Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel polypeptide, a human binding protein 42, the polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide and the method for producing the polypeptide by DNA recombinant technology. The invention also discloses the uses of the polypeptide in methods for treating various diseases, such as malignant tumour, hemopathy. HIV infection, immunological disease, and various inflammation, etc. The invention also discloses the agonists against the polypeptide and the therapeutic action thereof. The invention also discloses the uses of the polynucleotide encoding the novel human calcium binding protein 42.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In particular, the present invention provides modified beta-amyloid peptides, antibodies that specifically bind to the modified beta-amyloid peptides, and methods for using these compositions in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, as well as methods to monitor treatment and/or disease progression of Alzheimer's disease in patients. The present invention also provides compositions and methods useful in research involving amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Pancreatic islet cell antigens (ICA) that bind with antibodies found in the sera of patients afflicted with insulin-dependent (Type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM). ICA proteins are expressed by recombinant cloning vehicles comprising DNA inserts isolated from islet cells. Full sequence native ICA proteins, or protein or peptide fragments thereof, can be used in the diagnosis of IDDM and in detecting or blocking human immunoglobulin, T-cells, or B-cells involved in IDDM.

Abstract: The present invention provides a set of methods and compositions for homogeneous coupled luminescent assays of cytotoxicity and/or proliferation of cells, as well as for enzymatic activity. In both cases the activities of the enzymes of interest are coupled to production of a high-energy molecule, which serves as a substrate for the production of light by a luciferase, typically in a single reagent mixture, with a useful readout available in 1—5 minutes. Individual cytotoxicity and proliferation signals can be measured from a single sample in 6 minutes or less. The invention also provides a 3-minute, one-step phosphatase assay. The ability to couple the activity of interest to light production in a one-step procedure gives rise to extremely rapid and flexible methods for measurement of cytotoxic effects and enzymatic activities. The assay methods are highly suitable for use in high-throughput screening procedures.

Abstract: A method of determining the concentration of a surfactant-based neutral cleaner in a wash liquor, a hand-held apparatus, and a test kit for carrying out the method are provided. According to the method, a cleaner composed of the cleaning agent, an amount of a reducing sugar that is proportional to the cleaning agent, and a sugar preserving agent, is added to a wash solution. The concentration of reducing sugar present in the wash solution may then subsequently be determined by infrared quantitative analysis to provide a concentration of reducing sugar correlative with the amount of cleaning agent remaining in the wash liquor. An apparatus suitable for carrying out infrared quantitative analysis can be packaged with associated test supplies and reagents in a test kit.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for identifying compounds that inhibit JNK and MLK kinase activity as drugs for treating a mammal susceptible to or having a neurological condition. This invention also discloses methods for preventing neuronal cell death and treating neurological conditions that involve neuronal cell death, particularly neurodegenerative diseases characterized by glutamine or kainate mediated toxicity, such as Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention features a method for evaluating PKC activity in vascular tissues. The invention also features methods for diagnosing cardiovascular and diabetes related disorders, and for identifying and evaluating treatments for cardiovascular or diabetes related disorders. Methods for identifying and evaluating treatments for aging are also included. The methods include measuring PKC activity in monocytes as a surrogate for PKC activity in other tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conveniently quantitating TGs contained in various lipoproteins. A method for quantitating trigyceride (TG) in a particular lipoprotein which comprises eliminating free glycerol from a sample containing free glycerol and TG in the particular lipoprotein, then allowing the resulting sample to react with lipoprotein lipase and an enzyme system which generates hydrogen peroxide from free glycerol, and quantitating the generated hydrogen peroxide, is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-invasive methods for facilitating the diagnosis of a subject as having cancer. The described methods involve detecting the presence of a matrix metalloproteinase in urine samples obtained from a patient and correlating the presence or absence of the matrix metalloproteinase with the presence or absence of cancer. Methods for monitoring the prognosis of a patient by detection of matrix metalloproteinase are also provided.

Abstract: A drug delivery system compound comprising a carboxy(C1-4)alkyldextran polyalcohol modified with a saccharide compound and a residue of drug compound bound to the carboxy(C1-4)alkyldextran polyalcohol, and a method for measuring a drug delivery system compound in which a polymer carrier and a residue of drug compound are bound to each other by a spacer comprising 2 to 8 amino acids linked by peptide bond(s), which comprises treating the drug delivery system compound with a peptidase, and measuring the resulting hydrolysate.

