Abstract: This invention relates to compositions comprising multi-haptenized tumor cells and extracts thereof, methods for preparing the compositions, vaccines comprising such multi-haptenized tumor cells, and methods for treating cancer with such vaccines. In a specific embodiment, melanoma and ovarian adenocarcinoma cells are multi-haptenized, wherein the tumor cells are differentially haptenized either with a dinitrophenyl group coupled to &egr;-amino groups, or with a sulfanilic acid group coupled to aromatic side chains of histidine and tyrosine. A method of SA-haptenization is also provided.

Abstract: A bacterial &agr;1,3-fucosyltransferase gene and deduced amino acid sequence is provided. The gene is useful for preparing &agr;1,3-fucosyltransferase polypeptide, and active fragment thereof, which can be used in the production of oligosaccharides such as Lewis X, Lewis Y, and siayl Lewis X, which are structurally similar to certain tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens found in mammals. These product glycoconjugates also have research and diagnostic utility in the development of assays to detect mammalian tumors. In addition the polypeptide of the invention can be used to develop diagnostic and research assays to determine the presence of H. pylori in human specimens.

Abstract: A mutant modified cyclin dependent kinase protein, or biologically active fragment, derivative, homolog or analog thereof is provided, which reversibly induces continual growth in cultured cells when administered to the cells exogenously in culture. Methods of reversibly inducing continual growth in cultured cells, and methods of screening cancer-causing agents with the continual growth-induced cells, are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides imaging reagents for the detection of a gene or gene expression product (e.g. mRNA) in a brain cell in vivo. Preferred reagents comprise a detectable label attached to a first nucleic acid that specifically hybridizes to the gene or to a nucleic acid transcribed from the gene. The first nucleic acid is linked to a targeting ligand that is capable of binding a receptor on a cell comprising the blood brain barrier and crossing said blood brain barrier.

Abstract: Electroporation is performed in a controlled manner in either individual or multiple biological cells or biological tissue by monitoring the electrical impedance, defined herein as the ratio of current to voltage in the electroporation cell. The impedance detects the onset of electroporation in the biological cell(s), and this information is used to control the intensity and duration of the voltage to assure that electroporation has occurred without destroying the cell(s). This is applicable to electroporation in general. In addition, a particular method and apparatus are disclosed in which electroporation and/or mass transfer across a cell membrane are accomplished by securing a cell across an opening in a barrier between two chambers such that the cell closes the opening. The barrier is either electrically insulating, impermeable to the solute, or both, depending on whether pore formation, diffusive transport of the solute across the membrane, or both are sought.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma using a p53-expressing viral vector are disclosed. In particular embodiments, the vector is a replication-deficient adenovirus. In addition, there are provided methods for examining the development and treatment of microscopic residual disease in the context of post-surgical environments and in body cavities.

Abstract: Dimethyl ether is converted to formaldehyde using a supported catalyst comprising molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides. The surface density of the oxide(s) ranges from greater than that for the isolated monomeric oxides upwards, so long as there is a substantial absence of bulk crystalline molybdenum and/or vanadium oxide(s). Conversion and selectivity to formaldehyde are improved as compared to data reported for known catalysts. Also disclosed is a catalyst comprising molybdenum and/or vanadium oxides supported on a layer of stannic oxide that is disposed on the surface of a particulate alumina or zirconia support.

Abstract: An antimicrobial peptide produced by Bacillus subtilis 168 was isolated and characterized and named sublancin 168. The invention includes DNA encoding for the sublancin 168 peptides and peptides which are at least 80% identical to the sublancin 168 peptide. The peptides may be administered as anti-bacterials, or may be used in food preservation. The peptides may also be co-administered with other lantibiotics (such as nisin and subtilin), or with known antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified, homogeneous plant enzyme that adds a &bgr;-1,2-linked xylose to the &bgr;-inked mannose on the N-linked oligosaccharides of storage glycoproteins. This &bgr;1,2-xylosyltransferase was purified from the microsomal fraction of soybean cells approximately 51,000-fold. Also provided is polyclonal antiserum recognizing this &bgr;1,2-xylosyltransferase enzyme and uses thereof.

