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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Provided are caged compounds comprising a ligand that specifically reacts with a receptor not naturally present in mammals. The cage is released from the ligand upon illumination of the compound with light. Also provided are cells transfected with a gene of interest and a gene encoding a receptor, the gene of interest operably linked to a genetic element capable of being induced by the receptor when bound to a ligand, and the receptor not naturally present in the species of the cell. The cells also comprise a caged ligand of the receptor. Additionally provided are methods of inducing a gene of interest in the above cells. Also provided are methods of repressing a gene of interest in a cell using caged ligands of receptors. Methods are additionally provided for inducing elimination of a target sequence in a cell of a species, using a caged ligand and a recombinase.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of isolating hepatoblasts utilizing panning techniques and fluorescence activated cell sorting. This invention further relates to isolated hepatoblasts and to a method of treating liver dysfunction as well as to methods of forming artificial livers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound of the formula (I): wherein A is selected from N, CH and CR, where R is selected from halogen, optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl and aryl, OH, NH2, NHR1, NR1R2 and SR3, where R1, R2 and R3 are each optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl groups; B is selected from OH, NH2, NHR4, H and halogen, where R4 is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; D is selected from OH, NH2, NHR5, H, halogen and SCH3, where R5 is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; X and Y are independendy selected from H, OH and halogen, with the proviso that when one of X and Y is hydroxy or halogen, the other is hydrogen; Z is OH, or, when X is hydroxy, Z is selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, SQ and OQ, where Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; and W is OH or H, with the proviso that when W is OH, then A is CR where R is as defined above; or a tautomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or an ester t

Abstract: The invention provides a compound of the formula: wherein A is selected from N, CH and CR; R is selected from halogen, optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl and aryl, OH, NH2, NHR1, NR1R2 and SR3; R1, R2 and R3 are each optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl groups; B is selected from NH2 and NHR4; R4 is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; X is selected from H, OH and halogen; Z is selected from H, Q, SQ and OQ; Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; or a tautomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester, or a prodrug thereof; with the proviso that the stereochemistry of the aza-sugar moiety is D-ribo or 2?-deoxy-D-erythro-; pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compound; and methods of treatment using said compound.

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: Novel arylisothiocyanate compounds are described that are useful for activating alcohol-containing macromolecules, for example polyethyleneglycols and cellulose, for covalent linkage to amino-groups of biomolecules, for example polypeptides such as antibodies, enzymes, and proteins.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for increasing the usefulness, sensitivity and specificity of tests that measure memory and facets of memory, including learning, retention, recall and/or recognition. Specifically, the sensitivity and specificity of such tests are enhanced by selectively weighting the value of specific items recalled by the test subject, either by weighting such items within any specific testing trial or across numerous testing trials. Also disclosed are various methods of reducing ceiling effects in memory tests. The invention also provides improved tests which employ item-specific weighting for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia characterized by memory impairment, as well as a method of screening for and evaluating the efficacy of potential therapeutics directed to the treatment of such dementia.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the formula: wherein A is chosen from a nitrogen-, oxygen-, or sulfur-linked aryl, alkyl, cyclic, or heterocyclic group; both B and C are hydrogen, or either B or C is a halogen, amino, or thiol group and the other of B or C is hydrogen; and D is a primary alcohol, a hydrogen, or an oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, or sulfur linked to phosphate, a phosphoryl group, a pyrophosphoryl group, or adenosine monophosphate through a phosphodiester or carbon-, nitrogen-, or sulfur-substituted phosphodiester bridge, or to adenosine diphosphate through a phosphodiester or carbon-, nitrogen-, or sulfur-substituted pyrophosphodiester bridge. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the above compounds, methods of using the above compounds as pharmaceuticals, and processes for preparing the above compounds.