Abstract: This invention provides a method for inducing weight loss in an animal by administering to the animal a compound which reduces the expression and/or secretion of neuropeptide Y (NPY). The effect may be accomplished directly, indirectly, or humorally. Preferably, administration of this compound has the effect of increasing malonyl CoA levels in the animal. Compounds administered according to this invention may be inhibitors of fatty acid synthase (FAS), including substituted ?-methylene-?-carboxyl-?-butyrolactones, or inhibitors of malonyl Coenzyme A decarboxylase (MCD). Preferably, the compound is administered in an amount sufficient to reduce the amount and/or duration of expression and/or secretion of NPY to levels at or below those observed for lean animals. In another preferred embodiment, the administration will reduce expression and/or secretion to levels observed for fed or satiated animals; more preferably, administration will reduce the level of NPY below that of fed animals.

Abstract: Aromatic compounds for treating various diseases and pathologies are disclosed. The methods use of such compounds are also provided. Accordingly, the present invention makes available methods and compositions for inhibiting aberrant growth states in cells having Wnt receptors.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting fluorescence emitted by molecular constituents in a wall of a body lumen include introducing an autonomous solid support into the body lumen. Cells in a lumen wall of the body lumen are illuminated by a light source mounted to the solid support with a wavelength that excites a particular fluorescent signal. A detector mounted to the solid support detects whether illuminated cells emit the particular fluorescent signal. If the particular fluorescent signal is detected from the illuminated cells, then intensity or position in the lumen wall of the detected fluorescent signal, or both, is determined. These techniques allow the information collected by the capsule to support diagnosis and therapy of GI cancer and other intestinal pathologies and syndromes. For example, these techniques allow diagnostic imaging using endogenous and exogenous fluoroprobes, treating diseased sites by targeted release of drug with or without photoactivation, and determining therapeutic efficacy.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of diagnosing Cranio-lenticulo-sutural dysplasia and other disorders that occur as a result of defective endoplasmic reticulum-to-Golgi trafficking using immunofluorescence based screening tests using antibodies against protein disulfide isomerase.

Abstract: A computer based training tool and method that emulates human behavior using a computer-simulated person in a realistic scenario. It provides an interactive experience in detecting deception during interviews and acceptance of statements during interpersonal conversations. The simulated person provides verbal responses in combination with an animated video display reflecting the body language of the simulated person in response to questions asked and during and after responses to the questions. The questions and responses are pre-programmed and interrelated groups of questions and responses are maintained in dynamic tables which are constantly adjusted as a function of questions asked and responses generated. The system provides a critique and numerical score for each training session.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula IV wherein R21=H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —CH2OR25, —C(O)R25, —CO(O)R25, —C(O)NR25R26, —CH2C(O)R25, or —CH2C(O)NHR25, where R25 and R26 are each independently H, C1-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing one or more halogen atoms. R22=—OH, —OR27, —OCH2C(O)R27, —OCH2C(O)NHR27, —OC(O)R27, —OC(O)OR27, —OC(O)NHNH—R5, or —OC(O)NR27R28, where R27 and R28 are each independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, and where R27 and R28 can each optionally contain halogen atoms; R23 and R24, the same or different from each other, are C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl. Methods of using such formulations for the treatment of cancer, to effect weight loss, to treat microbially-based infections, to inhibit neuropeptide-Y and/or fatty acid synthase, and to stimulate CPT-1.

Abstract: A reactive oxygen generating enzyme inhibitor with NO donor bioactivity, e.g., nitrated allopurinol, is useful to treat heart failure, stable angina, ischemic disorder, ischemic reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, sickle cell disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS and asthma and to obtain proper contraction of heart, skeletal and smooth muscle.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing cerebrovascular autoregulation in a patient includes measuring blood pressure of the patient, measuring, non-invasively, venous oxygen content of the patient's brain substantially simultaneously with the measuring blood pressure, correlating the blood pressure and the venous oxygen content measurements in a time domain, and determining a cerebrovascular autoregulation state of the patient based on the correlating the blood pressure and the venous oxygen content measurements.

