Abstract: A high affinity and extremely selective tryptophan transport system present in human monocyte-derived macrophages is disclosed. Human monocyte-derived macrophages include two distinct transporters, a high affinity (Km=290±160 nM) transporter that is highly specific for tryptophan and a low affinity (Km=27±4 &mgr;M) transporter that is less specific for tryptophan, consistent with the known system L. The tryptophan transport system is predominantly (86%) sodium-independent. The high-affinity system is very specific for tryptophan and shows no transport of any other essential amino acids in the tryptophan transport concentration range. This high-affinity system is expressed at very low levels in fresh monocytes, but undergoes a 10-30 fold induction during macrophage differentiation.

Abstract: Disclosed are an enhancer, insulator, and promoter from the HS5 region in the 5′ boundary area of the locus control region of human &bgr;-like globin genes. These transcription control sequences can be used to control expression of any desired gene of interest and can be used in any vector for this purpose. The control sequences are derived from the area in and around the U3 region of a solitary endogenous retrovirus (ERV) 9 long terminal repeat (LTR). Also disclosed are methods of expressing any gene of interest. For this purpose, the control sequences can be operably linked to the gene of interest (and operably linked to each other). The disclosed enhancers, insulators, and promoters can also be used with any other control sequences. Preferably, the control sequences are used in vectors to obtain expression of a gene of interest in a cell, including cells in animals.

Abstract: A method of topically applying a fluorescing agent to a cut tooth, cut dental restorative material or dentin surface to distinguish between cut tooth or dentin and existing aesthetic restoration material or enamel specifically for the purposes of detection and identification of the tooth tissue dentin.

Abstract: Disclosed are transgenic fish, and a method of making transgenic fish, which express transgenes in stable and predictable tissue- or developmentally-specific patterns. The transgenic fish contain transgene constructs with homologous expression sequences. Also disclosed are methods of using such transgenic fish. Such expression of transgenes allow the study of developmental processes, the relationship of cell lineages, the assessment of the effect of specific genes and compounds on the development or maintenance of specific tissues or cell lineages, and the maintenance of lines of fish bearing mutant genes.

Abstract: A fluoride-releasing dental amalgam composition for a tooth restoration comprising a dental amalgam alloy material and an fluoride-containing, the glass particulate powder component of a fluoride-leachable acid-etchable glass ionomer cement. The invention further provides a method for using the composition to prevent or reduce secondary caries in an existing tooth restoration, which is classified as a dental amalgam in nature.

Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.

Abstract: A method of detecting dysplastic regions within epithelial tissue samples is sensitive enough to detect and distinguish between low grade and high grade dysplastic regions. The method uses probes specific for expression and accumulation of substances within a particular intracellular region from a defect in apical membrane trafficking (trafficking markers) and in the preferred embodiment correlates the trafficking marker levels with the presence of an oncogene such as p53. If low grade dysplasia is present, trafficking markers are detected in a distinctive perinuclear pattern. Previous studies have demonstrated a high correlation of p53 over-expression with high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Detection of p53 is shown to be mutually exclusive of detection of trafficking markers. Therefore, dual detection for both the trafficking markers and p53 provides an accurate method for more precise grading of biopsies.

Abstract: It has been discovered that cells such as genetically engineered fibroblasts and keratinocytes can be cultured in the cyst fluid of encapsulated tumors. This provides a means for proliferating genetically engineered producer cells within these types of tumors, increasing the number of cells producing viral particles, which then transduce the surrounding tumor cells with the genetic material, in the preferred embodiment, a lethal gene. A number of different tumor types form "cysts", which contain fluid produced by the tumor cells, including brain tumor cells such as gliomas, and many types of breast, and lung tumors. These cyst fluids have been shown to contain elevated levels of certain growth factors, for example, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF).

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic transducer fabricated on a silicon base has a piezoelectric layer of polyvinylidene fluoride-trfluroethylene copolymer. The piezoelectric layer is sandwiched between two conductive electrodes, all of which are supported on a dielectric layer on top of the silicon base. At least one of the electrodes forms a Fresnel zone plate to focus the ultrasonic signals from the transducers. To improve the performance of the transducer, the silicon base behind the active area is removed, leaving the dielectric layer as a membrane to support the electrodes and the piezoelectric layer. The resulting void in the silicon base is filled with an acoustically matched backing, such as an epoxy, to enhance the wideband performance of the transducer. The transducer is especially suited for characterizing anatomical structures or features requiring very high resolution.

Abstract: A new and improved cell assay has been developed for mutagens and potential carcinogens to precisely identify the predominant type of mutation(s) each such compound induces in the DNA of cells. The test utilizes, for example, a selectable genetic marker such as adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) which is now extensively characterized on the DNA, protein and cellular phenotype levels. Specific mutations such as transitions, transversions, point insertions or point deletions are engineered at specific known sites in a mouse APRT gene deduced from the determined gene sequence, such that the gene cannot be properly expressed. These mutant genes are then introduced into non-reverting APRT deficient mammalian cells. These hybrid constructs represent the basic test medium for detection of mutagenic activity. The tester cells are treated with mutagens known to preferentially induce specific DNA mutations in mammalian cells.

Abstract: A method for determining the relationship of chemical structure to biological activity based on the topology and physiochemical properties of "cavities" or "artificial constructs" constructed from molecular models of nucleic acids, including, double-stranded DNA, double-stranded RNA and double-stranded DNA-RNA complexes. With DNA models, the second codon base is removed from each of the sixty-four possible codon-anticodon complexes in the configuration of DNA to form the cavities. Cavities were also formed between the base pairs of partially uncoiled DNA. Using the conventional physiochemical principles of hydrogen bonding and steric constraints, molecules having varying types of biological activity will fit stereochemically into certain cavities while, conversely, molecules which do not form complementary fits into a given cavity will not possess the respective biological activity. Also, the method can be utilized to determine the degree of biological activity of compounds.