Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for screening for pharmacological agents which regulate gene expression in mammals. An exemplary assay involves (a) contacting a mammalian cell comprising a knock-in mutant of a targeted native allele encoding a reporter of gene expression, wherein the expression of the reporter is under the control of the gene expression regulatory sequences of the native allele, with a candidate agent under conditions whereby but for the presence of the agent, the reporter is expressed at a first expression level; and, (b) measuring the expression of the reporter to obtain a second expression level, wherein a difference between the first and second expression levels indicates that the candidate agent modulates gene expression.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of the receptors.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of the receptors.

Abstract: Methods for identifying modulators of nuclear hormone receptor function comprise the steps of (a) forming a mixture comprising a nuclear hormone receptor, a peptide sensor and a candidate agent, but not a natural coactivator protein of the receptor, wherein the sensor provides direct, in vitro binding to the receptor under assay conditions; (b) measuring an agent-biased binding of the sensor to the receptor; and (c) comparing the agent-biased binding with a corresponding unbiased binding of the sensor to the receptor. In particular embodiments, the sensor comprises an amphipathic alpha helix nuclear hormone interacting domain comprising a recited nuclear hormone transcriptional coactivator motif sequence, the sensor is present at sub-micromolar concentration, the binding reaction occurs in solution, the sensor comprises a fluorescent label and the measuring step comprises detecting fluorescence polarization of the label.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of the receptors.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled exhaust assembly with cold trap capability. One embodiment of the exhaust assembly comprises a multi-heater design which allows for independent multi-zone closed-loop temperature control. Another embodiment comprises a compact multi-valve uni-body design incorporating a single heater for simplified closed-loop temperature control. The cold trap incorporates a heater for temperature control at the inlet of the trap to minimize undesirable deposits. One embodiment also comprises a multi-stage cold trap and a particle trap. As a removable unit, this cold trap provides additional safety in the handling and disposal of the adsorbed condensables.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel apparatus and method for stabilizing the frequency of a laser. To avoid the effect that a single-frequency absorption spectrum is easy to be affected by variations of laser power and the complexity to modulate a laser frequency, the present invention adopts at least two laser beams at different frequencies and obtains an error signal that is a difference in absorption spectrums of the laser beams. Since the error signal is a difference between two laser beams coming from an identical laser source, the variation of laser power could be eliminated. Furthermore, since the absorption spectrum is usually above hundreds of (MHz), the range of locked frequency of the present invention is large, and the laser frequency is not easily unlocked due to outside disturbance.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for the treatment of body weight disorders including, but not limited to, obesity. More specifically, the present invention relates to nucleic acids encoding a human UCP2 polypeptide; a human UCP2 polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acids; recombinant nucleic acid molecules containing nucleic acids encoding a human UCP2 polypeptide; cells containing such recombinant nucleic acid molecules; a method for producing human UCP2 polypeptides; and methods for detecting modulators of UCP2 gene expression and UCP2 polypeptide expression.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for screening for pharmacological agents which regulate satiety, fat metabolism and/or the type II diabetes mellitus in mammals, and in particular, agents active at regulating the level of ob gene expression. An exemplary assay involves (a) contacting a mammalian adipocyte comprising a mutant of a native ob allele encoding a reporter of ob gene expression, wherein the expression of the reporter is under the control of the gene expression regulatory sequences of the native ob allele, with a candidate agent under conditions whereby but for the presence of the agent, the reporter is expressed at a first expression level; and, (b) measuring the expression of the reporter to obtain a second expression level, wherein a difference between the first and second expression levels indicates that the candidate agent modulates ob gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of diabetes mellitus using combination therapy. The compositions relate to a compound of Formula I and an antidiabetic agent such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, glitazones, &agr;-glucosidase inhibitors, potassium channel antagonists, aldose reductase inhibitors, glucagon antagonists, activators of RXR, insulin therapy or other anti-obesity agent. The methods include the administration of the combination of compound of Formula I with antidiabetic agent where the two components are delivered in a simultaneous manner, where the compound of Formula I is administered first, followed by the antidiabetic agent, as well as wherein the antidiabetic agent is delivered first followed by the compound of Formula I.

