Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening for a compound that binds to a selected nucleic acid comprising contacting compound fluorescently labeled by a fluorescent protein with a cell having a plurality of copies of the nucleic acid in an array such that the nucleic acid can be directly detected when bound by fluorescently labeled compound; and directly detecting the location of fluorescence within the cell, fluorescence aggregated at the site of the nucleic acid array indicating a compound that binds to the selected nucleic acid. In particular compounds such a transcription factors can be screened. Reagents for such method are provided including a mammalian cell having a plurality of steroid receptor response elements in an array such that the response element can be directly detected when bound by fluorescently labeled steroid receptor and a chimeric protein comprising a fluorescent protein fused to a steroid receptor.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factors, alone or together with cytokines such as IL-1 or IFN-&ggr;, are capable of serving as non-toxic vaccine adjuvants.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the formula I: X is (C1-C8)alkylene, (C2-C8)alkenylene, (C2-C8)alkynylene, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the alkylene, alkenylene or alkynylene groups is optionally replaced with a group having the formula —O—, —N(R4)C(O)—, —OC(O—, S—, —S(O)—or —SO2—, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds having the formula I. The compounds of the invention are selective antagonists of A2B adenosine receptors (ARs). These compounds and compositions are useful as pharmaceutical agents for treatment of diseases that are mediated by A2B adenosine receptors.

Abstract: This invention provides for new recombinant ribonuclease proteins which are active when expressed by bacteria. This allows the recombinant ribonucleases of this invention to be fused in-frame with ligand binding moieties to form cytotoxic fusion proteins. Furthermore, these proteins are more active than ribonucleases currently available even though the proteins of this invention lack an N-terminal pyroglutamic acid, which has been found to be necessary for ribonucleolytic activity. Because these proteins are recombinant proteins, mutations which increase cytotoxicity can be engineered.

Abstract: A number of indenoisoquinolines were prepared and evaluated for cytotoxicity in human cancer cell cultures and for activity versus topoisomerase I. The two most cytotoxic indenoisoquinolines proved to be cis-6-ethyl-5,6,12,13-tetrahydro-2,3-dimethoxy-8,9(methylenedioxy)-5,11-dioxo-11H-indeno[1,2-c]isoquinoline and cis-6-allyl-5,6,12,13-tetrahydro-2,3-dimethoxy-8,9-(methylenedioxy)-5,11-dioxo-(11H)indeno[1,2-c]isoquinoline. Two of the most potent topoisomerase I inhibitors were 6-(3-carboxy-1-propyl)-5,6-dihydro-5,11-dioxo-11H-indeno[1,2-c]isoquinoline (26) and 6-ethyl-2,3-dimethoxy-8,9-(methylenedioxy)-11H-indeno[1,2-c]isoquinolinium chloride (27).

Abstract: The present invention provides the discovery and isolation of the nucleotide sequence of the human clk2, the human propin1, and the human cote1 genes that are located within the glucocerebrosidase gene locus. Also provided by the present invention are proteins or polypeptides encoded by those genes, nucleic acids encoding those polypeptides, and antibodies to those proteins. Further provided by the present invention are nucleic acids of the same apparent molecular size as the propin1 and cote1 gene regions and which have the same restriction pattern as the wild-type genes.

Abstract: Laser capture microdissection occurs where the transfer polymer film is placed on a substrate overlying visualized and selected cellular material from a sample for extraction. The transfer polymer film is focally activated (melted) with a pulse brief enough to allow the melted volume to be confined to that polymer directly irradiated. This invention uses brief pulses to reduce the thermal diffusion into surrounding non-irradiated polymer, preventing it from being heated hot enough to melt while providing sufficient heat by direct absorption in the small focal volume directly irradiated by the focused laser beam. This method can be used both in previously disclosed contact LCM, non contact LCM, using either condenser-side (or beam passes through polymer before tissue) or epi-irradiation (or laser passes through tissue before polymer). It can be used in configuration in which laser passes through tissue before polymer with and without an additional rigid substrate.

Abstract: Detection of probe fragment products of basepair mismatch cleavage indicate the presence and sequence of target DNA. Detection of the target is enhanced by amplification through recycling targets by maintaining an assay temperature between the melting point of the target/probe DNA duplex and that of the target/product complex, in the presence of an amplifier comprising ammonium acetate or an amine derivative (for example, diethylamine, piperidine or ammonium carbonate). Cleavage reduces the size of the duplex, and thus lowering its melting point. The amplifier releases the target from the complex, thereby permitting further catalysis of cleavage and effectively amplifying the signal to be detected.

Abstract: A polymeric composition capable of releasing nitric oxide under physiological conditions which includes a biopolymer, such as a peptide, polypeptide, protein, oligonucleotide or nucleic acid, to which is bound a nitric oxide-releasing N2O2− functional group; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polymeric composition; and methods of treating biological disorders in which dosage with nitric oxide is therapeutic.

