Abstract: The present invention provides the amio acid of a protein that inhibits cellular apoptosis, herein termed the Survivin protein and nucleic acid molecules that encode Survivin. Based on this disclosure, the present invention provides isolated Survivin protein, isolated Survivin encoding nucleic acid molecules, methods of isolating other members of the Survivin family of proteins, methods for identifying agents that block Survivin mediated inhibition of cellular apoptosis, methods of using agents that block Survivin mediated inhibition or Survivin expression to modulate biological and pathological processes, and methods of assaying Survivin activity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel proteinaceous cell density signal molecule (CDS), which is secreted by fibroblastic cells in culture, preferably tendon cells, and which provides a means by which the cells self-regulate their proliferation and the expression of differentiated function. CDS, and the antibodies which recognize them, are important for the development of diagnostics and treatments for injuries and diseases involving connective tissues, particularly tendon. Also disclosed are methods of production and use.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed is an adjuvant for immunogenic, immunological, antigenic or vaccine compositions. The adjuvant is composed of insect cells or fractions thereof. Disclosed and claimed are also methods for preparing and using the adjuvant and compositions containing the adjuvant. Advantageously, a recombinant baculovirus containing DNA encoding and expressing an epitope of interest or antigen can be infected into insect cells such as insect cells derived from a Lepidopteran species such as S. frugiperda for expression, and the infected insect cells or a fraction thereof can be used with the expressed epitope of interest or antigen as an inventive antigen or in an inventive immunological, antigen or vaccine composition.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and apparatus for obtaining cellular, chemical, and other materials from breast ducts are described. A single milk duct is accessed and washed with a washing fluid to obtain marker materials from the lining the duct. The washing fluid is then collected, and the marker materials in the washing fluid identified and analyzed. Usually, the washing fluid is introduced using a syringe through a lumen of a dual-lumen catheter. The ductal volume is filled with the washing fluid and excess fluid flows outwardly through a second lumen of the dual-lumen catheter, from which it is collected.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for improving the effectiveness of a chemotherapeutic regimen to eradicate multidrug-resistant transformed cells from the body of a mammal, preferably from the body of a human. The present disclosure capitalizes on the discovery of a novel multidrug-resistance associated protein (MRP), herein designated MRP-.beta.. The disclosed compositions include MRP-.beta. nucleic acids, including probes and antisense oligonucleotides, MRP-.beta. polypeptides and antibodies, MRP-.beta. expressing host cells, and non-human mammals transgenic or nullizygous for MRP-.beta.. The disclosed methods include methods for attenuating aberrant MRP-.beta. gene expression, protein production and/or protein function. In addition, methods are disclosed for identifying and using a modulator, such as an inhibitor, of MRP-.beta.. Preferably, the modulator is a small molecule.

Abstract: A carrier for delivering a foreign substance to a target organ which comprises a graft copolymer in which hyaluronic acid is grafted on a polymer composing main chain, wherein the main chain has a part capable of binding to the foreign substance electrostatically, and contains one or more monomer unit having side chain with amino or imino group capable of coupling to hyarulonic acid, which is useful for delivering a foreign substance to a target organ, especially liver.

Abstract: In a method of diagnosing a malignant disorder or its precursor stage, the percentage parts N.sub.i of blood cells in a size range of i=6 .mu.m to i=16 .mu.m in two blood samples of a patient, an arterial or capillary blood sample (A) and a venous blood sample (V) are determined based on the total number of blood cells in the arterial or capillary blood sample and the venous blood sample, the values obtained thereby a multiplied by a weighting factor .alpha..sub.1 and are then summed up and from the sums A and V, respectively the values x=A+V and y=A-V are calculated and the deviation of the values x and y from the values x and y of a healthy person are determined for diagnosing the disorder.

