Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing and/or monitoring thrombophilic disease in a patient that can result from the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (aPL syndrome). The methods of the invention are premised on the inhibition of binding of an anticoagulant protein, annexin, preferably annexin-V, to phospholipids by antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies in a patient blood sample.

Abstract: The magnetic resonance catheter antenna includes a first tube having a proximal end and a distal end. A litz wire has a first end and a second end and is looped within the first tube such that the first end and the second end are disposed at the proximal end. A guide wire is disposed within the first tube. A multifilament or solid wire may be used instead of a litz wire. At least the looped portion of the wire is insulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders, and to assays for the identification of agents which act upon the circulatory system. It is based, at least in part, on the identification of a novel mouse gene, termed Vezf1 (for “Vascular endothelial zinc finger 1”), which is expressed at higher levels during embryonic development of the circulatory system, in damaged blood vessels, and in newly formed blood vessels associated with tumor growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of peptides and other small molecules (i.e. peptide mimetics) as pharmaceutical and/or therapeutic agents, and to methods for identification and design of peptides and peptide mimetics having desired functional activities. Specifically, peptides and other small molecules derived from regions of interacting intracellular signaling proteins are provided. More specifically, peptides and other small molecules derived from regions of the G&bgr; subunit of heterotrimeric GTP binding proteins are provided. Such molecules include specific agonists and antagonists of G&bgr; downstream effectors, including adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C. Such molecules are targeted to predicted regions of interaction between intracellular signaling proteins and tested for activity in functional assays using methods of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the acid sphingomyelinase gene and to methods of diagnosing Niemann-Pick disease. It is based, at least in part, on the cloning and expression of the full-length cDNA encoding acid sphingomyelinase and on the discovery of mutations in the acid sphingomyelinase gene of Ashkenazi Jewish Niemann-Pick disease patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically engineered attenuated viruses and methods for their production. In particular, the present invention relates to engineering live attenuated viruses which contain a modified NS gene segment. Recombinant DNA techniques can be utilized to engineer site specific mutations into one or more noncoding regions of the viral genome which result in the down-regulation of one or more viral genes. Alternatively, recombinant DNA techniques can be used to engineer a mutation, including but not limited to an insertion, deletion, or substitution of an amino acid residue(s) or an epitope(s) into a coding region of the viral genome so that altered or chimeric viral proteins are expressed by the engineered virus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the reduction of xenotransplantation rejection. Specifically, the present invention relates, first, to transgenic cells, tissues, organs and animals containing transgenic nucleic acid molecules that direct the expression of gene products, including, but not limited to enzymes, capable of modifying, either directly or indirectly, cell surface carbohydrate epitopes such that the carbohydrate epitopes are no longer recognized by natural human antibodies or by the human cell-mediated immune response, thereby reducing the human immune system response elicited by the presence of such carbohydrate epitopes. In a preferred embodiment, the transgenic cells, tissues, organs and animals express nucleic acid molecules encoding functional recombinant &agr;-Galactosidase A (&agr;GalA) enzyme which modifies the carbohydrate epitope Gal&agr;(1,3)Gal.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance image receiving coil includes a first balloon having a longitudinal axis. An internal surface of the first balloon defines an internal inflatable chamber. A second balloon has a longitudinal axis. The second balloon is disposed about the first balloon. A plurality of longitudinally extending grooves are disposed in one of an external surface of the first balloon and the internal surface of the second balloon. A first wire is disposed in at least one of the grooves. A second wire is disposed in at least a second one of the grooves. Each of the first wire and the second wire is adapted to be electrically connected to an MRI apparatus. In accordance with an alternate embodiment, the first and second wires are disposed in grooves in a sheath which is disposed between the first and second balloons. In accordance with a further alternate embodiment, the first and second wires are disposed in guide tubes that are connected to the external surface of a balloon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel inhibitory compounds which are capable of reducing, eliminating, or preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These compounds may be polypeptides or peptides comprising particular sequences that inhibit HIV-1 infection. These compounds may be derived from CD8+ lymphocytes. The invention is also directed to novel CD8+ cell lines which secrete these novel inhibitors. The invention is further directed to compositions comprising an inhibitor of the invention and to methods for the use of such compositions in the prevention and/or treatment of HIV infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing and/or monitoring thrombophilic disease in a patient that can result from the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (aPL syndrome). The methods of the invention are premised on the inhibition of binding of an anticoagulant protein, annexin, preferably annexin-V, to phospholipids by antiphospholipid (aPL) antibodies in a patient blood sample.

