Abstract: The present invention relates to coccidia strains and, in one embodiment, to microbiological cultures comprising such strains. In preferred embodiments, the coccidia strains are selected for tolerance to one group of coccidiostatic drugs, sensitivity to a second group of coccidiostatic drugs, and decreased proliferative capacity. Another embodiment of the invention relates to vaccines based on the coccidia strains according to the invention.

Abstract: A novel gene 024P4C12 (also designated 24P4C12) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 24P4C12 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 24P4C12 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 24P4C12 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 24P4C12 can be used in active or passive immunization.

Abstract: Antibodies to the CNA protein and to other regions from the collagen binding domain, including domain CNA19, are provided, and antibodies produced in this manner have been shown to be cross reactive to both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria and which can thus be used in the prevention and treatment of infections caused by both of these types of bacteria. In addition, medical instruments can be treated using the antibodies of the invention in order to reduce or eliminate the possibility of their becoming infected or further spreading the infection. In particular, the proteins are advantageous because they are cross-reactive and may thus be administered to patients so as to reduce or prevent severe infection by staphylococcal bacteria of more than one species.

Abstract: The invention comprises plasmids and viral vectors containing an animal p53as cDNA sequence. A portion of the p53as sequence may be identified to a position of wild type p53 gene from the same animal. In preferred embodiments, the p53as is mouse or human p53as. A preferred viral vector is baculovirus vector. The invention further includes antibodies both polyclonal and monoclonal, to p53as and to at least a portion of human p53 intron 10 sequence encoding SLRPFKALVREKGHRPSSHSC (SEQ. I.D. NO. 1) which is related to p53as sequences and plasmids and viral vectors containing such sequences. All of the above find utility in studying p53 and p53as and their relative expressions which is believed important for detection and control of malignant cells and their susceptibility to treatment agents.

Abstract: An active or passive vaccine utilizing purified non-toxic mutant TcdB toxins from Clostridium difficile for humans and animals against infections caused by C. difficile and/or C. sordellii. Persons most potentially affected by C. difficile infections include hospitalized patients, infants, and elderly persons. The TcdB toxin mutant of the vaccine preferably lacks the toxicity of a native C. difficile TcdB toxin. A serum comprising antibodies raised to the TcdB toxin mutant is also available for treating humans or animals against C. difficile infections. The serum may be used in a method for conferring passive immunity against C. difficile. Antibodies to the TcdB toxin mutant may be used in diagnostic tests or in treatments to clear TcdB toxin from bodily fluids. The mutant TcdB toxin may be produced by recombinant methods using cDNA encoding the toxin, the cDNA contained for example in a plasmid or host cell.

Abstract: A novel gene 0161P2F10B (also designated 161P2F10B) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 161P2F10B exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberranty expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 161P2F10B provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 161P2F10B gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 161P2F10B can be used in active or passive immunization.