Abstract: PSP94 occurs in the serum mainly as a complex with carrier protein. Determination of bound PSP94 provides an indicator of prognosis in prostate cancer and assists in diagnosis of prostate cancer in patients with borderline elevations of PSA.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies to transforming growth factor beta (TGF-B) are prepared from hybrid cell lines by immunizing with TGF-B2. The antibodies may be of any isotype and may be of any mammalian origin such as murine or human origin. Therapeutic applications utilizing the TGF-B monoclonal antibody are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting active antibody production in a blood sample by contacting, in the presence and absence of protein synthesis inhibitor, aliquots of the sample with a solid phase under conditions which permit antibody production and secretion by the lymphocytes; detecting in solution, binding of antibody to the antigen(s) on the solid phase; and comparing the antibody binding in the presence or absence of protein synthesis inhibitor, whereby to obtain a determination of the amount of active antibody secretion in response to the antigen(s); and kits for performing the method. The method may also be modified to allow detection of non-specific infection indicators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mutant Salmonella sp. having a genetically modified msbB gene in which the mutant Salmonella is capable of targeting solid tumors. The present invention further relates to the therapeutic use of the mutant Salmonella for growth inhibition and/or reduction in volume of solid tumors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid construct for expressing an active substance which is activated by an enzyme which is released from mammalian cells, which construct comprises the following components: a) at least one promoter element, b) at least one DNA sequence which encodes an active compound (protein B) c) a least one DNA sequence which encodes an amino acid sequence (part structure C) which can be cleaved specifically by an enzyme which is released from a mammalian cell, and d) at least one DNA sequence which encodes a peptide or protein (part structure D) which is bound to the active compound (protein B) by way of the cleavable amino acid sequence (part structure C) and inhibits the activity of the active compound (protein B), and also to the use of the nucleic acid construct for preparing a drug for treating diseases.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for improving the effectiveness of a chemotherapeutic regimen to eradicate multidrug-resistant transformed cells from the body of a mammal, preferably from the body of a human. The present disclosure capitalizes on the discovery of a novel multidrug-resistance associated protein (MRP), herein designated MRP-.beta.. The disclosed compositions include MRP-.beta. nucleic acids, including probes and antisense oligonucleotides, MRP-.beta. polypeptides and antibodies, MRP-.beta. expressing host cells, and non-human mammals transgenic or nullizygous for MRP-.beta.. The disclosed methods include methods for attenuating aberrant MRP-.beta. gene expression, protein production and/or protein function. In addition, methods are disclosed for identifying and using a modulator, such as an inhibitor, of MRP-.beta.. Preferably, the modulator is a small molecule.

Abstract: Fusions of the transcription factor E2F and the retinoblastoma protein RB are provided, along with methods of treatment of hyperproliferative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions containing beta-alanine which are useful for treating cancer. The composition preferably comprises a ribose compound, L-beta-alanine, ascorbic acid, and nicotinic acid. The present invention is particularly directed to a composition useful for treating melanoma, and a method for treating melanoma with the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel gene regulated by FOS and RAS transforming pathways, which is identified as dft-A, and which comprises the sequence set forth in FIG. 3. There is also disclosed the novel dft-A protein and an antibody recognizing same. The present invention also relates to a diagnostic method of identifying dft-A mutations in cancer or other diseases in a biological sample of a patient, which comprises: a) subjecting DNA present in the patient's sample to gene sequencing; and b) comparing the sequenced DNA with the sequence of dft-A gene to identify dft-A mutations. The present invention also relates to a diagnostic method of identifying change in dft-A protein level in cancer or other diseases in a biological sample of a patient, which comprises: a)subjecting the patient's sample to the anti-dft-A antibody to form an antibody-dft-A protein complex; and b) detecting the antibody-dft-A protein complex to determine the dft-A protein level in the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique DNA segment and a previously unknown PDZK1 protein as a marker system indicative of cells and tissues in an abnormal cellular state and which are undergoing a progressive loss of cell regulation and control. The isolated DNA sequence encodes the PDZK1 protein; and the expressed PDZK1 protein, particularly when present in large or excessive quantitative amounts, is a reliable and reproducible biochemical marker that an ongoing neoplastic development is occurring within cell and tissues of epithelial cell origin.

Abstract: Bovine bone cells express osteometrin, a 35 kDA phosphoprotein specifically expressed in bone and dentin tissue. We have found that protein reactive with anti-osteometrin antisera is detectable in a wide range of species, and that osteometrin expression is detectable during mineralization of bone tissue. Our findings establish that osteometrin is an indicator of bone metabolism and may be involved in highly conserved aspects of bone and dentin metabolism. Osteometrin is used as a marker for osteoporosis and bone cancer.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel human integral membrane protein (TMP-2) and polynucleotides which encode TMP-2. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antisense molecules, antibodies, or antagonists. The invention also provides methods for treating disorders associated with expression of TMP-2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant toxin and monoclonal antibody which specifically binds to glial-derived or meningioma-derived tumor cells. Also provided are various methods of screening for malignant gliomas and meningiomas. Further provided are methods of treating malignant gliomas, including glioblastoma multiforme and astrocytomas.