Abstract: Prodrugs made up of biologically-active short-chain fatty acids or derivatives thereof conjugated to neutral or cationic amino acids capable of intracellular transport by ATB0,+ are provided. The short-chain fatty acid or derivative thereof can be attached to the amino acid through a hydroxyl group of the amino acid to form a fatty acid ester of the amino acid, or it can be attached through the amino group of the amino acid to form a fatty-acid amide of the amino acid. Serine butyrate (O-butyryl serine) is a preferred prodrug. These prodrugs are useful for treatment of colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and cancers resulting from metastases from primary colon cancer sites. Methods of delivering biologically-active short-chain fatty acids or derivatives thereof to cells in need of these molecules and methods of treating diseases using the prodrugs of this invention are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of the non-physiologic D-isomer of an IDO inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of both an inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in addition to the administration of an additional therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for human neural cell production. More particularly, the present invention provides cellular differentiation methods employing amphiphilic lipid compounds, preferably ceramide analogs of the ?-hydroxyalkylamine type and optionally employing an essentially serum free MEDII conditioned medium for the generation of human neural cells from pluripotent human cells. The methods alternatively comprise modulating apoptosis by modifying the levels of PAR-4, with or without the presence of amphiphilic lipid compounds and optionally employing MEDII conditioned medium. The methods alternatively encompass modulating apoptosis by modulating the intracellular concentration of endogenous lipid second messengers, such as ceramide.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions to reduce immune tolerance at specific sites. In one aspect, the present invention comprises methods and compositions to reduce tumorigenicity. In an embodiment, the present invention reduces recruitment of tolerance-inducing antigen presenting cells (APCs) or their precursors to a tumor and/or tumor draining lymph node by decreasing binding of at least one tumor-associated ligand to a chemokine receptor present on the tolerance-inducing APCs or APC precursors. In an embodiment, the chemokine receptor is CCR6 and the tumor-associated ligand is mip-3?. In another aspect, the present invention comprises methods and compositions to reduce immune tolerance to a virus. In an embodiment, the virus is HIV. The present invention further provides for the development of CCR6 antibodies and antagonists as therapeutic agents to prevent or reduce immune tolerance.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for human neural cell production. More particularly, the present invention provides cellular differentiation methods employing amphiphilic lipid compounds, preferably ceramide analogs of the ?-hydroxyalkylamine type and optionally employing an essentially serum free MEDII conditioned medium for the generation of human neural cells from pluripotent human cells. The methods alternatively comprise modulating apoptosis by modifying the levels of PAR-4, with or without the presence of amphiphilic lipid compounds and optionally employing MEDII conditioned medium. The methods alternatively encompass modulating apoptosis by modulating the intracellular concentration of endogenous lipid second messengers, such as ceramide.

Abstract: An illumination device including an integrating sphere and at least one light source. The integrating sphere is hollow and houses the at least one light source in it. The light source can be manipulated between a first configuration and a second configuration. The illumination device emits a first spectrum of light when the light source is in the first configuration, and a second spectrum of light when the light source is in the second configuration.

Abstract: The field of this invention is the development of therapeutic agents having immunogenic efficacy against Campylobacter. The present invention is directed to a method of producing monoclonal antibodies that are highly specific for epitopes of Campylobacter jejuni outer membrane proteins; to specific monoclonal antibodies made by using the epitopes; and to uses thereof. The invention is drawn further to immunogens comprising certain outer membrane proteins or portions thereof from C. jejuni.

Abstract: A calendar-format medication instruction sheet is produced when a pharmacy processes a patient's prescription. The sheet can bear icons or photographic images of the medications that the patient is to take, overlayed on a calendar grid to indicate the days on which the patient is to take them, and can also bear icons or photographic images indicating how the patient is to take them. The icons, photographic images, or other graphical information can be obtained from a remote server as needed.

