Abstract: Methods are disclosed for establishing a quantitative relationship between spectral properties of molecules and a biological, chemical, or physical endpoint of the molecules. Spectral data including data from nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometric, infrared, and ultraviolet-visible techniques are used along with endpoint data to train a pattern-recognition program. The training yields a spectral data-activity relationship that may be used to predict the endpoint value of a molecule from its spectral data alone. Methods for rapidly screening isolated compounds or mixtures of compounds based upon their spectral data are included.

Abstract: Disclosed are a novel ATP-binding cassette gene (ABC7), polypeptide and methods of detecting mutations therein. Further, the disclosure provides methods of detecting ABC7 associated disease and treatments thereof. In particular, the disclosure provides methods of detecting X-linked Sideroblastic Anemia and Ataxia associated with a mutation in the ABC7 polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates, e.g., to a method of detecting a mismatch in a double stranded nucleic acid target, comprising (a) contacting the target with (i) a Mu-end nucleic acid, and (ii) a phage Mu transposase, under conditions effective for the Mu-end nucleic acid to transpose into the target at about the site of a mismatch, if the target comprises a mismatch, and (b) detecting transposition of the Mu-end DNA into the target, wherein transposition of the Mu-end nucleic acid into the target at a predominant site indicates the presence of a mismatch at that site.

Abstract: A peptide comprising an agonist of a MHC Class I binding native sequence having amino acid substitution(s) and enhanced immunogenicity compared to the native sequence is described. Pharmaceutical compositions, peptide-immunoglobulin conjugates, kits and peptide-carrier molecules comprising such peptides also are described.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving encapsidation of transgene RNA using retroviral packaging and transfer vectors. An HIV-2 transfer vector, which includes the transgene, is introduced into a packaging cell that is also transfected with (or stably expresses) an HIV-2 derived packaging vector or a combination of packaging vectors. The packaging vector has mutations in packaging signal sequences that are both upstream and downstream of the 5′ splice donor site. The upstream mutation can be a functional deletion of a signal sequence located between the 5′ LTR and the 5′ splice donor site, while the downstream mutation can be a functional deletion of a signal sequence located between the 5′ splice donor site and an initiation codon of the gag gene on the HIV-2 genome. It can also be composed of a combination of two or more partial vectors. A transfer vector, which is introduced into the packaging cell line, has a mutation that renders its splice donor site non-functional.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and kits for repairing damaged myocardium and/or myocardial cells including the administration of stem cells, such as adult stem cells, optionally with cytokines are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for increasing an immune response to an opportunistic infection in an immunocompromised subject. In one embodiment, the subject is infected with a lentivirus. The method includes increasing an immune response to a pathogen using D oligodeoxynucleotides including a CpG motif.

Abstract: &bgr;2-microglobulin fusion proteins and modified forms of &bgr;2-microglobulin are disclosed. The fusion proteins are shown to incorporate onto the surface of MHC I expressing mammalian cells and to cause an increased cytotoxic T-cell response to antigens presented by such cells. The fusion proteins are useful in methods of tumor therapy. Modified forms of human &bgr;2-microglobulin, particularly a form having a serine to valine transition at amino acid position 55 of the mature protein are shown to have an enhanced affinity for MHC I heavy chain, and are useful both in the disclosed fusion proteins and as a vaccine adjuvant where enhanced cytotoxic T-cell response is desired.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs containing HIV-1 gag/pol and SIV gag or SIV env genes which have been mutated to remove or reduce inhibitory/instability sequences are disclosed. Viral particles and host cells containing these constructs and/or viral particles are also disclosed. The exemplified constructs and viral particles of the invention may be useful in gene therapy for numerous disorders, including HIV infection, or as a vaccine for HIV-1 immunotherapy and immunoprophylaxis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel nucleic acid and protein sequences that are essential to fertility. In particular, human Mater genomic, cDNA and protein sequences are provided, as are fragments and variants thereof. Functional MATER is required for female fertility; zygotes that arise from Mater null oocytes do not progress beyond the two-cell stage. Methods are described for using Mater molecules in diagnoses, prognosis, and treatment of infertility and reduced fertility, and kits related to such methods. Also provided are methods for using MATER as a contraceptive agent. The disclosure also describes compounds involved in such methods, and the identification of such compounds.

