Abstract: Methods of treating patients and evaluating patients for disease stage and/or severity are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel compound, 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, is provided. The compound is a mixture of the 2? and 3? regioisomers of O-acetyl-ADP ribose, and is formed nonenzymatically from 2?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, which is the newly discovered product of the reaction of Sir2 enzymes with acetylated peptides and NAD+. Analogs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided. Additionally, methods of preparing 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose, methods of determining whether a test compound is an inhibitor of a Sir2 enzyme, methods of detecting Sir2 activity in a composition, methods of deacetylating an acetylated peptide, and methods of inhibiting the deacetylation of an acetylated peptide are provided. Prodrugs of 2?/3?-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose are also provided.

Abstract: A process of preparing a compound of the formula (I) wherein B is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H or halogen; D is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H halogen or SCH3; R is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; and Z is selected from OH, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, SQ or OQ, Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; or a tautomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or an ester thereof; or a prodrug thereof, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula (II) with an anion produced by abstraction of the bromine or iodine atom from a compound of formula (XIX), to form a compound of formula (XX) The compound of formula (XX) is N- and O-deprotected to obtain the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: This invention provides methods for imaging and/or treating a tumor in a subject which comprise administering to the subject an amount of a radiolabeled antibody effective to image and/or treat the tumor, where the radiolabeled antibody binds to a cellular component released by dying tumor cells. This invention also provides methods for imaging and/or treating melanin-containing melanomas in a subject which comprise administering to the subject an amount of a radiolabeled anti-melanin antibody effective to image and/or treat the melanoma. The invention also provides compositions and methods of making compositions comprising radiolabeled antibodies for imaging and treating tumors, including melanin-containing melanomas.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the formula: wherein A is CH or N; B is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H or halogen; D is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H, halogen or SCH3; R is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; and X and Y are independently selected from H, OH or halogen except that when one of X and Y is hydroxy or halogen, the other is hydrogen; and Z is OH or, when X is hydroxy, Z is selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, SQ or OQ, Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; or a tautomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or an ester thereof; or a prodrug thereof; and compounds having the formula: wherein A, X, Y, Z and R are defined for compounds of formula (I) where first shown above; E is chosen from CO2H or a corresponding salt form, CO2R, CN, CONH2, CONHR or CONR2; and G is chosen from NH2, NHCOR, NHCONHR or NHCSNHR; or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or an ester thereof, or a prodrug the

Abstract: The present invention concerns a modified nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a full length hepatitis C virus (HCV) glycoprotein selected from the group consisting of E1 glycoprotein and E1/E2 glycoprotein heterodimer, this molecule having at least one nucleotide alteration, wherein, due to this alteration, at least one RNA splice site selected from the group consisting of RNA splice acceptor and RNA splice donor sites is eliminated from the coding sequence. The invention is also directed to methods for expressing on the surface of a cell and a pseudovirion an HCV glycoprotein, wherein the majority of the glycoprotein is full length. The invention further provides a cell and a pseudovirion expressing such glycoprotein. The invention still further provides a method for determining whether an agent inhibits HCV fusion with and entry into a target cell. The invention also provides an agent that inhibits HCV fusion with and entry into a target cell.

Abstract: Peptides comprising an Rpt1 domain of an INI1/hSNF5 which inhibit HIV-1 production in a human cell, and vectors encoding those peptides are provided. Also provided are methods of inhibiting HIV-1 production in a cell, or spread of the HIV-1 to another cell, by treating the cells with the above peptides or vectors. Other methods of inhibiting HIV-1 production in a cell, or spread of the HIV-1 to another cell, by inhibiting production of INI1/hSNF5 are provided. Additionally, methods of determining whether a test compound inhibits HIV-1 virion production in a mammalian cell, or spread of the HIV-1 to another cell, are provided. Those methods comprise determining whether the test compound inhibits the production of INI1/hSNF5 or disrupts the interaction of HIV-1 integrase with INI1/hSNF5.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding a sodium/iodide symporter. The present invention also provides purified sodium/iodide symporter, a vector comprising nucleic acid encoding sodium/iodide symporter, a host cell transformed with the vector, and a method for producing recombinant sodium/iodide symporter. In addition, the present invention provides nucleic acid probes and mixtures thereof specific for sodium/iodide symporter nucleic acid and antibodies immunoreactive with sodium/iodide symporter. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders associated with non-functional sodium/iodide symporter. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for the selective ablation of tissue. The present invention also provides a method for identifying an iodide transport protein in non-thyroid tissue. Finally, the present invention provides a non-human, transgenic model for a thyroid disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for assessing episodic memory in a subject. Also provided are methods for assessing semantic memory in a subject. The present invention further provides methods for screening for an agent directed to treating, slowing down the progress of, attenuating the symptoms of, or preventing dementia characterized by episodic memory impairment. Additionally, the present invention provides methods for screening for an agent directed to treating, slowing down the progress of, attenuating the symptoms of, or preventing dementia characterized by semantic memory impairment. Finally, the present invention provides methods for measuring semantic memory in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding saitohin (STH), an isolated nucleic acid sequence that hybridizes to said sequence, and a purified protein encoded by said nucleic acid sequences. The present invention also provides a purified STH protein, and a method of making STH protein. The present invention is further directed to an antibody specific for STH, and a method for producing said antibody. Additionally, the present invention discloses a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding STH, a host cell transformed with said vector, and transgenic nonhuman animals. The present invention further provides methods for determining whether a subject has, or is at increased risk for developing, a neurodegenerative disease, and for assessing said subject's prognosis. Finally, the present invention discloses kits for determining whether a subject has, or is at increased risk for developing, a neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for diagnosing breast cancer in a subject. The present invention also provides a method for treating breast cancer in a subject. Finally, the present invention provides a method for assessing the efficacy of breast cancer therapy in a subject who has undergone or is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a purified and isolated wild type PKD2 gene, as well as mutated forms of this gene. The present invention also provides one or more single-stranded nucleic acid probes which specifically hybridize to the wild type PKD2 gene or the mutated PKD2 gene, and mixtures thereof, which may be formulated in kits, and used in the diagnosis of ADPKD associated with the mutated PKD2 gene. The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing ADPKD caused by a mutated PKD2 gene, as well as a method for treating autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease caused by a mutated PKD2 gene.

