Abstract: Methods for enhancing detection by mass spectroscopy (MS) and/or chromatographic separability of carbonyl-containing compounds such as steroids are disclosed. Reaction of a carbonyl compound with a sulfonhydrazide compound provides a sulfonhydrazone with enhanced ionization efficiency during the electrospray ionization process. In a particularly disclosed embodiment, derivatization of catechol estrogens with p-toluenesulfonhydrazide enhances both detection by atmospheric pressure ionization-MS (API-MS), such as electron spray ionization-MS (ESI-MS) and separation by liquid chromatography (such as HPLC) under reverse phase conditions. In yet other embodiments, the sulfonhydrazone is further reacted with a sulfonyl halide under alkaline conditions to derivatize hydroxyl groups in the compound. Prior formation of the sulfonhydrazide derivative protects the carbonyl bond of the compound during subsequent alkaline reaction with the sulfonyl halide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MRT-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: Based on the observation of the cooperation of osteopontin (OPN) and matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the promotion of the metastatic phenotype, therapies and diagnostic assays are disclosed for the treatment of a tumor that overexpresses OPN, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), for example metastatic HCC. In one example, methods of treating a tumor include administration of an agent that reduces cellular invasion resulting from the interaction between a fragment of OPN (OPN-5kD) generated by MMP-9 cleavage and CD44 receptor. Examples of such agents include fragments of OPN-5kD and antibodies specific for OPN-5kD. Therapeutic compositions are also provided that include such agents. Also provided are methods of diagnosing or prognosing a tumor, for example by detecting expression of OPN-5kD peptide or OPN-c mRNA in a biological sample obtained from the subject. Also provided are antibodies that specifically bind OPN-5kD.

Abstract: It is disclosed herein that isolated lymphocytes, such as human B-cells and CD4+ T-cell can be used to determine an amount of lymphocyte-associated anthrax lethal toxin activity present. Methods of using isolated lymphocytes to identify anthrax therapeutic agents and to determine the efficacy of a potential anthrax therapeutic are disclosed. Methods are also provided for diagnosing and treating anthrax infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying novel broadly crossreactive neutralizing monoclonal antibodies using sequential antigen panning of phage display libraries, antibodies obtained in accordance with such a method, as well as fusion proteins and conjugates comprising same, and related isolated or purified nucleic acid molecules, vectors, host cells, compositions, and methods of use to inhibit an infection, reduce the severity of an infection, treat an infection, and inhibit cancer.

Abstract: A method of enhancing progenitor cell differentiation, including enhancing myogenesis, neurogenesis, and hematopoiesis, by contacting a progenitor cell with an effective amount of a deacetylase inhibitor (DI). The progenitor cell can be part of cell culture, such as a cell culture used for in vitro or in vivo analysis of progenitor cell differentiation, or can be part of an organism, such as a human or other mammal. Contacting the progenitor cell with a DI can lead to enhancement of expression of terminal cell-type specific genes in the progenitor cell, such as enhancing expression of muscle-specific genes in myoblasts. Administering a DI to a subject also can provide some prophylactic or therapeutic effect for inhibiting, preventing, or treating associated with a degeneration or loss of tissue. The DI can be administered to a subject as part of a pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the outcome of treatment with an antidepressant medication in a patient. In particular, the invention provides a method of screening patients to identify those patients with a decreased risk of non-response to treatment with antidepressant medication by obtaining a sample of genetic material from the patients, and then assaying the sample for the presence of a genotype which is associated with a decreased risk of non-response to treatment with antidepressant medication. The genotype is characterized by a polymorphism in the genes HTR2A, GRIK4, BCL2, and a combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods related to the isolation and identification of the primate T-lymphotropic viruses, HTLV-3 and HTLV-4. The diversity of HTLVs was investigated among central Africans reporting contact with NHP blood and body fluids through hunting, butchering, and keeping primate pets. Herein it is shown that this population is infected with a variety of HTLVs, including two retroviruses; HTLV-4 is the first member of a novel phylogenetic lineage that is distinct from all known HTLVs and STLVs; HTLV-3 falls within the genetic diversity of STLV-3, a group that has not previously been seen in humans. The present disclosure also relates to vectors and vaccines for use in humans against infection and disease. The disclosure further relates to a variety of bioassays and kits for the detection and diagnosis of infection with and diseases caused by HTLV-3 and HTLV-4 and related viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of formula (II). The present invention further provides a composition comprising at least one compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, alone or in combination with at least one additional active agent. The present invention further provides a method of treating a condition treatable by the inhibition of vacuolar-type (H+)-ATPase and a method of treating cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleoside and nucleotide derivatives that are useful agonist or antagonists of P1 and P2 receptors. For example, the present invention provides a compound of formula A-M, wherein A is modified adenine or uracil and M is a constrained cycloalkyl group. The adenine or uracil is bonded to the constrained cycloalkyl group. The compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of various diseases including airway diseases (through A2B, A3, P2Y2 receptors), cancer (through A3, P2 receptors), cardiac arrhythmias (through A1 receptors), cardiac ischemia (through A1, A3 receptors), epilepsy (through A1, P2X receptors), and Huntington's Disease (through A2A receptors).