Abstract: A method of detecting a metal in a sample comprising a plurality of metal is disclosed. The method comprises providing the sample comprising a metal to be detected. The sample is added to a reagent solution comprising an enzyme and a substrate, where the enzyme is inhibited by the metal to be detected. An array of chelating agents is used to eliminate the inhibitory effects of additional metals in the sample. An enzymatic activity in the sample is determined and compared to an enzymatic activity in a control solution to detect the metal to be detected. A method of determining a concentration of the metal in the sample is also disclosed. A method of detecting a valence state of a metal is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the measurement of an analyte in biological samples whereby an uncompetitive inhibitor is coupled to a ligand and utilized in a homogeneous assay. The analyte can be a drug or drug derivative, hormone, polypeptide, or oligonucleotide. The present invention also provides novel compounds, assay reagents and packaged kits useful for performing such measurements.

Abstract: A method of determining calciotropic activity of a preparation of algae of the genus Padina pavonica. The algae preparation may be in the form of a powder or an extract. The method consists of culturing human or animal osteoblasts in a culture medium containing calcium ions in a well plate. The preparation is added thereto and non-fixed calcium ions are eliminated in the culture medium. Further, the culture medium is acidified to destroy an extracellular matrix formed by the osteoblasts in the culture medium. Thereafter, filtering of the culture medium is carried out and then a concentration of fixed calcium ions in the osteoblasts is determined and compared with a calibration scale of a known activator of the fixation of calcium or in the presence of an inhibitor of the fixation of calcium or both.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bioprocess engineering solution for a product removal process for use in a biofermentation. The invention discloses a process for withdrawing an aliquot of broth from a biofermentation vessel during at least a portion of the biofermentation, removing biocatalyst and water, chromatographically separating biofermentation products from the withdrawn broth using water as an eluent, and returning the remaining components of the broth back to the biofermentation vessel. Process chromatography permits highly selective separation of the target molecule, preventing feedback inhibition of the biofermentation.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of crystalline carotenoid compound from microbial biomass comprising disrupting the microbial cell walls, separating cellular debris from the carotenoid-containing residue, washing one member of the group consisting of the microbial biomass, the disrupted cell mass and the carotenoid-containing reside with a solvent to remove lipid, suspending the obtained carotenoid crystals in water to float the crystals, recovering the crystals and, optionally, further purifying the crystals which avoids the use of large amounts of solvent of carotenoid extraction process.

Abstract: The invention provides osteoactivin proteins and nucleic acid molecules that encode the same, as well as biologically functional expression vectors containing nucleic acid molecules encoding osteoactivin proteins, and antibodies specific for osteoactivin proteins. The invention also provides therapeutic and diagnostic compositions and methods for utilizing the proteins, antibodies, nucleic acids, and vectors of the invention, for example, to modulate bone formation.

Abstract: Peptides and methods of their use for inhibiting drug and radiation-therapy resistance in cancerous cells in which efficacy of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy of a patient is enhanced by administration of an effective amount of a peptide that inhibits cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR). Preferably, the peptide comprises D-amino acids having the sequence: kmviywkag  (RZ-3) or is a variant or modified version thereof. The peptide is preferably administered to the patient prior to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. Inhibition of cell adhesion mediated drug resistance (CAM-DR) by RZ-3 in multiple myeloma cells is disclosed.

Abstract: A novel CC chemokine which is from a mammal, reagents related thereto including purified proteins, specific antibodies, and nucleic acids encoding said chemokine. Methods of using said reagents and diagnostic kits are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing sensitive and accurate assays for gene detection, genome-wide gene expression profiling and alternative splice monitoring wit a minimum or absence of target-specific amplification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides corresponding to the lysR3 gene and which encode a LysR3 transcriptional regulator, methods of producing L-amino acids, and methods of screening for polynucleotides which encode proteins having LysR3 transcriptional regulator activity.

