Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials involved in displaying polypeptide sequences using viruses such as avian leukosis viruses. Specifically, the invention provides nucleic acid molecules, collections of nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, collections of polypeptides, viruses, and collections of viruses as well as methods for making nucleic acid molecules, collections of nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides, collections of polypeptides, viruses, and collections of viruses. The invention also provides methods for obtaining displayed polypeptide sequences that interact with biological molecules and/or cells as well as methods for identifying biological molecules that interact with displayed polypeptides.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure A method for treating a patient having a wound is described. The method includes administering an amount of a chemodenervating agent such that healing of the wound is enhanced. The method is illustrated by detailing the mean differences of the scores of the paired experimental and control scars across three observers.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect VZV in biological samples using real-time PCR. Primers and probes for the detection of VZV are provided by the invention. Articles of manufacture containing such primers and probes for detecting VZV are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising a recombinant nucleic acid vector including a nucleotide sequence encoding a syncytium-inducing polypeptide expressible on a eukaryotic cell surface, and a host cell containing the recombinant vector and expressing the syncytium inducing polypeptide on its cell surface, the vectors and resultant host cells expressing the syncytium inducing polypeptide being useful for selective elimination of unwanted cells,

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of regulating the expression in a human or animal subject of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide which is immunogenic in the subject; the method comprising introducing into a mammal a cell comprising the nucleic acid sequence encoding the immunogenic polypeptide, said sequence being operably linked to a drug-regulatable promoter; and altering the concentration of regulatory drug to which the cell is exposed.

Abstract: Isolated sulfotransferase nucleic acid molecules that include a nucleotide sequence variant and nucleotides flanking the sequence variant are described. Methods for determining a risk estimate for hormone dependent disease and methods for determining sulfonator status also are described.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and materials for extracellularly administering PNA oligomers to living cells. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials of treating living cells with PNA oligomers such that the oligomers cross biological barriers and engender a biological response in a sequence specific manner. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for orally administering PNA oligomers to animals such that the oligomers cross biological barriers and engender a biological response in a sequence specific manner. The invention also provides sense and antisense PNA oligomers that modulate transcription and translation, respectively. The invention also provides mismatch PNA oligomers that modulate the degree of an engendered biological response. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for detecting PNA oligomers within a biological sample collected from an animal.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel amino acid, neo-tryptophan, as well as polypeptides containing this novel amino acid such as neurotensin analogs. In addition, the invention provides neo-tryptophan derivatives, serotonin-like neo-tryptophan derivatives, and polypeptides containing such derivatives. The invention also provides methods for making neo-tryptophan, neo-tryptophan derivatives, serotonin-like neo-tryptophan derivatives, and compositions containing these compounds. Further, the invention provides methods for inducing a neurotensin response in a mammal as well as methods for treating a mammal having a serotonin recognition molecule.

Abstract: A novel strategy for monitoring the expression of a transgene in a patient is disclosed. A marker peptide is genetically fused to either the N-terminus or C-terminus of the product of a transgene through a linker peptide which bears the recognition sequence of a host cell protease. Expression of the transgene results in release of the marker peptide into extracellular body fluid of the patient in proportion to the amount of transgene product. The level of the released marker peptide serves as an indicator of the level of transgene expression. The system is particularly useful for monitoring the expression of therapeutic transgenes and production of the therapeutic gene product.

Abstract: Use of pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A as a marker for inflammatory conditions, and in particular, for acute coronary syndromes is described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for treating inflammation by reducing production of an inflammatory cytokine such as IFN-&ggr;, IL-1&bgr;, and TNF-&agr;. The invention also provides methods and materials for identifying reagents that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Specifically, the invention provides non-human animals containing human synovial tissue as well as methods for using such non-human animals to determine the influence of various test reagents on the inflamed state of human synovial tissue.

Abstract: A stent includes a first stent section, a second stent section, and at least one connecting member. The connecting member has a first end attached to the first stent section, a second end attached to the second stent section and a physically separable portion.

Abstract: Materials and methods for transferring nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide for treating a disease or disorder into populations of quiescent cells such as haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), using retroviral packaging cell lines and retroviral particles expressing and displaying a growth factor such as stem cell factor (SCF) on the cell surface or as a fusion with a viral envelope protein. The present invention also relates compositions comprising the retroviral packaging cell lines and viral particles, and their use in methods of medical treatment, in vivo and ex vivo.

Abstract: A method for designing a metal ion for use in a MD simulation can include the steps of building a metal ion molecule having a center atom and a dummy atom, assigning a van der Waals radius to the center atom, and assigning a charge to the dummy atom. A metal ion molecule can have. The center atom covalently linked to one or more dummy atoms resulting in the metal ion molecule having a polyhedron geometry. New force field parameters may be used in methods for designing metal ions for use in MD simulations.

Abstract: The invention features methods of reducing the level of a &bgr;-amyloid (A&bgr;) polypeptide using an Cimicifuga extract. The invention also features methods of producing an active fraction from an extract of Cimicifuga. The invention further features a composition containing an active fraction of a Cimicifuga extract and an article of manufacture containing such a composition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to detect Group A Streptococcus (GAS) in biological samples using real-time PCR. Primers and probes for the detection of GAS are provided by the invention. Articles of manufacture containing such primers and probes for detecting GAS are further provided by the invention.

Abstract: A novel strategy for monitoring the location of a transgene in a mammal is disclosed. A sodium iodide symporter is genetically fused to either the N-terminus or C-terminus of the product of a transgene through a linker peptide which bears the recognition sequence of a host cell protease. Expression of the transgene confers the activity of the sodium iodide symporter (NIS)to a host cell which expresses the transgene. Subsequent administration of labeled iodine results in transport of the labeled iodine into the cell bearing the NIS, which can then be localized and measured using standard imaging techniques. The system is particularly useful for monitoring the location of therapeutic transgenes and tissue-specific distribution of the therapeutic gene product.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel amino acid, neo-tryptophan, as well as polypeptides containing this novel amino acid such as neurotensin analogs. In addition, the invention provides neo-tryptophan derivatives, serotonin-like neo-tryptophan derivatives, and polypeptides containing such derivatives. The invention also provides methods for making neo-tryptophan, neo-tryptophan derivatives, serotonin-like neo-tryptophan derivatives, and compositions containing these compounds. Further, the invention provides methods for inducing a neurotensin response in a mammal as well as methods for treating a mammal having a serotonin recognition molecule.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and materials related to the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, the invention provides methods and materials for treating inflammation by reducing production of an inflammatory cytokine such as IFN-&ggr;, IL-1&bgr;, and TNF-&agr;. The invention also provides methods and materials for identifying reagents that can be used to treat inflammatory diseases. Specifically, the invention provides non-human animals containing human synovial tissue as well as methods for using such non-human animals to determine the influence of various test reagents on the inflamed state of human synovial tissue.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and materials for treating and preventing non-invasive fungus-induced mucositis. Specifically, the invention involves administrating an antifungal agent such that it contact mucus in an amount, at a frequency, and for a duration effective to prevent, reduce, or eliminate non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis. This invention also provides methods and materials for diagnosing non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis and culturing non-invasive fungus from a mammalian mucus sample as well as specific antifungal formulations and medical devices for treating and preventing non-invasive fungus-induced rhinosinusitis. In addition, the invention provides methods and materials for treating and preventing other non-invasive fungus-induced mucositis conditions such as chronic otitis media, chronic colitis, and Crohn's disease. Further, the invention involves methods and materials for treating and preventing chronic asthma symptoms.