Abstract: The present invention relates to combined preparation containing as active substance the following individual components, in the form of a kit-of-parts: monocyte derived cells, particularly cytotoxic macrophages, chemotherapy or immunotherapy drugs, for the simultaneous, separate or sequential use, for the treatment of cancer or infectious diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of isolating nucleic acid from a sample of cells, said method comprising: (a) binding cells in said sample to a solid support to isolate cells from the sample; (b) lysing the isolated cells; and (c) binding nucleic acid released from said lysed cells to said same solid support and a kit for carrying out such a method. The method may advantageously be used to prepare nucleic acid for use in a nucleic acid-based target cell detection method.

Abstract: A method of detecting a target nucleotide sequence in a nucleic acid molecule, which comprises: (a) binding of an oligonucleotide probe to said nucleic acid molecule; (b) selective labelling of the bound oligonucleotide probe in the presence of said target nucleotide sequence; (c) hybridization of the labelled oligonucleotide to a complementary sequence; and (d) subsequent detection of the label; such methods being suitable for qualitative and quantitative assays of microbiological populations.

Abstract: Described are nucleic acid molecules encoding proteins mediating the adhesion of bacteria of the genus Neisseria to human cells. Also described are the proteins encoded by these nucleic acid molecules and antibodies directed against them. Furthermore, pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines and diagnostic compositions containing the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and/or antibodies are described.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention include purification of DNA, preferably plasmid DNA, by use of selective precipitation, preferably by addition of compaction agents. Also, included is a sealable method for the liquid phase separation of DNA from RNA. RNA may also be recovered by fractional precipitation according to the invention. Applicants have discovered that RNA, commonly the major contaminant in DNA preparations, can be left in solution while valuable purified plasmid DNA is directly precipitated. Additional aspects of the invention include mini-preps, preferably of plasmid and chromosomal DNA, to obtain sequenceable and restriction digestible DNA in high yields in multiple simultaneous procedures. Still further aspects disclose enhanced stripping of the compaction agent by a stripping method comprising high salt addition and pH shift, and combinations of these techniques. Also, disclosed is a method of assay in which a labeled probe is precipitated when it is hybridized to a target, (e.g.

Abstract: A class of asymmetric monobenzoxanthene compounds useful as fluorescent dyes are disclosed having the structure wherein Y1 and Y2 are individually hydroxyl, amino, imminium, or oxygen, R1-R8 are hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, alkyl, alkene, alkyne, sulfonate, amino, amido, nitrile, alkoxy, linking group, and combinations thereof and R9 is acetylene, alkane, alkene, cyano, substituted phenyl, and combinations thereof. The invention further includes novel intermediate compounds useful for the synthesis of asymmetric benzoxanthene compounds having the general structure where substituents R3-R7 correspond to like-referenced substituents in the structure of described above, and Y2 is hydroxyl or amine. In another aspect the invention includes methods for synthesizing the above dye compounds and intermediates.

Abstract: A method and kit of evaluating a risk of a diabetic patient to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) is disclosed. The method comprises determining a haptoglobin phenotype of the diabetic patient and thereby evaluating the risk of the diabetic patient to develop the cardiovascular disease (CVD), wherein the risk is decreased in diabetic patients with haptoglobin 1-1 phenotype as compared to patients with haptoglobin 1-2 or haptoglobin 2-2 phenotypes. The risk is also decreased in diabetic patients with haptoglobin 1-2 phenotype as compared to patients with haptoglobin 2-2 phenotype. The kit comprises packaged reagents for determining a haptoglobin phenotype of the diabetic patient and the kit is identified for use in evaluating a risk of a diabetic patient to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method for characterizing cDNA, wherein said method produces a sequence signature having the following structure: Adaptor Sequence-Restriction Site-Known Length-Nw-Second Known Length-Nx-Poly-A tail (Known Length).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating the activity of RNA are disclosed. In accordance with preferred embodiments, antisense compositions are prepared comprising targeting and reactive portions. The reactive portions preferably comprise one or two imidazole functionalities conjugated to the targeting oligonucleotide via linkers with or without intervening intercalating moieties. Therapeutics, diagnostics and research methods also are disclosed, as are synthetic nucleosides and nucleoside fragments that can be elaborated into oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Rev-caspases comprising a primary product in which the small subunit is N-terminal to the large subunit are provided. Rev-caspases are used for screening and identifying caspase inhibitors and enhancers. Rev-caspase genes can be delivered to cells for gene therapy.