Abstract: Platforms comprising at least one lymphocyte affecting molecule and at least one molecular complex that, when bound to an antigen, engages a unique clonotypic lymphocyte receptor can be used to induce and expand therapeutically useful numbers of specific lymphocyte populations. Antigen presenting platforms comprising a T cell affecting molecule and an antigen presenting complex can induce and expand antigen-specific T cells in the presence of relevant peptides, providing reproducible and economical methods for generating therapeutic numbers of such cells. Antibody inducing platforms comprising a B cell affecting molecule and a molecular complex that engages MHC-antigen complexes on a B cell surface can be used to induce and expand B cells that produce antibodies with particular specificities.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel, isolated, tumor-associated antigens, and methods for identifying such antigens in a biological sample, and of screening for the presence of such an antigen in a biological specimen, wherein the tumor antigen identified reacts with serum from a subject treated with a vaccine comprising a cytokine and proliferation-incompetent tumor cells which express the tumor-associated antigen. Also provided are kits for carrying out the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Security material such as cloth, either normal strength or armored, or fragile webbing into which electronic micro-devices are woven to detect and react to tampering of the monitored article at the scene or via a network. Also disclosed are the use of fuses connected in the cloth or webbing to further monitoring tampering and multi-layered cloth for use as circuit boards and sensors. Facilitates the monitoring of high value articles and facilities and automatically records or responds to tampering attempts to increase the level of security for personal and organizational uses.

Abstract: The present invention features therapeutic and prophylactic compositions and methods for modulating a blood vessel by altering angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, blood vessel stabilization, regression, persistence, or remodeling.

Abstract: The invention provides a new and effective treatment for human immunodeficiency diseases, particularly for HIV-infected individuals. The treatment utilizes tetracycline analogs, particularly minocycline, in amounts that are effective to prevent HIV replication both the central nervous system and in peripheral blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating a cancerous tumor using selective inhibitors of ATP production. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical preparations comprising such inhibitors and methods for administering them intraarterially directly to a tumor, as well as methods for identifying compositions that selectively inhibitor ATP production for use in the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating and/or preventing cancer. In particular the present invention relates to ex vivo immunotherapeutic methods. The methods comprise decreasing Stat3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription3) expression and/or function in tumor cells and the administration of such cells to a subject in need of treatment and/or prevention. Other methods of the invention comprise activating T-cells by co-culturing the T-cells with the tumor cells with decreased Stat3 expression or function. The invention further encompasses methods comprising decreasing Stat3 expression or function in antigen-presenting cells and co-administering tumor cells and the antigen-presenting cells with decreased Stat3 function to a patient. The invention further relates to methods for stimulating dendritic cell differentiation.

Abstract: A vaginal microbicide including scFv-type antibodies reduces or prevents transepithelial HIV transmission. As the antibodies, anti-CD 18 and/or anti-CD 11 antibodies (of the scFv type) are used. Preferably, anti-ICAM antibody also is used. The antibodies may be delivered to the to-be-protected epithelium using a bacterial delivery system such as a lactobacillus bacterial vehicle. HIV transepithelial transmission can thereby be reduced or prevented, including prevention of initial infection.

Abstract: Protein kinase A reporters useful for obtaining measurements of protein kinase A activity with high spatial and temporal resolution can be used in high throughput assays to identify potentially therapeutic compounds.

Abstract: Enhancing the immune response to esophageal tumor cells reduces the incidence of esophageal cancer developing, recurring, or metastasizing. Esophageal cancer cells are modified to render them more immunogenic and proliferation compromised. They are used in an antigenic preparation to raise a T cell response in the recipient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nanoscale or microscale particle for encapsulation and delivery of materials or substances, including, but not limited to, cells, drugs, tissue, gels and polymers contained within the particle, with subsequent release of the therapeutic materials in situ, methods of fabricating the particle by folding a 2D precursor into the 3D particle, and the use of the particle in in-vivo or in-vitro applications The particle can be in any polyhedral shape and its surfaces can have either no perforations or nano/microscale perforations The particle is coated with a biocompatible metal, e g gold, or polymer e g parvlene, layer and the surfaces and hinges of the particle are made of any metal or polymer combinations.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a prostate-specific antigen, PCA3. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules coding for the PCA3 protein; purified PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; recombinant nucleic acid molecules; cells containing the recombinant nucleic acid molecules; antibodies having binding affinity specifically to PCA3 proteins and polypeptides; hybridomas containing the antibodies; nucleic acid probes for the detection of nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins; a method of detecting nucleic acids encoding PCA3 proteins or polypeptides in a sample; kits containing nucleic acid probes or antibodies; bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognose a mammal afflicted with prostate cancer; therapeutic uses; and methods of preventing prostate cancer in an animal.