Abstract: The invention features a method for determining whether a candidate compound is a non-peptide agonist of a peptide hormone receptor. In this method, a candidate compound is exposed to a form of the peptide hormone receptor which has an enhanced ability to amplify the intrinsic activity of a non-peptide agonist. The second messenger signaling activity of the enhanced receptor is measured in the presence of the candidate compound, and compared to the second messenger signaling activity of the enhanced receptor measured in the absence of the candidate compound. A change in second messenger signaling activity indicates that the candidate compound is an agonist. An increase in second messenger signaling activity indicates that the compound is either a full or partial positive agonist; a decrease in second messenger signaling activity indicates that the compound is an inverse (also termed a `negative`) agonist.

Abstract: A protein having the biological activity of a mammalian TSH receptor, and purified nucleic acid encoding such a protein.

Abstract: The expression and purification of normal epithelial specific polypeptide (NES1) which is expressed in normal cells, but not in radiation transformed cells, are described. Both the DNA sequence encoding the NES1 and the corresponding amino acid sequence are disclosed. Also, disclosed are methods for carcinoma detection and treatment using the NES1 as well as methods of identifying compounds modulating the expression and activity of NES1.

Abstract: The invention features screening methods which can be used to identify agents, known as vasoprotective agents, which inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell activation and/or proliferation or enhance vascular endothelial cell activation and/or proliferation or activate estrogen responsive genes in vascular cells. Preferred vasoprotective agents are relatively vasospecific, i.e., their effect on one or more types of vascular cells is more pronounced than their effect on other cell types. Treatment with such vasospecific agents will generally be associated with fewer undesirable side-effects than treatment with estrogen.The methods of the invention are screening assays in which candidate agents are examined to identify vasoprotective agents. One type of screening assay involves examining the effect of a candidate agent on cell proliferation and/or cell activation. Another type of screening assay involves examining the effect of a candidate agent on the expression of a gene which is responsive to estrogen.

Abstract: An instrument for continuously monitoring the condition of a patient who has a cardiovascular disease, the instrument including an electrocardiograph; a waveform analyzer which analyzes a current segment of an ECG waveform; a computer receiving output from the waveform analyzer; and a control module. The computer is programmed to complete a monitoring cycle in which the computer uses the output from the waveform analyzer to compute a probability of a life threatening cardiac condition based upon the current segment of the patient's ECG waveform. The control module causes the computer to periodically repeat the monitoring cycle and for each repetition of said monitoring cycle to compute a change-of-condition measure, wherein the change-of-condition measure is calculated by subtracting a computed probability for a previous monitoring cycle from the computed probability for the current monitoring cycle.

Abstract: A method for detecting presence or absence of a nucleic acid of interest in fetal nucleic acid derived from a sample of peripheral blood obtained from a pregnant woman is described. The method involves obtaining a sample of peripheral blood from a pregnant woman, treating the sample of peripheral blood such that fetal nucleic acid present in fetal granulocytes is made available for detection and detecting presence or absence of a nucleic acid of interest in the available fetal nucleic acid. The proportion of fetal granulocytes present in the sample of peripheral blood can be increased relative to the sample of peripheral blood forming a sample enriched in fetal granulocytes prior to the detection step.

Abstract: Endothelial cells transduced with genetic material encoding a polypeptide or protein of interest and, optionally, a selectable marker, as well as methods for making and using the transduced endothelial cells are disclosed. Such endothelial cells are useful in improving the performance of vascular grafts and in delivering the encoded polypeptide or protein, such as an enzyme, a hormone, a receptor or a drug, to an individual.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth of a virus, the DNA of the virus including the nucleic acid sequence 5' ACCXNNNPyCGGTXY3', wherein each N, X, and Y is, independently, any nucleotide, and Py is C or T, the nucleic acid sequence being capable of binding to a protein encoded by the DNA of the virus, the protein, upon binding to the nucleic acid sequence, being capable of causing the enhancement of the transcription of DNA of the virus, the method including inhibiting the protein from binding to the nucleic acid sequence to repress the transcription of DNA of said virus to inhibit the growth of the virus.

Abstract: A laryngeal bypass device for transcutaneous insertion into a human sublaryngeal trachea has an outer tubular member coupled to an aspiration device and an inner tubular member disposed within the outer tubular member and coupled to a ventilation device. The inner tubular member delivers oxygenated air from the ventilation device to the lungs, and the outer tubular member aspirates carbon dioxide from the lungs. By utilizing the two tubular members in a single bypass device, adequate ventilation of the lungs occurs without the need for air evacuation through the mouth, as the larynx is completely bypassed. In one embodiment, the laryngeal bypass device further includes a barrier member coupled to the inner tubular member for maintaining the outer and inner tubular members free of surrounding tissue during respiration.

