Abstract: Disclosed are methods for probing the immunogenic sugar moieties of prostate cancer cells. The methods detect a number of glyco-epitopes that are highly and differentially expressed among prostate cancers of various Gleason grades. The glyco-epitopes exist on the surfaces of prostate cells. The methods also comprise the detection of autoantibodies in prostate cancer subjects. The antibodies bound to a glyco-motif of N-glycans that is normally “cryptic.” This target is highly expressed in prostate cancers. Lectins and antibodies that detect these glyco-epitopes that expressed in prostate cancer tissues include Euonymus europaeus lectin (EEL); Psophocarpus Tetragonolobus Lectin-I (PTL-I); Griffonia Simplicifolia Lectin-I-A4 (GSL-I-A4); Griffonia Simplicifolia Lectin-I-B4 (GSL-I-B4); Sambucus nigra I agglutinin (SNA-I; Phaseolus vulgaris-L (PHA-L; Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA); Narcissus pseudonarcissus agglutinin (NPA); Artocarpus integrifolia agglutinin (Jacalin); and mAb TM10 (IgM).

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of the toxic effects of therapeutic agents and methods of treating or preventing such toxicity using a toxicity reducing amount of N-acetylcysteine either alone or in combination with a therapeutically effective amount or, to achieve its therapeutic advantages, an amount larger than what is customarily given as a therapeutically effective amount, of a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention is related to databases and the exchange of scientific information. Specifically the invention disclosed a unified scientific database that allows researchers to easily share their data with other researches. The present invention also allows for the ease of data collection, annotation, storage, management, retrieval and analysis of scientific data through and into the database. In addition, it allows for archival storage and retrieval of data collected directly from laboratory instruments to ensure data consistency for patent and other purposes. It also allows for ease of sharing data between laboratories in remote locations. The present invention also supports the automated creation of experimental protocols.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for probing the immunogenic sugar moieties of prostate cancer cells. The methods detect a number of glyco-epitopes that are highly and differentially expressed among prostate cancers of various Gleason grades. The glyco-epitopes exist on the surfaces of prostate cells. The methods also comprise the detection of autoantibodies in prostate cancer subjects. The antibodies bound to a glyco-motif of N-glycans that is normally “cryptic.” This target is highly expressed in prostate cancers. Lectins and antibodies that detect these glyco-epitopes that expressed in prostate cancer tissues include Euonymus europaeus lectin (EEL); Psophocarpus Tetragonolobus Lectin-I (PTL-I); Griffonia Simplicifolia Lectin-I-A4 (GSL-I-A4); Griffonia Simplicifolia Lectin-I-B4 (GSL-I-B4); Sambucus nigra I agglutinin (SNA-I; Phaseolus vulgaris-L (PHA-L; Galanthus nivalis agglutinin (GNA); Narcissus pseudonarcissus agglutinin (NPA); Artocarpus integrifolia agglutinin (Jacalin); and mAb TM10 (IgM).

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical kits and methods to treat lung inflammation and redox imbalance in human cystic fibrosis patients using pharmaceutical compositions containing N-acetylcysteine (NAC), pharmaceutically acceptable salts of N-acetylcysteine, or N-acetylcysteine derivatives. In phase I studies, treatment with oral NAC at a dose of from about 1800 mg/day to about 3000 mg/day for a period of 4 weeks produced significant positive effects, namely, it decreased absolute numbers of white blood cells and neutrophils in the sputum and produced concomitant decreases in sputum neutrophil elastase specific activity and sputum interleukin-8 levels, suggesting an amelioration of lung inflammation in the patients. These effects were associated with an increased total GSH level in whole blood as well increased staining for reduced GSH in blood neutrophils, both of which reflect an amelioration of the redox imbalance in the patients.

Abstract: The present invention is related to databases and the exchange of scientific information. Specifically the invention disclosed a unified scientific database that allows researchers to easily share their data with other researches. The present invention also allows for the ease of data collection, annotation, storage, management, retrieval and analysis of scientific data through and into the database. In addition, it allows for archival storage and retrieval of data collected directly from laboratory instruments to ensure data consistency for patent and other purposes. It also allows for ease of sharing data between laboratories in remote locations. The present invention also supports the automated creation of experimental protocols.

Abstract: The present invention is related to databases and the exchange of scientific information. Specifically the invention disclosed a unified scientific database that allows researchers to easily share their data with other researches. The present invention also allows for the ease of data collection, annotation, storage, management, retrieval and analysis of scientific data through and into the database. In addition, it allows for archival storage and retrieval of data collected directly from laboratory instruments to ensure data consistency for patent and other purposes. It also allows for ease of sharing data between laboratories in remote locations. The present invention also supports the automated creation of experimental protocols.