Abstract: In a process for preparing mevinolin by fermentation of a biomass in a fermentation liquor, which includes dissolving mevinolin from the biomass into the fermentation liquor, and separating the biomass from the fermentation liquor to obtain a separated fermentation liquor, separating the mevinolin from the separated fermentation liquor, and recovering the end product, the improvement which comprises carrying out the dissolving at a pH between 7.5 and about 10, and the separating of the mevinolin is carried out at a pH between about 4.5 and about 1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel gene encoding a protein having an excellent catalyst ability for producing (S)-N-substituted cyclic imino acid represented by the general formula (2) (=the (S)-cyclic imino acid (2)): and to provide a novel method for producing the (S)-cyclic imino acid (2) by an asymmetric hydrolization of the N-substituted cyclic imino acid ester represented by the general formula (1): in a manner of gene engineering technology utilizing the novel gene provided.

Abstract: This invention provides a particulate material suitable for use as a nutritional supplement, particularly as an aquaculture feed. The particulate material has a high proportion of DHA residues in the lipid fraction, which may be up to 35% of the material, or even more. Preferably, the material has a mean particle size of from about 5 microns to about 10 microns. This invention also provides a method for preparing a particulate material suitable for use as an aquaculture feed from microbial biomass, preferably from algal cells having a high content of DHA residues, by obtaining a lipid fraction from the biomass, preferably by solvent extraction of broken cells, followed by separating a fraction containing phospholipids and proteins from the lipid fraction, and removing water from the protein/phospholipid fraction to form a low moisture particulate, preferably by spray-drying the protein/phospholipid fraction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for enzymatic preparation of homogentisate (HMO) from 4-hydroxypyruvate (HPP), characterized in that it consists in carrying out in a suitable reaction medium the following enzymatic reactions: enzymatic conversion of HPP into 4-hydroxyphenylacetate (HPA) with a first appropriate enzyme; then an enzymatic conversion of HPA into HMO with a second appropriate enzyme.

Abstract: This invention relates to new use of marine cyanobacteria lyngbya, Oscillatoria, Sprulina, Anabaena and Synechocystis deposited with ATCC having accession numbers ATCC PTA-4602 and 4603 for the removal of calcium ions from sea-brine and sub-soil brine having a density range 10 to 25.5° Be′, by culturing the cyanobacteria, inoculating the cyanobacteria culture to raw brine of 10 to 25.5° Be′, filtering the resultant mixture to obtain a brine having less calcium, and to separate the cyanobacteria which can be reused if desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to luciferase having resistance to a surfactant and a method for measuring intracellular ATP which is characterized in that the luciferase having resistance to a surfactant is used in this method comprising the steps of: a first step wherein ATP is extracted from cells in a sample; a second step wherein light emission is produced by adding a luminescence reagent containing luciferase to the extracted ATP solution; and a third step wherein the light emission is measured.

Abstract: The present invention provides a PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) synthase useful in a process for preparing a PHA, a gene encoding the enzyme, a recombinant vector comprising the gene, a transformant transformed by the vector, a process for producing a PHA synthase utilizing the transformant and a process for preparing a PHA utilizing the transformant. A transformant obtained by introducing a PHA synthase gene from Pseudomonas putida P91 strain into a host microorganism is cultured to produce a PHA synthase or PHA.

Abstract: The present invention provides amino acid sequences of peptides that are encoded by genes within the human genome, the kinase peptides of the present invention. The present invention specifically provides isolated peptide and nucleic acid molecules, methods of identifying orthologs and paralogs of the kinase peptides, and methods of identifying modulators of the kinase peptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel enzyme, histidine protein phosphatase, which is derived from mammalian sources, and its homologue variants. The invention further relates to DNA sequences encoding said proteins, to a process for preparing the latter, and to antibodies directed against them. The novel phosphatase can be used for diagnosis of pathological states of cell regulation and cell growth and as pharmaceutical drug which can be administered in conjunction with pathological disorders related to malfunctions of said enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides which encode proteins with O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase, vectors and cells containing the polynucleotides as well as methods of preparing L-amino acids.

Abstract: DNA and peptide sequences encoding a novel mammalian secreted group IIF phospholipase A2 wherein said enzyme is Ca2+-dependent, maximally active at pH 7-8, and hydrolyzes phosphatidylglycerol versus phosphatidylcholine with a 15-fold preference and more particularly, a novel human group IIF phospholipase A2. The invention also concerns the use of this enzyme in methods for screening various chemical compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed are variant thermostable cellulases, nucleic acids encoding the variants and methods for producing the variants. The variant thermostable cellulases have the amino acid sequence of a glycosyl hydrolase of family 12 wherein one or more amino acid residues which are not part of the catalytic domain are deleted. In specific embodiments, the variant thermostable cellulase is a variant of Cel12A of Rhodothermus marinus.