Abstract: A novel gene, PB39, that is up-regulated, or over-expressed, in prostate cancer has been identified. The gene has been identified by means of its cDNA obtained by reverse transcription of the corresponding mRNA. Microdissection of prostate glands that had been surgically removed from prostate cancer patients revealed a novel up-regulated transcript in an aggressive prostate carcinoma. Differential analysis for the presence of this gene was carried out from the same glands by comparing transcription in microdissected normal prostatic epithelium versus that in microdissected invasive tumor. The transcript was over-expressed in 5 of 10 prostate carcinomas examined. A variant transcript was over-expressed in 4 of 4 prostate carcinomas, and was found in 1 of 4 normal samples.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of inducing apoptosis of a malignant cell, which employs a calcium-activated potassium channel (KCa) activator and is useful for treating a malignant tumor in a human subject. Also disclosed are methods of selectively inhibiting the proliferation of malignant cells compared to non-malignant cells in a mixed population of malignant and non-malignant cells and of inhibiting the growth of a malignant tumor, such as a glial tumor, in a mammalian subject. A kit for inducing apoptosis of malignant cells is also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel gene (designated 101P3A11 and also referred to as PHOR-1) and its encoded protein are described. While 101P3A11 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, it is aberrantly expressed in prostate, colon and kidney cancers. Thus, 101P3A11 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 101P3A11 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit an immune response.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells, as well as methods for detecting and treating various cancers, including cancer of the brain, lung, breast, prostate and colon. The method comprises contacting a cancer cell with a molecule that disrupts the biological activity of a GDOX molecule. In one embodiment, the molecule is an antibody directed against a GDOX peptide. In other embodiments, the molecule is an antisense nucleotide directed against a GDOX nucleic acid molecule, or a vaccine comprising a GDOX peptide or a polynucleotide encoding a GDOX peptide. The invention additionally provides methods for detecting and treating cancer using GDOX-related molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for cancer therapies and diagnostics, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present invention provides tumor antigens associated with specific cancers and diagnostic assays for the detection of such antigens and associated autoantibodies as indicative of the presence of specific cancers. The present invention further provides cancer immunotherapy utilizing the tumor antigens of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments having a cell death-inhibitory activity, having the amino acid sequence consisting of 103 amino acid residues at the C-terminal of selenoprotein P, or having said amino acid sequence with one or several amino acid residues therein being deleted, substituted or added, or having a partial sequence of either of the above amino acid sequences, a medicament for treatment comprising said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments, an antibody to said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments, and a method for screening a cell death-inhibitory activity using said peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments. The preferable peptide fragment or a series of peptide fragments of the present invention has the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or SEQ ID NO: 2 or has a partial sequence thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to newly discovered human histone deacetylases (HDACs), also referred to as histone deacetylase-like polypeptides. The polynucleotide sequences and encoded polypeptides of the novel HDACs are encompassed by the invention, as well as vectors comprising these polynucleotides and host cells comprising these vectors. The invention also relates to antibodies that bind to the disclosed HDAC polypeptides, and methods employing these antibodies. Also related are methods of screening for modulators, such as inhibitors or antagonists, or agonists. The invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic applications which employ the disclosed HDAC polynucleotides, polypeptides, and antibodies, and HDAC modulators. Such applications can be used with diseases and disorders associated with abnormal cell growth or proliferation, cell differentiation, and cell survival, e.g., neoplastic cell growth, and especially breast and prostate cancers or tumors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the newly identified cancer therapeutic targets and biomarkers. These targets/biomarkers are overexpressed in carcinomas generally, and more specifically to adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The invention provides methods of diagnosis, characterization, and therapy of carcinoma based on the degree of overexpression of the targets/biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conjugate containing a moiety linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor lymphatic vasculature. The invention also provides a method of directing a moiety to tumor lymphatic vasculature in a subject by administering to the subject a conjugate containing a moiety linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor lymphatic vasculature.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating, preventing, or diagnosing epidermal or dermal disorders, e.g., psoriasis, are disclosed. The methods and compositions of the invention use binding agents, e.g., antibodies, specific for the extracellular domain of human prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating conditions requiring removal or destruction of harmful or unwanted cells in a patient, such as benign and malignant tumors, using compounds containing or based on peptides comprising a part of the amino acid sequence of a neural thread protein.

Abstract: Novel forms of mutant BAD polypeptides or fragments thereof having amino acid substitutions for serine-155 are provided along with their encoding polynucleotides. Also disclosed are methods for preparation of the mutant BAD polypeptides, methods for screening candidate compounds and drugs for activity that promotes cell survival or apoptosis, methods for screening candidate compounds and drugs for phosphatase activity capable of dephosphorylating BAD, methods for screening candidate compounds and drugs for kinase activity capable of phosphorylating BAD, methods for screening candidate compounds and drugs for activity that promotes phosphorylation of BAD, anti-BAD antibodies, and methods for inhibiting and inducing apoptosis.

Abstract: Nkx2-C4 polypeptides and polynucleotides and methods for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing Nkx2-C4 polypeptides and polynucleotides in diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A novel isolated and purified human protein inhibitor of apoptosis, termed livin, is described. A cDNA sequence which encodes the native inhibitor of apoptosis (livin) is disclosed as well as the structural coding region and the amino acid residue sequence. Molecular sequences are provided for the design and synthesis of entities that modulate biological and/or pharmacological activity of the native biomolecule. Methods are provided which employ the sequences to identify compounds that modulate biological and/or pharmacological activity of the native biomolecule. Biologically-effective antisense molecules as well as dominant negative mutant versions of the livin protein which are suitable for therapeutic are also provided. The invention is also drawn toward the study, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pathophysiological disorders related to apoptosis.