Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acids containing functional polynucleotide sequences representing an enhancer element for the Gene Differentially Expressed in Prostate (GDEP). Such molecules are useful in conferring retinal specific transcriptional responsiveness on associated promoters and methods for directing retinal specific gene expression are accordingly disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042714 in the human ADRB2 gene (Gln27Glu) associated with a clinically meaningful reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) in a human following treatment with a topical beta-blocker. Nucleic acids comprising the SNP are used to screen glaucoma-afflicted individuals to thereby provide an improved method for genotype-based prescribing of beta-blockers in glaucoma management.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for use in treating a patient with an anticoagulant to optimize drug therapy and/or to prevent an adverse drug response. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for use in treating a patient with Coumadin® or a substance containing warfarin. Methods of the present invention utilize variables that include the patient's CYP4F2 genotype.

Abstract: The promoter region and various fragments thereof for the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) ribonucleotide reductase small subunit (R2) are disclosed. Nucleic acids and host cells that contain the promoter sequences are also disclosed. Further disclosed are various methods involving the use of these sequences.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting and quantifying metabolites in a biological sample by measuring the concentration of a test metabolite in the sample and comparing that concentration against the concentration of the reference metabolite; enabling accurate metabolite concentration measurements to determine aberrant drug usage patterns. Also disclosed is an analytical testing device and related computer-assisted products for detecting and quantifying metabolites in a biological sample efficiently and accurately.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer in a male human subject. In one aspect, the method comprises determining whether the subject has the genotype GG of refSNP rs125555, where the genotype GG of refSNP rs125555 indicates that the subject is genetically predisposed to prostate cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modulating TGF-? activity in a subject. Methods of the present invention comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound of the formula: or a salt, prodrug, tautomer, hydrate, solvate, or stereoisomer thereof, wherein a is an integer from 0 to 4; each R1 is independently hydroxy, alkoxy, halide, alkyl, cyano, nitro, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, or carboxy; R2 is aryl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, or alkyl, each of which is optionally substituted; each of X1 and X2 is independently O, S or NR3, wherein R3 is hydrogen or alkyl; X3 is hydrogen, alkoxy, alkyl, hydroxy, halide, amino, monoalkylamino, or dialkylamino; and X4 is alkoxy, hydroxy, halide, amino, monoalkylamino, or dialkylamino.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for use in treating a patient with an anticoagulant to optimize drug therapy and/or to prevent an adverse drug response. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and system for use in treating a patient with Coumadin® or a substance containing warfarin. Methods of the present invention utilize variables that include the patient's CYP4F2 genotype.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of screening a substance for angiotensinogen receptor-modulatory activity. The method includes the steps of contacting placental-derived cells with labeled angiotensinogen and a candidate substance; and then determining whether the candidate substance inhibits the binding of angiotensinogen to the placental-derived cells relative to a control wherein the placental-derived cells are contacted with angiotensinogen in the absence of the candidate substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the presence of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) in a sample. The method involves using a pair of oligonucleotide probes and detecting the presence or absence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the donor fluorescent moiety of the first probe and the corresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety of the second probe. The present invention also provides a method for isolating and/or extracting DNA from a microorganism.

Abstract: A method for detecting a Salmonella species, E. coli O157:H7, or Listeria monocytogenes is disclosed. The method involves amplifying a genomic nucleotide sequence of a corresponding species and detecting the amplification product. Various primers and probes that can be used in the method are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the amplification step of the method is accomplished by real-time PCR and the amplification product is detected by fluorescence resonance energy transfer using a pair of labeled polynucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a well sampling tape (otherwise known as “microwell tape” or simply “tape”), a dispenser for dispensing small volumes of liquid into the wells formed in the tape and a detector for high-throughput sample reading of the liquid dispensed in the individual wells. The present invention is more specifically directed to a bioassay system incorporating the materials listed above.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting bacteria in a biological sample, especially a blood sample, without the need for extensive sub-culturing of the sample. Nucleic acid present within the sample is isolated and bacterial DNA specifically amplified using primers that uniquely prime the amplification of 16s rRNA-encoding nucleic acid. The amplicons are then digested with an endonuclease to yield a restriction fragment length profile for the biological sample. The restriction fragment length profile for the biological sample is then compare to a database of profiles made using cultures of known bacterial species. A match between the sample profile and the database identifies the bacteria present in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting adverse reaction susceptibility and/or severity risk to an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor by determining the genotype of a CYP3A gene of a subject.

Abstract: A bioptic device of the cannula and internal stylet type wherein the stylet includes a sharp tip with a gutter adjacent to the tip for obtaining a tissue sample within a larger body of tissue. The cannula, stylet tip, and gutter bear threading to better enable the bioptic device to fix tissue when the bioptic device is rotationally advanced within the body of tissue. The cannula and stylet may additionally bear complementary threading to ensure that they can only be rotationally actuated with respect to each other.

Abstract: Abundant interspersed repetitive DNA sequences of the form (dC-dA).sub.n.(dG-dT).sub.n have been shown to exhibit length polymorphisms. The polymorphisms can be used to identify individuals as in paternity and forensic testing, and can be used to map genes which are involved in genetic diseases or in other economically important traits. The polynucleotide provided consists of a DNA fragment, preferably .ltoreq.300 base pairs in length containing one or more blocks of tandem dinucleotide repeats (dC-dA).sub.n.(dG-dT).sub.n wherein n.gtoreq.6 and preferably .gtoreq.10.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a product and process for characterizing the human genome utilizing polymorphic DNA fragments containing (dC-dA).sub.n .multidot.(dG-dT).sub.n. The process comprises identifying polymorphic DNA fragments containing the above tandem repeat sequence followed by characterizing admixtures of genomic material by amplification of fragments containing the tandem repeat sequence using substantially unique and non-polymorphic primer sequences and appropriate separation of the so amplified fragments.

Abstract: A biopsy needle assembly comprising an outer tubular cannula having an angular distal end. The inner surface of the cannula adjacent the distal end is cylindrical and an end of the inner cylindrical surface opposite the distal end of the cannula is undercut to provide a sharp annular interior edge. A solid stylus is disposed within the cannula and has an angular distal end. The stylus is in sliding contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the cannula. When the needle assembly is inserted into engagement with the tissue to be removed a specimen is collected internally of the cannula and the sharp undercut interior edge secures the specimen within the cannula. After removal of the cannula from the tissue, a rod-like probe is inserted in the distal end of the cannula to push the specimen through the entire length of the cannula to remove the specimen intact.