Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a nucleic acid target-dependent adapter linked to a nucleic acid sequence. The adapter comprises linked together a biosensor having a specific sequence complementary to a target sequence of a substrate, the biosensor improving the specificity of the nucleic acid sequence for the substrate, and a blocker stem sequence complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid sequence. In absence of the target sequence of the substrate, the blocker stem sequence forms an intramolecular stem with the nucleic acid sequence linked thereto, preventing exposition of the sequence of the nucleic acid sequence, thus locking the nucleic acid sequence so linked to the adapter in an inactive conformation, and in presence of the target sequence, the blocker stem sequence dissociating from the nucleic acid sequence, thus exposing the nucleic acid sequence linked to the adapter in an active conformation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a nucleic acid target-dependent adapter linked to a nucleic acid sequence. The adapter comprises linked together a biosensor having a specific sequence complementary to a target sequence of a substrate, the biosensor improving the specificity of the nucleic acid sequence for the substrate, and a blocker stem sequence complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid sequence. In absence of the target sequence of the substrate, the blocker stem sequence forms an intramolecular stem with the nucleic acid sequence linked thereto, preventing exposition of the sequence of the nucleic acid sequence, thus locking the nucleic acid sequence so linked to the adapter in an inactive conformation, and in presence of the target sequence, the blocker stem sequence dissociating from the nucleic acid sequence, thus exposing the nucleic acid sequence linked to the adapter in an active conformation.

Abstract: A method is described for cleaving a nucleic acid substrate with a nucleic acid enzyme at a cleavage site comprising mixing the substrate with the enzyme, wherein the substrate includes a 7 nucleotide sequence with at least 6 nucleotides 3? to the cleavage site and at least 1 nucleotide 5? to the cleavage site and of formula: 5?-H?GNNHNN-3? wherein each N is a nucleotide which may be the same or different, H is a nucleotide selected from the group consisting of A, U, C, and T, and is the site of cleavage, and H? is a ribonucleotide selected from the group consisting of A, U, and C, wherein (i) the first nucleotide 3? to the cleavage site is capable of forming a wobble pair with the enzyme, (ii) the second, third, fifth, and sixth nucleotides 3? to the cleavage site are capable of forming conventional Watson-Crick base pairs with the enzyme, (iii) the fourth nucleotide 3? to the cleavage site is capable of forming a non-conventional Watson-Crick base pair with the enzyme, and (iv) the first nucleotide 5? to

Abstract: Nucleozymes containing ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides or nucleic acid analogues are described herein. The nucleozymes have catalytic activity and are significantly more resistant to degradation than their all-RNA ribozyme counterparts. Also described are methods for preparing the nucleozymes along with methods of using nucleozymes, e.g., as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The log positioning and conveying apparatus is used for conveying a log from an upstream end to a downstream end, and for positioning a log according to a predetermined downstream position. The apparatus comprises an open frame and a number of powered conveying rollers arranged therein in a row. These rollers, in addition to being rotatable, are displaceable in two directions relative to the open frame, namely, in a vertical direction for correcting the position of the log vertically relative to the open frame, and in a horizontal direction transversal to the longitudinal axis of the conveying apparatus, for correcting the position of the log transversely relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The log positioning and conveying apparatus is used for conveying a log from an upstream end to a downstream end, and for positioning a log according to a predetermined downstream position. The apparatus comprises an open frame and a number of powered conveying rollers arranged therein in a row. These rollers, in addition to being rotatable, are displaceable in two directions relative to the open frame, namely, in a vertical direction for correcting the position of the log vertically relative to the open frame, and in a horizontal direction transversal to the longitudinal axis of the conveying apparatus, for correcting the position of the log transversely relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Nucleozymes containing ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides or nucleic acid analogues are described herein. The nucleozymes have catalytic activity and are significantly more resistant to degradation than their all-RNA ribozyme counterparts. Also described are methods for preparing the nucleozymes along with methods of using nucleozymes, e.g., as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Nucleozymes containing ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides or nucleic acid analogues are described herein. The nucleozymes have catalytic activity and are significantly more resistant to degradation than their all-RNA ribozyme counterparts. Also described are methods for preparing the nucleozymes along with methods of using nucleozymes, e.g., as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arbitrarily primed PCR-based method to identify genetic marker associated with a pathology, which comprises the steps of: a) collecting heterogeneous nucleic acid samples from diseased and healthy tissues; b) determining quantities of the nucleic acid pools by specific amplification of a fragment of glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA; c) amplifying nucleic acid pools of step b) using non-specific sense and antisense primers to obtain clear patterns of nucleic acid sequences; and d) subjecting amplified nucleic acid sequences to gel electrophoresis to obtain fingerprints of both diseased and healthy, wherein bands predominantly associated with diseased tissues are markers for the pathology. The present invention also relates to a RNA expression marker for the diagnosis of Crohn's disease, which comprises a 3.1 kb RNA sequence, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Nucleozymes containing ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides or nucleic acid analogues are described herein. The nucleozymes have catalytic activity and are significantly more resistant to degradation than their all-RNA ribozyme counterparts. Also described are methods for preparing the nucleozymes along with methods of using nucleozymes, e.g., as therapeutic agents.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating selected at least partial surfaces of a masonry block, including at least a flail having a shaft with an axis of rotation in a vertical plane, at least a moving mechanism for moving one of the masonry blocks parallel to the vertical plane and the flail, mechanism for holding the masonry blocks with the selected surface to be treated at a distance from the shaft to be impacted by the flail.

Abstract: Nucleozymes containing ribonucleotides and deoxyribonucleotides or nucleic acid analogues are described herein. The nucleozymes have catalytic activity and are significantly more resistant to degradation than their all-RNA ribozyme counterparts. Also described are methods for preparing the nucleozymes along with methods of using nucleozymes, e.g., as therapeutic agents.