Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a non human animal model for aortic aneurysm which could provide insight into the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment or the prevention of aneurysm in a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: A method for the pre-treatment of an intervertebral disc prior to the introduction of a disc prosthesis or implant includes removing at least a portion of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc to expose at least a portion of the endplate of an adjacent vertebra to the disc. A fluent treatment material is then injected into the disc space to come into contact with the portion of the endplate. The fluent treatment material is operable to prepare the portion of the endplate to accommodate a disc prosthesis, implant or graft subsequently introduced into the disc space. Different fluent treatment materials are provided that depend upon the condition of the vertebral endplates.

Abstract: Reconstituted human breast tumor models are disclosed. The models, which are incorporated into mice, provide actual tumors that arise spontaneously, thereby mimicking naturally occurring breast cancer. The tumors are genetically human, because they arise from human mammary tissues that develop from human mammary epithelial cells implanted into host mice. Prior to implantation, the mammary epithelial cells are genetically modified to contain either: (a) a recombinant human oncogene and an SV40er; or (b) a recombinant human oncogene, a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the p53 pathway, and a transgene or shRNA that inhibits the Rb pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal model systems comprising a chimera between an avian embryo and a mammalian organism. Specifically, chimeric model systems comprising normal, diseased or genetically transformed mammalian cells and tissues transplanted into avian embryos, and uses thereof for in vivo testing of drugs and therapeutic modalities are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transgenic non-human animal comprising a human-derived LXR? mutant gene to express a human LXR? mutant protein, wherein the human LXR? mutant is an isoform of LXR? involved in inhibition of normal cholesterol metabolism by normal LXR?; a nucleic acid construct which can be used to produce the transgenic non-human animal; and use thereof.

Abstract: Genetic modification or selection of avians requires that large numbers of birds be genetically analyzed for sequences of interest. Typically, DNA is extracted on an individual basis from samples taken from the birds. Current methods of DNA extraction extract the DNA from blood or other tissues using tedious and time-consuming procedures. The present invention provides a high throughput screening assay for detecting a genetic sequence in multiple samples. The assay further provides a DNA extraction method that allows DNA to be extracted rapidly from multiple avian samples, such as red blood cells. The extraction method is extremely reliable and does not require that each sample be quantitated post-extraction. The extracted DNA can be used for a variety of genetic assays, including a high throughput screening assay to identify insertion of a transgene. The present invention is particularly useful for extracting DNA from nucleated RBCs.

Abstract: The present invention related to non-human mammal embryonic stem (ES) cells stably transfected with a DNA construct comprising a DNA sequence coding for a non-cell damaging fluorescent protein and a cell- and/or development-dependent promoter operably linked with said DNA sequence; a method for preparing such ES cells; a cell culture obtainable by culturing said ES cells; a method for the toxicological examination of substances using such cell cultures; a method for producing transgenic non-human mammals using said ES cells; a transgenic non-human mammal obtainable by said method; and a method for examining stages of cellular development using cells of such a non-human mammal.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-invasive methods and compositions to differentiate, with a high level of sensitivity and specificity, swine that are genetically susceptible to diseases associated with F18 E. coli infection, from resistant swine. DNA polymorphisms in the swine alpha (1,2) fucosyltransferase 1 (FUT1) gene were used to differentiate resistant from susceptible swine. The invention includes a polypeptide with amino acid substitutions, encoded by the nucleotide polymorphisms, a molecular diagnostic assay, and a kit for the differentiation, of E. coli F18-adhesion resistant, heterozygous (carrier) and homozygous susceptible pigs. The molecular test identifies susceptibility to oedema disease and postweaning diarrhea with high sensitivity and specificity, therefore, is useful to swine breeder in their effort to enhance for resistance. Information on the polymorphisms of the present invention provides insight into causation and treatment of E. coli associated intestinal disorders.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of transferring in vivo a molecule into a striated muscle cell. More specifically, a method of the invention comprises contacting in vivo a striated muscle cell with a molecule, and electrically stimulating the muscle cell with one or more unipolar pulses of an electric field intensity ranging from 1 to 800 V/cm2. In one embodiment, the molecule is a nucleic acid encoding a protein of interest. For example, the invention provides methods of promoting angiogenesis and hemostasis.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production and use of retroviral vectors for cell specific gene transfer, specially to a production method of retroviral vectors containing capsid particles of murine leukemia virus (MLV) and envelope proteins of human immunodeficiency vises (HIV) or simian immunodeficiency viruses (SIV). Said vectors can be used for gene transfer in selected cell types, specially in CD4-positive mammal cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for increasing the efficiency of transformation of cycling cells, the methods comprising synchronizing cells at a first stage of the cell cycle, and transforming the cells at a second stage of the cell cycle within about one cell cycle of the first stage with a genetically engineered nucleic acid that encodes a desired gene product. The invention further relates to cancer therapy and, in particular, to methods of efficiently transforming cancer cells with nucleic acids that encode gene products that inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel serotonin-gated anion channel that is permeable to chloride ions. Also disclosed are methods for the screening of therapeutics useful for treating serotonin-mediated cellular responses and conditions, as well as diagnostic methods for identifying such conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an isolated polynucleotide comprising a lectin gene regulation site of a mud loach, expressed as SEQ ID NO: 1, an expression vector comprising a lectin gene regulation site of a mud loach, an expression vector comprising a lectin gene regulation site of a mud loach and a growth hormone gene of a mud loach, and an expression vector comprising a lectin gene regulation site of a mud loach and a growth hormone gene of a carp. Also provided a method of making a transgenic mud loach or carp comprising microinjecting the expression vector of a growth hormone gene into fertilized eggs of a mud loach or carp and culturing the eggs such that the eggs hatch and result in a mud loach or carp fish which expresses the growth hormone gene at levels which increase the rate of growth of the fish relative to wild-type mud loach or carp, and a mud loach or carp transformed with the expression vector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an immunoglobulin-like protein useful in preventing or treating pathologies concerned with herpes simplex virus 1, herpes simplex virus 2 infections in humans.

