Abstract: A device and methods for treating a subject with dysphagia or other neurological disease, neurological disorder, neurological injury, neurological impairment or neurodegenerative disease that affects voluntary motor control of the hyoid, pharynx, larynx, or oropharyngeal area is disclosed. A device of the invention generally comprises a vibrotactile stimulator for applying at least one stimulus to the outside surface of a subject's neck; a connector for attaching the vibrotactile stimulator to an outside surface of the subject's neck, and a switch control communicatively connected to the vibrotactile stimulator to selectively engage a manual stimulation module and/or automatic stimulation module. Stimulation of an outside surface of the throat area of a subject by a device of the invention stimulates a swallowing reflex in the subject.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining the redox status of a region of interest in an animal tissue. The method includes administering a nitroxyl contrast agent to the region of interest, obtaining a magnetic resonance image of the region of interest, determining the amount of reduced nitroxyl contrast agent in the region of interest, and thereby determining the redox status of the region of interest.

Abstract: Recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 2 (HPIV2) viruses and related immunogenic compositions and methods are provided. The recombinant HPIV2 viruses, including HPIV2 chimeric and chimeric vector viruses, provided according to the invention are infectious and attenuated in permissive mammalian subjects, including humans, and are useful in immunogenic compositions for eliciting an immune responses against one or more PIVs, against one or more non-PIV pathogens, or against a PIV and a non-PIV pathogen. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules and vectors incorporating a recombinant HPIV2 genome or antigenome.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing a nitric oxide-releasing medical device. The method includes contacting an amine-functionalized silane residue with a substrate, e.g., a metallic substrate, contacting the amine-functionalized silane residue with a cross-linking agent, contacting at least one nucleophilic residue with the cross-linked amine-functionalized silane residue, and contacting the nucleophilic residue with nitric oxide gas. The invention also provides a method of contacting the cross-linked amine-functionalized silane residue with at least one nitric oxide-releasing functional group. Furthermore, the invention provides a medical device for delivering nitric oxide in therapeutic a concentration, wherein the device comprises a substrate having nitric oxide bound thereto through diazeniumdiolated nucleophiles bonded to silane intermediates. The silane intermediates are bonded to the substrate and are amine-functionalized and cross-linked.

Abstract: A compound of formula I: or solvate thereof, wherein n is 1 to 10, and M and M? are independently selected from monovalent pharmaceutically acceptable cations, or together represent a divalent pharmaceutically acceptable cation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting viral replication, particularly retroviral replication. The methods comprise administration of stibonic acid or diphenyl compounds that disrupt viral nucleocapsid binding to nucleic acids.

Abstract: The invention relates to the formulation of pharmaceutical compounds. More particularly, the invention provides stable, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions prepared from boronic acid compounds and methods for preparing the compositions. The invention also provides novel boronate ester compounds. The invention further provides boronic acid anhydride compounds useful in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Cell transformation vectors for inhibiting HIV and tumor growth are provided. Optionally, the vectors encode RNAses such as EDN. Cells transduced by the vectors and methods of transforming cells (in vitro and in vivo) using the vectors are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides MHC Class II restricted melanoma antigens recognized by CD4+ T cells. This invention further provides prophylactic and therapeutic applications for the Class II restricted melanoma antigens. In particular, this invention provides tyrosinase Class II restricted melanoma antigens, as well as tyrosinase immunogenic peptides which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. These antigens can serve as an immunogens or vaccines to prevent or treat melanoma. In addition a method for isolating Class II restricted melanoma antigens or identifying new Class II restricted melanoma antigens is provided.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of eliciting a secretry IgA-mediated immune response in a subject by administering a Pseudomonas exotoxin A-like chimeric immunogens that include a non-native epitope in the Ib domain of Pseudomonas exotoxin. Compositions comprising secretory IgA antibodies that specifically recognize an epitope of HIV-1 also are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a novel family of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of taste transduction G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a method of detecting a mismatch in a double stranded nucleic acid target, comprising (a) contacting the target with (i) a Mu-end nucleic acid, and (ii) a phage Mu transposase, under conditions effective for the Mu-end nucleic acid to transpose into the target at about the site of a mismatch, if the target comprises a mismatch, and (b) detecting transposition of the Mu-end DNA into the target, wherein transposition of the Mu-end nucleic acid into the target at a predominant site indicates the presence of a mismatch at that site.

