Abstract: The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a pancreatic islet microRNA. In another embodiment, the invention relates to isolated single stranded pancreatic islet microRNA molecules or anti-pancreatic islet microRNA molecules.

Abstract: An optical system for the detection of skin disease, such as melanoma, acquires images of a lesion on a subject's skin at different wavelengths and utilizes a sweeping arm rotating about the lesion in a clock-like sweep to produce diagnostically relevant metrics and classifiers from the image data so as to enhance detection of the skin disease.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising Plasmodium sporozoite-stage parasites and compatible glycolipid adjuvants useful in vaccines for preventing or reducing the risk of malaria. In particular, human host range Plasmodium and analogues of ?-galactosylceramide (?-GalCer), a ligand for natural killer T (NKT) cells, are combined in pharmaceutical compositions, which are useful as vaccines against malaria. Methods of use are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for fixing an RNA molecule in a biological sample. The method comprises contacting the biological sample with an aldehyde-containing fixative, and subsequently contacting the sample with a solution comprising a carbodiimide and a heterocyclic derivative selected from the group consisting of an imidazole, pyrazole, triazole or tetrazole or a combination thereof. A method for differentiating cells in a biological sample is also provided. A method for quantification of RNA retention in a biological sample is also provided. A kit for fixing RNA in a sample is provided as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel CXCL12-?2 locked dimer polypeptide, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using said dimer in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the growth of pancreatic cancer cells or other cancer cells driven by Sonic hedgehog are disclosed.

Abstract: Isolated antibodies have been characterized which show specific affinity to a repeating conformational epitope of a protofibril form of the human ?-amyloid peptide as compare to low molecular weight forms of ?-amyloid peptide. These isolated antibodies and related pharmaceutically effective compositions may be useful in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of Alzheimer's disease by effectively blocking the ability of the protofibril form of ?-amyloid peptide to form fibril forms linked with complications associated with Alzheimer's disease. The isolated antibodies of the present invention are also useful in various diagnostic assays and associated kits.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated dimeric Streptococcus-specific phage lysins having two Streptococcus-specific phage lysin monomers covalently linked to each other, and having killing activity against one or more Streptococcus bacteria. Also provided for are pharmaceutical compositions of dimeric lysins and their use in therapeutic treatment or alleviation of infections or bacterial colonizations. The dimeric lysins may also be used to decontaminate porous and non-porous surfaces or devices.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting the growth of pancreatic cancer cells or other cancer cells driven by Sonic hedgehog are disclosed.

Abstract: Anthracyclin compounds of the general structure: are disclosed. In these compounds R1 is methyl, acetyl or hydroxyacetyl; R2-R5 and R10-R13 are independently H or methyl; R6 R7 and R8 are independently H, OH or OCH3; and n is zero or one. The compounds are useful for treating cancer.

Abstract: Pro-apoptotic compounds having a tripartite structure: A-L-B are disclosed. In these compounds A is an IBM mimetic moiety; L is a linker and B is a moiety that binds to a protein on the outer mitochondrial membrane. The compounds are useful for inducing cell apoptosis and therefore treating cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a microRNA shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1-94; 281-374; 467-481; 497-522; or 549, except that up to thirty percent of the bases may be wobble bases, and up to 10% of the contiguous bases may be non-complementary. The invention further relates to modified single stranded microRNA molecules, isolated single stranded anti-microRNA molecules and isolated microRNP molecules. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for inhibiting microRNP activity in a cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to isolated DNA or RNA molecules comprising at least ten contiguous bases having a sequence in a pancreatic islet microRNA. In another embodiment, the invention relates to isolated single stranded pancreatic islet microRNA molecules or anti-pancreatic islet microRNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptide vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and associated methodologies that promote the immune-mediated regression of tumors expressing an onconeural antigen, e.g. a cdr-2 antigen, HuD antigen. The cancer peptide vaccines of the present invention are antigenic peptides capable of being faithfully presented on the MHC I complex of a target cell or antigen presenting cell. This external cellular presentation of these peptides promotes a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against tumor cells expressing these proteins, thereby, inducing immunological reactivity.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel truncated mutated T4 RNA ligase 2. In addition, methods are provided for ligating pre-adenlylated donor molecules to the 3? hydroxyl group of RNA in the absence of ATP using the ligase.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) in which R3 is chosen from hydrogen, cyano, nitro, acetyl and C(?O)NH2, and Ar is optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic aryl or heteroaryl, are useful as antitumor agents.

Abstract: A mammalian C-type lectin receptor type is identified which is shown to bind IgG antibodies or Fc fragments, thus inducing IVIG-related reversal of inflammation associated with various immune disorders. The identification of a DC-SIGN receptor type which interacts with IgG to promote a biological response reducing inflammation associated with immune disorders provides for methods of screening and selecting compounds which may be useful in treating various immune disorders by acting to modulate a DC-SIGN(+) cell to signal a second effector macrophage, causing an increase in expression of the Fc?RIIB receptor and in turn inhibiting a cellular-mediated inflammatory response.

Abstract: Methods for identifying compounds that modulate the ion channel activity of a Kir channel are provided. Methods for identifying compounds that selectively modulate the ion channel activity of specific types of Kir channels based on the turret region of a Kir channel are also provided. Methods for identifying compounds to treat conditions associated with abnormal ion channel activity are also provided. Compounds including purified antibodies and methods of making antibodies which bind to the turret region of a Kir channel are provided. Purified polypeptides including at least a portion of the turret region of a Kir channel and nucleic acid sequences encoding these polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: A method of modulating immune response in an animal is disclosed. Such a method interacting the immature dendritic cells from the animal with an antigen ex vivo so that the immature dendritic cells present the antigen on their surfaces, inducing maturation of the immature dendritic cells ex vivo, and contacting the mature dendritic cells ex vivo with a modulator comprising TRANCE, conservative variants thereof, fragments thereof, analogs or derivatives thereof, or a fusion protein comprising the amino acid sequence of TRANCE, conservative variants thereof, or fragments thereof. After contacting the modulator ex vivo, the mature dendritic cells are introduced into the animal. As a result, immune response in the animal towards the antigen is modulated relative to the immune response against the antigen in an animal in which dendritic cells did not interact with the antigen ex vivo, and did not contact a modulator ex vivo.

Abstract: This invention relates to a kit and a method for the collection and analysis of complex protein mixtures. More particularly, the invention relates to a kit comprising a single barrel filtration well or a multi-well filtration plate wherein each well comprises an upper filtration zone; a lower filtration zone; a conical flow director zone; and, an elution tip, wherein the upper filtration zone and the lower filtration zone are separated by a retainer ring disposed within the lower filtration zone. The upper filtration zone comprises an upper collection zone, a sponge zone, and a deep bed filtration zone; and, the lower filtration zone comprises the retainer ring, a supported hydrophilic membrane and a lower bed filtration media. When used with an array of selected buffer solutions, the multi-well filtration plate can provide accurate, automated, high-throughput protein analysis by affinity chromatography.