Abstract: This invention relates to a surgical device and methods for accessing and retrieving a tissue mass from a body cavity through a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. The device consists of a handle comprising an inner rod, which is rotatably engaged within a tubular member, and a loop adapted to hold a surgical bag. The loop comprises first and second bowed leaf elements, wherein the first bowed leaf element is attached to the inner rod and the second bowed leaf element is attached to the tubular member. The device further has a rotatable articulation, such as a hinge, joining the first and second bowed leaf elements, wherein rotation of the inner rod causes the first bowed leaf element to rotate about the articulation, such that the surgical bag may be opened and closed by rotation of the inner rod.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for constructing a fiber-mutant adenovirus vector in which a foreign peptide is introduced by a simple system into the fiber HI loop-coding gene of adenovirus; and provides a fiber-mutant adenovirus vector which is constructed by this method.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions that can be used to identify modulators of G-protein-coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or consisting of an amino acid sequence wherein one or more amino acids are deleted, replaced or added in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and having cell growth inhibitory activity; DNA coding for the polypeptide; DNA hybridizing with DNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 or with an oligonucleotide probe prepared based on the nucleotide sequence; a recombinant vector comprising the DNA; a transformant obtained by introducing the recombinant vector into host cells; a process for producing the polypeptide by culturing the transformant of the present invention in a medium; a pharmaceutical composition, preferably an anti-tumor agent, comprising the polypeptide as an active ingredient; a method of preventing or treating tumors comprising administering an effective amount of the polypeptide; and use of the polypeptide for producing a pharmaceutical composition useful for preventing o

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to AAMP-1, and to a peptide derived from the amino-terminal region of AAMP, P189. In particular, the present invention relates to a DNA segment encoding AAMP-1, P189 or fragments thereof; polypeptides encoded by said DNA segment; recombinant DNA molecules containing the DNA segment; cells containing the recombinant DNA molecule; a method of producing a AAMP-1, and P189 polypeptide or fragments thereof; antibodies specific to AAMP-1; and a method of measuring the amount of AAMP-1 in a sample. The present invention further relates to methods of using AAMP, P189 or fragments thereof in promoting cell-cell or cell-substrate adhesion, wound healing in patients, prosthetic acceptance, concentrating heparin in tissues, and inhibiting metastases and invasion of malignant cells.

Abstract: A diagnostic assay for detecting a negative-strand RNA virus in a sample and a genetically engineered cell for use in the assay are disclosed. The cell expresses a heterologous DNA-dependent RNA polymerase that synthesizes a minigenome or miniantigenome of the RNA virus from a cDNA template present in the cell. The cell also expresses the nucleocapsid proteins of the negative-strand virus that are necessary for replication of the minigenome or miniantigenome. Infection of the cell by the negative-strand virus results in expression of a reporter gene product encoded by the miniantigenome.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a method for selecting a novel African Green monkey kidney (AGMK) cell substrate, its cultivation and serial passage and its subsequent characterization. The invention provides a method for the use of the cell substrate in the isolation, growth and serial passage of a large number of viruses, particularly rotaviruses, enteroviruses, respiratory viruses and hepatitis A virus. The invention provides a method for the utilization of this AGMK cell substrate for the production of live and killed virus vaccines.

Abstract: A method for extracellularly producing an ectoprotein of hepatitis C virus comprises the steps of cultivating a transformant which is transformed with an expression vector containing a DNA fragment coding for the ectoprotein of hepatitis C virus and recovering the ectoprotein of hepatitis C virus extracellularly produced by the transformant. The protein originated from the E1 region prepared by the method can be used as a material for preparing a vaccine for preventing HCV infection. In addition, a diagnostic agent containing the protein is useful for the detection of an HCV antibody or the confirmation of the presence thereof in sera or the like. In other words, the protein of the present invention permits the diagnosis of C type hepatitis in high specificity and sensitivity.

Abstract: An automated peptide design and synthesis method is provided, wherein peptides are synthesized on interior, inward facing surfaces of reservoirs formed in a solvent resistant substrate. Novel substrates, as well as novel solutions for storing protected carboxyl terminal amino acids, are also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing novel African Green Monkey Kidney (AGMK) cell lines is taught. These cell lines which are free of viable adventitious microbial agents are useful as substrates for viruses and for the preparation of viral vaccines.

Abstract: A disease or disorder associated with myelin injury, such as multiple sclerosis, is treated by administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). The method reduces blood brain and blood nerve barrier permeability defects. It also decreases the size and number of perivascular lesions (often associated with myelin breakdown) and reduces the formation of sclerotic plaques in the central nervous system. IGF-I administration also reverses the clinical deficits associated with myelin injury, including visual defects, unsteadiness, poor coordination, muscular weakness and paralysis.