Abstract: Life-threatening hepatotoxicity in the setting of acetaminophen overdose is due to depletion of glutathione (GSH), a vital cysteine-containing tripeptide that protects cells and organs against oxidant injury. Rapid administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), which provides the cysteine necessary to replenish the depleted GSH, is the standard of care for preventing injury in acetaminophen overdose. Beneficial effects of NAC treatment have also been demonstrated in respiratory, cardiovascular, endocrine and infectious and other diseases. In fact, over fifty randomized placebo-controlled trials conducted in diverse clinical settings document positive responses to NAC treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of the toxic effects of therapeutic agents and methods of treating or preventing such toxicity using a toxicity reducing amount of N-acetylcysteine either alone or in combination with a therapeutically effective amount or, to achieve its therapeutic advantages, an amount larger than what is customarily given as a therapeutically effective amount, of a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of the toxic effects of therapeutic agents and methods of treating or preventing such toxicity using a toxicity reducing amount of N-acetylcysteine either alone or in combination with a therapeutically effective amount or, to achieve its therapeutic advantages, an amount larger than what is customarily given as a therapeutically effective amount, of a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment or prevention of the toxic effects of therapeutic agents and methods of treating or preventing such toxicity using a toxicity reducing amount of N-acetylcysteine either alone or in combination with a therapeutically effective amount or, to achieve its therapeutic advantages, an amount larger than what is customarily given as a therapeutically effective amount, of a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The present invention is related to databases and the exchange of scientific information. Specifically the invention disclosed a unified scientific database that allows researchers to easily share their data with other researches. The present invention also allows for the ease of data collection, annotation, storage, management, retrieval and analysis of scientific data through and into the database. In addition, it allows for archival storage and retrieval of data collected directly from laboratory instruments to ensure data consistency for patent and other purposes. It also allows for ease of sharing data between laboratories in remote locations. The present invention also supports the automated creation of experimental protocols.

Abstract: A rapid assay for infection in immunodeficient patients such as neonates or immunocompromised patients (e.g. HIV or transplant patients) allows diagnosis at initial evaluation, such that antibiotic treatment and confinement to an intensive care unit can be avoided for uninfected patients. The assay can be used for detecting bacterial, viral, or fungal colonization of the blood stream, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or urinary tract. The method is particularly useful for sepsis diagnosis. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN, neutrophil) CD11b (Mac-1, CR3) levels are measured by flow cytometry or laser scanning microscopy in low volume (0.1 ml) whole blood samples. A dual-laser FACS identifies neutrophils by FITC-conjugated anti-CD15 fluorescent antibodies, and identifies surface neutrophil CD11b marked with PE-conjugated anti-CD11b antibodies. Spontaneous upregulation of CD11b is prevented by handling samples at 4.degree. C. or adding a stabilizing compound such as anti-CD14 antibody or adenosine to the samples.

Abstract: A method of identifying an abnormal T-cell profile of an immunocompromised subject is disclosed. The method involves detecting the immunoreactivity of T-cells with at least two antibodies selectively reactive with naive T-cell surface proteins and comparing data from cells isolated from an immunocompromised subject with data from cells isolated form a non-immunocompromised subject. Also disclosed are methods of screening drugs or compounds for efficacy to stimulate the production of naive T cells in a subject.

Abstract: Two spectrally distinguishable GFPs are used as reporters in mammalian cells to simultaneously and independently analyze the expressions of two transcriptional elements. The two GFPs, encoded by single stably integrated transcriptional elements, are readily and quantitatively detectable by FACS or flow cytometry. One of the GFP mutants (S202F, T203I, V163A) retains only the major excitation peak of wild-type GFP, while the other (S65T, V163A) retains only the minor excitation peak of wild-type GFP. Both variants have emission peaks overlapping that of wtGFP. The first mutant is excited at 406 nm using a Kr ion laser, while the second mutant is excited at 488 nm using an Ar ion laser. Emissions from both GFPs are measured at about 515 nm. The mutant excited at 406 nm can be used in conjuction with a fluorescein-based assay such as FACS-Gal.

Abstract: Glutathione levels are determined using a glutathione surrogate in HIV-positive patients to evaluate survival longevity and determine appropriate treatment. Low glutathione levels indicate a need for a glutathione enhancing supplement and a more aggressive therapeutic regimen, as well as diminishing drugs which may result in the reduction of available glutathione.

Abstract: Methods for producing functional immunoglobulin are provided. The methods involve transfecting and expressing exogenous DNA coding for the heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin. In some embodiments, chimeric immunoglobulins are provided having variable regions from one species and constant regions from another species by linking DNA sequences encoding for the variable regions of the light and heavy chains from one species to the constant regions of the light and heavy chains respectively from a different species. Introduction of the resulting genes into mammalian host cells under conditions for expression provides for production of chimeric immunoglobulins having the specificity of the variable region derived from a first species and the physiological functions of the constant region from a different species.

Abstract: Patients suffering from a pathological condition resulting in reduced intracellular cysteine levels are treated with a cysteine source capable of being transported to the cellular cytoplasm. Particularly, N-acetyl cysteine is employed in the treatment of AIDS patients.

Abstract: A method of treating viral infection comprises the step of administering to a patient harboring a disease-inducing virus other than HIV-1, the virus being one for which an intracellular thiol deficit causes or exacerbates expression of viral genetic information by transcription, translation or viral replication, such as human rhinovirus, an amount effective to inhibit transcriptional or translational expression of genetic information or replication of the virus, of an N-(C.sub.1-4)-acylcysteine, such as N-acetyl cysteine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Prevention of disease symptoms and reduction of their severity results from the foregoing treatment. Combination of N-(C.sub.1-4)-acylcysteine or its salt with another antiviral drug or drug for alleviating symptoms of viral infection provides additional therapeutic benefits.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for analyzing in viable cells gene expression regulatory elements and systems. The method can be used to evaluate a transcriptional initiation regulatory system or the presence of a trans acting component. The method finds use in evaluating various transcriptional initiation functional sequences for use in expression of products, for the detection of trans acting agents associated with viruses and for quantitating the presence of infectious viruses. The method comprises introducing an expression cassette encoding an enzyme which has a fluorescent substrate, substantially irreversibly introducing the substrate into the cell host and detecting the formation of fluorescence during a predetermined time interval.