Abstract: The present invention provides for the identification, isolation and uses of mammalian Monoamine Oxidase C (MAO-C), also known as renalase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for detecting or measuring Notch activation by observing or measuring the appearance of Notch on the cell surface or by observing or measuring Notch cleavage products that are indicative of Notch activation. The present invention is also directed to methods for detecting a molecule that modulates Notch activation by observing or measuring a change in the amount of Notch expressed on the cell surface or a change in the amount or pattern of Notch cleavage products. The present invention is also directed to a substantially purified activated heterodimeric form of Notch and components thereof and pharmaceutical compositions and kits thereof. The present invention is based, at least in part, on the discovery that Notch in its active form, i.e.

Abstract: Methods are provided for suppressing the immune system response in recipients of transplanted organs, tissues or cells. An extracorporeal quantity of blood from the intended transplant recipient is treated to induce monocytes contained in the blood to differentiate and form dendritic cells. The maturation of the dendritic cells is truncated at a stage where the dendritic cells can inactivate T cell clones which would otherwise generate an undesired immune system response. The immature dendritic cells can be directly administered to the transplant recipient, or the dendritic cells can be co-incubated with the bone marrow or stem cell preparation, prior to transplantation, in order to suppress or eliminate anti-recipient donor T cells contaminating the bone marrow or stem cell preparation. The methods can be used to suppress graft versus host disease in recipients of transplanted bone marrow or stem cells, or to suppress rejection of transplanted organs or tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions related to the detection and/or monitoring of the levels of angiogenic factors, specifically VEGF, PlGF and sFlt-1, in urine samples obtained from pregnant women and the effects of such levels on the risk of developing complications of pregnancy, including hypertensive disorders such as preeclampsia, in the first, second, and/or third trimester of pregnancy. The present invention also provides kits for identifying and screening patients at risk of developing a complication of pregnancy, such as preeclampsia.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding genes with SepRS and tRNASep activity for site specific incorporation of phosphoserine into a protein or polypeptide and methods of use thereof are described. Typically, SepRS preferentially aminoacylates tRNASep with O-phosphoserine and the tRNASep recognizes at least one codon such as a stop codon. In a preferred embodiment the nucleic acids are on vectors. In one embodiment, the vectors are expressed in cells such as bacterial cells, archeaebacterial cells, and eukaryotic cells. In an alternative embodiment, the vectors are expressed in an in vitro transcription/translation system. Proteins or polypeptides containing phosphoserine produced by the methods described herein can be used for a variety of applications such as research, antibody production, protein array manufacture and development of cell-based screens for new drug discovery.

Abstract: A device may include a hollow needle, a dilator mounted coaxially on the needle, and a sheath mounted coaxially on the dilator. The dilator may be slideably displaceable relative to the sheath.

Abstract: Growth factor binding compounds having a plurality of acyclic isophthalic acid groups attached to a non-peptide organic scaffold and pharmaceutical compositions of the same are disclosed. Methods of administering and using the growth factor binding compounds or the growth factor binding compositions are also taught. These novel growth factor binding compounds are useful for treating angiogenesis, excessive cellular proliferation, tumor growth, and a combination thereof as well as inhibiting growth factor binding to cells and phosphorylation.

Abstract: Assays for the detection of diabetes and prediabetic status rely on exposing patient serum samples to purified ligand capable of binding autoantibodies specific for a 64kD autoantigen present on pancreatic ?-cells. The purified ligand is usually purified glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or a fragment or analog thereof. Preferably, the assays will detect the presence of antibodies to both lower molecular weight GAD and higher molecular weight GAD since diabetic and prediabetic status may be associated with only one of these two forms. The assays can be performed using conventional protocols, such as radioimmunoassay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and enzyme assay. Methods for treating diabetes comprise administering pharmaceutical compositions including the purified ligand, particularly when coupled to an immunoglobulin or lymphoid cell to induce tolerance.

Abstract: A dynamic spine stabilization device is provided that includes at least one force imparting member, e.g., a spring. The force imparting member is adapted to deliver a force of between about 150 lb/inch and 450 lbs/inch, and restrict the relative travel distance between said first and second pedicles to a distance of between about 1.5 mm and 5 mm. The spinal stabilization devices also have a minimal impact on the location of the center of rotation for the spinal segment being treated. By providing resistance in the noted range and restricting the travel distance to the noted range, it has been found that the stabilization device provides a desired level of stabilization, as reflected by range of motion values that closely approximate pre-injury range of motion levels.

Abstract: An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gasses. The constituent gasses and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products.

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: This invention provides a method of making a prognosis for a patient afflicted with a type of cancer such as colon cancer, based upon quantification of biomarkers such as thymidylate synthase in subcellular compartments.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the identification, isolation and uses of mammalian Monoamine Oxidase C (MAO-C), also known as renalase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating ileus in a patient, which includes administering a pharmaceutical composition that includes carbon monoxide to the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of carbon monoxide (CO) as a biomarker and therapeutic agent of heart, lung, liver, spleen, brain, skin and kidney diseases and other conditions and disease states including, for example, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, interstitial lung diseases, idiopathic pulmonary diseases, other lung diseases including primary pulmonary hypertension, secondary pulmonary hypertension, cancers, including lung, larynx and throat cancer, arthritis, wound healing, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, peripheral vascular disease and pulmonary vascular thrombotic diseases such as pulmonary embolism. CO may be used to provide anti-inflammatory relief in patients suffering from oxidative stress and other conditions especially including sepsis and septic shock.

Abstract: The method of the invention pertains to determining the signal transduction activity in a tissue section by immunohistochemistry techniques. The expression level of the receptor of interest is determined as well as the expression levels of one or more effector molecules of the receptor signal transduction pathway. Furthermore a combined ratio of expression levels of effector molecules in subcellular compartments with the receptor expression was found to have prognostic significance.

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: The claimed invention describes methods to diagnose or aid in the diagnosis of cancer. The claimed methods are based on the identification of biomarkers which are particularly well suited to discriminate between cancer subjects and healthy subjects. These biomarkers were identified using a unique and novel screening method described herein. The biomarkers identified herein can also be used in the prognosis and monitoring of cancer. The invention comprises the use of leptin, prolactin, OPN and IGF-II for diagnosing, prognosis and monitoring of ovarian cancer.

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: It has been discovered that certain natural mRNAs serve as metabolite-sensitive genetic switches wherein the RNA directly binds a small organic molecule. This binding process changes the conformation of the mRNA, which causes a change in gene expression by a variety of different mechanisms. Modified versions of these natural “riboswitches” (created by using various nucleic acid engineering strategies) can be employed as designer genetic switches that are controlled by specific effector compounds. Such effector compounds that activate a riboswitch are referred to herein as trigger molecules. The natural switches are targets for antibiotics and other small molecule therapies.