Abstract: The present invention is directed to prognostic and diagnostic methods to assess lung disease risk caused by airway pollutants by analyzing expression of one or more genes belonging to the airway transcriptome provided herein. Based on the finding of a so called “field defect” affecting the airways, the invention further provides a minimally invasive sample procurement method in combination with the gene expression-based tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases of the lung, particularly diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for sustaining eNOS activity to inhibit platelet aggregation, clot retraction, and enhance fibrinolysis. One embodiment of the invention provides methods of treating thrombosis by inhibiting the activity of the syk kinase. Another embodiment provides assays for the discovery of improved compounds to treat thrombosis, by screening for compounds which sustain eNOS activity. Yet another embodiment provides assays for the discovery of improved compounds to treat thrombosis, by identifying inhibitors of calpain and IIbIIIa by screening for compounds which act through calpain or IIbIIIa to sustain eNOS activity. Yet another embodiment provides for enhancing fibrinolysis, by inhibiting the activity of the syk kinase or calpain.

Abstract: Customized implants for use in reconstructive bone surgeries where anatomical accuracy and bone adaptation are important, such as plastic and craniomaxillofacial reconstructions. This implant comprises a porous surface layer and a tough inner core of interpenetrating phase composite. The porous surface layer enhances the biocompatibility, tissue ingrowth, and implant stability. The tough inner core improves the mechanical properties of the implant with a high fracture toughness and a low modulus. The anatomical accuracy of the implants will minimize the intra-operative manipulation required to maintain a stable host bone-implant interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating individuals having malignancies associated with estrogen receptor activity comprising administering to an individual affected with said malignancy, an effective amount of adenosine analog in a pharmaceutical carrier to downregulate or diminish estrogen receptors in the cells. The invention further provides methods of identifying novel adenosine analogues capable of treating malignant cells expressing estrogen receptors. The invention also provides kits comprising adenosine analogs for downregulating estrogen receptors in cells and kits for screening for novel adenosine analogs capable of downregulating estrogen receptors. Further, the invention provides uses of adenosine analogs in downregulation of estrogen receptors, cell growth and cell cycle, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising adenosine analogs effective in suppressing cellular growth, cell cycle or downregulating estrogen receptors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods for in vitro and in vivo detection of target nucleic acid molecules, including DNA and RNA targets, as well as nucleic acid analogues. The present invention is based on protein complementation, in which two individual polypeptides are inactive. When the two inactive polypeptide fragment are brought in close proximity during hybridization to a target nucleic acid, they re-associate into an active, detectable protein.

Abstract: An estrogen/antiestrogen-porphyrin conjugate, their composition and methods for their use are claimed. The active compounds of the invention are conjugates consisting of an estrogen or anti estrogen portion, tether or linker portion and a porphyrin portion. The method of invention exploits an active process that involves strong and specific interactions between nuclear receptor and its cognate ligand.

Abstract: Described are methods for treating hyperproliferative disorders, including cancers, by administering to the affected mammal (e.g., human) an effective amount of a composition comprising pTT or a composition comprising one or more oligonucleotides which share at least 50% nucleotide sequence identity with the human telomere overhang repeat. Methods of treatment or prevention of hyperproliferative diseases or pre-cancerous conditions affecting epithelial cells, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, or hyperproliferative or UV-responsive dermatoses, hyperproliferative diseases of other epithelia and methods for reducing photoaging, or oxidative stress or for prophylaxis against or reduction in the likelihood of the development of skin cancer, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for the creation and use of libraries of proteins which comprise polyclonal antibodies to a common antigen or group of antigens, receptor proteins with related variable regions, or other immune related proteins with variable regions. These polyclonal antibody libraries can be used to treat or prevent diseases and disorders including neoplasia such as cancer and other malignancies, parasitic infections, bacterial infections, viral infections and disorders such as genetic defects and deficiencies. Protein libraries may be patient-specific, disease-specific or both patient- and disease-specific. Libraries can also be used to detect a disease or disorder in a patient either by direct imaging or through the use of a diagnostic kit. The invention further includes novel cloning methods for the creation and transfer of nucleic acid sequences encoding protein variable regions and novel cloning vectors.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, novel IL-16 antagonists, preferably peptides derived from CD4, have been isolated and synthesized. These peptides possess IL-16 antagonistic properties including the ability to selectively bind to IL-16 and inhibit IL-16-mediated biological activity. The peptides comprise specific portions of the native human CD4 receptor and variations thereof and therefore are non-immunogenic when administered to humans. The present invention also provides compositions containing at least one IL-16 antagonist peptide which can inhibit, suppress or cause the cessation of at least one IL-16-mediated biological activity in mammals, including humans. The present invention provides a method and composition for treating inflammation associated with disease states such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and systemic lupus (SLE) in mammals such as, for example, humans.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and sequencing of target double-stranded nucleic acid molecules, nucleic acid probes and arrays of probes useful in these methods, and kits and systems that contain these probes are provided. The methods involve hybridizing the nucleic acids or nucleic acids which represent complementary or homologous sequences of the target to an array of nucleic acid probes. These probes include a single-stranded portion, an optional double-stranded portion and a variable sequence within the single-stranded portion. The molecular weights of the hybridized nucleic acids of the set can be determined by mass spectroscopy, and the sequence of the target determined from the molecular weights of the fragments.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a strong source of doubly or multiply entangled photons emitted non-collinearly or collinearly with respect to the pump light that is at frequency 2f includes a laser medium producing classical laser light at fundamental frequency f. A medium for second harmonic generation transforms the light at fundamental frequency f to its second-harmonic frequency 2f and emitting entangled photons non-colinearly with respect to the light at the second harmonic frequency. An optical cavity element around the laser medium and the medium for second harmonic generation includes of at least two mirrors that are highly reflective at the light frequencies f and 2f.