Abstract: Novel biofunctionalized quantum dots include a mercaptoalkanoic acid linked to the surface of a nanocrystalline core and a bio-functional group linked to the surface. Biofunctionalized quantum dots are made by a novel synthesis method. Biofunctionalized quantum dots can be used in imaging or therapy applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to biomarker profiles for each trimester of pregnancy. The present invention also provides methods for identifying patients at risk of developing a complication of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia. In further embodiments, the present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis of patients with preeclampsia.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting a proliferative disease, such as a disease associated with the abnormal expression of BORIS, in a mammal comprising detecting antibodies to BORIS in a sample obtained from the mammal. The invention also provides BORIS polypeptides as well as compositions and kits comprising the BORIS polypeptides and methods of using the same. The invention further provides a method of inducing an immune response in a mammal using BORIS polypeptides.

Abstract: Adiabatic pulses that define an amplitude modulation and a frequency modulation are applied in a sequence of pulses to obtain a T2 weighted magnetic resonance image. Such an adiabatic T2 prep sequence typically includes a first 90° pulse, an even number of adiabatic pulses, and a second 90° pulse. Adiabatic pulses can be selected based on function pairs, or can be defined numerically. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a library of adiabatic pulse waveforms, and is configured to select a waveform and apply an RF magnetic field based on the selected pulse waveform.

Abstract: An illumination system for a particle image velocimetry system has an illumination source, a hollow tapered optical funnel arranged to receive illumination light from the illumination source, a hollow optical waveguide optically coupled to an output end of the hollow tapered optical funnel, and a beam shaping optical system optically coupled to an output end of the hollow optical waveguide. The illumination system is constructed to provide a light sheet to illuminate particles within a fluid under observation. A particle image velocimetry system has such an illumination system.

Abstract: Substituted indenoisoquinolinium compounds, and pharmaceutical formulations of substituted indenoisoquinolinium compounds are described. Also described are processes for preparing substituted indenoisoquinolinium compounds. Also described are methods for treating cancer in mammals using the described substituted indenoisoquinolinium compounds or pharmaceutical formulations thereof.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing, predicting, or prognosticating about a disease that includes obtaining experimental data, wherein the experimental data is high dimensional data, filtering the data, reducing the dimensionality of the data through use of one or more methods, training a supervised pattern recognition method, ranking individual data points from the data, wherein the ranking is dependent on the outcome of the supervised pattern recognition method, choosing multiple data points from the data, wherein the choice is based on the relative ranking of the individual data points, and using the multiple data points to determine if an unknown set of experimental data indicates a diseased condition, a predilection for a diseased condition, or a prognosis about a diseased condition.

Abstract: A 15 kDa selenium-containing protein (“selenoprotein”) is disclosed. The protein is shown to be differentially expressed in cancer cells, such as prostate cancer cells. There is a correlation between the presence of a polymorphism at nucleotide positions 811 and 1125 of the 15 kDa selenoprotein gene, and the presence of cancer. This polymorphism is more prevalent in the African American population. The determination of an individual's genotype may be used as an indicator of the need for dietary selenium supplementation to inhibit tumor development. Compositions including the isolated protein, specific binding agents that recognize the protein, as well as underlying nucleic acid sequences are presented, as are methods of using such compositions.

Abstract: Recombinant immunotoxins are fusion proteins composed of the Fv domains of antibodies fused to bacterial or plant toxins. RFB4 (Fv)-PE38 is an immunotoxin that targets CD22 expressed on B cells and B cell malignancies. The present invention provides antibodies and antibody fragments that have improved ability to bind the CD22 antigen of B cells and B cell malignancies compared to RFB4. Immunotoxins made with the antibodies and antibody fragments of the invention have improved cytotoxicity to CD22-expressing cancer cells. Compositions that incorporate these antibodies into chimeric immunotoxin molecules that can be used in medicaments and methods for inhibiting the growth and proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cells.

Abstract: Novel quinoline inhibitors of retroviral integrase, particularly HIV-1 integrase. The quinoline inhibitors are oxoquinolines that can be used for preventing or treating AIDS or HIV infection in a subject.