Abstract: Process for the production of a protein with citrate lyase activity by expressing a suitable plasmid in a host organism and isolating the protein in an active form, wherein the plasmid contains the information from a gene cluster composed of at least six genes and an inducible promoter. Furthermore the invention concerns the use of the recombinant enzyme and a corresponding test kit for the determination of citric acid.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a process for producing lipid containing omega-9 highly unsaturated fatty acid by culturing in a medium a mutant strain obtained by mutation on a microorganism having the ability to produce arachidonic acid belonging to the genus Mortierella and so forth, in which &Dgr;12 desaturation activity is decreased or lost, but at least one of &Dgr;5 desaturation activity, &Dgr;6 desaturation activity and chain length elongation activity is elevated. Moreover, the present invention also discloses a process for producing omega-9 highly unsaturated fatty acid by collecting omega-9 highly unsaturated fatty acid from the culture or lipid described above.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a series of genes are identified in Group B Streptococcus, the products of which may be associated with the outer surface of the organism. The genes, or functional fragments thereof, may be useful in the preparation of therapeutics, e.g. vacaccines to immunize a patient against microbial infection.

Abstract: Microorganisms of the genus Bacillus that are capable of reducing nitrates and contain chitin and/or chitosan in their cell walls are provided. The microorganism of the invention can be used for improving soil, for treating organic waste by fermentation, for fermenting soybeans, and for reducing bitterness. The microorganism of the invention can also be used as a feed additive or a good additive. Further, the microorganism of the invention has an anti-microbial effect.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing biological material, for use in various experimental, diagnostic or therapeutic uses, including immunotherapy treatment or prophylaxy of tumors. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of preparing membrane vesicles (in particular exosomes) released by various types of mammalian cells, comprising diafiltration and/or density cushion centrifugation. The invention also provides novel methods for characterizing and analyzing exosome preparations, which can be used in quality control assay for the purpose of pharmaceutical product production. The invention is suitable to produce pharmaceutical grade preparations of such membrane vesicles and to fully characterize said preparations, for use in human beings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacture of an anti-paratopic antibody comprising the steps of: (1) selecting from a pool of antibodies occurring in one species a prototypic set the members of which are effective in binding a specific antigen (or antigen epitope), and (2) utilizing one or more members of said prototypic set, or paratopic fragments thereof, as an immunogen in a host of a different species, or in an in vitro incubation system comprising cells derived from the same or a different species, to produce antibodies having a characteristic which is anti-paratopic with respect to said immunogen to produce a synthetic replicate of the specific antigen or epitope. Antigen (or antigen epitope), and monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and processes of immunization employing the product of the method of manufacture are also described.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides a method of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between a p66 and p51 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound inhibits formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. This invention provides methods of determining whether a compound enhances formation of a complex between two p66 subunit polypeptides of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

Abstract: Binding of two members of a binding couple reveal epitopes which are revealed only after binding and the monoclonal antibody secreted from the hybridoma cell line CG-10 directed against these epitopes bind to the bound couple at a significantly higher affinity than their binding affinity to either of the two members themselves when not bound to one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides neuronal progenitor cells which have been identified in histological sections of the adult human brain. The present invention also provides methods to localize, characterize, harvest, and propagate neuronal progenitor cells derived from human brain tissue. Additional methods are provided for introducing and expressing genes in the brain.

Abstract: A method for embryogenesis and a method for plant regeneration are disclosed. Microspore-containing plant segment from donor plants are harvested and incubated under pre-treatment conditions to maintain microspore at a uninucleate cell cycle G1 phase. Pre-treatment conditions comprise cold water or an aqueous solution of about 0.2-about 1.0 mol/liter sugar alcohol, for example mannitol. Microspores are isolated from the plant segment and embryogenesis of microspores is induced in induction medium, thereby producing embryos. Green plants may be regenerated from the embryos produced. Arabinogalactan protein, auxin and ovary co-culture may be added to the induction medium to enhance embryogenesis from microspores.

