Abstract: Assays for identifying human patients at risk for developing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus rely on detection of autoantibodies to a 38 kD autoantigen present in pancreatic &bgr;-cells in patient sera. It has been found that autoantibodies to this particular autoantigen developed in patients well before clinical onset of the disease in a significant subpopulation of prediabetic patients. Useful assays will frequently combine detection of autoantibodies to the 38 kD autoantigen with detection of other known markers of IDDM, such as autoantibodies to a 64 kD autoantigen (glutamic acid decarboxylase).

Abstract: Wnt-7a polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing Wnt-7a polypeptides and polynucleotides in therapy, and diagnostic assays for such.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the extraction of proteins from gastrointestinal tract samples taken from humans or other mammals wherein the sample is mixed with an excess amount of aqueous extraction medium comprising at least one dissociating, disaggregating and/or chelating agent, homogenised in a closed vessel, the solid and liquid materials of the dispersion are separated from each other and the clear liquid extract is recovered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of cardiac disease resulting from a viral infection of the cardiac tissue with human hepatitis C virus or EMC virus comprising administering an antiviral agent to a subject. The antiviral agent is useful in the treatment of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: Antigens are provided which are derived from the enterically transmitted non-A/non-B viral hepatitis agent, known as hepatitis E virus (HEV). The HEV antigens and in particular, soluble species of the capsid protein encoded by the carboxy terminal region of HEV ORF2, are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with HEV. In one embodiment, these antigens may be produced by a baculovirus expression vector and form virus-like particles (VLPs). The antigens are useful as diagnostic reagents in diagnostic methods and kits for determining infection of an individual with HEV. The antigens are also useful in vaccine compositions effective in methods for preventing HEV infection.

Abstract: A composition containing readily absorbable calcium which comprises a calcium salt and 0.2 to 5% by weight of chondroitin sulfate based on the calcium content in the calcium salt. A calcium salt preferably used in this composition is obtained by, for example, baking external skeletons of sea urchins in an oven to thereby give calcium oxide, hydrating it into calcium hydroxide and then reacting it with an organic carboxylic acid to thereby give a calcium salt. The absorption of calcium in vivo is highly promoted by adding chondroitin sulfate. As a calcium source various natural and synthetic calcium can be used.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering an emulsion or suspension containing a supersaturated gas into a gas-depleted environment. The method generally comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion or suspension, exposing the emulsion or suspension to a gas at a pressure greater than 2 bar, and delivering the emulsion or suspension to a gas-depleted environment at ambient pressure.

Abstract: A process of parthenogenic activation of mammalian oocytes which includes increasing intracellular levels of divalent cations in the oocyte; and reducing phosphorylation of cellular proteins in the oocyte. One method of accomplishing this is by introducing Ca2+ free cation, such as ionomycin, to the oocyte and then preventing phosphorylation of the cellular proteins within the oocyte by adding a serine-threonine kinase inhibitor, such as 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP).

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and amino acid sequences that identify and encode a novel human map kinase homolog (SMAP) expressed in cells of the human stomach. The present invention also provides for PCR oligomers or hybridization probes for the detection of nucleotide sequences encoding SMAP or SMAP-like molecules, antisense molecules to the nucleotide sequences which encode SMAP, diagnostic tests based on SMAP encoding nucleic acid molecules, genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells for the production of purified SMAP, antibodies capable of binding specifically to SMAP, and agonists and inhibitors with specific binding activity for the polypeptide SMAP.

Abstract: This invention provides a method, a reagent, and a kit for detecting herpesvirus-specific IgM antibodies indicative of recent infection while preventing detection of low levels of herpesvirus-specific IgM antibodies present in individuals of low risk. The invention also provides a reagent for use in detecting herpesvirus-specific IgM antibodies indicative of recent infection while preventing detection of low levels of herpesvirus-specific IgM antibodies present in individuals of low risk.

