Abstract: Novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) polypeptides are provided which are not encoded by the standard HCV open reading frame. These alternate reading frame polypeptides are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions, in diagnosing HCV infection, and as therapeutic targets.

Abstract: The invention includes a technique for efficient multi-slice fast spin echo image acquisition with black blood contrast in cardiac imaging. The technique includes applying a non-selective inversion pulse, followed by a re-inversion pulse that is slice-selective over a region encompassing a plurality of slice selections. Execution of a series of RF excitation pulses with fast spin echo readout is timed such that signal from blood is near a null point before acquiring data for each spatial slice. For greater contrast consistency, the flip angles for the excitation pulses occurring before the null point can be reduced, and those occurring after the null point can be increased.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the acid sphingomyelinase gene and to methods of diagnosing Niemann-Pick disease. It is based, at least in part, on the cloning and expression of the full-length cDNA encoding acid sphingomyelinase and on the discovery of mutations in the acid sphingomyelinase gene of Ashkenazi Jewish Niemann-Pick disease patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions which may be used to immunize infant mammals against a target antigen, wherein an immunogeniclly effective amount of a nuclic acid encoding a relevant epitope of a desired target antigen is administered to the infant. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that such genetic immunization of infant mammals could give rise to effective cellular and humoral immune responses against target antigens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting malignancy in a body cavity effusion. Also disclosed is a method of distinguishing a benign hyperplastic lymph node from a lymph node involved by a low grade follicular lymphoma. Also disclosed is a method of distinguishing a benign tumor from a malignant tumor which overexpresses GLUT-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the acid sphingomyelinase gene and to methods of diagnosing Niemann-Pick disease. It is based, at least in part, on the cloning and expression of the full-length cDNA encoding acid sphingomyelinase and on the discovery of mutations in the acid sphingomyelinase gene of Ashkenazi Jewish Niemann-Pick disease patients.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method of detecting, in a sample obtained from an individual, anti-heparin antibodies which inhibit the formation of the heparin accelerated antithrombin III-thrombin complex. In the present method, the presence of such anti-heparin antibodies are detected directly (by detecting the presence of anti-heparin antibodies themselves) or indirectly (by detecting the presence or formation of the heparin accelerated antithrombin III-thrombin complex). In one embodiment of the present method, antibodies which react with or interfere with the heparin pentasaccharide which binds antithrombin III in such a manner that binding to antithrombin III is inhibited are detected. In a specific embodiment of the present method, the anti-heparin antibody detected is one which reacts with or interferes with the disaccharide UA-2S/GlcNs-6 present in residues IV and V of the heparin pentasaccharide that binds antithrombin III.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of host cell proteins that interact with viral proteins required for virus replication, and high throughput assays to identify compounds that interfere with the specific interaction between the viral and host cell protein. Interfering compounds that inhibit viral replication can be used therapeutically to treat viral infection.The invention is based, in part, on the discovery described herein of a novel interaction between the NP of influenza virus and a human host cell protein. The host cell protein, referred to herein as NPI-1, may be an accessory protein required for replication of influenza virus. Compounds that interfere with the binding of the host cell and viral proteins, and inhibit viral replication can be useful for treating viral infection in vivo.