Abstract: Methods and materials for modulating low-nitrogen tolerance levels in plants are disclosed. For example, nucleic acids encoding low nitrogen tolerance-modulating polypeptides are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acids to transform plant cells. Also disclosed are plants having increased low-nitrogen tolerance levels and plant products produced from plants having increased low-nitrogen tolerance levels.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the control of body weight of animals including mammals and humans, and more particularly to materials identified herein as modulators of weight, and to the diagnostic and therapeutic uses to which such modulators may be put. In its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to the elucidation and discovery of nucleotide sequences, and proteins putatively expressed by such nucleotides or degenerate variations thereof, that demonstrate the ability to participate in the control of mammalian body weight. The nucleotide sequences in object represent the genes corresponding to the murine and human ob gene, that have been postulated to play a critical role in the regulation of body weight and adiposity. Preliminary data, presented herein, suggests that the polypeptide product of the gene in question functions as a hormone.

Abstract: Non-infectious, non-replicating immunogenic HIV-like particles are produced by stable longn-term constitutive expression in mammalian cells by eliminating elements toxic to the mammalian cells. An expression vector contains a nucleic acid molecule comprising a modified HIV genome devoid of long terminal repeats and wherein Tat and vpr sequences are functionally disabled and a constitutive promoter operatively connected to the modified HIV genome for constitutive expression of the modified genome to produce the HIV-like particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of body weight disorders, including, but not limited to, obesity. Specifically, the present invention identifies and describes genes which are differentially expressed in body weight disorder states, relative to their expression in normal, or non-body weight disorder states, and/or in response to manipulations relevant to appetite and/or weight regulation. Further, the present invention identifies and describes genes via the ability of their gene products to interact with gene products involved in body weight disorders and/or appetite and/or body weight regulation. Still further, the present invention provides methods for the identification and therapeutic use of compounds as treatments of body weight disorders. Additionally, the present invention describes methods for the diagnostic evaluation and prognosis of various body weight disorders, and for the identification of subjects exhibiting a predisposition to such conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to stem cells isolated from the retina of mammals and retinal cells differentiated from these stem cells. The invention also relates to a method of isolating retinal stem cells and inducing retinal stem cells to produce retinal cells. Retinal stem cells may also be induced in vivo to produce retinal cells. The invention also includes pharmaceuticals made with retinal stem cells or retinal cells which may be used to restore vision lost due to diseases, disorders or abnormal physical states of the retina. The invention includes retinal stem cell and retinal cell culture systems for toxicological assays, for isolating genes involved in retinal differentiation or for developing tumor cell lines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a viral vector capable of the transfer and in vivo expression of growth-associated protein (B-50/GAP-43) in neuronal target cells of a mammalian host. The viral vector contains a recombinant DNA molecule comprising a B-50/GAP-43 gene operably associated with a promoter, which promoter controls short term, high level expression of the B-50/GAP-43 gene. Preferably, the viral vector is a defective viral vector, in particular a defective herpes virus or an adeno-associated virus. In a specific embodiment, defective herpesvirus, adenovirus, and adeno-associated virus viral vectors containing the rat B-50/GAP-43 gene under control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate early promoter have been prepared. The invention further provides a method for treating nerve damage in a subject. The method comprises introducing a vector comprising a B-50/GAP-43 gene operably associated with a promoter into a damaged nerve tissue of a subject.

Abstract: Synergistic combinations of nucleoside derivatives, pharmaceutical formulations containing said combinations and use of the combinations in the treatment of retroviral infections are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for identifying morphogen analogs. The preferred methods and compositions relate to the discovery that morphogen upregulation of the mouse type X collagen promoter activity is mediated by a MEF-2 like sequence and requires an adjacent AP-1 sequence. Certain methods rest on the use of test cells comprising DNA defining a morphogen-responsive transcription activating element operatively associated with a reporter gene. Other methods rest on the use of DNAs for measuring morphogen-inducible DNA-binding. In certain preferred embodiments, the methods and DNAs involve an osteogenic protein 1 (OP-1) responsive transcription activating element. Substances that mediate interaction with and/or activate the OP-1 responsive transcription activating element are considered herein likely to be useful for reproducing in vivo effects of morphogens such as OP-1.