Abstract: Methods of treating bladder cancer in a patient by administration of wildtype vaccinia virus are provided.

Abstract: A sweat resistant sunblock and antioxidant composition for protection against a broad spectrum of radiation. The composition contains micronized and ultramicronized titanium particles, micronized dermatologically acceptable metal oxides, micronized talc, sunblocking polymers, antioxidants and a selenium yeast complex.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for detecting antibodies to HAV 3C proteinase. These methods can distinguish an individual with a natural infection from one who has been vaccinated with an inactivated vaccine and are thus of utility in the diagnosis of hepatitis A in situations in which vaccination is widespread.

Abstract: Disclosed test cells are useful for evaluating the carcinogenicity of a compound using a transformation assay. The test cell preferably is transfected with an oncogenic viral recombinant nucleic acid molecule encoding a transforming protein. Cell growth is scored to identify the presence or absence of a transformation characteristic, such as formation of foci, loss of growth factor or serum requirements or anchorage independence. The development of such a transformation characteristic indicates that the compound being tested is carcinogenic.

Abstract: A method is provided for purifying from cells a target compound such as nucleic acid. The method comprises the following steps: 1) lysing a cell suspension to form a cell lysate containing the target compound; 2) applying the cell lysate to a filter to remove unwanted cells and cell debris; 3) contacting the filtered lysate with a solid phase matrix under conditions to bind the nucleic acid to the matrix; 4) separating the resultant filtered lysate from the matrix; and 5) eluting the target compound from the matrix. Apparatus is also provided. Complex purification procedures such as centrifugation are avoided.

Abstract: A method of increasing the relative number of CD34.sup.+ cells in a cell population is described. The method comprises contacting the cell population with an agent that causes the relative number of CD34.sup.+ cells to increase.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method for the rapid assessment of organ status, including organ damage following immunological or toxicological insult, in a subject based on the detection of one or more isoenzymes of glutathione S-transferase (GST) in diverse biological fluids comprising contacting a particle-labelled anti-GST antibody specific for said isoenzyme with a sample of a biological fluid suspected of containing said isoenzyme, said antibody having a sensitivity sufficient to detect at least a picomolar amount of said isoenzyme, and capturing the particle-labelled antibody-isoenzyme complex on an immobolised capture antibody to generate a visually detectable signal.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium conjugates and the methods for preparation thereof. The novel nucleophilic polysubstituted aryl acridinium conjugates are useful in biological assays, including novel assays for the determination of Vitamin B.sub.12, folate, cortisol, estradiol, and thromboxane B.sub.2.

Abstract: A mixture of recombinant mono- and poly-epitope proteic materials able to fully replace the viral antigens when used in an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) is disclosed; the mixture includes a poly-epitope fusion protein having a first region formed by an amino acid sequence (H10) corresponding to that of the last 233 amino acids of the COOH terminus of the viral protein p52 or to a part thereof, a second region formed by an amino acid sequence (F3) corresponding to that of the last 43 amino acids of the COOH terminus of viral protein pp150 or to a part thereof, and a third region formed by an amino acid sequence (A1C2) corresponding to that taken from aa 595 to aa 614, proceeding in direction 5'.fwdarw.3', of the same viral protein pp150; and, in combination, a second fusion protein including a sequence of amino acids corresponding to that taken, proceeding in direction 5'.fwdarw.

Abstract: Bispecific molecules which react both with the high-affinity Fc.gamma. receptor of human effector cells and with a target cell surface antigen are disclosed. Binding of the molecules to the Fc receptors found on effector cells is not blocked by human immunoglobulin G. The molecules are useful for targeting human effector cells (e.g. macrophages) against cells bearing the target antigen. For this purpose, bispecific molecules can be constructed containing the binding region derived from an anti-Fc.gamma. receptor antibody and the binding region derived from an antibody specific for the target antigen. Targeted effector cells can be used to destroy cells bearing the target cell surface antigen by cell-mediated antibody dependent cytolysis and by complement-fixation.