Abstract: A method for generating comparative online testing reports for a variety of competitive examinations is implemented. Questions are delivered to the user over a network and the responses are stored. The responses are collated and compared dynamically with the responses of other users who have taken the test. A variety of comparative reports are generated and displayed to the user.

Abstract: The invention includes a method for a client to remotely conduct a laboratory experiment using a remote computer communicating with a host computer in a computer network. The experiment is stimulated by a set of input variables and provides a set of dependent output variables. The method includes the steps of an instructor setting up the experiment at a central location, determining a tolerance band for each input variable of the experiment, and restricting a range of each tolerance band. The instructor enters into the host computer a program to run the experiment, including the set of input variables, and the range of each tolerance band for each input variable. The client remotely access the experiment using the remote computer. The instructor enables the client to conduct the experiment and simultaneously limits the client to the range of each tolerance band.

Abstract: An input device of a multimedia board inputs lecturer-written information that a lecturer writes on a display page. An information processor sends the lecturer-written information input by the input device to a plurality of information terminals. A reader/writer of each of the plurality of information terminals reads out textbook information from a recording medium recording the textbook information representing contents of a textbook. A display device displays the read textbook information and the lecturer-written information supplied from the information processor, which are superimposed one on top of the other. The reader/writer records the textbook information and lecturer-written information, which are displayed by the display device, as a single file on the recording medium.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting a student user a modularized course via a network, such as the Internet. The course is segmented into modules. A course preferably includes the following categories of modules: preparatory, lecture, interactive and test. Alternate embodiments of the present invention provide users, professors and teachers with an interface by which they can search modules by topic or subject matter. The system of such embodiments identifies modules related to the topic or subject matter being searched. Having identified the modules, the users, professors and teachers can select some or all of the identified modules and rearrange such modules into a new course. The new course may be stored in the system and offered as a separate course to students. Accordingly, the system allows new, customized courses to be created from existing courses.

Abstract: The method for assessing and monitoring a scorer engaged in scoring an answer to an open-ended question includes the step of retrieving from an electronic database a reevaluation record. The reevaluation record includes a student response to an open-ended question and a score awarded thereto by a scorer. The reevaluation record is displayed to a manager, who is then permitted to reevaluate the awarded score. If the awarded score is different from the reevaluated score, the awarded score is replaced with the reevaluated score in the reevaluation record. Then the reevaluation record is stored in the database. The system includes an electronic database having stored thereon a reevaluation record. A processor is in signal communication with the database, and a display and an input device in signal communication with the processor. Software for carrying out the method steps is resident on the processor.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the preparation of an RBC composition which has significantly reduced antigenicity. The methods of preparation of the red cell compositions involve the optimization of reaction conditions, in particular buffering conditions, for attaching antigen masking compounds to the red cells without significantly affecting the function of the red cells. The RBC compositions are of particular use for introduction into an individual in cases where the potential for an immune reaction is high, for example in alloimmunized blood recipients or in trauma situations where the possibility of transfusion of a mismatched unit of blood is higher. The RBC compositions of this invention provide a much lower risk of a transfusion associated immune reaction.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for detecting changes in membrane potential in membranes biological systems.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, including methods, apparatus, compositions, and kits, for connection of cells or cell structures to substrates, such as coded particles or microplates, utilizing association pairs that are chemically reactive or specifically bind one another.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for diagnosing disease in a sample by monitoring optical signals produced by samples in response to the chemical agents. Preferred methods comprise application of multiple chemical agents that interact to alter an optical signal from the sample. Methods and systems of the invention also comprise monitoring an optical signal from an endogenous chromophore upon application of a chemical agent to a sample. Methods and systems of the invention also comprise the use of triggers, atomizers and image alignment to enhance the results of methods described herein.

