Abstract: Novel compositions and methods for improving vanillin production in cultured Vanilla planifolia and in intact plants are provided. Transgenic cells and plants having improved vanillin production are also provided. Isolated 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde synthase enzyme and nucleic acids encoding the enzyme are further provided.

Abstract: Antibodies having dual specificity for two different but structurally related antigens are provided. The antibodies can be, for example, entirely human antibodies, recombinant antibodies, or monoclonal antibodies. Preferred antibodies have dual specificity for IL-1&agr; and IL-1&bgr; and neutralize IL-1&agr; and IL-1&bgr; activity in vitro and in vivo. An antibody of the invention can be a full-length antibody or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Methods of making and methods of using the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The antibodies, or antibody portions, of the invention are useful for detecting two different but structurally related antigens (e.g., IL-1&agr; and IL-1&bgr; ) and for inhibiting the activity of the antigens, e.g., in a human subject suffering from a disorder in which IL-1&agr; and/or IL-1&bgr; activity is detrimental.

Abstract: A urodynamic catheter incorporating at least one balloon adjacent a distal end thereof and associated with a pressure lumen extending to a proximal end to be placed external to the body of a patient and usable with a transducer housing including a pressure transducer and a mechanism for alternatively venting an air column defined by the assembled pressure lumen and transducer housing to the ambient environment and closing the air column and charging it with air while reducing volume of the air column. One embodiment includes two, separately-chargeable balloons and a bladder fill tube, another embodiment includes a single balloon and a fill tube, and yet another embodiment, suitable for use as a reference catheter to measure abdominal pressure, includes only a single balloon and omits the fill tube. A novel catheter architecture and assembly technique are also disclosed, as are methods of using the inventive catheter.

Abstract: Substantially purified CDR1 polypeptide, isolated polynucleotides encoding CDR1 polypeptide, vectors containing CDR1, host cells expressing CDR1, and antibodies which bind to CDR1 are all provided. The invention also provides a method of producing a genetically modified plant characterized as having increased disease resistance as compared to wild-type plants. A method is also provided for identifying novel disease resistance genes by probing a nucleic acid library with at least a fragment of a polynucleotide encoding CDR1, and selecting those clones that hybridize with the fragment.

Abstract: A vacuum extractor for use in childbirth is described. The vacuum extractor includes a handle and a vacuum cup with a force sensor coupled to the vacuum extractor. The force sensor measures the traction force applied between the vacuum cup and the handle for assisting the birthing attendant in applying an appropriate traction force. The force sensor may also include a slipping mechanism which causes the length of the force sensor to distinctly increase if the applied traction force exceeds a certain level such as twenty pounds. Thus, the birthing attendant may feel the slipping and thus determine that the traction force has exceeded the certain value.

Abstract: Substantially purified CDR1 polypeptide, isolated polynucleotides encoding CDR1 polypeptide, vectors containing CDR1, host cells expressing CDR1, and antibodies which bind to CDR1 are all provided. The invention also provides a method of producing a genetically modified plant characterized as having increased disease resistance as compared to wild-type plants. A method is also provided for identifying novel disease resistance genes by probing a nucleic acid library with at least a fragment of a polynucleotide encoding CDR1, and selecting those clones that hybridize with the fragment.

Abstract: Fibers having at least one near-infrared fluorescing compound associated therewith are prepared by contacting the fibers with the fluorescing compound(s) dissolved in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include ketones and alcohols. The fibers may subsequently be air-dried to remove any remaining volatiles. Fibers coated with the marker solution desirably have less than 1 weight percent of the marker coated thereon.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula(T).sub.x A--B--D--E--Gwherein A and B are aryl or heteroaryl rings; each T is a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR1## the group E represents a three carbon chain bearing one to three substituent groups which are independent or are involved in ring formation, possible structures being shown in the text and claims; and the group G represents --M, ##STR2## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12 ; andR.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids, and include pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A hand-held fetal vacuum extractor combines a pump and handle into a single hand-held unit. This enables a single operator, such as a doctor, to control vacuum using a vacuum pump, and apply traction to a fetus using a single hand. A handle, having a surface for gripping, is connected to a fetal vacuum cup for being suctioned onto a fetal head. A vacuum pump is connected to the handle and includes an activation surface for activating the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is fluidly coupled to a the vacuum cup and fetal head. The grip surface of the handle and the activation surface of the pump are in such proximity, during operation, that a single human hand can simultaneously grasp the grip surface and contact the activation surface.