Abstract: Methods of treating a mammal that is deficient in CD4+ and/or CD8+ lymphocytes are provided. The methods comprise inoculating the mammal with an attenuated mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex. In these methods, the mycobacterium comprises two deletions, wherein a virulent mycobacterium in the M. tuberculosis complex having either deletion exhibits attenuated virulence. Use of these mycobacteria for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of mammals deficient in CD4+ and/or CD8+ lymphocytes is also provided.

Abstract: A process of preparing a compound of the formula (I) wherein B is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H or halogen; D is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H halogen or SCH3; R is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; and Z is selected from OH, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, SQ or OQ, Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; or a tautomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or an ester thereof; or a prodrug thereof, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula (II) with an anion produced by abstraction of the bromine or iodine atom from a compound of formula (XIX), to form a compound of formula (XX) The compound of formula (XX) is N- and O-deprotected to obtain the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: An animal, e.g., transgenic mouse, in which the MSH5 gene is misexpressed. The animal is useful for screening treatments for a number of conditions. Methods for identifying contraceptive agents are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the formula: wherein A is CH or N; B is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H or halogen; D is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H, halogen or SCH3; R is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; and X and Y are independently selected from H, OH or halogen except that when one of X and Y is hydroxy or halogen, the other is hydrogen; and Z is OH or, when X is hydroxy, Z is selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, SQ or OQ, Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; or a tautomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or an ester thereof; or a prodrug thereof; and compounds having the formula: wherein A, X, Y, Z and R are defined for compounds of formula (I) where first shown above; E is chosen from CO2H or a corresponding salt form, CO2R, CN, CONH2, CONHR or CONR2; and G is chosen from NH2, NHCOR, NHCONHR or NHCSNHR; or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or an ester thereof, or a prodrug the

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating a mammal having a disease, where the disease is caused by a globin disease mutation or a mutation in globin regulation, and where the globin disease mutation or the mutation in globin regulation causes production of a deleterious globin chain or production of insufficient quantities of a globin chain. The methods include transfecting the mammal with a vector comprising a mutant globin gene encoding the same globin chain as the deleterious of insufficient globin chain, where the vector is transfected under conditions where the mutant globin gene is expressed in the mammal, and where the mutant globin gene encodes a globin chain that has lower oxygen affinity and similar stability in hemoglobin when compared to the wild-type of the same globin chain. Also provided are methods of improving hemoglobin oxygen exchange in a mammal.

Abstract: Novel modified hemoglobins comprising polyalkylene glycols and novel methods for making those hemoglobins are provided. One group of modified hemoglobins comprise polyalkylene glycols bonded to the hemoglobin with an amide linkage at Glu-43(?). Additional polyalkylene glycols can also be bonded to the Glu-22(?) and/or the Asp-47(?). These hemoglobins are made by a novel amidation procedure. A second group of modified hemoglobins comprise a polyalkylene glycol covalently bonded to the hemoglobin at the ?-amino of a Val-1(?) or a Val-1(?). Additional polyalkylene glycols can optionally be covalently bonded to a limited number of ?-amino groups. This second group of hemoglobins is made using a novel reductive alkylation procedure. A third group of modified hemoglobins comprise a polyalkylene glycol bonded to a thiol group of the hemoglobin through a phenylsuccinimido linkage, wherein no polyalkylene glycol is bonded to a Cys-93(?).

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic mice comprising tau transgenes, and methods of preparing and using the transgenic mice. For example, the invention provides a transgenic mouse, the genome of the cells of which stably comprise a DNA molecule which comprises a human genomic DNA sequence comprising a human tau promoter and which DNA sequence encodes human tau.

Abstract: The present invention provides pegylated hemoglobins comprising a thiocarbamoyl-phenyl-polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to hemoglobin, and comprising a polyethylene glycol (PEG) attached to hemoglobin by an acyl group. The invention also provides methods of preparing pegylated hemoglobins using isothiocyanato phenyl carbamate of PEG and using isothiocyanato phenyl di-PEG carbamate. The invention further provides compositions and blood substitutes comprising pegylated hemoglobins and methods of treating a subject which comprise administering to the subject blood substitutes comprising non-hypertensive pegylated hemoglobins.