Abstract: Antigenic peptides that bind to MHC Class II molecules with the shared epitope referred to as HLA-DR molecules are disclosed. More specifically, are citrullinated antigenic peptides having an increased affinity for HLA-DR molecules and associated with rheumatoid arthritis. These novel peptides provide the basis for new methods of diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Antigenic peptides that bind to MHC Class II molecules with the shared epitope referred to as HLA-DR molecules are disclosed. More specifically, are citrullinated antigenic peptides having an increased affinity for HLA-DR molecules and associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis. These novel peptides provide the basis for new methods of diagnosis and treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Abstract: Various embodiments for an apparatus and method for preparing frozen tissue specimens are described. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a sample container for receiving an excised tissue sample and embedding material. The sample container includes a flat base along which the tissue sample is flattened. The apparatus further includes a freezing box with a freezing platform and a freezing agent. The sample container is placed on the freezing platform to begin the freezing process. A chuck with a generally planar surface can be placed on the sample container during the freezing process joining the chuck, tissue specimen, and sample container base in generally parallel planes. In some cases, the sample container can be made from a suitable material, such as plastic, that is at least semi-transparent to allow visual confirmation of tissue flatness and freezing.

Abstract: The present invention describes a hands-free system for controlling the movement of a cursor on one or more display devices. A tracking device including a traceable marker and one or more accelerometers and gyroscopes are used to track position and acceleration of the marker relative to a target of interest. A processing means processes the motion signals from the tracking device to determine the location of the cursor on the operator's monitor, which may also be displayed on more monitors. The tracking device is worn by the operator, optimally on the operator's head. The operator's head movements determine movement of the cursor.

Abstract: There is provided a composition comprising an effective amount of Annexin A5 for use in treatment of an inflammatory disorder. There is provided a composition comprising an effective amount of Annexin A5 for use in improving organ function. Methods for administering such compositions for treatment of animals are also provided.

Abstract: A method for predicting health compromise in a fetus comprises acquiring one or more EEG signals and a fetal heart rate (FHR) signal from the surface of the head of a fetus; and determining the spectral edge frequency (SEF) of the one or more EEG signals. A repetitive temporal correlation between the FHR signal and the SEF of the one or more EEG signals is indicative of fetal health compromise. A system for detecting the correlation between FHR signal and the SEF of the one or more EEG signals and predicting fetal health compromise is also described.

Abstract: The invention is an animal model which exhibits neuropathological and behavioral features associated with human schizophrenia. The invention also encompasses an in vivo method of preparing an animal model of human schizophrenia. Such a model is useful for screening and identifying therapeutic agents for treating human schizophrenia.

Abstract: Compositions comprising hyaluronic acid (HA) or agents that interfere with HA binding of HA receptors and methods of using the same are provided. For example, there is provided a composition comprising HA oligomers ranging in size from 10-mer to 80-mer and use of the same for promoting migration, growth or survival of wild-type or transformed/cancerous cells. There is also provided a composition comprising an agent that interferes with binding between an HA oligomer of a size of about 10-mer to about 80-mer and an HA receptor. Such compositions may be useful for therapeutic, diagnostic or imaging applications. Examples of therapeutic use are wound repair or cancer treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rodent serum marker for prostate cancer comprising b-microseminoprotein (PSP94) and diagnostic methods thereof. The present invention also relates to a recombinant sequence to raise a ligand of a specific binding affinity to a rodent serum marker for prostate cancer, which comprises the following amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO: 1) MGGSHHHHHHGMASMTGGGGMGRNTRYDDDDKDRWGSWVCSIENREIFPN QMSDDCMDADGNKHFLNTPKKNCTWCSCDKTSITCCTNATPLSYDKDNCD VQFHPENCTYSVVDRKNPGKTCRVDSWTM.

