Abstract: The present invention provides gene sets the expression of which is important in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of breast cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treating, inhibiting or preventing of certain infectious agents including papilloma virus and various vaginitis-causing microbes by employing cellulose sulfate and other sulfated polysaccharides. In one embodiment, the method involves preventing, inhibiting or treating fungal infections. Corresponding methods of use in manufacturing a medicament as well as use in preventing and inhibiting various infectious agents as well as malignant lesions are disclosed. In another embodiment, use of a sulfated polysaccharide in preventing, inhibiting or treating a parasitic infection is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating and preventing various infections, including papilloma virus and fungal and parasitic infections is provided. In particular, an effective amount of a sulphated polysaccharide, such as cellulose sulphate and dextran sulphate are administered to prevent and treat these infections. The invention also relates to use of these compounds for the prevention and inhibition of malignant epithelial lesions associated with papilloma virus, such as cervical cancer.

Abstract: A method for treating and preventing various infections, including papilloma virus and fungal and parasitic infections is provided. In particular, an effective amount of a sulfated polysaccharide, such as cellulose sulfate and dextran sulfate are administered to prevent and treat these infections. The invention also relates to use of these compounds for the prevention and inhibition of malignant epithelial lesions associated with papilloma virus, such as cervical cancer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a performance review process. The method comprises receiving a list of reviewers and their relationship to a reviewee, generating an evaluation form for each reviewer based on the relationship between the reviewer and the reviewee, providing each reviewer with access to the evaluation form for completion, processing the completed evaluation form, and providing an evaluation results report.

Abstract: The invention provides an antibody or a fragment thereof having specific binding affinity for superficial zone protein (SZP) or a variant, fragment, or protein core thereof, wherein the binding affinity of the antibody or fragment thereof for human superficial zone protein is the same or greater than the binding affinity for bovine superficial zone protein in a competitive binding assay, IAsys analysis, or BIAcore analysis. The present invention further provides hybidoma cells that produce the monoclonal antibody and antibody reagent kits comprising the antibody or fragment of the invention. Further provided by the invention are methods of SZP detection, methods of diagnosing a degenerative joint condition, and screening methods related to the use of the antibody or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and contraceptive compositions and methods which prevent and/or reduce the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases through sexual activity as well as prevent and/or reduce the risk of pregnancy are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides relatively short immunogenic peptides, and biologically active variants thereof, associated with leukemia which elicit an immune response. Nucleic acids encoding the immunogenic peptides and antibodies specific for the peptides are also provided. The immunogenic peptides can be included in pharmaceutical compositions, such as cancer vaccines, and used for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Antimicrobial and contraceptive compositions and methods which prevent and/or reduce the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases through sexual activity as well as prevent and/or reduce the risk of pregnancy are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides relatively short immunogenic peptides, and biologically active variants thereof, associated with leukemia which elicit an immune response. Nucleic acids encoding the immunogenic peptides and antibodies specific for the peptides are also provided. The immunogenic peptides can be included in pharmaceutical compositions, such as cancer vaccines, and used for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Surgically implantable tissue engineered intervertebral disc tissues that effectively replicate the physicochemical properties of the corresponding in vivo tissues are provided. Methods for producing such tissues can involve culturing the intervertebral disc cells to produce cells surrounded by an extracellular matrix and culturing the cells and matrix on a semipermeable membrane to form a cohesive tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for characterizing gastrointestinal sounds includes a microphone array to be positioned on a body for producing gastrointestinal sound signals. The signals are digitized and their spectra and duration is determined by a processor. A characterization as to the state of the gastrointestinal tract is made on the basis of the spectra and duration of the sound or event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of gas cavities in the abdomen, the thorax and elsewhere is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator for transmitting low frequency vibro-acoustic waves (such as from a white noise generator, impulse wave or chirp signal) into the body at a first location and a detector (such as from a vibro-acoustic sensor, microphone, air-coupled microphone or optical detector) for receiving the transmitted low frequency vibro-acoustic waves at a second location on the body. The actuator and detector are positioned to be effective for detecting the suspected gas cavity. The detector generates a response signal which is analyzed. Resonance waves and anti-resonance waves in the detected signal indicate the presence of a gas cavity.

Abstract: The presence of oxidative stress in a patient is determined by immobilizing plasma proteins onto a support, derivatizing any oxidized proteins with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), contacting the derivatized plasma proteins with anti-DNPH antibody, then measuring the amount of immunocomplex formed. In a preferred embodiment, the plasma proteins are bound to a membrane, derivatized with DNPH, contacted with anti-DNPH antibody, with the amount of immunocomplex formed being determined by contacting the immunocomplex with a second antibody labeled with horseradish peroxidase in conjunction with chemiluminescence.

Abstract: A method for preventing, inhibiting, or treating vaginitis or bacterial vaginosis using polystyrene sulfonate is provided. The polystyrene sulfonate used in the present invention inhibits Trichomonas (a flagellate protozoon), Gardnerella, and other vaginitis/vaginosis-causing bacteria. The method of this invention generally comprises the application of an effective amount of an inhibitory agent into the vagina of a female in need of prevention, inhibition, and/or treatment of vaginitis and/or bacterial vaginosis. Preferably the polystyrene sulfonate in contained in an aqueous based composition, more preferably in an aqueous based composition buffered to a pH of about 3.5 to about 7.5, and even more preferably in an aqueous based composition buffered to a pH of about 3.5 to about 5.

Abstract: The subject invention comprises a method for producing animals where the common bile duct is cannulated for use in the study of endotoxin-induced alterations in hepatic function by measuring changes in the maximal steady-state biliary excretion rate of the anionic dye, indocyanine green (ICG). In a further embodiment the hypatic vein is catheterized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of gas cavities in the abdomen, the thorax and elsewhere is disclosed. The apparatus includes an actuator for transmitting low frequency vibro-acoustic waves (such as from a white noise generator, impulse wave or chirp signal) into the body at a first location and a detector (such as from a vibro-acoustic sensor, microphone, air-coupled microphone or optical detector) for receiving the transmitted low frequency vibro-acoustic waves at a second location on the body. The actuator and detector are positioned to be effective for detecting the suspected gas cavity. The detector generates a response signal which is analyzed. Resonance waves and anti-resonance waves in the detected signal indicate the presence of a gas cavity.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the x- and y-positions, as well as the depth of interaction, of an interaction between a gamma ray and a scintillation crystal. In one embodiment, a first and a second sensor array are disposed on opposite sides of a scintillation crystal which is subjected in incident gamma radiation resulting in the release of photons. The first sensor array provides a measurement of the x- and y-positions of the interaction while the second sensor array provides a measurement of the depth-of-interaction. In one embodiment, the first sensor array is a photomultiplier array and the second sensor array is an array of wavelength-shifting fibers.

Abstract: Ovarian autoimmunity is implicated in ovarian dysfunction associated with premature ovarian failure (POF) and unexplained infertility. A rapid, quantitative, and inexpensive method of clinical diagnosis of ovarian autoimmunity is provided. Diagnosis is provided by detection of autoantibodies that react with an ovarian antigen, 17 -alpha-hydroxylase. This diagnostic method is applicable to ovarian autoimmunity unassociated with polyglandular disease.