Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, hypertension, restenosis, and arterial inflammation. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in cardiovascular disease states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-cardiovascular disease states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to cardiovascular disease. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in cardiovascular disease. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates, first, to the identification of novel nucleic acid molecules and proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, or degenerate variants thereof, that participate in the regulation, control and/or modulation of G-protein-mediated signal transduction involved in T cell activation, including, but not limited to T helper (TH) cell and TH cell subpopulation activation. Specifically, the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention include the genes corresponding to the mammalian R11 gene, including the human R11 gene. R11 sequence analysis indicates that the R11 gene is a novel gene belonging to the RGS ("regulator of G-protein signalling") gene family, a gene family which encodes gene products involved in G-protein-mediated signal transduction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the Caspase-8h gene and the Caspase-8i gene. The Caspase-8h gene encodes a 220 amino acid polypeptide having two FADD death effector domains. The Caspase-8i gene encodes an 81 amino acid polypeptide having one FADD death effector domain. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules encoding Caspase-8h or Caspase-8i, vectors containing these nucleic acid molecules, and cells harboring such vectors.

Abstract: A natural product of Aspergillus fumigatus and specific derivatives thereof, and a method of treating fungal infection therewith.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including, but not limited to, atherosclerosis, ischemia/reperfusion, hypertension, restenosis, and arterial inflammation. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in cardiovascular disease states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-cardiovascular disease states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to cardiovascular disease. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in cardiovascular disease. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: Improved compositions useful for the production of foamed rotomolded articles are provided. The compositions of the invention are comprised of a first thermoplastic resin component which is an ethylene polymer in pellet form containing a foaming agent and a second thermoplastic resin component which is a powder consisting of a mixture of different particle size and melt index ethylene polymers. An improved process for producing foamed rotomolded articles having uniformly foamed interiors and smooth exterior skins which are substantially free of surface defects is also provided.

Abstract: A polynucleotide encoding chitin synthase (CHS1), an enzyme essential for cell wall synthesis and yeast cell growth, is provided. A maltose responsive promoter (MRP) isolated using the promoter library of the invention is also described.The present invention also provides a vector for isolation of a eukaryotic regulatory polynucleotide, i.e., promoter. The vector is useful in the method of the invention which comprises identifying a eukaryotic regulatory polynucleotide, i.e., promoter region, by complementing the growth of an auxotrophic host cell containing the vector of the invention, which includes a promoter region operably linked to a promoterless auxotrophic gene. The vector is introduced into the host cell chromosome by targeted integration. Also provided is a library containing host cells having the vector of the invention integrated in the chromosome of the host cell.

Abstract: A method for identifying a strain having a conditional lethal mutation which is essential for survival when strain is incubated under restrictive growth conditions, and methods of identifying gene products and gene functions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel nucleic acid molecules and proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules or degenerate variants thereof, that participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention represent the genes corresponding to the mammalian tub gene, a gene that is involved in the regulation of body weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of novel conservin genes and polypeptides. Therapeutics, diagnostics and screening assays based on these molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: Assays for determining whether a subject has or is at risk for developing type II diabetes, which are based on detecting the presence or absence of alterations in the hepatic nuclear factor 1 (HNF-1) gene or protein of the subject are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for identifying compounds, which modulate the bioactivity of human hepatic nuclear factor-1 (HNF-1), and which are therefore useful in treating type II diabetes are disclosed.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a curvate head, a cross bar mounting element having a socket into which the head of the screw is initially polyaxially nested. The cross bar mounting element further includes a vertical split which permits the socket to be expanded or compressed via the application of a corresponding force directed at the split. The cross bar mounting element further includes a pair of upwardly extending members which define a trough into which a cross bar element is positioned. The cross bar element includes features which permit the secure fixation of a rod thereto, as well as a selectively slideable element, such as a nut, which may be tightened to apply the compressive force necessary to compress the interior volume onto the head of the screw, thus locking the assembly in place.

Abstract: Improved compositions useful for the production of foamed rotomolded articles are provided. The compositions of the invention are comprised of a first thermoplastic resin component which is an ethylene polymer in pellet form containing a foaming agent and a second thermoplastic resin component which is a powder consisting of a mixture of different particle size and melt index ethylene polymers. An improved process for producing foamed rotomolded articles having uniformly foamed interiors and smooth exterior skins which are substantially free of surface defects is also provided.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a screw having a head, a tubular body having holes in the top, side and bottom thereof, and a rod coupling element. The head of the screw is disposed in the body with the shaft of the screw extending out the bottom hole, such that the body and the screw may initially rotate relative to one another. The rod coupling element has a ball shaped end which seats in the body with the remainder of the rod coupling element extending out of the side hole of the body, such that the rod coupling element and the body are initially polyaxially coupled relative to one another. The ball end of the rod coupling element is disposed on top of the head of the screw. A set screw is provided in the top of the body, the tightening of which causes the ball, head, and body to be crush locked together, thereby preventing further relative motion.

Abstract: An information processing methodology gives rise to an application program interface which includes an automated digitizing unit, such as a scanner, which inputs information from a diversity of hard copy documents and stores information from the hard copy documents into a memory as stored document information. Portions of the stored document information are selected in accordance with content instructions which designate portions of the stored document information required by a particular application program. The selected stored document information is then placed into the transmission format required by a particular application program in accordance with transmission format instructions. After the information has been transmission formatted, the information is transmitted to the application program. In one operational mode, the interface interactively prompts the user to identify, on a display, portions of the hard copy documents containing information used in application programs or for storage.

Abstract: A method for identifying a strain having a conditional lethal mutation which is essential for survival when strain is incubated under restrictive growth conditions, and methods of identifying gene products and gene functions thereof.

Abstract: A polyaxial orthopedic device for use with rod implant apparatus includes a hook or a screw having a recess which includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the up per portion is curvate. A rod receiving head having a channel formed therein, and a central bore which is curvately tapered at the inside bottom, and equivalently curvately tapered on the exterior surface, is polyaxially seated in the upper portion of the recess while a post element is inserted down through the head into the lower portion of the recess. The upper portion of the post is widened and curvate so that it seats in the curved lower interior of the bore of the head. The insertion of a rod into the head, onto the top of the post and the subsequent application of a downward force thereon by a nut causes the assembly to lock together, independent of the polyaxial angle of the head to the post and hook, or screw.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of body weight disorders, including, but not limited to, obesity. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in body weight disorder states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-body weight disorder states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to appetite and/or weight regulation. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in body weight disorders and/or appetite and/or body weight regulation. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of body weight disorders. Additionally, the present invention describes methods for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of various body weight disorders, and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.

Abstract: A modular polyaxial pedicle screw and orthopaedic rod implant device including same includes a shaft portion, a cuff, a stem portion, and a rod coupling sub-assembly. The shaft portion is designed to be inserted into the pedicle, has a recess formed in its top, and includes a threading formed on the exterior surface around the recess. The stem portion is a threaded post having an enlarged ball formed at the base thereof, the ball being ideally suited to polyaxially rotate within the recess of the shaft. The cuff is a cylindrical element designed to seat around the interface of the ball portion of the stem and the recess of the shaft, initially so that the stem and shaft may polyaxially rotate relative to one another, and subsequently to hold the stem and shaft in final securement. The rod coupling sub-assembly consists of a rod coupling element which is mountable on the post portion of the stem, and a top locking nut which secures the rod coupling element to the post between the nut and the cuff.