Abstract: The present invention provides new methods for treating, minimizing and/or preventing inflammatory injury involving IL-2 activity on epithelial cells expressing IL-2 receptors. Methods for reducing or preventing inflammatory injury in a tissue/organ comprise inhibiting IL-2 receptor activity in cells of the tissue/organ.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for the treatment of cancer involving tumor derived immunosuppression in a subject. The method comprises administering to a subject one or more siRNA constructs capable of inhibiting the expression of an immunosuppressive molecule. The invention also provides siRNA constructs and compositions.

Abstract: The invention is the modification of organs, tissues and cells with a storage/reperfusion solution comprising siRNAs specific for genes whose expression is associated with loss of viability or cell damage. The presence of siRNAs in the storage/reperfusion solution minimizes and/or prevents organ, tissue and cell damage such that the organs, tissues or cells can be used for in vivo transplantation. The invention is also directed generally to methods for maintaining organs, tissues and cells in a viable state using the storage/reperfusion solution.

Abstract: A plant expressing a cytokine and an autoantigen is disclosed. An example of a cytokine is a contra-inflammatory cytokine, for example IL-4 and IL-10, and an example of autoantigen is GAD. A novel method for the production of transgenic proteins of interest suitable for oral administration is also disclosed. Further, non-food crop plants expressing one or more proteins of interest are disclosed, as is a method involving the preparation of a protein of interest suitable for oral administration within a non-food crop plant comprising, transforming the non-food crop plant with a suitable vector containing a gene of interest and appropriate regulatory regions to ensure expression of the gene of interest within the non-food crop plant, such that the non-food crop plant is characterized as being non-toxic, non-addictive, palatable, and requiring minimal or no processing prior to oral administration. An example of a non-food crop plant is low alkaloid tobacco.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rodent serum marker for prostate cancer comprising b-microseminoprotein (PSP94) and diagnostic methods thereof. The present invention also relates to a recombinant sequence to raise a ligand of a specific binding affinity to a rodent serum marker for prostate cancer, which comprises the following amino acid sequence: (SEQ ID NO:1) MGGSHHHHHHGMASMTGGGGMGRNTRYDDDDKDRWGSWVCSIENREIFPN QMSDDCMDADGNKHFLNTPKKNCTWCSCDKTSITCCTNATPLSYDKDNCD VQFHPENCTYSVVDRKNPGKTCRVDSWTM.

Abstract: Methods for detecting osteolysis are described. The diagnostic method involves detecting the presence of regulatory T cells in a sample from a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a multichannel electrode (“MC electrode”) which can perform multiple functions such as recording, stimulating and lesioning simultaneously or sequentially upon a single insertion into a target site. In one aspect, the MC electrode further provides imaging and drug delivery capabilities. The invention also provides interface connectors for connecting the MC electrode to external units such as data acquisition and/or stimulation systems. Although the MC electrode and associated connectors and system(s) provide an optimal way to perform deep brain surgical procedures, the MC electrode and associated connectors and system(s) are useful generally in any technique which relies on recording, activating, and/or inhibiting electrical signals produced by cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating insulin-requiring diabetes in a mammal comprising the subcutaneous administration of an effective amount of a glucagon-like peptide 1-related peptide.

Abstract: A new formulation of Tc-99m colloid is described. The new colloid contains a high ratio of perrhenate to thiosulphate, cysteine, and a prepared higher final pH than found previously. In preparing the colloid preferred rhenium sulfide is not used as an ingredient. The pH of the final formulation and can be between about 5.5 an about 8.0, and the ratio of rhenium to sulfur is from about 0.05 to about 1.2. In addition, the new colloid has excellent radiochemical purity, and a much smaller particle size distribution than has generally been previously available for sulfur colloid preparations.

Abstract: A method is provided for expressing a mammalian antigen in transformed plants to provide a source of plant material for oral or enteral administration to a mammal to produce tolerance to the antigen.

Abstract: A novel immunosuppressive factor derived from mammalian bone marrow factor is described, which inhibits T lymphocyte activation and TNF-&agr; production by activated macrophages and also inhibits tumor and leukemia cell growth. The factor provides a novel therapeutic composition for treatment of tumors and of disorders associated with inflammatory reactions or T lymphocyte activation.