Abstract: The fetal contact cup portion of a fetal vacuum cup has an inside surface which, when applied to a fetal head, defines a fetal contact chamber with the fetal head. One end of a tube is attached to the fetal contact cup such that vacuums within the tube are applied within the fetal contact cup. The other end of the tube can be connected with a vacuum source and with a handle. The tube has a very small average outside diameter compared with conventional fetal vacuum tubes. Thus the fetal vacuum cup is less intrusive during insertion and is more easily maneuverable, especially when the fetus is malpresenting in, for example, the high occipitoposterior or high occipitolateral positions. The average outside diameter of the tube may be, for example, less than 150 mils and has a finger grip that compression fits into a recess defined by the outer surface of the fetal contact cup for a lower profile and easy positioning of the fetal contact cup onto the flexion point of the fetal head.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula ##STR1## wherein each T is a substituent g roup; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR2## the subscript "e" is 2 or 3; the group R.sup.14 represents a variety of possible substituent groups of the cycloalkyl ring between D and G; the subscript "k" is 0-2; and the group G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12 ; and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic occurring amino acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula ##STR1## wherein each T is a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR2## the group R6 represents variety of possible substituent groups on the carbon chain between D and G, and the group G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula ##STR1## wherein each T is a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR2## the subscript "e" is 2 or 3; the group R.sup.14 represents a variety of possible substituent groups on the cycloalkyl ring between D and G, and the group G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12 ; and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula ##STR1## wherein each T is a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR2## the group R6 represents a variety of possible substituent groups on the carbon chain between D and G, and the group G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12 ; and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaueutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula ##STR1## wherein each Tis a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR2## the group R6 reresents a variety of possible substituent groups on the carbon chain between D and G, and the group G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12, and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula ##STR1## wherein each T is a substituted group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR2## the group R6 represents a variety of possible substituent groups on the carbon chain between D and G, and the group G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12 ; and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula ##STR1## wherein each T is a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents ##STR2## the group R6 represents a variety of possible substituent groups on the carbon chain between D and G, and the group G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12 ; and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The presently claimed compounds have the generalized formula ##STR1## in which each T represents a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; D represents ##STR2## .delta. is 0 or 1; U' represents O, S, or N, with the proviso that when U' is N, then .delta.=0, and when U' is O or S, then .delta.=1; R.sup.14 is any of a variety of substituent groups; and G represents M, ##STR3## in which M represents --CO.sub.2 H, --CON(R.sup.11).sub.2, or --CO.sub.2 R.sup.12, R.sup.11 represents H or an alkyl group, R.sup.12 represents an alkyl group, and R.sup.13 represents any of the side chains of the 19 noncyclic naturally occurring amino acids; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a promoter and associated control elements derived from the isoflavone reductase gene. The upstream activating region and portions thereof have been characterized as to their ability to control the transcription of operably linked foreign structural genes in legumes as well as in plants which lack the isoflavonoid pathway.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided transgenic plants comprising a plurality of plant-defense-associated proteins that are expressed to produce such proteins in an amount sufficient to increase the plants resistance to plant pathogens, relative to non-transgenic plants of the same species. The transgenic plants are useful to study patterns of development, and to provide increased resistance to plant pathogens when grown in crops as a food source, and the like. Nucleic acid constructs are also provided that are useful in methods for producing the invention transgenic plants.