Abstract: This invention relates to a method of immunizing a vertebrate, comprising introducing into the vertebrate a DNA transcription unit which comprises DNA encoding a desired antigen or antigens. The uptake of the DNA transcription unit by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the desired antigen or antigens, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses or both humoral and cell-mediated responses. The elicited humoral and cell-mediated immune response can provide protection against infection by pathogenic agents, provide an anti-tumor response, or provide contraception. The host can be any vertebrate, avian or mammal, including humans.

Abstract: The present invention related to a system and method for performing scatter correction in x-ray imaging systems. A pixellated solid state imaging detector is used in which an electronic window or slot is scanned across the two dimensional surface of the detector to selectively record image data. In a preferred embodiment, a collimator is used to define relative movement between an x-ray beam and the x-ray detector. A scatter correction program can be used to correct for scattering in the detected image data to provide for improved imaging in medical, scientific and industrial applications.

Abstract: A system for imaging of bodily tissue in which an x-ray source, an optical storage element, a light source and a detector array are used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the storage element. The storage element reradiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. Each image is directed onto a CCD or amorphous silicon detector to generate individual electronic representations of separate images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for determining the ability of a vaccine composition which comprises one or more antigens or a nucleic acid molecule which encodes one or more antigens to stimulate a T cell response.

Abstract: A system for x-ray fluoroscopic imaging of bodily tissue in which a scintillation screen and a charge coupled device (CCD) is used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the scintillation screen. The scintillation screen re-radiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by the CCD sensor. In a preferred embodiment the imager uses four 8×8-cm three-side buttable CCDs coupled to a CsI:T1 scintillator by straight (non-tapering) fiberoptics and tiled to achieve a field of view (FOV) of 16×16-cm at the image plane. Larger FOVs can be achieved by tiling more CCDs in a similar manner. The imaging system can be operated in a plurality of pixel pitch modes such as 78, 156 or 234-&mgr;m pixel pitch modes. The CCD sensor may also provide multi-resolution imaging.

Abstract: A system for spectroscopic imaging of bodily tissue in which a scintillation screen and a charged coupled device (CCD) are used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the scintillation screen. The scintillation screen reradiates a apatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a CCD sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. Each image is directed onto an associated respective CCD or amorphous silicon detector to generate individual electronic representations of the separate images.

Abstract: The present invention involves imaging systems for the detection of extravasation. A pixellated detector is preferably used to detect and control the injection of contrast agents or medications used in a variety of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

Abstract: A system for spectroscopic imaging of bodily tissue in which a scintillation screen and a charged coupled device (CCD) are used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the scintillation screen. The scintillation screen reradiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a CCD sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. Each image is directed onto an associated respective CCD or amorphous silicon detector to generate individual electronic representations of the separate images.

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: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for determining the ability of a vaccine composition which comprises one or more antigens or a nucleic acid molecule which encodes one or more antigens to stimulate a T cell response.

Abstract: A method for selecting plants and plant tissue cultures that contain elevated levels of phenolic secondary metabolites is disclosed. The method uses clonal organogenic tissue culture lines, the cultures being derived from meristematic tissue of a member of the Lamiaceae family. Cultured tissue propagules are cultured in the presence of at least one compound that increases the flux through the proline biosynthesis and breakdown pathways. Those clonal lines exhibiting tolerance to the compound have elevated levels of phenolic secondary metabolites. Cultured tissue from such lines can be regenerated into plants, which are used to more efficiently produce essential oils for food and medicinal purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of reducing or inhibiting the motility and/or proliferative abilities of a neural tumor cell, or of enhancing apoptosis or differentiation of the tumor cell, in which a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a cytoplasmic domain of a neurotrophin receptor tyrosine kinase, is transferred to the tumor cell such that the nucleic acid is expressed. The methods of the invention result in reduced tumorigenicity of neural tumors.

