Abstract: The invention provides systems, methods for 14 treatment, and occlusion of the fallopian tube. An elongated catheter (22) is placed into the isthmic region (14) of the fallopian tube (16) in a trans-cervical trans-uterine fashion, and a mono-pole antenna (92) is disposed within a distal end of the catheter. The antenna radiates microwave energy in resonance to a drive frequency into tissue of the isthmic region without physical contact between the mono-pole antenna, and the tissue. This heating causes occlusion after a period of time. Typically, the catheter, and the mono-pole antenna are disposable after one treatment. In the preferred embodiment, the antenna is formed from an extension of the inner conductor of a coaxial cable coupled to a microwave generator. A power control section (24) can be used to control, and apply the appropriate microwave power to the fallopian tube tissue.

Abstract: The invention includes system for modifying ice adhesion strength of ice adhered to an object. The system includes an electrode that is electrically insulated from the object and a DC source, e.g., a battery, coupled to the object and the electrode. The source generates a DC bias to an interface between the ice and the object when the ice completes the circuit. The object is conductive or is doped as a semiconductor so that the DC bias applies a voltage to the interface which modifies the ice adhesion strength selectively as compared to the ice adhesion strength with substantially zero bias voltage at the interface. The strength can be increased or decreased relative to its static state (i.e., the state without applied voltage). In this manner, ice such as ice on an aircraft wing can be removed with less work. The system preferably includes an electrically insulating material disposed between the object and the electrode; the insulating material is substantially conformal to the object and the electrode.

Abstract: Compositions containing propentofylline, and methods for treating neuropathic pain with such compositions, are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of augmenting T cell-mediated immunity against Toxoplasma gondii is provided. Immunization with Toxoplasma gondii soluble parasite antigen and exogenous rIL-15 was found to protect against Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Abstract: A method of treating lupus using anti-gp39 antibodies or fragments is provided. Such treatment has been shown to reverse disease, and in particular lupus-associated kidney disease, the major killer of lupus subjects.

Abstract: Methods for inducing T cell tolerance to a tissue or organ graft in a transplant recipeint are disclosed. The methods involve administering to a subject: 1) an allogeneic or xenogeneic cell which expresses donor antigens and which has a ligand on the cell surface which interacts with a receptor on the surface of a recipient T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor which inhibits interaction of the ligand with the receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the allogeneic or xenogeneic cell is a B cell, preferably a resting B cell, and the molecule on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. A preferred gp39 antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody. The allogeneic or xenogeneic cell and the gp39 antagonist are typically administered to a transplant recipient prior to transplantation of the tissue or organ.

Abstract: Compounds and methods useful for chemopreventative treatment of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides cDNAs encoding deoxyribonuclease II&bgr; and isolated, purified deoxyribonuclease II&bgr; proteins. Antibodies against this protein and antisense agents targeted to a cDNA or corresponding mRNA encoding deoxyribonuclease II&bgr; are provided. In addition, methods of identifying and using modulators of deoxyribonuclease II&bgr; activity are described.

Abstract: A method for reducing a risk of carcinogenesis in a subject comprising administering a dose of calcium to the subject that is effective to reduce carcinogenesis. Particularly provided is a method for reducing the risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas, comprising administering a dose of calcium carbonate effective to reduce the risk of colorectal adenomas. In an example, 1200 mg of elemental calcium (supplied in 3000 mg of calcium carbonate) administered twice daily resulted in decreased risk of recurrent colorectal adenomas in patients with a history of colorectal adenomas.

Abstract: Method for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and other T cell mediated autoimmune disorders is described. The method involves administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist of a receptor on a surface of a T cell which mediates contact dependent helper effector functions, for example, an anti-gp39 antibody.

Abstract: Compounds and methods useful for chemopreventative treatment of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A method of treating graft-vs-host diseases by administration of bone marrow and an anti-gp39 antibody specific to human gp39 is provided.

Abstract: Methods for inducing T cell tolerance to a tissue or organ graft in a transplant recipeint are disclosed. The methods involve administering to a subject: 1) an allogeneic or xenogeneic cell which expresses donor antigens and which has a ligand on the cell surface which interacts with a receptor on the surface of a recipient T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function; and 2) an antagonist of the receptor which inhibits interaction of the ligand with the receptor. In a preferred embodiment, the allogeneic or xenogeneic cell is a B cell, preferably a resting B cell, and the molecule on the surface of the T cell which mediates contact-dependent helper effector function is gp39. A preferred gp39 antagonist is an anti-gp39 antibody. The allogeneic or xenogeneic cell and the gp39 antagonist are typically administered to a transplant recipient prior to transplantation of the tissue or organ.

Abstract: A system and method is described for determining and graphically displaying oxygenation states of a patient in real time. The system is non-invasive and can display information to a physician that is intuitive. Various display objects are described for illustrating the output of oxygenation values. The display objects reflect the in vivo physiology that they measure, thus making interpretation of the measured values very intuitive.

Abstract: A series of bis-acridinyl DNA intercalating agents with anticancer cell activity represented by formula (I), where Z is a linear arrangement of multiple aromatic rings, containing at least three aromatic rings, or at least two alicyclic rings, said rings being linked in a 1,4 or 1,3 manner are provided. Methods of inhibiting cancer cells and treating patients having cancer with these agents are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides cDNAs encoding deoxyribonuclease II and isolated, purified deoxyribonuclease II proteins. Antibodies against this protein and antisense agents targeted to a cDNA or corresponding mRNA encoding deoxyribonuclease II are provided. In addition, methods of identifying and using modulators of deoxyribonuclease II activity and apoptosis are described.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding novel members of the MRT family of polypeptides which include, in a preferred embodiment, at least one transmembrane domain having at least about 30%, more preferably at least about 50%, 55%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% amino acid sequence identity with SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8 or SEQ ID NO:14 and/or at least one histidine rich domain, are described. The MRT polypeptides of the invention are capable of transporting metals such as Fe(II), Cd, Co, Mn, Pb, Hg and Zn. Transgenic plants in which expression of an MRT polypeptide of the invention is altered are also described. These transgenic plants can be used to remove pollutants from soil or as nutritional supplements to treat iron- or zinc-deficiency. Antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing nucleic acid molecules of the invention, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced are also described.

Abstract: Polynucleotides of AMPK .alpha.1, AMPK .beta. and AMPK .gamma. and polypeptides and biologically active fragments encoded thereby are provided. Vectors and host cells containing these polynucleotides are also provided. In addition, methods of preparing polypeptides and antibodies targeted against these polypepitdes are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are an isolated antibody or antibody fragment that selectively binds a polypeptide encoded by Cytokine Response gene 2 (CR2), and in particular, selectively binds to a first polypeptide having the sequence of residues 1-60 of SEQ. ID No: 4. Also disclosed is a composition containing the antibody or antibody fragment and a diluent or carrier. Also disclosed are methods, using the present antibody or antibody fragment, of isolating or purifying a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence of residues 1-60 of SEQ. ID No: 4 or an antibody binding fragment thereof that is at least 10 to 30 amino acids long, or a fusion protein comprising any of these.

Abstract: Early-induced genes by interleukin-2 (IL-2) have various DNA sequences. This patent describes a nucleotide segment encoding a polypeptide including amino acids 1-356 of SEQ. ID No: 6, antibody binding homologues thereof, antibody binding fragments, and fusion proteins thereof, alleles or naturally occurring mutants of the polyribonucleotides, and anti-sense polyribonucleotides thereof. Also provided are proteins, homologues, fragments, fusion proteins, vectors, transfected hosts, animal models, probes, and other related technology.