Abstract: A multiple motion toy includes a stand and a body assembly overlying the stand. The body assembly includes a turning member connected to the stand. The turning member is rotatable relative to the stand about a substantially vertical rotation axis. A pivot member is connected to the turning member such that the pivot member is tiltable relative to the turning member about a pivot axis. The pivot axis extends transversely to the rotation axis. A neck member is connected to the pivot member such that the neck member is linearly reciprocable along a bobbing axis. The bobbing axis extends transversely to the pivot axis. A drive system is operative to rotate the turning member about the rotation axis, tilt the pivot member about the pivot axis, and reciprocate the neck member linearly along the bobbing axis. The pivot axis is reoriented as the turning member rotates whereby the pivot and bobbing axes are varied relative to the stand.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled exhaust assembly with cold trap capability. One embodiment of the exhaust assembly comprises a multi-heater design which allows for independent multi-zone closed-loop temperature control. Another embodiment comprises a compact multi-valve uni-body design incorporating a single heater for simplified closed-loop temperature control. The cold trap incorporates a heater for temperature control at the inlet of the trap to minimize undesirable deposits. One embodiment also comprises a multi-stage cold trap and a particle trap. As a removable unit, this cold trap provides additional safety in the handling and disposal of the adsorbed condensables.

Abstract: Modulators of PPAR&ggr; activity are provided which are useful in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of conditions such as type II diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled exhaust assembly with cold trap capability. One embodiment of the exhaust assembly comprises a multi-heater design which allows for independent multi-zone closed-loop temperature control. Another embodiment comprises a compact multi-valve uni-body design incorporating a single heater for simplified closed-loop temperature control. The cold trap incorporates a heater for temperature control at the inlet of the trap to minimize undesirable deposits. One embodiment also comprises a multi-stage cold trap and a particle trap. As a removable unit, this cold trap provides additional safety in the handling and disposal of the adsorbed condensables.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to a novel family of UCP3 polypeptides and related nucleic acids involved in metabolic regulation. The polypeptides may be produced recombinantly from transformed host cells from the disclosed mUCP3 encoding nucleic acids or purified from mammalian cells. The invention provides isolated mUCP3 hybridization probes, knock-out/in constructs and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed mUCP3 genes, mUCP3-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, animals and cells modified with the subject mUCP3 nucleic acids, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: A motion toy, which includes a toy body, and a power drive unit, the toy body having a front body shell and a rear body shell fastened together, two arms coupled to the body shells at two opposite lateral sides, a head pivotably mounted in the body shells at a top side by a pivot and coupled to the arms, two feet, and two legs coupled between the body shells and the feet, wherein two elongated links are coupled between the arms and a rocker, which is turned back and forth about a pivot between the body shells by a center gear of the power drive unit, for enabling the arms to be synchronously turned back and forth when the legs are moved back and forth by the center gear of the power drive unit relative to the feet, and two Z-shaped links are coupled between the arms and a bottom coupling rod at the head for enabling the head to be oscillated upon the motion of the arms.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled exhaust assembly with cold trap capability. One embodiment of the exhaust assembly comprises a multi-heater design which allows for independent multi-zone closed-loop temperature control. Another embodiment comprises a compact multi-valve uni-body design incorporating a single heater for simplified closed-loop temperature control. The cold trap incorporates a heater for temperature control at the inlet of the trap to minimize undesirable deposits. One embodiment also comprises a multi-stage cold trap and a particle trap. As a removable unit, this cold trap provides additional safety in the handling and disposal of the adsorbed condensables.

Abstract: Modulators of PPAR&ggr; activity are provided which are useful in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of conditions such as type II diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: A motion toy includes a toy body having an upper part and a lower part pivotally connected together, and a power drive coupled between the upper part and the lower part of the toy body. The power drive is controlled to tilt the upper part and the lower part of the toy body alternatively inward and outward in reversed directions.