Abstract: An epitaxial growth system comprises a housing around an epitaxial growth chamber. A substrate support is located within the growth chamber. A gallium source introduces gallium into the growth chamber and directs the gallium towards the substrate. An activated nitrogen source introduces activated nitrogen into the growth chamber and directs the activated nitrogen towards the substrate. The activated nitrogen comprises ionic nitrogen species and atomic nitrogen species. An external magnet and/or an exit aperture control the amount of atomic nitrogen species and ionic nitrogen species reaching the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to agents and conjugates that can be used to detect and isolate target components from complex mixtures such as nucleic acids from biological samples, cells from bodily fluids, and nascent proteins from translation reactions. Agents comprise a detectable moiety bound to a photoreactive moiety. Conjugates comprise agents coupled to substrates by covalent bounds which can be selectively cleaved with the administration of electromagnetic radiation. Targets substances labeled with detectable molecules can be easily identified and separated from a heterologous mixture of substances. Exposure of the conjugate to radiation releases the target in a functional form and completely unaltered. Using photocleavable molecular precursors as the conjugates, label can be incorporated into macromolecules, the nascent macromolecules isolated and the label completely removed.

Abstract: Disclosed are modified red blood cells which function as deployment platforms for important biomolecules. Such modified red blood cells can confer, for example, in vivo protection against exposure to an otherwise lethal nerve agent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the curvature of a micromachined structure having lamella (12). Surface treatment by an ion beam (30) of the lamella (12) such as by sputtering removes regions of stress allowing the lamella (12) to return to a planar condition. The resulting outer surface is made suitable for use as a reflector and other purposes needing a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods for the non-radioactive labeling, detection, quantitation and isolation of nascent proteins translated in a cellular or cell-free translation system. tRNA molecules are misaminoacylated with non-radioactive markers which may be non-native amino acids, amino acid analogs or derivatives, or substances recognized by the protein synthesizing machinery. Markers may comprise cleavable moieties, detectable labels, reporter properties wherein markers incorporated into protein can be distinguished from unincorporated markers, or coupling agents which facilitate the detection and isolation of nascent protein from other components of the translation system. The invention also comprises proteins prepared using misaminoacylated tRNAs which can be utilized in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of diseases and disorders in humans and other mammals, and kits which may be used for the detection of diseases and disorders.

Abstract: Methods are described wherein the skin of a vertebrate, or the skin or hair of a mammal can be lightened by administration of an agent, e.g., protein, peptide, active fusion protein, active fragment, or molecular mimic, that binds to BMP-4 transmembrane receptors on melanocytes and decreases the level of melanin synthesis. Also described are methods to identify molecules that mimic the function of BMP-4 in causing a decrease in melanin in melanocytes.

Abstract: A system and method for ventilating a lung in a living being by varying the peak inspiratory pressure. The peak inspiratory pressure may deviate about a mean that is chosen to correspond with a knee in a pressure-volume curve of the lung.

Abstract: The 2-(2-nitrophenyl)propyloxycarbonyl (NPPOC) group has been introduced as a photolabile amino protecting group for amino acids to be used as building blocks in photolithographic solid-phase peptide synthesis. NPPOC-protected amino acids were found to be cleaved in the presence of UV light about twice as fast as the corresponding o-nitroveratryloxycarbonyl (NVOC)-protected amino acids. The protected amino acids are of particular use in the synthesis of peptide arrays.

Abstract: A method for prophylaxis or treatment of a mammal, particularly human, at risk for a fibrogenic disorder is disclosed. The compositions and methods of the invention are directed both to treatments for existing fibrogenic disorders and prevention thereof. Such disorders include, but are not limited to, connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma (or systemic sclerosis), polymyositis, systemic lupus erythematosis and rheumatoid arthristis, and other fibrotic disorders, including liver cirrhosis, keloid formation, interstitial nephritis and pulmonary fibrosis. A therapeutic composition according to the invention includes, as a therapeutic agent, an inhibitor of a collagen promoter in a pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier vehicle, preferably for local, and particularly topical, application. Exemplary inhibitors include those that interfere with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp 90) chaperone function, e.g.