Abstract: The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a method of determining fatty acid composition in intramuscular fat on the basis of bovine genotype, in particular a method of simply determining an amount of an oleic acid content with a high degree of accuracy, and a method of objectively determining the goodness of eating quality of beef on the basis of the results of the determination. The present invention provides a method of determining an amount of fatty acid content in bovine intramuscular fat on the basis of the genotype of fatty acid synthase determined by determining base <1> and/or base <2> described below, and a method of determining whether cattles are those from which beef with an excellent eating quality is obtained on the basis of the results thereof. <1> A 16,024th base corresponding to a polymorphic site which is either adenine (A) or guanine (G) in a base sequence represented by SEQ ID NO. 1 of a sequence list.

Abstract: Homozygous alterations in the gap junction protein GJB2 (connexin 26), within the DFNB1 locus, are responsible for up to 50% of autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing impairment (NSHI). Analysis of the GJB2 promoter revealed the potential importance of T-228C in the regulation of GJB2 expression. Of regulatory factors known to be expressed in the inner ear, the T-228C transition would delete potential binding sites for the X-box binding protein (RFX1) and the H6 homeobox 3 (HMX3/Nk×5.1) transcription factor which has been linked to hearing impairment. These results suggest that T-228C may represent the most common mutation associated with development of NSHI in Caucasian populations identified to date and should be included in worldwide newborn screening programs for NSHI.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.

Abstract: Two (or more), -component, body-implantable, absorbable, biocompatible, putty, and non-putty hemostatic tamponades for use in surgery. Component 1 is a finely powdered bulking material, preferably less than 50 microns, e.g. the calcium, magnesium, aluminum, or barium salts of saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids containing about 6 to 22 carbon atoms, hydroxyapatite, DBM, polyglycolide, polylactide, polydioxinones, polycaprolactones, absorbable glasses, gelatin, collagens, mono, and polysaccharides starches.

Abstract: The presence of horns within commercial cattle populations increases the chances of injuries. The Polled (hornless) condition in cattle has existed since domestication, and it has been selected by breeders because of its economic importance and ease of management. A dominant mutation is believed to cause the polled phenotype. The present invention relates to the identification of breed-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their haplotypes, in the bovine genome, in or near gene(s) encoding polypeptides associated with the Polled phenotyped in beef production.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a honeycomb film made of a biodegradable polymer which has biodegradation properties as an anti-adhesion membrane for preventing adhesion after an operation, is excellent in handling properties, and exhibits a satisfactory adhesion preventive effect stably over a desired period of time, and to a production process of the same. Above all, the invention provides an anti-adhesion membrane of a honeycomb film made of polylactic acid as a biodegradable polymer and a phospholipid and a production process of the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns the use of a genomic marker comprising a nucleotide sequence corresponding to all or part of the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No 1, or to all or a part of an allele of the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID No 1 and associated with the phenotype relating to the tenderness of the meat from bovines, for the implementation of any identification method for the quantification of DNAJA1 expression level with the aim of selecting and/or sorting ruminant animals of the bovine type which produce tender meat and/or for the implementation of an identification method of tender meats at the moment of slaughter by direct sampling from the carcass. The invention concerns identification methods using the real time RT-PCR technique, the hybridization of labelling cDNA with an oligonucleotide probe and the detection of antigen-antibody complexes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.

Abstract: The novel means by which an efficiency of ovum collection can be easily determined in bovine at gene level is disclosed. The present inventors performed the genomic linkage analysis using bovine populations with high and low efficiency of ovum collection and to identify GRIA1 gene, which encodes an ion channel protein, as a factor deeply related to an efficiency of ovum collection. Bovines having a mutation (e.g. the amino acid substitution of aa306) in GRIA1 produce significantly fewer ova on superovulatory treatment than those not having the mutation. Therefore, the efficiency of ovum collection can be determined based on the existence of a mutation in GRIA1 gene.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with liver fibrosis and related pathologies. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, including groups of nucleic acid molecules that may be used as a signature marker set, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.

Abstract: Methods for identifying forensic samples using panels of markers and gene expression profiling, including without limitation, mRNA profiling, miRNA profiling, or both, are disclosed. Panels of markers for identifying certain tissue samples and certain body fluid samples are also disclosed. Kits for expediting performance of certain of the disclosed methods are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymorphic MRP-1 polynucleotide. Moreover, the invention relates to genes or vectors comprising the polynucleotides of the invention and to a host cell genetically engineered with the polynucleotide or gene of the invention. Further, the invention relates to methods for producing molecular variant polypeptides or fragments thereof, methods for producing cells capable of expressing a molecular variant polypeptide and to a polypeptide or fragment thereof encoded by the polynucleotide or the gene of the invention or which is obtainable by the method or from the cells produced by the method of the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to an antibody which binds specifically the polypeptide of the invention. Moreover, the invention relates to a transgenic non-human animal. The invention also relates to a solid support comprising one or a plurality of the above mentioned polynucleotides, genes, vectors, polypeptides, antibodies or host cells.

Abstract: This invention generally pertains to the field of psychiatry. In particular, this invention relates to, inter alia, the discovery that a subject's serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism genotype can be used to determine the subject's response to certain drug therapies.

Abstract: Nitric Oxide (NO)-releasing polymers useful as implantable medical devices and coatings therefore are provided. Specifically the implantable medical devices and/or coatings comprise NO-releasing biodegradable polymers derived from [1,4] oxazepan-7-one and its derivatives. The medical devices and coatings of the present invention can also be used for in situ controlled release delivery of additional bioactive agents and are useful for treating or preventing medical conditions such as restenosis, aneurysms and vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: An A-to-T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) identified at position ?134 relative to the ATG start codon, in the Pro-Melanin-Concentrating Hormone (PMCH) gene of Bos taurus and Bos indicus animals of both British and Continental type, is associated with changes in the average fat and grade fat. The A allele occurred in 67% of cattle examined and was associated with higher average fat and grade fat levels. The cattle industry may make use of these findings to genetically select for, and/or sort, cattle using this SNP.