Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of several genes of the domestic cat (Felis catus) associated with taste perception. The invention provides, inter alia, the nucleotide sequence of the feline Tas1r1, Tas1r2, and Tas1r3 receptor genes, the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded thereby, and antibodies to the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for compounds that modify the genes' function or activity, the compounds identified by such screens, and mimetics of the identified compounds. The invention further provides methods for modifying the taste preferences, ingestive responses, or general behavior of a mammal, such as a cat, by administering compounds that affect the function or activity of the gene or the polypeptide encoded thereby.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of synthesizing the purified enantiomers of oleocanthal. The invention further provides methods of using oleocanthals in various formulations including, food additives; pharmaceuticals; cosmetics; animal repellants; and discovery tools for mammalian irritation receptor genes, gene products, alleles, splice variants, alternate transcripts and the like.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of culturing mammalian taste cells, including taste receptor cells. Cells are maintained for a duration of up to three months and longer while maintaining molecular and functional characteristics of mature taste cells. The cells are cultured on coated cell culture vessels and, from first replacement of medium onwards, the medium is replaced in intervals of at least 5 days. The invention further provides isolation and culturing methods of taste cells wherein the time that the cells are exposed to isolation solution and proteolytic enzymes is minimized and the cells are cultured in coated culture vessels with the medium replaced in intervals of at least 5 days from first replacement onwards. The invention further provides cultured taste cells, transfection and assay methods, and taste cell assay buffers with an osmolarity of about 300-320 and pH of about 7.0-7.3.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel splice-variant of the ClC-4 protein, termed ClC-4A. ClC-4A is expressed in taste bud cells and is involved in sour taste perception. The invention provides ClC-4A polynucleotides and ClC-4A polypeptides, vectors, host cells and ClC-4A specific antibodies as well as designing high potency taste stimuli, determining taste preferences in animals, developing breed-specific foods, and modifying the taste of foods and medications.

Abstract: Chemical field effect sensors comprising nanotube field effect devices having biopolymers such as single stranded DNA functionally adsorbed to the nanotubes are provided. Also included are arrays comprising the sensors and methods of using the devices to detect volatile compounds.

Abstract: Methods for identifying modulators of the epithelial sodium ion channel and for identifying modulators of salty taste perception are described. Also featured are isolated human salty taste receptors, artificial lipid bilayers comprising an epithelial sodium ion channels, and kits for practicing the claimed methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of several genes of the domestic cat (Felis catus) associated with taste perception. The invention provides, inter alia, the nucleotide sequence of the feline Tasl rl, Tasl r2, and Tasl r3 receptor genes, the amino acid sequences of the polypeptides encoded thereby, and antibodies to the polypeptides. The present invention also relates to methods for screening for compounds that modify the genes' function or activity, the compounds identified by such screens, and mimetics of the identified compounds. The invention further provides methods for modifying the taste preferences, ingestive responses, or general behavior of a mammal, such as a cat, by administering compounds that affect the function or activity of the gene or the polypeptide encoded thereby.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing animal waste malodor using agents and cross-adapting agents are described.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for reducing animal waste malodor using agents and cross-adapting agents are described.

Abstract: It is desirable to provide a gas chromatography type of chemical analysis method for estimating the change of body smell with progressive ageing of a living subject over a period of years by 1) utilization of the smell distinguishing ability of an experimental animal, 2) instrumental analysis, or 3) a combination of them. The present inventors found that the amounts of several volatile organic substances (e.g., 2-phenylacetamide, indole and phenol) present in mouse urine as substances responsible for the body smell are increased or decreased with ageing. The change in body smell with ageing of an animal can be estimated by quantitatively analyzing these compounds by an instrumental analysis method such as Y-shaped labyrinth method (involving live animals in a maze), gas chromatograph (GC) or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating complicated anosmia in a mammal, methods of enhancing the rate of olfactory nerve recovery in a mammal, and methods of enhancing nerve regeneration in a mammal by administering an effective amount of a retinoid compound to the mammal.

Abstract: Adjuvants for preventing adaptation to odors comprising one or compounds having the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R1 is a C1 to C8 lower alkyl group or a C7 to C9 aralkyl group, and R2 is a hydrogen atom or a C1 to C8 lower alkyl group, are described, as are compositions containing the same, and methods for preventing the adaptation to odors. Methods for increasing intracellular calcium ion levels and for prolonging the sensory response of chemoreceptive cells also described.