Abstract: This invention provides a vaccine for protecting an avian species against infectious bursal disease virus which comprises an effective immunizing amount of a vector comprising 1) one or more isolated nucleic acids encoding an infectious bursal disease virus polypeptide; and 2) a suitable carrier and/or adjuvant.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of recombinant baculovirus vectors, and host insect cells, which comprise at least one oligosaccharide processing enzyme gene. The vectors and cells may optionally comprise other heterologous structural genes, including further protein processing enzymes. Methods of making and using the recombinant baculoviruses and vectors are provided, including their uses in recombiant protein production and as insecticides.

Abstract: The invention discloses a substantially pure population of human pancreatic progenitor cells and methods of isolating and culturing the pancreatic progenitor cells. By carefully manipulating the microenvironment of the pancreatic progenitor cells, multiple passages are attainable wherein the pancreatic progenitor cells do not senesce and furthermore, are capable of becoming functional exocrine or endocrine cells. In addition, several methods of use of human pancreatic progenitor cells are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to immunosuppression and, in particular, to a method of inducing an immunosuppressive effect. The invention further relates to a method of screening compounds for immunosuppressive activity.

Abstract: A method of treating rheumatoid arthritis of an individual is disclosed. The method comprises the step of expressing within the individual at least an immunologically recognizable portion of a cytokine from an exogenous polynucleotide encoding the at least a portion of the cytokine, wherein a level of expression of the at least a portion of the cytokine is sufficient to induce the formation of anti-cytokine immunoglobulins which serve for neutralizing or ameliorating the activity of a respective and/or cross reactive endogenous cytokine, to thereby treat rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding mammalian ECM signalling molecules affecting the cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation activities characterizing such complex biological processes as angiogenesis. chondrogenesis, and oncogenesis, are provided. The polynucleotide compositions include DNAs and RNAs comprising part, or all, of an ECM signalling molecule coding sequence, or biological equivalents. Polypeptide compositions are also provided. The polypeptide compositions comprise mammalian ECM signalling molecules, peptide fragments, inhibitory peptides capable of interacting with receptors for ECM signalling molecules, and antibody products recognizing Cyr61. Also provided are methods for producing mammalian ECM signalling molecules. Further provided are methods for using mammalian ECM signalling molecules to screen for, and/or modulate, disorders associated with angiogenesis, chondrogenesis, and oncogenesis; ex vivo methods for using mammalian ECM signalling molecules to prepare blood products are also provided.