Abstract: Haloacetoamido, benzoic acid derivatives having anti-tumorigenic activity are inclosed. Examples of the haloacetoamido, benzoic acid derivatives include 3-chloroacetoamido, benzoylurca, 3-bromoacctoamido, benzoylurea, 3-todoacetoamido, benzoylurca, ethyl-3-chloroacetoamido, benzoate, ethyl-3-bromoacetoamido, benzoate and ethyl-3-iodoacetoamido, benzoate. Intermediates for synthesizing the derivatives, along with method of making and using the derivatives, are also provided.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids which encode a thermostable protein that enhances specific binding of a thermostable mismatch binding protein to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid and recombinant vectors comprising nucleic acid which encodes a thermostable protein that enhances specific binding of a thermostable mismatch binding protein to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid are disclosed. Also disclosed are isolated thermostable proteins that enhance specific binding of a thermostable mismatch binding protein to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid and host cells comprising a recombinant gene which can express a thermostable protein that enhances specific binding of a thermostable mismatch binding protein to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to genetically engineered Newcastle disease viruses and viral vectors which express heterologous genes or mutated Newcastle disease viral genes or a combination of viral genes derived from different strains of Newcastle disease virus. The invention relates to the construction and use of recombinant negative strand NDV viral RNA templates which may be used with viral RNA-directed RNA polymerase to express heterologous gene products in appropriate host cells and/or to rescue the heterologous gene in virus particles. In a specific embodiment of the invention, the heterologous gene product is a peptide or protein derived from the genome of a human immunodeficiency virus. The RNA templates of the present invention may be prepared by transcription of appropriate DNA sequences using a DNA-directed RNA polymerase such as bacteriophage T7, T3 or the SP6 polymerase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antifungal agent obtained from a bacterium, Bacillus sinaii. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that in mixed cultures of the bacterium and various fungi, zones of inhibition of fungal growth were found in the regions surrounding colonies of the Bacillus bacteria. In various embodiments, the present invention provides for the novel Bacillus bacterium, which has been purified and isolated from other organisms; for compositions comprising the antifungal agent produced by said Bacillus bacterium; and for methods of inhibiting fungal growth comprising exposing a fungus to an effective concentration of the antifungal agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to vectors comprising an .alpha.-globin locus control region (.alpha.LCR) and a gene encoding an erythroid protein. In articular embodiments, a retroviral vector comprising an .alpha.LCR and a globin gene may be used to treat globin-based genetic disorders, including sickle cell anemia and .beta.-thalassemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing a purified non-covalent heat shock protein 70-peptide complex capable of eliciting an immune response in a mammal comprising purifying heat shock protein 70-peptide complexes from mammalian tumor cells or mammalian cells infected with a virus, bacteria, or other infectious agent in the absence of ATP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the GnRH-R genes and proteins. The DNA sequence disclosed herein may be engineered into expression systems designed for the production of GnRH-R and/or cell lines which express the GnRH-R and preferably respond to GnRH induced signal transduction. Such cell lines may advantageously be used for screening and identifying GnRH agonists and antagonists. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the GnRH DNA, antisense oligonucleotide sequences, the GnRH expression products, and antibodies to such products may be used in the diagnosis and therapy of reproductive disorders associated with abnormal expression of the GnRH-R; e.g., overexpression, underexpression or expression of a dysfunctional mutant receptor. Transgenic animals containing the GnRH-R transgene may be used as animal models for the evaluation of GnRH analogs in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed is a family of vaccines that contain stress protein-peptide complexes which when administered to a mammal are operative at initiating in the mammal cytotoxic T cell responses against preselected intracellular pathogens. Also disclosed are methodologies for preparing and administering vaccines containing stress protein-peptide complexes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA-based computer which is able to perm mathematical calculations such as addition as well as logical operations. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that DNA molecules can be used to perform operations analogous to "bit-flipping" in computers. This capability, referred to herein as "molecular bit-flipping", derives from the complementary nature of DNA sequences. According to the present invention, input data are each represented by single-stranded DNA molecules. Complementary DNA sequences are incorporated such that input molecules, which bear a relationship defined by the operation, hybridize and permit one or more template DNA strands to serve as templates for primer extension. Primer extension, in turn, creates a result DNA molecule which represents the output data, and may be read using straightforward molecular biological techniques.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids which encode a thermostable protein which binds specifically to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid and recombinant vectors comprising nucleic acid which encodes a thermostable protein which binds specifically to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid are disclosed. Also disclosed are isolated thermostable proteins which bind specifically to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid and host cells comprising a recombinant gene which can express a thermostable protein which binds specifically to bulge loops in a heteroduplex nucleic acid. Further disclosed are a method of reducing DNA misincorporation in an amplification reaction, methods for detecting a nucleic acid which includes a specific sequence, a method for amplifying a nucleic acid comprising a specific sequence, and a method for selecting against a nucleic acid comprising a specific sequence.