is simultaneously stretched, therein. The needle wire then pulls the polymer over a portion of the coil as it passes.

Abstract: The purified and characterization of hypoxiainducible factor 1 (HIF-1) is described. HIF-1 is composed of subunits HIF-1.alpha. and HIF-1.beta.. Purified HIF-1.alpha. polypeptide, its amino acid sequence and polynucleotide sequence are provided. A HIF-1.alpha. variant that dimerizes to HIF-1.beta. producing a nonfunctional HIF-1 complex is described. Methods for the prevention and treatment of hypoxia-related disorders are provided.

Abstract: Checkpoint gene-defective human cells are useful for screening potential anti-tumor agents. Potential therapeutic agents are screened for the ability to cause DNA accumulation or cell death in a checkpoint gene-defective human cell.

Abstract: During routine screening of a patient with a family history of colorectal cancer for truncating APC mutations, a novel missense mutation was identified. Upon further evaluation, it was found that 6% of Ashkenazi Jews carry this mutation, and that it was present in .sup..about. 20% of Ashkenazis with a family history of CRC. Probes, methods, and kits for identifying individuals affected with this missense mutation are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel polypeptide characterized by a non-conservative missense mutation, Trp64Arg, in the .beta.3-adrenergic receptor (.beta.3AR) that increases susceptibility to obesity and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM; type II diabetes). Also provided are methods of diagnosis and methods of treatment of subjects having or at risk of having type II diabetes/obesity.

Abstract: Provided is a transgenic non-human eukaryotic animal whose germ cells and somatic cells contain the amyloid precursor protein sequence introduced into the animal, or an ancestor of the animal, at an embryonic stage. In mice, an age-related CNS disorder characterized by agitation, neophobia, seizures, inactivity, diminished cerebral glucose utilization, cortico-limbic gliosis, and death, develops. An acceleration of this disorder occurs in transgenic mice expressing human and mouse Alzheimer amyloid precursor proteins (APP) produced using a hamster prion protein gene-derived cosmid vector that confers position-independent, copy number-dependent expression. In transgenic mice the disorder develops in direct relationship to brain levels of transgenic APP, but mutant APP confers the phenotype at lower levels of expression than wild-type APP. The disorder occurs in the absence of extracellular amyloid deposition, indicating that some pathogenic activities of APP are dissociated from amyloid formation.

Abstract: A novel growth factor, fibroblast growth factor homologous factor-2 (FHF-2) polypeptide, the polynucleotide sequence encoding FHF-2 and the deduced amino acid sequence are disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the FHF-2 polypeptide and polynucleotide sequences and antibodies which specifically bind to FHF-2.

Abstract: Production of a stem cell enriched cell composition using essentially non-toxic methodology comprising contacting a cell mixture with a cell-permeable, fluorescent non-polar compound that reacts upon contact with intracellular enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase or phosphokinase found substantially exclusively in stem cells so as to form a biocompatible fluorescent product that is polar and non-permeable to the membrane of the stem cells, and isolating the cells containing the marker by fluorescent cell sorting.

Abstract: A new human gene termed DCC is disclosed. Methods and kits are provided for assessing mutations of the DCC gene in human tissues and body samples. Insertion, deletion, and point mutations in DCC are observed in human tumor cells. Normal tissues express DCC while most colorectal cancers do not. Loss of wild-type DCC genes is associated with neoplastic progression and a diminished life expectancy.

Abstract: Three mammalian are disclosed which are useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of tumors of lymphoid and epithelial origin. The three proteins are immunologically related to each other. The level of expression of the proteins correlates with the malignant potential of lymphoid and epithelial tumors. In addition, in some cases the subcellular location of the proteins is indicative of malignant potential. Antibodies reactive with the proteins are disclosed as diagnostic tools, as are nucleic acid probes and primers for quantitating the messenger RNAs encoding the proteins. Methods for preparing and purifying the proteins are also taught.

Abstract: Antibodies directed to nuclear matrix proteins (NMP) are provided. Such antibodies are useful markers in diagnosing and monitoring the stage of malignancy of a cell.

Abstract: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cause a dramatic increase in intracellular ceramide, which induces apoptosis. The ceramide increase is likely mediated by cyclooxygenase inhibition, which elevates arachidonic acid, which stimulates sphingomyelinase, which produces ceramide. Contacting members of this pathway with test compounds and observing their effects provides a method of screening for potential cancer chemopreventative agents.

Abstract: A method of determining the prognosis of a solid tumor is provided, in which a sample from a patient bearing a tumor is assayed for the presence of a protein which is immunologically cross-reactive with the hpr gene product, but not with haptoglobin 1 or haptoglobin 2. Also provided is a method for preparing antibodies specific for this diagnostic marker which correlates with early relapse and metastasis of breast and other cancers. The marker can be detected using immunological methods employing antibodies specific for Hpr protein and not cross-reactive with haptoglobins 1 or 2.

Abstract: The striking compartmentalization of p21.sup.WAF1 expression found in normal tissues is completely abrogated in neoplastic tissues. Methods are provided for using p21.sup.WAF1 expression as a tool to assess neoplasia and to discover new drugs. A truncated p21.sup.WAF1 protein is more active than full-length p21.sup.WAF1 protein in inhibiting tumor cell growth.

Abstract: Markers on chromosome 2 are associated with cancer predisposition, as shown by linkage analysis, in a significant fraction of families with a history of colon and other cancers. Tumors from these patients progressed through the same series of accumulated mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes found in non-familial cases, but showed no losses of heterozygosity for the linked chromosome 2 markers. DNA from the tumors (but not normal tissues) in most familial cases revealed a consistent and distinct abnormality: rearrangements in short repeated sequences throughout their genomes. This abnormality suggests that a large number of replication errors had occurred during tumor development. Methods are presented for detecting the presence of the gene which predisposes people to have colon and other tumors and for utilizing this information for diagnostic, prognostic, and preventive purposes. DNA markers useful for such methods are also described.