Abstract: The invention provides isolated N-methyl-D-aspartate type 3B (NR3B) polypeptides, functional fragments and peptides, encoding nucleic acid molecules and polynucleotides, and specific antibodies. Also provided are excitatory glycine receptors, containing either NR3B or NR3A polypeptides. Further provided are methods for detecting excitatory glycine receptor ligands, agonists and antagonists. The invention also provides related diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to biomarker profiles for each trimester of pregnancy. The present invention also provides methods for identifying patients at risk of developing a complication of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia. In further embodiments, the present invention relates to methods for the diagnosis of patients with preeclampsia.

Abstract: Growth factor binding molecules having a plurality of peptide loops attached to a non-peptide organic scaffold, preferably having pseudo-six amino acid peptide loops with four amino acid sidechains. The growth factor binding molecules specifically bind various growth factors and are suitable for treating a subject having tumors or restinosis. In one embodiment a platelet-derived growth factor binding molecule is disclosed that is used to inhibit tumor growth and angiogenesis in solid tumors.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for diagnosing cancer and predicting recurrent cancer comprising detecting the presence of survivin in the biological fluid of a patient. The present invention also provides kits comprising one or more agents that detect survivin polypeptide or survivin nucleic acid and a container for collecting biological fluid for testing.

Abstract: A method of inducing bone formation in a subject in need of such inducement comprises the steps of mechanically inducing an increase in osteoblast activity in the subject and elevating blood concentration of at least one bone anabolic agent in the subject. The method steps may be performed in any order, but in sufficient time proximity that the elevated concentration of the anabolic agent and the mechanically induced increase in osteoblast activity overlaps. The method may additionally comprise providing the subject with an elevated blood concentration of at least one antiresorptive agent, wherein the elevated concentration is sufficient to prevent resorption of new bone growth produced due to the osteoblast activity. Use of the method permits targeting of specific bones of the subject for bone production and preservation, faster bone production and earlier discontinuation of bone anabolic pharmaceuticals. Kits adapted for performing the method are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing high resolution crystals of ribosomes and ribosomal subunits as well as crystals produced by such methods. The invention also provides high resolution structures of ribosomal subunits either alone or in combination with protein synthesis inhibitors. The invention provides methods for identifying ribosome-related ligands and methods for designing ligands with specific ribosome-binding properties as well as ligands that may act as protein synthesis inhibitors. Thus, the methods and compositions of the invention may be used to produce ligands that are designed to specifically kill or inhibit the growth of any target organism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating immune complex associated diseases (ICAD), such as SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and hepatitis-C related immune complex disease (e.g., cryoglobulinemia) in a subject having an ICAD or at risk for developing ICAD. The invention is based upon the surprising finding that chromatin-containing immune complexes activate autoreactive B cells and dendritic cells by a dual receptor engagement process which, in both cell types, involves a Toll-like receptor (TLR).

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods, assays and kits for the diagnosis, screening and identification of Turner syndrome and other disorders of sexual differentiation in a human using single nucleotide polymorphisms present on the X and Y chromosomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to previously unknown biological roles of Nogo-B. We have discovered that Nogo-B is a component of endothelial cells. We have also discovered that Nogo-B is highly expressed in intact blood vessels. The amino terminus of Nogo-B promotes the adhesion, spreading and migration of endothelial cells and plays a role in vascular remodeling. Thus, Nogo-B is a novel regulator of vascular homeostasis and remodeling. The present invention provides compositions comprising Nogo-B and fragments and fusion proteins thereof. The present invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding Nogo-B and fragments and fusion proteins thereof, as well as vectors and cells comprising such nucleic acids. The present invention also relates to antibodies specific for Nogo-B and fragments and fusion proteins thereof. The present invention also provides methods for preventing, detecting and treating Nogo-B-related diseases, disorders and conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring changes in blood volume using waveforms in the peripheral vasculature. In particular, the systems and methods relate to detecting ventilation-induced variation (VIV) of waveforms in the peripheral vasculature. Advantageously, the systems and methods may relate to analyzing VIV in peripheral venous pressure (PVP). Thus, the VIV of PVP may be measured, wherein decreased VIV is indicative of decreased blood volume In exemplary embodiments, such as involving spontaneous breathing, it may be necessary to account for changes in respiratory signal strength. Thus systems and methods are also provided for assessing coherence between ventilation and VIV for a flow or pressure waveform. Specifically, coherence is evaluated by comparing the waveform to a detected respiratory signal. Finally, systems and method are provided for distinguishing the impact of respiration on the PG signal during hypervolemia as compared to hypovolemia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to piperazinone compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing those compounds and methods of treating tumors and cancer, among other disease states and conditions in mammalian patients, especially including humans.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and compositions related to riboswitches that control alternative splicing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel antiviral helioxanthin analogs. These compounds may particularly be used alone or in combination with other drugs for the treatment of the following: hepadnaviruses, flaviviruses, herpesviruses and human immunodeficiency virus. In addition, compounds according to the present invention can be used to prevent or reduce the likelihood of the occurrence of tumors secondary to virus infection as well as other infections or disease states that are secondary to the virus infection.