Abstract: A method for testing a therapeutic or preventive agent for hyperlipidemia, and a nucleic acid probe, a primer, and an antibody which are used in the method. Specifically, a method for testing the effect of a test substance as a therapeutic or preventive agent for hyperlipidemia by expression of a gene having a sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No. 1 or SEQ ID No. 2 of the Sequence Listing which participates in regulation of neutral-fat concentration in the blood of a mammal, and a nucleic acid probe, primer or antibody used for the method. The present invention makes it possible to search for a candidate substance for a therapeutic or preventive agent for hyperlipidemia.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HIV protein vpr or nucleic acid molecule encoding vpr are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of treating patients suffering from diseases characterized by hyperproliferating undifferentiated cells such as cancer by administering such compositions. Methods of identifying compounds which have anti-HIV activity are disclosed, in particular, methods of identifying compounds which modulate the activity of vpr and of identifying compounds which inhibit vpr binding to the HIV protein gag.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate with a layer of receptive material disposed thereon. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest. A pattern of active and deactivated areas of the receptive material are defined in the receptive material layer by a masking process.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate with a layer of receptive material disposed thereon. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest. A pattern of active and inactive areas of the receptive material are defined in the receptive material layer by a masking process.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate with a layer of receptive material disposed thereon. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest. A pattern of active and inactive areas of the receptive material are defined in the receptive material layer by a masking process.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate with a layer of receptive material disposed thereon overlying a layer containing a photo-reactive agent. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest. A pattern of active and inactive areas of the receptive material are defined in the receptive material layer by a masking process wherein the photo-reactive agent is activated in the exposed regions of the mask.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate with areas of active receptive material disposed thereon. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest. A pattern of the active areas is defined on the substrate by an oxidizing photo-masking process.

Abstract: A biosensor includes a substrate member with a pattern of active areas of receptive material and a pattern of blocking material layers. The receptive material and blocking material are attached to the substrate member with a photo-reactive crosslinking agent activated in a masking process. The receptive material is specific for an analyte of interest.

Abstract: A method for isolating AAV viruses from cellular DNA of non-human primate (NHP) tissues by transfecting the DNA of NHP into 293 cells, rescuing the virus and amplifying it through serial passages in the presence of adenovirus helper functions is provided. Also provided are kits useful for performing this method.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of nucleic acid analysis. Such methods entail forming a population of gel microdrops encapsulating a population of biological entities, each entity comprising a nucleic acid, whereby at least some microdrops in the population each encapsulate a single entity. The population of gel microdrops is then contacted with a probe under conditions whereby the probe specifically hybridizes to at least one complementary sequence in the nucleic acid in at least one gel microdrop. At least one gel microdrop is then analyzed or detected. The biological entities can be cells, viruses, nuclei and chromosomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and kit for detecting antibodies in clinical samples of animals infected with equine infectious anemia virus using the immunodiagnosis with the recombinant viral antigen p26. The antigen was bound to solid supports (microtitter plates, tubes, beads or nitrocellulose papers or nylon) and reacted with the test serum. After incubation with conjugated anti-equine immunoglobulin-enzyme the reaction was revealed with a solution composed of the substrate of the enzyme used in the conjugate (cromogene). After development of the reaction (color formation) it was stopped with acid solution and measured. The immunoassay may be a direct second antibody immunoassay, a one or two step sandwich immunoassay.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides having anti-apoptotic activity, and methods of screening for such novel polypeptides having anti-apoptotic activity, and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides; Compounds that regulate or modulate apoptosis and/or anti-apoptotic activity, such as compounds having anti-apoptotic activity, and such as compounds that induce, restore, or modulate apoptosis and/or inhibit, diminish, or modulate anti-apoptotic activity, methods of screening for such compounds, and methods of using such compounds in the therapeutic treatment of diseases; Methods of treating eukaryotic cells with compounds that regulate or modulate apoptosis and/or anti-apoptotic activity; Methods of enhancing the stability, growth, and/or productivity of eukaryotic cells; Pharmaceutical compositions that regulate or modulate apoptosis and/or anti-apoptotic activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for screening therapeutic agents for use in combating diseases associated with gene regulation by one or more Smad proteins and TGF&bgr; or activin, said method comprising detecting or assaying the extent or result of transcriptional activity or binding in the presence of said agent between a Smad protein or a DNA binding fragment thereof and a double strand oligonucleotide comprising the sequence 5′ WXYCAGACZ 3′ or a functional equivalent thereof, wherein in said nucleotide sequence W represents A or G, X represents G or T, Y represents C, A, G or T and Z represents A or C. Also claimed are therapeutic agents identified by such a method and their use in combating diseases associated with abnormal expression of Smad-mediated TGF&bgr;-induced genes.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel reagents whose fluorescence changes upon cleavage or a change in conformation of a backbone. The reagents comprise a backbone (e.g. nucleic acid, polypeptide, etc.) joining two fluorophores of the same species whereby the fluorophores form an H-dimer resulting in quenching of the fluorescence of the fluorophores. When the backbone is cleaved or changes conformation, the fluorophores are separated, no longer forming an H-type dimer, and are de-quenched thereby providing a detectable signal. The use of a single fluorophore rather than an “acceptor-donor” fluoresecence resonance energy transfer system offers synthesis and performance advantages.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of producing immobilized arrays of proteins. Included are methods for producing high density arrays of nucleic acids, amplifying arrays, and replicating such arrays. The nucleic acid molecules present on the support, whether amplified or not, are then expressed to produce proteins which are immobilized to the nucleic acid upon production or can be can be immobilized directly to the support. Alternatively, proteins can be bound to the nucleic acid molecules to produce protein arrays of the present invention. Arrays produced by the disclosed methods may include both nucleic acids and proteins or the nucleic acids can be removed from the array leaving the proteins. The disclosed methods also include replication of protein arrays in which a subset of the proteins that are produced can be transferred to an additional support where they are then immobilized.

