Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration or choroidal neovascularization, ocular inflammation, or any combination of these. Certain of the compositions comprise a poxvirus complement control protein or a complement binding fragment or variant thereof. Other compositions comprise a poxvirus complement control protein linked to a moiety that binds to a component present on or at the surface of cell or noncellular molecular entity, e.g., a component present in the eye of a subject at risk of or suffering from age related macular degeneration or a related condition or choroidal neovascularization, ocular inflammation, or any combination of these. Certain of the methods comprise administering a poxvirus complement control protein or complement binding fragment or variant thereof to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention features the use of compstatin and complement inhibiting analogs thereof for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, and/or retinal neovascularization. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a second therapeutic agent. The invention also provides compositions comprising compstatin or a complement inhibiting analog thereof and a gel-forming material, e.g., soluble collagen, and methods of administering the compositions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided related to improved plants that are tolerant to more than one herbicide. Particularly, the invention provides plants that are tolerant of glyphosate and are tolerant to at least one ALS inhibitor, and methods of use thereof. The glyphosate/ALS inhibitor-tolerant plants comprise a polynucleotide that encodes a polypeptide that confers tolerance to glyphosate and a polynucleotide that encodes an ALS inhibitor-tolerant polypeptide. In specific embodiments, a plant of the invention expresses a GAT polypeptide and an HRA polypeptide. Methods to control weeds, improve plant yield, and increase transformation efficiencies are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for expressing a polynucleotide of interest are provided. Compositions comprise an enhancer domain set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, 10, 15, or 16 and active variants and fragments thereof. Further provided are DNA constructs comprising at least one transcriptional enhancer sequence comprising the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 10, 15, or 16 or an active variant or fragment thereof, operably linked to a heterologous promoter. Such chimeric transcription regulatory regions can be operably linked any polynucleotide of interest. Further provided are cells, plants, plant parts, and germplasm comprising the DNA construct. Methods of using the chimeric transcriptional regulatory region are also provided. In specific embodiments, methods of expressing a polynucleotide of interest, including for example, sequences that confer tolerance to herbicides, and methods to select a cell having the DNA construct are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating one or more phenotypes of a macrophage-related cell, e.g., a macrophage. The invention further provides methods of treating disease by modulating macrophage phenotype. Representative phenotypes include pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, immunogenic, tolerogenic, tissue-destructive, tissue restorative, cytotoxic, migratory, bone-resorbing, pro-angiogenic, anti-angiogenic, suppressor, antigen presentation, or phagocytic. Representative diseases include atherosclerosis, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A docking system for a watercraft having a cross member carrying a tow hook cart to engage a bow eye on the watercraft and thereafter permit docking of the watercraft. The cross member is supported by at least one upright structure and may include a latch mechanism to release the cross member to swing away after the hook engages the eye. Alternatively, a cross member may be supported on both ends and may be pulled out of the way by the tow rope or rotated over the eye by a latch tripped after the hook engages the eye.

Abstract: A mounting clip is provided for enabling a snap fit attachment of an ACM fascia to an existing building fascia. The mounting clip includes at least one flexible arm integrally attached to a base portion so as to allow the flexible arm to move away from one of the fascia. At least one locking finger is integrally attached to the flexible arm by a hinge structure biasing the locking finger into snap fit attachment into a groove on one of the fascia.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing age related macular degeneration and other conditions involving macular degeneration or choroidal neovascularization. Certain of the compositions comprise a poxvirus complement control protein or a complement binding fragment or variant thereof. Other compositions comprise a poxvirus complement control protein linked to a moiety that binds to a component present on or at the surface of cell or noncellular molecular entity, e.g., a component present in the eye of a subject at risk of or suffering from age related macular degeneration or a related condition or choroidal neovascularization. Certain of the methods comprise administering a poxvirus complement control protein or complement binding fragment or variant thereof to a subject.

Abstract: The invention provides DNA compositions that relate to transgenic insect resistant maize plants. Also provided are assays for detecting the presence of the maize DAS-59122-7 event based on the DNA sequence of the recombinant construct inserted into the maize genome and the DNA sequences flanking the insertion site. Kits and conditions useful in conducting the assays are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for enhancing clearance or destruction of undesirable cells or noncellular molecular entities by tagging such cells or noncellular molecular entities with a marker that targets the cells or noncellular molecular entities for phagocytosis (phagocytic marker). The target cells can be, for example, endothelial cells, tumor cells, leukocytes, or virus-infected cells. In certain embodiments of the invention the tagging is accomplished by administering a composition comprising an antibody or ligand linked to the phagcytotic marker, wherein the antibody or ligand binds to a cell type specific marker present on or in the cell surface of a target cell. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the phagocytic marker comprises phosphatidylserine or a group derived from phosphatidylserine, thrombospondin-1, annexin I, or a derivative of any of these.