Abstract: A method for selecting plants and plant tissue cultures that contain elevated levels of phenolic secondary metabolites is disclosed. The method uses clonal organogenic tissue culture lines, the cultures being derived from meristematic tissue of a member of the Lamiaceae family. Cultured tissue propagules are cultured in the presence of at least one compound that increases the flux through the proline biosynthesis and breakdown pathways. Those clonal lines exhibiting tolerance to the compound have elevated levels of phenolic secondary metabolites. Cultured tissue from such lines can be regenerated into plants, which are used to more efficiently produce essential oils for food and medicinal purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a novel isoform of phosphatidylinositide binding protein, referred to herein a “general receptors for phosphoinositides” or “GRPs”. The GRP molecules show a modular structure comprising a domain homologous to the yeast SEC7 gene product and a pleckstrin homology (PH) domain. GRP proteins exhibit specific high affinity binding to products of the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase, such as phosphotidylinositol-3,4,5. As described herein, GRP proteins may function as adaptors between membrane signalling and multiple downstream targets. Thus, GRP polypeptides potentially mediate multiple signalling events such as cell adhesion and membrane trafficking, among others.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel 6-aromatic substituted uracil compounds of formula I therapeutic compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treating Herpes simplex virus Type I and Type II recurrent infections and Herpes simplex virus Type I and Type II encephalitis in humans using the compounds and/or therapeutic compositions.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of eliciting an immune response and/or protective immunity in a vertebrate by introducing into the vertebrate a DNA vaccine which consists essentially of DNA encoding an antigen or antigens, e.g., capsid proteins or polypeptides, of rotavirus. The uptake of the DNA vaccine by a host vertebrate results in the expression of the capsid protein, thereby eliciting humoral or cell-mediated immune responses, or both, which can provide protection against infection and/or prevent clinically significant rotavirus-caused disease. In addition, the invention demonstrates that an internal viral antigen provides protective immunity in a host. The host can be any vertebrate, including birds, piglets, and humans.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for screening for inhibitors of Hepatitis B Virus pX activity. The method involves contacting a test compound with (I) the pX protein of HBV, (ii) a transcription factor comprising the bZIP domain, or fragments that comprise a minimal a bZIP domain, and (iii) an oligoduplex comprising a target DNA sequence of the transcription factor to form a test mixture. After incubating the test mixture under appropriate conditions and for a sufficient time to allow pX-mediated dimerization and DNA binding of the transcription factor to occur, the level of DNA binding of the transcription factor in each test mixture is determined. A test compound is considered to be any compound that causes a decrease in the level of DNA binding in the test mixture relative to the level of DNA binding in control mixtures.

Abstract: A system for spectroscopic imaging of bodily tissue in which a scintillation screen and a charged coupled device (CCD) are used to accurately image selected tissue. An x-ray source generates x-rays which pass through a region of a subject's body, forming an x-ray image which reaches the scintillation screen. The scintillation screen reradiates a spatial intensity pattern corresponding to the image, the pattern being detected by a CCD sensor. The image is digitized by the sensor and processed by a controller before being stored as an electronic image. Each image is directed onto an associated respective CCD or amorphous silicon detector to generate individual electronic representations of the separate images.

Abstract: The invention features a method for generating new tissue, the method including: obtaining a liquid hydrogel-cell composition including a hydrogel and tissue precursor cells; delivering the liquid hydrogel-cell composition into a permeable, biocompatible support structure; and allowing the liquid hydrogel-cell composition to solidify within the support structure and the tissue precursor cells to grow and generate new tissue. The invention also features a tissue forming structure including: a permeable, biocompatible support structure having a predetermined shape that corresponds to the shape of desired tissue; and a hydrogel-cell composition at least partially filling the support structure, wherein the hydrogel-cell composition comprises a hydrogel and tissue precursor cells.

Abstract: The invention discloses a chimeric GLUT transporter including a GLUT receptor polypeptide fused to a domain of a detectable heterologous polypeptide and cells expressing such reporter constructs. Cells expressing a detectably-tagged chimeric GLUT transporter are used in methods of screening candidate compounds for their ability to agonize or antagonize an interaction between a ligand and a receptor, e.g., insulin. In addition, a 30 amino acid intracellular retention sequence is disclosed.