Abstract: An asynchronous thermal cycling protocol for nucleic acid amplification uses two primers with thermal melting temperatures different by about 10 to 30° C. After the higher melting primer has annealed and polymerase mediated extension, the uncopied, single-stranded target sequence may be hybridized and detected by a probe. DNA probes may be cleaved by the exonuclease activity of a polymerase. The probe may be a non-cleaving analog such as PNA. When a probe is labelled with a reporter dye and a quencher selected to undergo energy transfer, e.g. FRET, fluorescence from the reporter dye may be effectively quenched when the probe is unbound. Upon hybridization of the probe to complementary target or upon cleavage while bound to target, the reporter dye is no longer quenched, resulting in a detectable amount of fluorescence. The second, lower-melting primer may be annealed and extended to generate a double-stranded nucleic acid.

Abstract: Processes for the amplification of target DNA sequences in the form of single or double stranded circular DNA molecules, especially those present in colony and plaque extracts, using multiple specific and/or random sequence oligonucleotide primers are disclosed along with methods for detecting such amplified target sequences. A kit containing components for use in the invention is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the diagnosis of the distinction between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and prognosis of AML. Disclosed is a means to diagnose the distinction between ALL and AML employing measurement of the abundance of the nucleic acid or protein products of small combinations (two, three or more) of particular human genes. The invention further describes the use of the measurement of the abundance of the nucleic acid or protein product of two human genes for prognostic indication in AML. The invention also relates to therapies targeted at these indicator genes, and the screening of drugs for cancer that target these indicator genes or their protein products.

Abstract: There is a tremendous need for high throughput gene expression technology which can efficiently and cheaply identify and accurately isolate different genes expressed between diseased and normal tissues for use in discovering new drugs. The present invention utilizes a combination of biomolecular chemistry methods to eliminate/degrade redundant sequences and fluorescence dye assay to identify these unique sequences from two cell or tissue populations. cDNA from normal or diseased cells or tissues are hybridized with the RNA of the complement normal or diseased cells or tissues. The hybridized cDNA/RNA is incubated with exonucleases, resulting in degradation of all but the single stranded RNA and DNA. RNA are then elimated using RNase and the remaining DNA which are unique to the sample are amplified.

