Abstract: The present invention makes availables assays and reagents inhibiting paracrine and/or autocrine signals produced by a hedgehog protein or aberrant activation of a hedgehog signal transduction pathway, e.g., which involve the use of a steroidal alkaloid or other small molecule.

Abstract: The present invention provides two novel polypeptides, referred to as the “N” and “C” fragments of hedgehog, or N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, respectively, which are derived after specific cleavage at a G?CF site recognized by the autoproteolytic domain in the native protein. Also included are sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described.

Abstract: Performing compliance processing is disclosed. An indication is received that compliance processing is to be performed with respect to content that is subject to an access restriction that would prevent the compliance processing from being performed if the content were not able to be accessed without the restriction. It is ensured that the content can be accessed without the restriction to perform the compliance processing.

Abstract: Content processing is disclosed. An indication that a sender desires to send encrypted content to a destination is received. An agreement is obtained from the sender to provide an access key to a node other than the destination and to encrypt content sent to the destination using an encryption key selected such that the access key is usable to decrypt the content.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for bit eye center retraining. In general, the system samples an incoming data stream to determine where transitions in the data stream occur, selectively compares the location of the transitions to the expected locations to produce difference values, and combines pairs of difference values to determine when the sample point of the data stream needs to be adjusted.

Abstract: The amount of dynamic content consumed by an audience at one or more locations in one or more content sites may be determined. This information may then be used by an inventory management system to forecast or estimate the future available advertising inventory at the locations. When the entity receives an insertion order, the entity may use the forecasted advertising inventory to help determine the locations to which the campaign should be allocated and when the advertising campaign should be scheduled so that the requirements of the advertising campaign can be met.

Abstract: The present invention provides two novel polypeptides, referred to as the “N” and “C” fragments of hedgehog, or N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, respectively, which are derived after specific cleavage at a G?CF site recognized by the autoproteolytic domain in the native protein. Also included are sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described.

Abstract: Hydrophobically-modified proteins and methods of making them are described. A hydrophobic moiety is attached to a surface amino acid residue of the protein. The hydrophobic moiety can be a lipid or a peptide. Alternatively, the protein can be derivatized by a wide variety of chemical reactions that append a hydrophobic structure to the protein. The preferred protein is of mammalian origin and is selected from the group consisting of Sonic, Indian, and Desert hedgehog. The hydrophobic moiety is used as a convenient tether to which may be attached a vesicle such as a cell membrane, liposome, or micelle.

Abstract: The present invention makes availables assays and reagents inhibiting paracrine and/or autocrine signals produced by a hedgehog protein or aberrant activation of a hedgehog signal transduction pathway, e.g., which involve the use of a steroidal alkaloid or other small molecule.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for processing auditory communications is disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises receiving an auditory communication, comparing a portion of the communication to a lexicon comprising a plurality of keywords to determine if there is a negative match to a first keyword from the lexicon, and quarantining the communication if the comparison returns a positive result, wherein the positive result indicates that the communication is not compliant.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for managing a lifecycle of an auditory communication is disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises receiving an auditory communication with associated data representing identified keywords in the communication and call transport information. A date for a disposition of the communication is determined from a portion of the identified keywords, a portion of the call transport information, or a portion of the policies invoked. The communication is associated with the date(s).

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for automated processing of an auditory communication is disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises receiving the auditory communication with call transport information, triggering a first policy based on the data, and selecting, based on the first policy, at least a first lexicon comprising a plurality of keywords. A first portion of the call is compared to the first lexicon to identify keywords matched by the first portion of the call, and a second policy is invoked based on the matched keywords. The action(s) specified by the second policy is taken. Actions may include termination of the call, joining a third party, archiving the call, changing a characteristic of the call, or further processing using another lexicon.

Abstract: A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for archiving auditory communications is disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises receiving an auditory communication with keywords identified in the communication, storing the communication on a storage device, and associating the stored communication with data indicating at least one policy invoked by at least one of the identified keywords.

Abstract: The present invention makes available methods and reagents for inducing activation of a hedgehog pathway in a cell or tissue comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog agonist, such as a small molecule, in a sufficient amount to achieve a therapeutic result. In certain embodiments, the methods and reagents may be employed to correct or inhibit an aberrant or unwanted growth state, e.g., by antagonizing a normal ptc pathway or agonizing smoothened or hedgehog activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides two novel polypeptides, referred to as the “N” and “C” fragments of hedgehog, or N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, respectively, which are derived after specific cleavage at a G↓CF site recognized by the autoproteolytic domain in the native protein. Also included are sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described.

Abstract: A compound represented in general formula (X) and (XI):

Abstract: The present invention makes available methods and reagents for inducing activation of a hedgehog pathway in a cell or tissue comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog agonist, such as a small molecule, in a sufficient amount to achieve a therapeutic result. In certain embodiments, the methods and reagents may be employed to correct or inhibit an aberrant or unwanted growth state, e.g., by antagonizing a normal ptc pathway or agonizing smoothened or hedgehog activity.

Abstract: The present invention sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof. Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described. In one aspect of the invention, the method provides a means for affecting cholesterol biosynthesis or transport in a cell comprising contacting a cell with an effective amount of a compound that affects hedgehog, thereby affecting cholesterol biosynthesis or transport. The effect may be inhibition or stimulation of cholesterol biosynthesis or transport.

Abstract: The present invention sterol-modified hedgehog polypeptides and functional fragments thereof Methods of identifying compositions which affect hedgehog activity based on inhibition of cholesterol modification of hedgehog protein are described. In one aspect of the invention, the method provides a means for affecting cholesterol biosynthesis or transport in a cell comprising contacting a cell with an effective amount of a compound that affects hedgehog, thereby affecting cholesterol biosynthesis or transport. The effect may be inhibition or stimulation of cholesterol biosynthesis or transport.

Abstract: The present invention makes available methods and reagents for modulating proliferation or differentiation in a cell or tissue comprising contacting the cell with a hedgehog agonist, such as the compounds depicted in FIGS. 32 and 33. In certain embodiments, the methods and reagents may be employed to correct or inhibit an aberrant or unwanted growth state, e.g., by antagonizing a normal ptc pathway or agonizing smoothened or hedgehog activity.