Abstract: The present invention describes linking a therapeutic agent to a compound which is known to be naturally concentrated in a tissue affected by, or that is causing, a disease, to create a prodrug for treatment of the disease. Embodiments of the present invention include a new class of carotenoid-linked drugs to treat such blinding retinal disease such as age-related macular degeneration, retinoblastoma, and diabetic macular edema. For example, the present invention comprises a method for the treatment of a disorder of the eye comprising linking a therapeutic agent to a xanthophyll carotenoid to create a prodrug, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the prodrug to an individual in need of treatment. Provided are prodrugs for treatment of retinoblastoma, cystoid macular edema (CME), exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, or inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: A prefabricated tympanic membrane prosthesis includes a piece of collagen sheet processed with a diluted solution of formalin. The piece of collagen sheet is molded on a forming surface of a tool having a shape resembling a natural tympanic membrane of a human subject. The piece of collagen sheet is processed with a diluted solution of formalin so that the resulting tympanic membrane prosthesis retains the shape of the forming surface. The tympanic membrane prosthesis is semi-rigid, yet flexible, and is packaged in a substantially rigid container to protect it shape during shipment and storage.

Abstract: A number of cDNA clones whose products may interact with D1 receptors in vivo were identified. One of the clones, P24, was characterized further. P24 is localized in dendrites and spines of pyramidal cells in PFC. The extent of overlap between P24 expressing and D1 receptor expressing pyramidal cells appeared to be 100%. In contrast, only a limited number D1 receptor antibody labeled neurons in caudate expressed P24. P24 lowers the threshold of D1 receptor response to dopamine (DA) by an order of magnitude. Sequence similarity suggests P24 is a diverged member of the RAMP family. The P24 protein is therefore referred to as a D1 DA RAMP, calcyon. The isolated protein and nucleotide molecule encoding the protein, as well as primers for the nucleotide, are described. The protein and compounds modifying DA binding to the receptor or calcium release which is mediated by the Calcyon, are useful in research studies, drug screening, and therapeutically.

Abstract: Novel nucleic acids associated with Type 1 diabetes. Also provided are polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids associated with T1D. The invention also provides methods for facilitating the diagnosis or pre-diagnosis of T1D through the use of such nucleic acids and polypeptides. This invention further provides compositions for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening for substances having an effect on a nicotine receptor by contacting a cell having a nicotine receptor with a test substance; and determining any increase or decrease in phosphorylation of Janus-Activated Kinase 2 (JAK2). An increase in phosphorylation of JAK2 indicates that the test substance stimulates the nicotine receptor, and wherein a decrease in phosphorylation of JAK2 indicates that the test substance inhibits the nicotine receptor. The invention also provides screening methods for identification of substances that affect nicotine receptor activity through activity mediated by the AT2 receptor. Related pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also provided.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a disposable dental appliance and method of use is provided. In particular, a cheek retraction apparatus is provided, which is formed from a lightweight yet durable biocompatible polymer. The apparatus is sufficiently durable to withstand recurrent use, however, the it is economically manufactured so as to be disposable. Moreover, the apparatus is pre-sterilized to alleviate the need for autoclaving and/or dry heat sterilization. A cheek retraction apparatus in accordance with the present invention also provides an indicia display medium that allows the dental practitioner to display patient information, whitening treatment measurements, or other indicia that might be useful to them during oral photography.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of the non-physiologic D-isomer of an IDO inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel analogs of choline and methods of use or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and/or conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, Alzheimer's disease and related disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, Friedrich's ataxia, Pick's disease, Bassen-Kornzweig syndrome, Refsom's disease, retinal degeneration, Cruetzfelt-Jacob syndrome or prion disease (mad cow disease), dementia with Lewy bodies, schizophrenia, paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration and neurodegenerative conditions caused by stroke. The present compounds are effective to treat any neurological condition where acetylcholine transmission neurons and their target cells are affected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple and rapid method for site-directed mutagenesis of more than, for example, 10 sites simultaneously with up to 100% efficiency. The method uses two terminal tailed primers, specific for each end of the gene (or DNA sequence) to be mutated, with a unique nucleotide tail each that are simultaneously annealed to template DNA together with a set of mutagenic primers in-between. Following synthesis of the mutant strand by primer extension and ligation with, for example, T4 DNA polymerase and ligase, the unique mutant strand-specific tails of the terminal primers are used as anchors to specifically amplify the mutant strand by high-fidelity polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, specific restriction endonuclease sites in the two anchor primer tails may be used for convenient subcloning of the PCR product in any desired cloning or expression vector (for subsequent sequencing or expression and functional studies of the mutated gene).

Abstract: The present invention provides improved treatment methods by the administration of both an inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase in addition to the administration of an additional therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention includes chemopreventive and therapeutic methods based on the administration of polyphenolic compositions, including the polyphenolic compositions found in green tea. The present invention also includes various screening assay for the identification of chemopreventive and therapeutic agents.