Abstract: The present invention provides the tools and methodologies necessary to guide the standardization of herbal compositions, to determine which specific components of an herbal composition are responsible for any particular biological activity, to predict the biological activities of a particular herbal composition, to determine the relatedness of herbal compositions, and for the development of improved herbal therapeutics. This invention provides the tools and methodologies for creating, maintaining, improving and utilizing Herbal BioResponse Arrays (HBR Arrays), wherein the HBR Arrays constitute data sets associated with particular herbal compositions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions, apparatus and methods of use of recognition complexes, comprising biological sensors operably linked to an organic semiconductor. Multiple recognition complexes can be associated into a recognition complex system. The recognition complex system is of use to identify analytes, to separate biological sensors that bind to a target analyte from those that do not, to separate analytes that bind to a specific biological sensor from those that do not, and to prepare biological sensors with a high affinity for a particular analyte. The recognition complex system may be attached to a variety of surfaces, such as a chip, a flow cell, magnetic beads or non-magnetic beads. The biological sensor may be used for screening of, for example, a phage library, combinatorial chemistry library, plant tissue extract or animal tissue extract for inhibitors, activators or binding factors of bioactive molecules.

Abstract: The sequence of part of intron (42), the complete sequence of exon (42) and part of intron (43) of the canine von Willebrand's Factor cDNA and deduced amino acid sequence is provided. Also provided are part of intron (6), the complete sequence of exon (7) and part of intron (7). The mutation which causes von Willebrand's Disease in Doberman pinschers, Shetland sheepdogs, Manchester terriers and Poodles are also provided. Methods for diagnosing a canine as clear, carrier or affected for von Willebrand's disease are provided.

Abstract: Highly specific oligonucleotide primers and probes useful in a rapid and specific method for detecting the presence of Group B Streptococcal (GBS) or Streptococcus agalactiae infection in a biological sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleic acid and polypeptide of a novel human NjmuR1-related gene variant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to allelic variants of human SP-A2 gene and provides allele specific primers and probes suitable for detecting these allelic variants for applications such as molecular diagnosis, prediction of an individual's susceptibility, and/or the genetic analysis of SP-A2 gene in a population.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleic acid of novel human G&bgr;1-related gene variant (G&bgr;1V) and the polypeptide encoded thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to the nucleic acid sequences of two novel human dGK-related variants (dGK1 and dGK2).

Abstract: A method of diagnosing, predicting, or prognosticating about a disease that includes obtaining experimental data, wherein the experimental data is high dimensional data, filtering the data, reducing the dimensionality of the data through use of one or more methods, training a supervised pattern recognition method, ranking individual data points from the data, wherein the ranking is dependent on the outcome of the supervised pattern recognition method, choosing multiple data points from the data, wherein the choice is based on the relative ranking of the individual data points, and using the multiple data points to determine if an unknown set of experimental data indicates a diseased condition, a predilection for a diseased condition, or a prognosis about a diseased condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for generating single-stranded DNA molecules of defined sequence and length. Specifically, a region of template containing target sequence is amplified by PCR or RCA, exogenous sequence is introduced by primers or probes used in amplification, double-stranded amplification products are converted to single-stranded amplification products, and single-stranded amplification products are trimmed to produce short single-stranded DNA molecules of defined sequence and length.

Abstract: A substrate containing detection agents for determining expression levels of a plurality of genes. A combination of weighted expression levels of the genes is indicative of a physiological condition defined in traditional Chinese medicine. Also disclosed are software and a method for correlating gene expression levels to a physiological condition defined in traditional Chinese medicine.

Abstract: Novel genetic variants of the Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) gene are described. Various genotypes, haplotypes, and haplotype pairs that exist in the general United States population are disclosed for the CXCR4 gene. Compositions and methods for haplotyping and/or genotyping the CXCR4 gene in an individual are also disclosed. Polynucleotides defined by the haplotypes disclosed herein are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of amplifying target sequences without including regions flanking the target sequence in the amplified product or imposing amplification primer sequences on the amplified product. Also provided are methods of preparing a library from such amplified target sequences.

