Abstract: The present invention provides methods based on serological and genetic markers for diagnosing clinical subtypes of Crohn's disease (CD) having characteristic responsiveness to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy. In the methods of the inventions the presence of perinuclear anti-neutrophil antibody (pANCA), the presence of the TNFa10b4c1d3e3 haplotype or the presence TNFa11b4c1d3e3 haplotype each are independently diagnostic of a clinical subtype of CD having an inferior clinical response to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy. In addition, the presence of the homozygous TNF-&bgr; 1111 haplotype involving the TNFc, aa13L, aa26 and NcoI loci is independently diagnostic of a clinical subtype of CD having an inferior clinical response to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy. The presence of speckling anti-pan polymorphonuclear antibody (SAPPA) is diagnostic of a clinical subtype of CD having a superior clinical response to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy.

Abstract: A method of cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses, including the steps of a) transmitting a ultrasonic energy field toward a pair of contact lenses being suspended in a solution medium in a cleaning cup, causing a cavitation to be produced to remove dirt from the contact lenses; b) keeping the solution medium to be maintained standing still in for about 3-5 minutes for permitting suspended substance to settle to the bottom of the solution medium; c) using heating means to heat the solution medium to about 90° C. for about 15-20 minutes so as to disinfect bacteria and degrade toxic substance carried on the contact lenses; and d) gradually cooling down the temperature of the solution medium to room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for stanniocalcin-2, a novel member of the stanniocalcin family. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, modulate electrolyte homeostasis. The present invention also includes antibodies to the stanniocalcin-2 polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to huXAG-1, huXAG-2 and huXAG-3 proteins which are novel human growth factors. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the huXAG-1, huXAG-2 and huXAG-3 proteins. huXAG-1, huXAG-2 and huXAG-3 polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of huXAG-1, huXAG-2 or huXAG-3 activity. Also provided are diagnostic and therapeutic uses of huXAG-1. huXAG-2 and huXAG-3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid comprising a sequence that encodes a sperm receptor that is related to, but is different from, a receptor of the odorant receptor family. The present invention also provides a method of obtaining a nucleic acid that comprises a sequence that encodes a sperm receptor, as well as a means of using the elements of the invention in a method of contraception, a method of detecting autoimmune infertility, and a method of affecting fertility.

Abstract: Trophoblastic .beta.-I-glycoprotein (TBG) is used as a means for treating autoimmune diseases showing suppressors immunodeficit.A method of treating of autoimmune diseases comprises the administration of an immune correcting preparation, said preparation being trophoblastic .beta.-I-glycoprotein (TBG), indications with respect to said preparation being determined by testing TBG sensitivity of mononuclear cells (MNCs).

Abstract: A human endothelin-bombesin receptor polypeptide and DNA (RNA) encoding such polypeptide and a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such polypeptide for identifying agonists and antagonists to such polypeptide. Agonists to the endothelin-bombesin receptor polypeptide of the present invention may be used to treat asthma, Parkinson's Disease, acute heart failure, hypotension and osteoporosis. Antagonists against such polypeptides may be used therapeutically to treat hypertension, ulcerigenesis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, asthma, tumors, ciclosporin toxicity, cancer and septic shock. Also disclosed are diagnostic methods for detecting mutations in the polynucleotides of the present invention and for detecting levels of the soluble polypeptides in samples derived from a host.

Abstract: A recombinant vector for cloning a heterologous nucleotide sequence and/or expressing it and/or transferring it to a cell host. The vector includes, at a site which is not essential for replication, the gene coding for a lipoprotein other than E. coli lipoproteins, or a part of said gene which contains the elements required for controlling the expression of said lipoprotein and exposing it on the surface of the outer host cell membrane, so that the heterologous nucleotide sequence can be inserted into the gene or said part thereof under conditions suitable for expressing said heterologous sequence and exposing it on the surface of the cell host.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified nucleic acid molecules encoding Bax inhibitor protein-1 (BI-1; SEQ ID NO: 1) or Bax inhibitor protein-2 (BI-2; SEQ ID NO: 4), nucleic acid molecules complementary thereto (SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 5, respectively), portions of such nucleic acid molecules, vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing the vectors. The invention also provides methods of using such nucleic acid molecules to identify the presence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a Bax inhibitor protein in a sample or to increase or decrease the level of expression of a Bax inhibitor protein in a cell. In addition, the invention provides substantially purified BI-1 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and BI-2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) polypeptides, portions of such polypeptides, and antibodies specific for BI-1 or BI-2.