Abstract: A process for isolation and purification of polysaccharide gel and fiber from dried fruit-hull of Durio zibethinus L. Two polysaccharide products are obtained. The process involves hot water extraction of crude polysaccharide gel from fruit-hulls, filtration and precipitation in acid-lower aliphatic alcohol and further purification by reprecipitation of concentrated aqueous crude polysaccharide gel, after demineralization using cation-exchange resin, in acid-lower aliphatic alcohol and washing in alcohol. Dried polysaccharide gel is derived as creamy to white product. Polysaccharide gel is used as dressing-patch, film-dressing, sustained-release dressing, gelling agent; used in food preparation such as jelly, medical-food products. Fiber residue after hot water extraction is treated to isolate polysaccharide fiber. The process comprises alkali hydrolysis, acid hydrolysis, decolorization and washing in dilute acid, sodium chloride and water to derive white polysaccharide fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting the proliferation of a tumor in a mammal. The method involves the steps of (a) isolating a stress protein-peptide complex from tumor cells previously removed from the mammal and (b) administering the isolated stress protein-peptide complex back to the mammal in order to stimulate in the mammal an immune response against the tumor from which the complex was isolated. Stress protein-peptide complexes having particular utility in the practice of the instant invention include the Hsp70-peptide, Hsp90-peptide and gp96-peptide complexes.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase from peppermint (Mentha piperita) has been isolated and sequenced, and the corresponding amino acid sequence has been determined. Accordingly, an isolated DNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:1) is provided which codes for the expression of (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase (SEQ ID NO:2), from peppermint (Mentha piperisa). In other aspects, replicable recombinant cloning vehicles are provided which code for (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase, or for a base sequence sufficiently complementary to at least a portion of (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase DNA or RNA to enable hybridization therewith. In yet other aspects, modified host cells are provided that have been transformed, transfected, infected and/or injected with a recombinant cloning vehicle and/or DNA sequence encoding (E)-&bgr;-farnesene synthase.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for treating hair loss in mammals, including arresting and/or reversing hair loss and promoting hair growth. The methods comprise administering a cardiac-sparing compound having a structure of formula (I) as described herein and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liquid crystalline polyacetylene having a repeat structure of the formula 1

Abstract: This invention pertains to the discovery that L-arginine and type V phosphodiesterases act synergistically to inhibit vasospasm and/or to induce vasodilation. Methods are provided using combinations of L-arginine and type V phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of cardiac pathologies and/or the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: A bacterial &agr;1,3-fucosyltransferase gene and deduced amino acid sequence is provided. The gene is useful for preparing &agr;1,3-fucosyltransferase polypeptide, and active fragment thereof, which can be used in the production of oligosaccharides such as Lewis X, Lewis Y, and siayl Lewis X, which are structurally similar to certain tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens found in mammals. These product glycoconjugates also have research and diagnostic utility in the development of assays to detect mammalian tumors. In addition the polypeptide of the invention can be used to develop diagnostic and research assays to determine the presence of H. pylori in human specimens.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of sweet or amino acid taste receptors comprising two heterologous G-protein coupled receptor polypeptides from the T1R family of sensory G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of sweet and amino acid taste receptors.

Abstract: A method of detecting a calcification in a bounding box enclosing a portion of a medical image, including the steps of obtaining the medical image in digital form, filtering at least image data in the bounding box using a difference of Gaussians (DOG) filter, and thresholding the filtered image data to detect, as one or more calcifications, portions of the filtered image data which exceed a threshold. The detected calcification may be classified by segmenting the one or more detected calcifications, extracting at least one feature from the one or more segmented calcifications, and determining a likelihood of malignancy of the one or more detected calcifications.

Abstract: A method of performing regional heating of a system having a substrate. The method may include applying a thin film to the system, and controllably energizing a coil positioned near the thin film. The energized coils thereby generate a magnetic flux. The method further includes inducing a current in the thin film with the magnetic flux thereby heating the system.

Abstract: Generalized idiopathic epilepsies (IGE) cause 40% of all seizures and commonly have a genetic basis. One type of IGE is Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions (BFNC), a dominantly inherited disorder of newborns. A submicroscopic deletion of chromosome 20q13.3 which co-segregates with seizures in a BFNC family has been identified. Characterization of cDNAs spanning the deleted region identified a novel voltage-gated potassium channel, KCNQ2, which belongs to a new KCNQ1-like class of potassium channels. Nine other BFNC probands were shown to have KCNQ2 mutations including three missense mutations, three frameshifts, two nonsense mutations, and one splice site mutation. A second gene, KCNQ3, was found in a separate BFNC family in which the mutation had been localized to chromosome 8. A missense mutation was found in this gene in perfect cosegregation with the BFNC phenotype in this latter family. This demonstrates that defects in potassium channels can cause epilepsy.