Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that the T1R receptors assemble to form functional taste receptors. Particularly, it has been discovered that co-expression of T1R1 and T1R3 results in a taste receptor that responds to umami taste stimuli, including monosodium glutamate. Also, it has been discovered that co-expression of the T1R2 and T1R3 receptors results in a taste receptor that responds to sweet taste stimuli including naturally occurring and artificial sweeteners. Also the present invention relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions.

Abstract: Methods of inhibiting umami taste receptors are provided. These methods comprise contacting T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptors with a sweet-taste inhibitor that also inhibits both the T1R1/T1R3 umami taste receptor and the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptor.

Abstract: Heteromeric taste receptors are provided. These receptors comprise a first polypeptide containing extracellular domains and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R1 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R1 polypeptide or a different GPCR; and a second polypeptide comprising extracellular and transmembrane domains wherein the extracellular domains are at least 95% identical to the extracellular domains of specific T1R3 polypeptides and the transmembrane domains are at least 95% identical to the corresponding transmembrane domains of the specific T1R3 polypeptide or a different GPCR.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Functional assays that use hT1R2 receptor polypeptides to screen for taste modulatory compounds are provided. In preferred embodiments these assays will use cells that stably or transiently express an hT1R2 polypeptide and which further express a suitable protein, e.g. G?15, G?16 or gustducin. Such functional assays will screen for the effect of compound on T1R2 activity by detecting changes in cell voltage, intracellular ions, phosphorylation, second messenger levels and the like. Compounds identified in such assays are potentially useful as taste modulators. In preferred embodiments, the effect of selected compounds is evaluated further in human taste tests.

Abstract: A lighting fixture having a socket housing and a removable lamp housing. The socket housing includes a socket for receiving a lamp and for connecting the lamp to a power supply. The lamp housing has a first end for emitting light from the lamp and a second end that is removably coupled to the socket housing. The lamp housing least partially encloses the lamp when connected to the socket housing. The second end of the lamp housing is wider than the lamp, so as to allow the lamp housing to be removed from the socket housing without first removing the lamp from the socket. Removing the lamp housing from said socket housing substantially exposes the socket to view and allows for installation of a lamp into the socket without having to re-position or re-aim the track light fixture.

Abstract: Functional assays that use the T1R1 receptor to screen for taste modulatory compounds are provided. These assays include cell-based assays and high throughput compound assays to identify compounds that activate T1R1 or modulate T1R1 receptor activation by compound. Preferred functional assays detect the effect of a putative taste modulatory compound on cell voltage or intracellular calcium in a cell that expresses a T1R1 polypetide, preferably in association with a G protein, e.g. G{acute over (?)}15. Compounds identified using these assays have potential application as flavor enhancer and modulators in foods and beverage for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular taste stimulus in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-functional brace for a joint includes a releasable locking mechanism that allows the brace to be set for static stretch of the joint in either flexion or extension, and a range of motion assembly that allows for free movement of the joint through its natural axis over a controlled range of motion when the locking mechanism is released.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for interchanging testing. A test module moves a first tape from a tape pool to a first reserved slot of plurality of reserved slots using an accessor. In an embodiment, there is one (1) reserved slot corresponding to each of a plurality of tape drives. Each reserved slot is configured to store one tape for the corresponding tape drive. No other tape drive accesses the stored tape from the reserved slot.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides which exhibit potent anti-viral activity. In particular, the invention relates to methods of using such peptides as inhibitory of hepatitis B virus (“HepB”) transmission to uninfected cells. The peptides used in the methods of the invention are homologs of the DP-178 and DP-107 peptides, peptides corresponding to amino acid residues 638 to 673, and to amino acid residues 558 to 595, respectively, of the HIV-1LAI transmembrane protein (TM) gp41.

Abstract: Functional assays that use the T1R3 receptor to screen for taste modulatory compounds are provided. These assays include cell-based assays and high throughput functional assays that identify compounds which activate or modulate T1R3 receptor activation. Preferred functional assays detect the effect of a putative taste modulatory compound on intracellular voltage or intracellular calcium of a cell that expresses TIR3 polypeptide, preferably in association with a G protein, e.g. Gdl5. The compounds identified in such functional assays potentially have application as taste modulators and potential flavor enhancers or modulators for additives to foods and beverages for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide techniques for processing electronic forms. Techniques are provided for automatically filling out fields of electronic forms for a user based upon information stored for the user. This reduces the amount of information that a user has to enter on an electronic form.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Binding assays for identifying compounds that modulate human T1R2 polypeptide associated taste are disclosed. These assays detect the specific binding of compounds to a human T1R2 polypeptide or the modulation of the specific binding of a compound that specifically binds to a human T1R2 polypeptide. The binding assays may include the use of detectable labels, e.g., radionuclides, enzymes, fluorophases, and the like. Compounds identified in these binding assays have putative application as T1R2 taste modulators, particularly sweet taste, and potentially are useful additives in compositions for human or animal consumption.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter that maximizes the blood flow into and out of the patient's vasculature while also providing for passive and/or active perfusion of tissue downstream of where the catheter resides in the vasculature. The inventive catheter comprises a proximal end, a first distal and a second distal end with first and second lumens extending from the proximal end to each of these distal ends to provide for blood circulation within one blood vessel or between two different blood vessels. The second lumen, and any additional lumens so desired, may be positioned coaxially with or radially around the first lumen. Redirecting means is provided at a distal end of at least one of said lumens for directing blood in a direction generally opposite of the direction of flow through said lumen.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically. T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in taste signaling, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for representing taste perception of a particular tastant in a mammal are also described, as are methods for generating novel molecules or combinations of molecules that elicit a predetermined taste perception in a mammal, and methods for simulating one or more tastes. Further, methods for stimulating or blocking taste perception in a mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: An extracardiac pumping for supplementing the circulation of blood, including the cardiac output, in a patient without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, and methods of using same. One embodiment provides a vascular graft that has a first end that is sized and configured to couple to a non-primary blood vessel and a second end that is fluidly coupled to a pump to conduct blood between the pump and the non-primary blood vessel. An outflow conduit is also provided that has a first end sized and configured to be positioned within the same or different blood vessel, whether primary or non-primary, through the vascular graft. The outflow conduit is fluidly coupled to the pump to conduct blood between the pump and the patient. The vascular graft may be connected to the blood vessel subcutaneously to permit application of the extracardiac pumping system in a minimally-invasive procedure.