Abstract: This invention relates to E2 trans-activation repressors which interfere with normal functioning of the native full-length E2 transcriptional activation protein of the papillomavirus. Native full-length E2 trans-activation protein activates transcription of papillomavirus only through binding to DNA, and it binds to DNA only in the form of a pre-formed homodimer--a pair of identical polypeptide subunits held together by non-covalent interactions. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are proteins, polypeptides or other molecules that dimerize with full-length native E2 polypeptides to form inactive heterodimers, thus interfering with the formation of active homodimers comprising full-length native E2 polypeptides, thereby repressing papillomavirus transcription and replication. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are advantageously used in the treatment of papillomavirus infections and their associated diseases.

Abstract: This invention relates to E2 trans-activation repressors which interfere with normal functioning of the native full-length E2 transcriptional activation protein of the papillomavirus. Native full-length E2 trans-activation protein activates transcription of papillomavirus only through binding to DNA, and it binds to DNA only in the form of a pre-formed homodimer--a pair of identical polypeptide subunits held together by non-covalent interactions. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are proteins, polypeptides or other molecules that dimerize with full-length native E2 polypeptides to form inactive heterodimers, thus interfering with the formation of active homodimers comprising full-length native E2 polypeptides, thereby repressing papillomavirus transcription and replication. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are advantageously used in the treatment of papillomavirus infections and their associated diseases.

Abstract: The invention features a method of labeling a cell containing an intracytoplasmic target molecule involving (1) permeabilizing the plasma membrane of the cell so that (a) a reagent capable of detectably labeling the intracytoplasmic target molecule can traverse the plasma membrane into the cytoplasm of the cell; and (b) substantially all of the intracytoplasmic target molecule and the DNA of the cell remain in the cell; and (2) contacting the cell with the reagent to label the intracytoplasmic target molecule. The method may further involve detecting the label in the cell, and isolating the cell on the basis of detecting the label in the cell. The invention also includes cells permeabilized using the method of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to E2 trans-activation repressors which interfere with normal functioning of the native full-length E2 transcriptional activation protein of the papillomavirus. Native full-length E2 trans-activation protein activates transcription of papillomavirus only through binding to DNA, and it binds to DNA only in the form of a pre-formed homodimer--a pair of identical polypeptide subunits held together by non-covalent interactions. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are proteins, polypeptides or other molecules that dimerize with full-length native E2 polypeptides to form inactive heterodimers, thus interfering with the formation of active homodimers comprising full-length native E2 polypeptides, thereby repressing papillomavirus transcription and replication. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are advantageously used in the treatment of papillomavirus infections and their associated diseases.

Abstract: A protein having the biological activity of a mammalian TSH receptor, and purified nucleic acid encoding such a protein.

Abstract: This invention relates to E2 trans-activation repressors which interfere with normal functioning of the native full-length E2 transcriptional activation protein of the papillomavirus. This invention also relates to DNA sequences and recombinant DNA molecules encoding such repressors, unicellular hosts transformed with such DNA molecules, and processes for producing and using such repressors. Native full-length E2 trans-activation protein activates transcription of papillomavirus only through binding to DNA, and it binds to DNA only in the form of a pre-formed homodimer--a pair of identical polypeptide subunits held together by non-covalent interactions. The E2 trans-activation repressors of this invention are proteins, polypeptides or other molecules that dimerize with full-length native E2 polypeptides to form inactive heterodimers, thus interfering with the formation of active homodimers comprising full-length native E2 polypeptides, thereby repressing papillomavirus transcription and replication.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolated toxin associated with Kawasaki syndrome and the bacteria from which these are isolated.

Abstract: The invention features purified nucleic acids encoding the mammalian gastrin/CCK-B receptor family. The invention also features a) the gastrin and CCK-B receptor polypeptides, b) a method of identifying antagonists to the gastrin or CCK-B receptors, and c) a parietal cell cDNA expression library.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth of Helicobacter pylori is described. The method involves administering to a mammal a composition containing a surfactant/emulsifying agent and which is substantially free of calcium, magnesium, aluminum and silicon ions.

Abstract: A method is provided for facilitating the atrophying of a tonsil or adenoid ("organ") to cause the gradual removal thereof from the patient. A laser is positioned adjacent the organ, the wavelength for the laser being in the 700 nm to 1100 nm range and having energy sufficient to cause coagulation of blood in at least a significant number of the organ vessels over a period of several minutes, but not so much energy as to kill significant tissue of the organ or to cause significant damage to tissue adjacent to the organ. The laser is then turned on to irradiate the organ with laser energy and the entire exposed area of the organ is painted or otherwise irradiated. Irradiation continues until a selected condition of the organ, tissue adjacent the organ and/or laser source occurs.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding human interleukin-1 (IL-1), and fragments thereof, and the polypeptides and peptides obtained. Specifically, the subject invention comprises the cloning of a cDNA synthesized by reverse transcription of poly(A)RNA isolated from adherent human monocytes-stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. Human IL-1 is useful to induce the production of IL-2 by activated T-cells; it also acts on B-cells and NK-cells.