Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing susceptibility of a human to abnormal lipid metabolism and disorders associated therewith, such as obesity and diabetes. The methods involve assessing occurrence in the human's genome of one or more polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated with leptin-mediated lipid metabolism and that are associated with a disorder in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing susceptibility of a human to an undesirable bone density condition, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis, and advising appropriate interventions. The methods involve contemporaneously assessing occurrence in the human's genome of a plurality of polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated with bone density regulation and that are associated with a disorder in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing skin health for a human and the human's susceptibility to skin disorders. The methods involve assessing occurrence in the human's genome of one or more polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated disclosed herein and that are associated with a disorder in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing susceptibility of a human to an undesirable bone density condition, such as osteopenia and osteoporosis. The methods involve assessing occurrence in the human's genome of one or more polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated with bone density regulation and that are associated with a disorder (i.e., any disorder) in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing the cardiovascular health of a human and the human's susceptibility to cardiovascular disorders. The methods involve assessing occurrence in the human's genome of one or more polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated disclosed herein and that are associated with a disorder in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing skin health for a human and the human's susceptibility to skin disorders. The methods involve assessing occurrence in the human's genome of one or more polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated disclosed herein and that are associated with a disorder in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kits for performing the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to kits and methods for assessing the susceptibility of a human to oxidative stress or damage. The methods involve assessing occurrence in the human's genome of one or more polymorphisms (e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms) that occur in one or more genes associated with oxidative stress and that are associated with a disorder in humans. Preferred assessment and scoring methods are disclosed, as are kit for performing the methods.

Abstract: A non-invasive kit is provided for collecting and transporting DNA specimens from an individual for analysis or study. The kit contains swabs for harvesting DNA cells from the mouths of individuals and corpses. The kit consists of a rectangular panel having a center portion and two hinged members. The center portion is provided with a folded stand with apertures for holding swabs containing the DNA specimens. Bar coded envelopes are also provided for mailing to a depository.

Abstract: A method of screening compounds for antiviral activity against a selected human herpesvirus by measuring inhibition of DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase and processivity factor of the selected human herpesvirus in the presence of the compound is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-defective adenovirus recombinant expression system for the expression of the HCMV gB subunit and for the expression of non-structural immediate-early exon 4 proteins, said recombinant HCMV-expressing adenovirus being useful as a vaccine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-defective adenovirus recombinant expression system for the expression of the HCMV gB subunit, an immunogenic fragment of the gB subunit, and for the expression of non-structural immediate-early exon 4 proteins, said recombinant HCMV-expressing adenovirus being useful as a vaccine.

Abstract: pML BK is a hybrid plasmid which is constructed of :pML which contains the entire nucleotide sequence of the plasmid pBR322 except for deletion of nucleotide sequences 1120-2490 bp and 0 to 375 bp, and BK which contains the entire nucleotide sequence of the Gardner strain of BK virus except for deletion of nucleotide sequences between bp 5089-5196. Into the pML BK plasmid may be inserted a viral or human gene X to be expressed, an example of which is TK which represents the Bam HI generated 3,600 bp DNA fragment of herpes simplex virus type 1 which contains the herpes simplex virus type 1 TK DNA. The majority of the pML BK X DNA molecules remain in the episomal or free state in the human cells 143B and express the gene X.