Abstract: An isolated polynucleotide encoding a novel plant phosphate transporter and, more particularly, to an essential phosphate transporter which, when inactivated, is associated with phosphate deficiency syndrome in plants, and to methods for using same to modulate, i.e., increase or decrease, phosphate uptake in plants.

Abstract: Novel genetic variants of the Uncoupling Protein 2 (Mitochondrial, Proton Carrier) (UCP2) gene are described. Various genotypes, haplotypes, and haplotype pairs that exist in the general United States population are disclosed for the UCP2 gene. Compositions and methods for haplotyping and/or genotyping the UCP2 gene in an individual are also disclosed. Polynucleotides defined by the haplotypes disclosed herein are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel proteins. More specifically, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding novel polypeptides. Novel polypeptides and antibodies that bind to these polypeptides are provided. Also provided are vectors, host cells, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing human polynucleotides and/or polypeptides, and antibodies. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing, treating, preventing and/or prognosing disorders related to these novel polypeptides. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention. The present invention further relates to methods and/or compositions for inhibiting or enhancing the production and function of the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: Nucleic acids originating in a gene which is expressed in human neuroblastoma, characterized by showing enhanced expression in benign human neuroblastoma compared with in acritical human neuroblastoma and having a sequence selected from among the group consisting of the nucleic acid sequences represented by SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 104 in Sequence Listing; nucleic acids complementary with the above nucleic acids; fragments of these nucleic acids; use thereof as a probe or a primer; and diagnosis of the prognosis of human neuroblastoma with the use of any of the same.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of obtaining vaccines by use of non-stochastic methods of directed evolution (DirectEvolution™). These methods include non-stochastic polynucleotide site-saturation mutagenesis (Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis™) and non-stochastic polynucleotide reassembly (GeneReassembly™). Through use of the claimed methods, vectors can be obtained which exhibit increased efficacy for use as genetic vaccines. Vectors obtained by using the methods can have, for example, enhanced antigen expression, increased uptake into a cell, increased stability in a cell, ability to tailor an immune response, and the like.

Abstract: A novel G-protein coupled receptor-like retinoic acid induced molecule was identified as being differentially expressed (GPCR-like RAIG1) in an animal model of fasting and feeding. Compositions and methods pertaining to treatment and diagnosis of various metabolic disorders, such as cachexia and obesity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to improve detection or quantification of a genetic sequence in a genetic sample using a bipartite probe. A bipartite probe is made of a nucleic acid binding sequence capable of hybridizing a target genetic sequence and a binding probe sequence capable of hybridizing to a detectable amplification molecule through a nucleic acid sequence capable of hybridizing to the binding probe sequence of the bipartite probe. The amplification molecule 6 can be a dendrimer that includes a label in its core and/or on any of its arms. Moreover, a secondary signal generation molecule 11 may also be added to the mixture to further increase signal. Similarly, tertiary 20 and quaternary 30 etc. amplification molecules may successively be added to yield increase signal.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, system components, methods, compositions, and reagents for determining the function and activity of peptides and proteins and for identifying and characterizing molecules that affect these functions and activities. More specifically, methods and reagents used to determine the various activities of peptides and proteins including their binding specificity, binding activity, their enzymatic activity and their ability to act as substrates for enzymes. The disclosed methods are especially suited for the analysis of peptide and protein function where large numbers of peptides and proteins need to be analyzed.

Abstract: As novel human apoptosis-related protein inducing apoptosis, a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 2, 4 or 6 is provided. Moreover, a polynucleotide encoding the protein, an antibody against the protein, etc. are provided. These protein, polynucleotide and antibody are useful in, for example, diagnosis and treatment of cancers, autoimmune diseases, etc.