Abstract: The invention provides assays for modulators of neuronal apoptosis. The assays include measurement of the levels of p53, Bad, Bax, p21, p27 and phosphorylated Rb in neurons which have been induced to undergo apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA expression vector comprising a T&agr;l &agr;-tubulin promoter operatively linked upstream to a marker gene sequence relative to the direction of transcription in a eukaryotic expression vector adapted to be introduced into a mammal, or ancestor of the mammal at an embryonic stage and the promoter is controlling transcription of the marker gene. The present invention also relates to a method for testing material suspected of promoting neurogenesis and neuronal growth which comprises exposing a transgenic mammal according to the present invention to the material and detecting the expressed marker gene as an indication of neurogenesis and neuronal growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA expression vector comprising a T.alpha.l .alpha.-tubulin promoter operatively linked upstream to a marker gene sequence relative to the direction of transcription in a eukaryotic expression vector adapted to be introduced into a mammal, or ancestor of the mammal at an embryonic stage and said promoter is controlling transcription of the marker gene. The present invention also relates to a method for testing material suspected of promoting neurogenesis and neuronal growth which comprises exposing a transgenic mammal according to the present invention said material and detecting said expressed marker gene as an indication of neurogenesis and neuronal growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA expression vector comprising a T.alpha.1 .alpha.-tubulin promoter operatively linked upstream to a marker gene sequence relative to the direction of transcription in a eukaryotic expression vector adapted to be introduced into a mammal, or ancestor of the mammal at an embryonic stage and said promoter is controlling transcription of the marker gene. The present invention also relates to a method for testing material suspected of promoting neurogenesis and neuronal growth which comprises exposing a transgenic mammal according to the present invention said material and detecting said expressed marker gene as an indication of neurogenesis and neuronal growth.

Abstract: A guard strip disposed on each lateral side of a vehicle for protecting doors, fenders, or the like which is moveably extendable from a first position, in which the strip has the aesthetic appearance of a conventional, decorative (usually chrome) strip found on a vehicle, to a second position away from the lateral surface of the vehicle extending outwardly to establish a spaced guard strip whenever the vehicle is parked.

Abstract: A device for improving dispensing of fluid from a nursing bottle that maintains the proper pressure to prevent an infant, while using the nursing bottle, from receiving air. The device is used with a conventional nursing bottle employing a flexible bag within the bottle structure and operates to provide a force against the bag to insure that no air is received in the bag, insuring that the infant, while feeding, receives no air. Specifically, the device includes a pneumatic biasing member which is inserted by an attached handle into the base opening of the nursing bottle and is placed in communication with the flexible bag containing the baby's formula. The pneumatic biasing member is pressed against the flexible bag to effectively regulate the proper fluid pressure within the bag such that an infant may feed from the nursing bottle without receiving air, with or without attendant supervision.