Abstract: A miniaturized assembly is provided whereby a fluid sample can be divided into a plurality of sample portions in retaining wells and the sample fluid can be displaced from open ends of the wells while simultaneously being sealed in the wells. A method of dividing a fluid sample using the assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An automated microscope and computer system captures a set of images for a capture area in a plurality of focal planes. The images can then be integrated into composite images for browsing to simulate viewing an item, such as a biological sample, under a microscope. A corrective filter can be constructed from the images to avoid an effect called “tiling.” Before capture, variable focal plane error can be avoided by collecting z locations for a set of points in the capture area. During image browsing, entire composite images can be loaded into memory in compressed form. Compressed image portions can be pre-decompressed to avoid delay as a browsing user navigates throughout the composite images. Pre-decompression can be done by a thread separate from the thread performing navigation operations.

Abstract: The use of radio-labeled antitumor drugs in the treatment of solid tumors by the method of administering a radio-labeled anticancer drug to a patient and imaging at least a part of the patient using Positron Emission Tomography imaging is described. The method can be used to monitor delivery of antitumor drugs to tumors, to predict the effectiveness of therapy with a particular antitumor drug or combination of antitumor drugs, to assess the effectiveness of modulators of cellular accumulation, to individualize therapy and to evaluate the effectiveness of antitumor drugs with respect to particular cancers. Particularly preferred drugs are labeled taxanes, e.g., 11C-paclitaxel and 11C-docetaxel, labeled anthracyclines, e.g., 11C-doxorubicin and 11C-epirubicin, and other radiolabeled drugs, e.g. 11C-topotecan, 11C-SN-38, and 11C-imatinib. The invention further describes antitumor drugs labeled with the radioactive label 11C and methods of preparing radio-labeled drugs.

Abstract: The infusion of TIL586 along with interleukin-2 (IL-2) into the autologous patient with metastatic melanoma resulted in the objective regression of tumor. A gene encoding a tumor antigen recognized by TIL586 was previously isolated and shown to encode gp75 or TRP-1. The present invention relates to the identification of a second tumor antigen recognized by a HLA-A31 restricted CTL clone derived from the TIL586 cell line. This antigen derived from the TRP-2 protein tumor antigen and peptides thereof are capable of sensitizing target cells for lysis by a CTL clone at 1 nM peptide concentration. Modified peptides were also recognized by the CTL clone.

Abstract: Chromosomal regions comprising loci associated with susceptibility and resistance to bipolar affective disorder have been identified. Methods and compositions are provided for determining the contribution of these chromosomal regions to bipolar affective disorder in an affected family, for determining in an affected family a genotype associated with increased or decreased susceptibility or resistance to bipolar illness, and for assessing an increased or decreased risk of developing bipolar illness for a tested individual from an affected family.

Abstract: A method for the determination of hexavalent chromium (CrVI) in environmental and industrial hygiene samples is provided. Based on the chemical properties of chromium species in aqueous solutions, a simple, fast, sensitive, and economical field method has been developed and evaluated for the determination of hexavalent chromium (CrVI). Using ultrasonic extraction in combination with a strong anion exchange solid phase extraction (SAE-SPE) technique, the filtration, preconcentration, and isolation of CrVI in the presence of other chromium species and interferents was achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antiviral compounds, refered to as calanolides, related compounds, and their derivatives, which may be isolated from plants, or derived from compounds from plants, of the genus Calophyllum in accordance with the present inventive method. The compounds and their derivatives may be used alone or in combination with other antiviral agents in compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, to inhibit the growth or replication of a virus, such as a retrovirus, in particular a human immunodeficiency virus, specifically HIV-1 or HIV-2.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel antiviral compounds, refered to as calanolides, related compounds, and their derivatives, which may be isolated from plants, or derived from compounds from plants, of the genus Calophyllum in accordance with the present inventive method. The compounds and their derivatives may be used alone or in combination with other antiviral agents in compositions, such as pharmaceutical compositions, to inhibit the growth or replication of a virus, such as a retrovirus, in particular a human immunodeficiency virus, specifically HIV-1 or HIV-2.

Abstract: A spontaneous breathing apparatus and method. The apparatus includes: a source of oxygen containing gas (7); a catheter (5) in flow communication with the source of oxygen containing gas (7) and configured to be introduced into a subject's trachea (1) through a tracheostomy for delivering oxygen containing gas therein; a tracheostomy tube (9) disposed adjacent the catheter (5) and having one end configured to be disposed in the subject's trachea (1); and a pressure actuated threshold valve (32) connected to another end of the tracheostomy tube (9), the valve (32) being configured for venting a gas existing within the subject's trachea (1) at the one end of the tracheostomy tube (9) when the gas exceeds a threshold pressure of the valve (32), the valve (32) thereby being effective for reducing pressure within the subject's trachea 1) when the pressure within the subject's trachea (1) exceeds the threshold pressure.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for modulating attentive cognition comprising administering a compound that alters intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity thereby affecting establishment of a theta rhythm. The metabolic pathway of the compound preferably involves bicarbonate-mediated GABAergic depolarization. The term “attentive cognition” is meant to encompass memory formation, learning, spatial memory, and attention. The modulating may be stimulating, or the compound may have the multiple effects of inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity, establishment of a theta rhythm, and memory acquisition. The invention further provides a method of modulating memory and attention comprising switching theta rhythm on and off, the switching comprising potentiating or inhibiting intraneuronal carbonic anhydrase activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to the expression of open reading frame 2 (ORF-2) proteins of a strain of hepatitis E virus from Pakistan (SAR-55) in a eukaryotic expression system. The expressed proteins can serve as an antigen in diagnostic immunoassays and/or as an immunogen or vaccine to protect against infection by hepatitis E.