Abstract: Certain volatile compounds naturally present in herring gull eggs are effective for repelling animals and birds, particularly canids, from the locus to which such compounds are applied. More particularly, the volatile compounds which are effective animal repellents include compounds exhibiting mint-like odors such as the compounds pulegone and piperitone. The invention relates to methods of using these compounds to repel animals, and to repellent compositions comprising effective repellent amounts of such compounds.

Abstract: Methods for ascertaining the sensory irritation of chemicals in vitro are described. The methods include the cultivation of neuronal cells alone, with target tissue cells, and with target tissue cells and mast cells; the introduction of a chemical to be tested; and the measuring of neuronal response in the form of ion uptake or change in membrane potential. A co-culture system of neuronal and target tissue cells for performing said methods is also described.

Abstract: There is provided by the invention a structure-activity model for identifying avian repellent compounds. It has now been found that certain topological and electronic features of a molecule, especially the presence of a core ring structure, the basicity of the molecule in general, and the electronegativity of the core ring structure, are predictive of its avian repellency. Such features may be used to identify avian repellent compounds and such compounds may be utilized in methods for repelling birds from consuming or utilizing a material. There is further provided by this invention, novel avian repellents for use in methods of repelling birds from consuming or utilizing materials otherwise susceptible to consumption or utilization. Additionally, methods for repelling birds from consuming or utilizing non-potable aquatic habitats are provided herein.

Abstract: It has now been found that cross-adaptation may occur between two structurally-similar compounds with qualitatively different odors. The perceived intensity of a malodor, for example, underarm sweat, may be decreased by cross-adaptation to at least one ester compound structurally similar to a component of such sweat. Such structurally similar compounds may be used in methods for decreasing the perceived intensity of a malodor such as sweat, in products designed to cover the characteristic odor of sweat, and in methods for covering malodor.

Abstract: Methods of effectively repelling vertebrates, especially rodents, from consuming or utilizing materials otherwise susceptible to such consumption or utilization, using at least one non-toxic rodent repellent compound selected from the group comprising acetophenone, 2-aminobenzyl alcohol, 2-amino-4'5'-dimethoxyacetophenone, anthranilamide, anthranilic acid, isobutyl anthranilate, 4-ketobenztriazine, meta-aminoacetophenone, meta-hydroxyacetophenone, meta-methoxyacetophenone, 2-methoxybenzoic acid, methylanthranilate, ortho-aminoacetophenone, ortho-hydroxyacetophenone, ortho-methoxyacetophenone, para-aminoacetophenone, para-hydroxyacetophenone, para-methoxyacetophenone, and veratryl amine, are provided herein. Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to materials and methods for reducing crop damage, feedlot depredation, and livestock disease attributed to rodent infestation.

Abstract: A novel method for altering the food intake of a mammal is diclosed wherein 2,5-anhydro-D-mannito (2,5-AM) is administered to that mammal in an amount sufficient to alter its food intake. Preferably, normal feeding and fasting periods, and most preferably diurnal feeding and fasting periods, are identified. The mammal receives an intragastric, or intraperitoneal, or intravenous administration within two hours in advance of the onset of the feeding period to decrease food intake, or within two hours of the onset of the fasting period to increase intake. The subject mannitol is preferably administered in amounts of 50-800 mg/kg, although neither the low limit of sufficiency nor the upper limit of activity have yet to be identified.

Abstract: A novel method of determining the onset of the fertile period of a human female is disclosed comprising the step of monitoring the axillary secretions of said female during the course of her menstrual cycle to determine variations in the concentration of androstenol or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate. A first significant increase in the concentration of either of those compounds following the cessation of menses is indicative of the onset of the fertile period. In each case, a follicular phase peak occurs which exceeds by at least twice the concentration of those compounds present at any other time during the menstrual cycle. As a result, the monitoring of these compounds may act as reliable indicators predicting the occurrence of ovulation in five to seven days, and/or indicating the onset of the fertile period at a time when appropriate contraceptive measures can still be taken to avoid pregnancy or sexual intercourse can promote fertility.

Abstract: Anthocyanins have been found to be taste-aversive to avian species. This invention relates to mammalian livestock feeds and pelleted fertilizer and pesticide compositions each incorporating effective avian-repellent amounts of such anthocyanins or anthocyanin-containing plant materials. The invention also relates to avian-repellent compositions for application to crops and seeds incorporating such anthocyanins.