Abstract: The invention provides arrays and probes for resequencing gene sequences of HIV and HCV using an array of probes complementary to a set of reference sequences, and to each possible single nucleotide substitution of the reference sequences, and for identifying known mutations in HIV and HCV gene sequences associated with resistance to antiviral therapy. Methods of identifying mutations in HIV and HCV sequences, methods of characterizing HIV and HCV isolates, and methods of evaluating and optimizing a patient's antiviral therapy regimen are also provided.

Abstract: Induction of apoptosis in target cells is a key mechanism by which chemotherapy induces cell killing. An in vitro system has been established for determining carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol) chemosensitivity of epithelial ovarian cancer cells, where measurements of caspase-3 activation are surrogate markers for activation of chemotherapy-induced programmed cell death. To validate the assay as a predictor of clinical chemotherapy-induced programmed cell death. To validate the assay as a predictor of clinical chemosensitivity in vitro apoptotic response were compared to the clinical response of the patients from whom the tumor cells were isolated. Caspase-3 activation in response to in vitro chemotherapy to both drugs was shown to have an 83% positive predictive value and a 71% negative predictive value. Markers of apoptosis such as caspase-3 activation can be quantitated and utilized to predict the clinical response to chemotherapy.

Abstract: Described are techniques for clustering a data set of objects. Divide phase processing is performed to partition the data set into two or more partitions forming a hierarchy of the objects. Merge phase processing may be performing using the hierarchy to determine one or more disjoint clusters of objects of the data set. Optional preprocessing may be performed to determine weights for one or more features of an object.

Abstract: Naturally occurring miRNAs that regulate human oncogenes and methods of use thereof are described. Suitable nucleic acids for use in the methods and compositions described herein include, but are not limited to, pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, mature miRNA ,or fragments of variants thereof that retain the biological activity of the mature miRNA and DNA encoding a pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, mature miRNA, fragments or variants thereof, or regulatory elements of the miRNA. The compositions are administered to a subject prior to administration of a cytotoxic therapy in an amount effective to sensitize cells or tissues to be treated to the effects of the cytotoxic therapy.

Abstract: The preQ1 riboswitch is a target for antibiotics and other small molecule therapies. The preQ1riboswitch and portions thereof can be used to regulate the expression or function of RNA molecules and other elements and molecules. The preQ1 riboswitch and portions thereof can be used in a variety of other methods to, for example, identify or detect compounds. Compounds can be used to stimulate, active, inhibit and/or inactivate the preQ1 riboswitch. The preQ1 riboswitch and portions thereof, both alone and in combination with other nucleic acids, can be used in a variety of constructs and RNA molecules and can be encoded by nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst composition, comprising: (1) a catalyst precursor having the general structure MSXn wherein M is a transition metal selected from the group consisting of iridium, molybdenum, and tungsten; S is a coordinating ligand; X is a counterion; and n is an integer from 0 to 5; and (2) a phosphoramidite ligand having the structure wherein O—Cn—O is an aliphatic or aromatic diolate and wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted aryl groups, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl groups, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic groups, and combinations thereof, with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2, R3, or R4 must be a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl group. The present invention is also directed to activated catalysts made from the above catalyst composition, as well as methods of allylic amination and etherification using the above catalysts.

Abstract: The lysine riboswitch is a target for antibiotics and other small molecule therapies. Compounds can be used to stimulate, active, inhibit and/or inactivate the lysine riboswitch.