Abstract: A nucleic acid sequence encoding an avian E. coli iss gene and an Iss polypeptide encoded thereby are disclosed. Methods for detecting and using such sequences are also provided as are immunogenic compositions and vaccines.

Abstract: A therepeutic method whereby an individual suspected of having an .alpha.-galactosidase A deficiency, such as Fabry disease, is treated either with (1) human cells that have been genetically modified to overexpress and secrete human .alpha.-gal A, or (2) purified human .alpha.-gal A obtained from cultured, genetically modified human cells.

Abstract: Methods for preparing cell lines that contain artificial chromosomes, methods for preparation of artificial chromosomes, methods for purification of artificial chromosomes, methods for targeted insertion of heterologous DNA into artificial chromosomes, and methods for delivery of the chromosomes to selected cells and tissues are provided. Also provided are cell lines for use in the methods, and cell lines and chromosomes produced by the methods. In particular, satellite artificial chromosomes that, except for inserted heterologous DNA, are substantially composed of heterochromatin are provided. Methods for use of the artificial chromosomes, including for gene therapy, production of gene products and production of transgenic plants and animals are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface anchoring vectors, a method for preparation of foreign proteins onto a cell surface and use thereof, which uses outer cell membrane protein, ice nucleation protein (NIP) derived from Pseudomonas syringae, a gram-negative bacterium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the identification of mutant strains of methicillin resistant bacteria, in particular methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, to identify the characteristics of such bacteria and develop drugs that can reverse, inhibit or reduce bacterial resistance to beta lactam antibiotics, e.g., methicillin. The invention particularly relates to identification of a novel mutant strain of methicillin resistant S. aureus that manifests a unique phenotype. The mutant strain lacks unsubstituted pentapeptide and incorporates alanylglutamate- and alanylisoglutamine-containing muropeptides, and accumulates large amounts of the UDP-linked muramyul dipeptide in the cytoplasmic wall precursor pool of the mutant. Based on the phenotypic consequences of the mutation, inhibitors of the lysine addition step in bacterial cell wall biosyntheis are identified as having therapeutic potential for reducing bacterial resistance to beta lactam antibiotics, notably methicillin.

Abstract: A composition comprising a synthetic growth factor analog comprising a non-growth factor heparin binding region, a linker and a sequence that binds specifically to a cell surface receptor and an osteoconductive material where the synthetic growth factor analog is attached to and can be released from the osteoconductive material and is an amplifier/co-activator of osteoinduction.

Abstract: This invention relates to 2-pyridyl substituted imidazoles which are inhibitors of the transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) type I receptor (ALK5) and/or the activin type I receptor (ALK4), methods for their preparation, and their use in medicine, specifically in the treatment and prevention of a disease state mediated by these receptors.

Abstract: This invention relates to use of inhibitors of the transforming growth factor-? (TGF-?) type I receptor (ALK5) and/or the activin type I receptor (ALK4) in treating, preventing, or reducing fibrosis, cancer, and vascular injuries.

Abstract: This invention relates to a liquid or semisolid oral drug formulation comprising a therapeutically active compound of the formula (I) or a geometric isomer, a stereoisomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester thereof or a metabolite thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable and bioavailable immediate release formulations comprising dopamine receptor ligands. Methods of treating various disorders by administering the formulations are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable and bioavailable immediate release formulations comprising dopamine receptor ligands. Methods of treating various disorders by administering the formulations are also described.

Abstract: Reagents and compositions for use in reactions catalysed by luciferase enzymes, and in particular for use in luciferase-based gene reporter assays are described. The invention also provides methods and compositions for, inter alia, increasing the sensitivity and/or improving the kinetics of luciferase-catalysed reactions.