Abstract: A preparation containing a receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan is disclosed, along with characterization of the receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan. Also described are assays for identifying agents which alter the effect of underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan on activation of signal transduction pathways and agents identified thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to prevent pregnancy in an individual by administering a trophinin vaccine, which can elicit an immune response in the individual administered the vaccine. The method utilizes mammalian trophinin and peptides derived thereof from human or mice. The method also utilizes a nucleic acid molecule encoding trophinin as the trophinin vaccine, which is expressed in the individual administered the vaccine. The nucleic acid molecule can further encode a trophinin-assisting protein that can be co-expressed with trophinin in the individual administered the vaccine. The invention also provides a method to prevent adhesion between a trophoblast cell and a uterine epithelial cell by administering a trophinin vaccine or peptides thereof. The invention further provides an adjuvant or a carrier protein to enhance the immune response to the trophinin vaccine.

Abstract: Isolated DNA encoding each of human calcium channel .alpha..sub.1 -, .alpha..sub.2 -, .beta.- and .gamma.-subunits, including subunits that arise as splice variants of primary transcripts, is provided. Cells and vectors containing the DNA and methods for identifying compounds that modulate the activity of human calcium channels are also provided.

Abstract: For sterilizing surfaces with hydrogen peroxide, a stream of hot air is fed through a tube which includes a porous section, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide is diffused from the porous section into the hot air stream to obtain a combined hot air and vaporized stream mixture for supplying the vaporized hydrogen peroxide to a surface for sterilizing the surface. Further for carrying out the process, liquid hydrogen peroxide is fed to the porous section for forming a film on the porous section, and the porous section is heated to a temperature to vaporize the hydrogen peroxide for diffusion via the porous section into the hot air stream.

Abstract: A preparation containing a receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan is disclosed, along with characterization of the receptor for underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan. Also described are assays for identifying agents which alter the effect of underivatized, aqueous soluble .beta.(1-3)-glucan on activation of signal transduction pathways and agents identified thereby.

Abstract: Soluble polypeptides of human prolactin receptor, corresponding to products expressed from differentially spliced mRNA and obtainable from various human tissues, are reported and recombinant molecules containing nucleic acid sequences encoding the soluble polypeptides of human prolactin receptor can be constructed and inserted into expression vectors for production in transformed host cells.

Abstract: Methods of isolating .beta.(1-3)-glucan or .beta.(1-3)glucan-containing organisms in a sample, or of detecting the presence of .beta.(1-3)-glucan or .beta.(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms in a sample, utilizing binding agents for .beta.(1-3)-glucan, such as LacCer, GalCer, globotriaosylceramide and asialoganglioside-GM1, are described. Methods of diagnosing fungal infection, by detecting .beta.(1-3)-glucan or .beta.(1-3)-glucan-containing organisms, are also described. Antibodies and kits useful in the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Soluble polypeptides of human prolactin receptor, corresponding to products expressed from differentially spliced mRNA and obtainable from various human tissues, are reported and recombinant molecules containing nucleic acid sequences encoding the soluble polypeptides of human prolactin receptor can be constructed and inserted into expression vectors for production in transformed host cells.

Abstract: Purified and isolated IL-1/TNF-.alpha.-activated kinase (ITAK), nucleic acids encoding ITAK, processes for production of recombinant forms of ITAK, pharmaceutical compositions containing ITAK, and use of ITAK in therapies and in various assays, including assays to detect antagonists and agonists of ITAK are provided.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a B cell activation antigen, B7, are provided. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecules are DNA sequences. The DNA sequences of the invention can be integrated into various expression vectors, which in turn can direct the synthesis of the corresponding proteins or peptides in a variety of hosts, particularly eukaryotic cells, such as mammalian and insect cell culture. Also provided are host cells transformed to produce proteins or peptides encoded by the DNA molecules of the present invention and purified proteins and peptides which comprise at least a portion of the B cell activation antigen. The proteins and peptides comprise at least a portion of the mature form of the B7 activation antigen and preferably comprise a soluble form of the B7 protein.

Abstract: A novel cytokine, designated Apo-2 ligand, which induces mammalian cell apoptosis is provided. The Apo-2 ligand is believed to be a member of the TNF cytokine family. Compositions including Apo-2 ligand chimeras, nucleic acid encoding Apo-2 ligand, and antibodies to Apo-2 ligand are also provided. Methods of using Apo-2 ligand to induce apoptosis and to treat pathological conditions such as cancer, are further provided.