Abstract: A peptide comprising an agonist of a MHC Class I binding native sequence having amino acid substitution(s) and enhanced immunogenicity compared to the native sequence is described. Pharmaceutical compositions, peptide-immunoglobulin conjugates, kits and peptide-carrier molecules comprising such peptides also are described.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for increasing an immune response to an opportunistic infection in an immunocompromised subject. In one embodiment, the subject is infected with a lentivirus. The method includes increasing an immune response to a pathogen using D oligodeoxynucleotides including a CpG motif.

Abstract: &bgr;2-microglobulin fusion proteins and modified forms of &bgr;2-microglobulin are disclosed. The fusion proteins are shown to incorporate onto the surface of MHC I expressing mammalian cells and to cause an increased cytotoxic T-cell response to antigens presented by such cells. The fusion proteins are useful in methods of tumor therapy. Modified forms of human &bgr;2-microglobulin, particularly a form having a serine to valine transition at amino acid position 55 of the mature protein are shown to have an enhanced affinity for MHC I heavy chain, and are useful both in the disclosed fusion proteins and as a vaccine adjuvant where enhanced cytotoxic T-cell response is desired.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs containing HIV-1 gag/pol and SIV gag or SIV env genes which have been mutated to remove or reduce inhibitory/instability sequences are disclosed. Viral particles and host cells containing these constructs and/or viral particles are also disclosed. The exemplified constructs and viral particles of the invention may be useful in gene therapy for numerous disorders, including HIV infection, or as a vaccine for HIV-1 immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel nucleic acid and protein sequences that are essential to fertility. In particular, human Mater genomic, cDNA and protein sequences are provided, as are fragments and variants thereof. Functional MATER is required for female fertility; zygotes that arise from Mater null oocytes do not progress beyond the two-cell stage. Methods are described for using Mater molecules in diagnoses, prognosis, and treatment of infertility and reduced fertility, and kits related to such methods. Also provided are methods for using MATER as a contraceptive agent. The disclosure also describes compounds involved in such methods, and the identification of such compounds.

Abstract: Candidate anomalies in an anatomical structure are processed for classification. For example, false positives can be reduced by techniques related to the anomaly's neck, wall thickness associated with the anomaly, template matching performed for the anomaly, or some combination thereof. The various techniques can be combined for use in a classifier, which can determine whether the anomaly is of interest. For example, a computed tomography scan of a colon can be analyzed to determine whether a candidate anomaly is a polyp. The technologies can be applied to a variety of other scenarios involving other anatomical structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor III (ADNF III), also known as Activity Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP). More particularly, the present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding ADNF III polypeptides; ADNF III polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acid sequences; antibodies to ADNF III polypeptides; and methods of using such ADNF III polypeptides for the treatment of neurological deficiencies and for the prevention of cell death associated with (1) gp120, the envelope protein from HIV; (2) N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (excito-toxicity); (3) tetrodotoxin (blockage of electrical activity); and (4) &bgr;-amyloid peptide, a substance related to neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine for inducing an immune response in mammal to a specific antigen, where the vaccine comprises a unit dose of a binary toxin protective antigen and the antigen, which is bound to a binary toxin protective antigen binding protein. In one embodiment the vaccine is comprised of an anthrax protective antigen and the antigen bound to anthrax protective antigen binding protein. The present invention also provides a method of immunizing a mammal against an antigen using the vaccine, and a method of inducing antigen-presenting mammalian cells to present specific antigens via the MHC class I processing pathway.