Abstract: A composition for delivering at least one DNA sequence encoding a desired protein or polypeptide (such as a therapeutic agent) to a cell. The composition comprises an adeno-associated virus rep protein (or a nucleic acid sequence encoding an adeno-associated virus rep protein) and a genetic construct including at least one DNA sequence encoding a protein or polypeptide or genetic transcript of interest and a promoter controlling the at least one DNA sequence. The genetic construct also includes a first adeno-associated virus ITR or protein or derivative thereof and a second adeno-associated virus ITR or a portion or derivative thereof. The first and second adeno-associated virus ITRs or portions or derivatives thereof flank the at least one DNA sequence encoding the protein or polypeptide or genetic transcript of interest and the promoter controlling the at least one DNA sequence encoding the protein or polypeptide or genetic transcript of interest.

Abstract: A dynamically stable associative learning neural system includes a plurality of neural network architectural units. A neural network architectural unit has as input both condition stimuli and unconditioned stimulus, an output neuron for accepting the input, and patch elements interposed between each input and the output neuron. The patches in the architectural unit can be modified and added. A neural network can be formed from a single unit, a layer of units, or multiple layers of units.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human breast and ovarian cancer predisposing gene (BRCA1), some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to cancer, in particular breast and ovarian cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. The present invention further relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA1 gene in human breast and ovarian cancer and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human breast and ovarian cancer. Additionally, the invention relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA1 gene in other human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of human genetics. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and materials used to isolate and detect a human breast and ovarian cancer predisposing gene (BRCA1), some mutant alleles of which cause susceptibility to cancer, in particular breast and ovarian cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to germline mutations in the BRCA1 gene and their use in the diagnosis of predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer. The present invention further relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA1 gene in human breast and ovarian cancer and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human breast and ovarian cancer. Additionally, the invention relates to somatic mutations in the BRCA1 gene in other human cancers and their use in the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers. The invention also relates to the therapy of human cancers which have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, including gene therapy, protein replacement therapy and protein mimetics.

Abstract: DNA is cloned and labeled in a sequence-specific manner. The DNA is digested with one or more restriction enzymes which produce 3' recessed ends. A desired fragment is protected from elongation by DNA polymerase by addition of E. coli RecA protein and oligonucleotides about 30 to 60 bases in length complementary to the 3' recessed ends of the digested fragment. RecA and DNA polymerase are then inactivated, leaving only the desired fragment with 3' recessed ends which is then ligated into a vector containing complementary 3' recessed ends.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved models for progressive epithelial neoplasias and methods for their use. In particular, the invention provides transgenic mice comprising a human papilloma virus early region oncogene operably linked to a promoter which directs expression of the oncogene in a transient amplifying cell in the mice.

Abstract: Provided is an isolated double-stranded nucleic acid consisting essentially of the nucleotide sequences defined in the Sequence Listing by SEQ ID Nos: 5-9. These are the ITS2 sequences for C. albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata and C. krusei. A method of diagnosing systemic candidiasis in a subject is also provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) collecting blood from the subject into tubes containing detergent, polypropylene glycol, sodium poyantholesulfonate, and sodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid; (b) lysing Candida cells using ZYMOLYASE.RTM.-100T with agitation; (c) extracting and precipitating the DNA from the lysed cells; (d) amplifying the precipitated DNA using universal fungal primer pairs derived from the internal transcribed spacer regions of the Candida ribosomal DNA; and (e) detecting amplified DNA from Candida by hybridizing the amplified DNA with a probe that selectively hybridizes with Candida DNA, the presence of amplified DNA indicating systemic candidiasis.

Abstract: A method for treating acute or chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders using polypeptides with fibronectin or related activity is provided. The method involves (administering an amount of) one or more polypeptides corresponding to isolated amino acid residue sequences of the 33 kD carboxy terminal heparin-binding region located on the A chain of fibronectin to effectively suppress inflammation and impairment of tissue function in a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA segments encoding the Duffy receptor of a Plasmodium parasite, the recombinant DNA and to recombinantly produced Duffy receptor. The Duffy receptor can be utilized as a vaccine for humans against malaria.