Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are provided for defining a web services interface for an MFS-based IMS application. The apparatus, system, and method include a parser that parses an MFS-based IMS source file into one or more Message Input Descriptions (MIDs) and one or more Message Output Descriptions (MODs). A prompt module prompts a user for a device type and device feature combination supported by the MIDs and MODs. A display module displays a MID list and a MOD list and automatically selects one or more MODs associated with a user-selected MID. An assembly module assembles the user-selected MID, the associated MODs, and the user-selected device type and device feature combination into a web services interface.

Abstract: Ribozymes directed against metallothionein mRNAs have been designed and tested in vitro and in living cells. Induction of apoptosis in cultured human cancer cells was demonstrated using such ribozymes. Based on these developments, the invention features new ribozymes and methods of inducing apoptosis in a human cancer cell in vitro or in vivo. The method includes introducing into the cell a ribozyme that inhibits metallothionein expression.

Abstract: An in vitro screening method for identifying a compound that modulates ER&bgr;-mediated cell growth inhibition is disclosed. The method includes: providing a mammalian test cell containing a functional ER&bgr; protein; contacting the test cell with a candidate compound; and detecting an increase or decrease in the expression of an ER&bgr;-regulated gene in the presence of the candidate compound. Compounds that modulate ER&bgr;-mediated cell growth inhibition can promote or inhibit this process. In some embodiments, the test cell contains no detectable ER&agr; protein. The ER&bgr;-regulated gene can be, e.g., the genes encoding receptor-like tyrosine kinase (RYK), 5-hydroxytryptamine A1 receptor (E2c), BCL-2 related A1, embryonic growth/differentiation factor, IL-12, TL1309, or IFN-&agr;/&bgr; receptor.

Abstract: The invention is an optimistic locking mechanism which allows Internet access to a database while maintaining data integrity in a stateless web environment. One embodiment of the invention incorporates a conventional IMS residing on a host computer and includes a generic transaction module which retrieves original data segments from the an IMS database in response to a search request from a web user. This embodiment of the invention further includes a server-side interface module for duplicating the original data segment into identical lines of data segments. One data segment may be updated by a web user whereas the other data segment remains constant and serves as a reference of the original state of the data segment. Both data segments are transmitted to a web user who may make changes to one data segment but not the other.