Abstract: Candidate anomalies in an anatomical structure are processed for classification. For example, false positives can be reduced by techniques related to the anomaly's neck, wall thickness associated with the anomaly, template matching performed for the anomaly, or some combination thereof. The various techniques can be combined for use in a classifier, which can determine whether the anomaly is of interest. For example, a computed tomography scan of a colon can be analyzed to determine whether a candidate anomaly is a polyp. The technologies can be applied to a variety of other scenarios involving other anatomical structures.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to Activity Dependent Neurotrophic Factor III (ADNF III), also known as Activity Dependent Neuroprotective Protein (ADNP). More particularly, the present invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding ADNF III polypeptides; ADNF III polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acid sequences; antibodies to ADNF III polypeptides; and methods of using such ADNF III polypeptides for the treatment of neurological deficiencies and for the prevention of cell death associated with (1) gp120, the envelope protein from HIV; (2) N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (excito-toxicity); (3) tetrodotoxin (blockage of electrical activity); and (4) &bgr;-amyloid peptide, a substance related to neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly found that ZAP-70 expression, both at the protein and mRNA levels, is indicative of clinical subgroups of CLL/SLL patients. In particular, high ZAP-70 expression is indicative of Ig-unmutated CLL/SLL. Methods are provided for discriminating between clinical subgroups of CLL/SLL, by determining whether subjects overexpress ZAP-70 mRNA mRNA or protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vaccine for inducing an immune response in mammal to a specific antigen, where the vaccine comprises a unit dose of a binary toxin protective antigen and the antigen, which is bound to a binary toxin protective antigen binding protein. In one embodiment the vaccine is comprised of an anthrax protective antigen and the antigen bound to anthrax protective antigen binding protein. The present invention also provides a method of immunizing a mammal against an antigen using the vaccine, and a method of inducing antigen-presenting mammalian cells to present specific antigens via the MHC class I processing pathway.

Abstract: A method for activating a mammalian immune system entails a series of IL-2 administrations that are effected intermittently over an extended period. Each administration of IL-2 is sufficient to allow spontaneous DNA synthesis in peripheral blood or lymph node cells of the patient to increase and peak, and each subsequent administration follows the preceding administration in the series by a period of time that is sufficient to allow IL-2 receptor expression in peripheral or lymph node blood of the patient to increase, peak and then decrease to 50% of peak value. This intermittent IL-2 therapy can be combined with another therapy which targets a specific disease state, such as an anti-retroviral therapy comprising, for example, the administration of AZT, ddI or interferon alpha. In addition, IL-2 administration can be employed to facilitate in situ transduction of T cells in the context of gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention comprises spumavirus isolated from humans. More specifically, the spumavirus of the present invention was isolated from humans who had exposure to nonhuman primates. Importantly, the spumavirus of the present invention or antibodies to the spumavirus can be used to detect the presence of spumavirus or antibodies in body fluids, for pathogenicity studies of related viruses, and as a vector for gene therapies. The spumavirus of the invention can also be used for treatment of conditions in humans due to the presence of rapidly dividing cells and for recombinant live virus vaccination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compositions for specifically delivering an effector molecule to a tumor cell. The method involves providing a chimeric molecule that comprises an effector molecule attached to a targeting molecule that specifically binds an IL-13 receptor and contacting a tumor cell with the chimeric molecule.

Abstract: A gene for type C Niemann-Pick disease (NP-C) is disclosed, along with the amino acid sequence of the encoded peptide. Applications which are made possible by the present invention include detection of NP-C carriers and diagnosis of NP-C sufferers. The murine ortholog of the human gene is also disclosed.