Abstract: The determination of the nucleotide sequence of HTLV-III DNA; identification, isolation and expression of HTLV-III sequences which encode immunoreactive polypeptides by recombinant,DNA methods and production of viral RNA are disclosed. Such polypeptides can be employed in immunoassays to detect HTLV-III.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting nucleotide variation within a first nucleic acid, comprising generating a set of single-stranded extension products from a first nucleic acid in the presence of modified nucleotide bases, wherein the extension products incorporate modified nucleotides and thereby limit exonuclease activity to the 3′-terminal nucleotide base, and wherein the extension products have variable lengths, hybridizing the variable length extension products to a reference nucleic acid, contacting the hybridizing nucleic acids with an enzyme which can remove and replace the 3′-terminal nucleotide of the extension products in the presence of selected labeled nucleotides, wherein extension products that terminate with a 3′-nucleotide that does not hybridize with the corresponding position on the reference nucleic acid are replaced with one or more nucleotides that hybridize with the corresponding nucleotides on the reference nucleic acid and wherein those extension pr

Abstract: Methods for the expansion of CD4, CD8, and DP T-cells from HIV infected patients are disclosed which allow the maintenance of low levels of HIV. The invention further discloses methods for the inhibition of HIV gene expression. Also disclosed are methods for the rapid and efficient screening of cells derived from HIV-infected patients to assess the suitability of various antiviral treatments. The invention further provides a means for the generation of cell banks for use in immune reconstitution and means of treating or modifying expanded cell populations prior to infusion to enhance or modulate therapeutic effectiveness.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for isolating a gene of interest from a cDNA library, which involves the use of an amplification step to amplify the gene of interest and an enrichment step to remove the template plasmids.

Abstract: A method for efficiently searching novel physiologically active substances under a certain predictability. This searching method comprises, among receptors of cells producing an antagonist to a substance in vivo or receptors of cells producing an antagonist to the cells per se, finding a receptor having amino acid sequences of two or more sizes by comparing the cDNA sequences of the receptor, and then examining which region in the longer receptor is missed in the shorter receptor by comparing the above cDNA sequences. By using this method, remedies for diabetes comprising a peptide having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:1 or 5, insulin production regulators comprising a peptide having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:2, and gastric secretion inhibitors comprising a peptide having the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO:3 or 4 are provided.

Abstract: Mitochondrial mutations occur as a product of contact of a person with an environmental pollutant. Mitochondrial mutations are readily detectable in body fluids. Measurement of mitochondrial mutations in body fluids can be used as a dosimeter to monitor exposure to the environmental pollutant. Mitochondrial mutations can also be detected in cancer patients. Probes and primers containing mutant mitochondrial sequences can be used to monitor patient condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel nucleic acid molecules and proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules or degenerate variants thereof, that participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention represent the genes corresponding to the mammalian tub gene, a gene that is involved in the regulation of body weight.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods and assays for the early determination of whether a test agent is a carcinogen. These novel methods and assays are used to correlate the pattern of differential gene expression from mammalian cells treated with the test agent with reference patterns of differential gene expression of mammalian cells treated with known carcinogens. Further, the present invention is drawn to methods of use of DNA and RNA isolated from the treated mammalian cells as well as kits comprising same. The present invention also is drawn to methods of determining whether a test agent is a carcinogen by measuring protein synthesis or post-translational modifications from mammalian cells treated with the test agent compared with mammalian cells treated with a known carcinogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a microarray printing system and methods of printing probe microarrays. The system has a print head formed of one or more bundles of individual capillaries, such as light-guiding capillaries. The bundles may especially be random bundles of capillaries that provide a large number of probes on the surface of a substrate. Methods of registering or correlating the distal and proximal ends of the capillaries are also provided. Further, the invention provides methods and equipment for identifying defective microarrays that are missing one or more probes from the surface of the microarray.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the creation and screening of non-human animal models having chronic inflammation. Immunocompromised host animals are injected with a population of immunocompetent effector cells, depleted of CD25+ T cells. The effector cells are tolerant of the host major histocompatibility antigens, but reactive to at least one antigen present in the host animal. The transferred cells are preferably stimulated and localized by administration of an immunostimulant at a local site. The animals are useful for a variety of screening assays and for investigation into disease causes and pathways. A variety of chronic inflammatory diseases may be studied with this model, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis.