Abstract: This invention provides an ADNF polypeptide comprising an active core site, the active core site comprising at least one D-amino acid. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an ADNF polypeptide comprising an active core site, the active core site comprising at least one D-amino acid. In particular, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention is orally active. The invention further provides methods for reducing neuronal cell death, methods for reducing oxidative stress, and methods for reducing a condition associated with fetal alcohol syndrome using the ADNF polypeptides and the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Polypeptides, polynucleotides, methods, compositions, and vaccines comprising (avian pandemic) influenza hemagglutinin and neuraminidase variants are provided.

Abstract: A multi-photon microscope has an illumination source, an objective lens unit arranged in an optical path of the illumination source, a first light collection system arranged to collect a first portion of light emitted from a sample when the sample is illuminated by light from the illumination source, and a second light collection system arranged to collect a second portion of light emitted from the sample when the sample is illuminated by light from the illumination source. The first portion of light when collected by the first light collection system and the second portion of light when collected by the second light collection system, together provide a means of collecting as much light from as many angles as possible emanating from an emitting point source. This collection scheme has the potential to approach the total emission collection of light from an emitting point source depending on the optical properties of the sample being imaged.

Abstract: A number of thalidomide metabolites having superior anti-angiogenic properties have now been isolated and identified. In addition, thalidomide analogs that mimic the effects of the isolated and identified active thalidomide metabolites, and variations of such thalidomide analogs, have been developed. Such thalidomide analog compounds show enhanced potency in the inhibition of undesirable angiogenesis without the undesirable effects of administration of thalidomide.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression are described. More specifically, the invention demonstrates that intranasal administration of ketamine is effective to ameliorate the symptoms of depression in a patient who has not responded to an adequate trial of one antidepressant in the current episode and has recurrent or chronic depressive symptoms (>2 years).

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that a polypeptide containing the JAB subunit or the JAM domain has peptidase activity, e.g., isopeptidase activity. The present invention provides polypeptides and crystalline polypeptides containing the JAM domain and methods of using such polypeptides to screen for agents capable of affecting the peptidase activity of the polypeptides. The present invention also provides methods of using the JAM domain for rational drug design or identifying agents capable of affecting the peptidase activity of the JAM domain.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining whether a subject possesses altered pain sensitivity an altered risk of developing acute or chronic pain, or diagnosing a tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)-related disorder or a propensity thereto. These methods are based on the discovery of GCH1 and KCNS1 allelic variants that are associated with altered pain sensitivity and altered risk of developing acute or chronic pain, and the discovery that a GCH1 “pain protective haplotype” is associated with decreased upregulation of BH4 synthesis in treated leukocytes.

Abstract: The present invention provides variants of cyanovirin-N and water-soluble polymer conjugates thereof. The cyanovirin-N of the invention are particularly suited for site-selective covalent attachment of one or more water soluble polymers, to provide polymer conjugates of cyanovirin-N variants exhibiting antiviral activity.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies and other binding agents to human cytochrome P450 2C19 having advantageous properties, including capacity substantially to inhibit enzyme activity of human cytochrome P450 2C19 and lack of specific binding to other human cytochrome P450s. The binding agents of the invention are useful inter alia in methods for screening drugs for metabolism by cytochrome P450 2C19, and in methods of measuring P450 2C19 levels in individuals relative to P450 2C19 levels in a control population.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing stroke-related tissue damage by treating a mammal with E-selectin. Preferably, this treatment induces E-selectin tolerance in the mammal. Another aspect of the invention is a method for inducing E-selectin tolerance in a mammal through intranasal administration of E-selectin, preferably including booster administrations. The present methods are especially adapted for use in patients at increased risk of stroke or who may become at increased risk of stroke.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies and other binding agents to human cytochrome P450 2C19 having advantageous properties, including capacity substantially to inhibit enzyme activity of human cytochrome P450 2C19 and lack of specific binding to other human cytochrome P450s. The binding agents of the invention are useful inter alia in methods for screening drugs for metabolism by cytochrome P450 2C19, and in methods of measuring P450 2C19 levels in individuals relative to P450 2C19 levels in a control population.

Abstract: A method of enhancing progenitor cell differentiation, including enhancing myogenesis, neurogenesis, and hematopoiesis, by contacting a progenitor cell with an effective amount of a deacetylase inhibitor (DI). The progenitor cell can be part of cell culture, such as a cell culture used for in vitro or in vivo analysis of progenitor cell differentiation, or can be part of an organsism, such as a human or other mammal. Contacting the progenitor cell with a DI can lead to enhancement of expression of terminal cell-type specific genes in the progenitor cell, such as enhancing expression of muscle-specific genes in myoblasts. Administering a DI to a subject also can provide some prophylactic or therapeutic effect for inhibiting, preventing, or treating associated with a degeneration or loss of tissue. The DI can be administered to a subject as part of a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: Dinitroaniline compounds useful for the treatment of diseases caused by parasitic protozoa in subjects in need of such treatment. The compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of leishmaniasis. The compounds are preferably less cytotoxic to normal cells than oryzalin. Also provided are methods of treating subjects having diseases caused by parasitic protozoa, preferably humans.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of an ATP binding cassette transporter and mutated sequences thereof associated with macular degeneration. Methods of detecting agents that modify ATP-binding cassette transporter comprising combining purified ATP binding cassette transporter and at least one agent suspected of modifying the ATP binding cassette transporter an observing a change in at least one characteristic associated with ATP binding cassette transporter. Methods of detecting macular degeneration is also embodied by the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds and methods of administering compounds to a subject that can reduce ?APP production and that is not toxic in a wide range of dosages. The present invention also provides non-carbamate compounds and methods of administering such compounds to a subject that can reduce ?APP production and that is not tocix in a wide range of dosages. It has been discovered that either the racemic or enantiomerically pure non-carbamate compounds can be used to decrease ?APP production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel protein inhibiting ? amyloid aggregation and a strain producing the protein, more precisely, to a novel protein inhibiting ? amyloid aggregation, a gene coding the protein, a Streptomyces sp. strain producing the protein and a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders containing the protein as an effective ingredient. The therapeutic agent of the present invention containing the protein inhibiting ? amyloid aggregation as an effective ingredient can be effectively used for the prevention and the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A novel growth factor, neurturin, is disclosed and the human and mouse amino acid sequences are identified. Human and mouse neurturin genomic DNA sequences have been cloned and sequenced and the respective cDNA sequences identified. The subcloning into vectors and the preparation of cells stably transformed with the vectors are also disclosed. In addition, methods for treating degenerative conditions, tumor cells and obesity; methods for detecting gene alterations and methods for detecting and monitoring patient levels of neurturin are provided. Methods for identifying additional members of the neurturin-GDNF family of growth factors are also provided.

Abstract: Chimeric human-bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are infectious and attenuated in humans and other mammals and useful in vaccine formulations for eliciting an anti-RSV immune response. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a chimeric RSV genome or antigenome which includes a partial or complete human or bovine RSV “background” genome or antigenome combined or integrated with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different RSV strain. Chimeric human-bovine RSV of the invention include a partial or complete “background” RSV genome or antigenome derived from or patterned after a human or bovine RSV strain or subgroup virus combined with one or more heterologous gene(s) or genome segment(s) of a different RSV strain or subgroup virus to form the human-bovine chimeric RSV genome or antigenome.

Abstract: Two previously undescribed human cdc25 genes, designated cdc25 A and cdc25 B, which have been shown to have an endogenous tyrosine phosphatase activity that can be specifically activated by B-type cyclin, in the complete absence of cdc2 are described. As a result of this work, new approaches to regulating the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells and, particularly, to regulating the activity of tyrosine specific phosphatases which play a key role in the cell cycle are available. Applicant's invention relates to methods of regulating the cell cycle and, specifically, to regulating activation of cdc2-kinase, through alteration of the activity and/or levels of tyrosine phosphatases or through alteration of the interaction of components of MPF. More specifically, the invention relates to inhibiting transcription or translation of mammalian CDC25A genes using oligonucleotides.

Abstract: A system and method for the analysis of AFM data is provided. The system and method can be used in conjunction with an atomic force microscopy (AFM) system including a cantilever with a tip used to analyze a sample, the AFM outputting an AFM data file. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a computer readable medium storing computer readable program code for causing a computer to receive user input regarding an analysis to be performed and analysis parameters; parse the AFM data file based on the user input to obtain a deflection of the cantilever; determine an indentation depth of the tip into the sample based at least in part on the deflection; select a model of contact mechanics based on the user input; solve the selected model of contact mechanics based on the input analysis using the determined indentation depth; and determine a residual error.