Abstract: In order to prevent a catalyst for an internal combustion engine from decreasing efficiency by deterioration after long time use of the catalyst, the decreased efficiency of the catalyst is determined, and the internal engine is controlled based on results of the determination so as to maintain high efficiency of the catalyst. The catalyst is installed in an exhaust pipe of the engine. Sensors for detecting conditions of exhaust gas both at upstream side and downstream side of the catalyst are provided, respectively. As for the sensor, for example, an oxygen sensor of which output varies stepwise at &lgr;=1, or a sensor of which output varies in proportion to air-fuel ratio can be used. Detected values of the sensors are taken into a control unit, eliminating efficiency and deteriorating degree of the catalyst are estimated by comparison of the detected values, and the engine is controlled so that the eliminating efficiency becomes maximum.

Abstract: A system and method high throughput sample preparation and analysis using column chromatography. Each port in a plurality of ports has a port input that interfaces with a first fluid source and a port output. A fluidic circuit is coupled to each port output and to a second fluid source, the fluidic circuit for controlling fluid flow from the plurality of ports and the second fluid source. The fluidic circuit is also coupled to a plurality of chromatography columns. An interface to an analyzer receives output from at least one of the plurality of chromatography columns. The plurality of chromatography columns is moved relative to the analyzer via a translation stage, such that sample output from one of the plurality of chromatography columns can be selectively presented to the analyzer.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of regenerating a biosensor. It involves passing a background flow of fluid without reactive components through the flow passage. At a selected point in time a sample aliquot is injected into said background flow. At a point in time when a signal from said sensor is obtained the flow rate of the background fluid is increased. The invention also comprises a system for continuous monitoring of analytes in a biological fluid, the system having increased life by virtue of inherent regeneration of sensors employed. It comprises a biosensor (26, 30, 32), a sampling device (4) for providing a sample of said biological fluid, and means (10, 15, 18, 24) for passing a flow of a background fluid through said flow passage at selectable flow rates, means (20, 50, 55) for injecting said sample into said flow of background fluid, and means (50, 55) for increasing the flow rate of said combined flow. Means for achieving a washing action at the signal generating portion are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for hematology testing, which has a sensing unit defining a counting orifice for the flow of a blood sample through the counting orifice to analyze the blood sample, and a pump unit having three syringes. A first syringe is coupled in fluid communication with the sensing unit on the inlet side of the counting orifice for injecting a stream of blood sample through the counting orifice. A second syringe is coupled in fluid communication with the sensing chamber on the inlet side of the counting orifice for simultaneously injecting a sheath of fluid surrounding the sample stream on the inlet side of the counting orifice. And a third syringe is coupled to the sensing chamber on the outlet side of the counting orifice for aspirating a sheath of fluid from the sensing chamber surrounding the sample stream on the outlet side of the counting orifice.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying patients with normal NCEP lipid levels who are in need of treatment for cardiovascular disease comprising measuring one or more LDL or HDL particle subclass levels and identifying abnormal LDL or HDL subclass levels.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of inhibiting calcification of a soft tissue (e.g., an artery, a heart valve, an atherosclerotic plaque, a cancer, a kidney, a prostate, skin, muscle, cartilage, viscera, and heart muscle) in a mammal. These methods involve inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption in said mammal (e.g., a mammal diagnosed as having or at risk for a pathology characterized by calcification of a soft tissue). The inhibition is preferably by administration of a bisphosphonate to the mammal in a concentration sufficient to inhibit bone resorption without inhibiting bone mineralization. The methods of this invention can also be used to mitigate a symptom of atherosclerosis in a mammal. Such methods involve inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption in the mammal.

Abstract: A method of broad screen detection, competitive dye desorption from a solid adsorbent, is described for quantifying the presence of a molecule or target analyte in the vapor phase, in solution, or eluted from a solid. In the function of an analytical element for implementing the competitive dye desorption method of the invention, dye or dye-precursor molecules adsorbed on the surface of an adsorbent are caused to desorb through the adsorption of the target analyte on the adsorbent. The desorbed dye or precursor is made detectable through sequestering of a radiation detectable species in the device of the invention. Such detection may occur, e.g., through absorption or emission of radiation in regions of the spectrum extending from the ultra-violet through the visible and into the infra-red regions. In one aspect of the invention, these processes occur within a multi-layer analytical element, in which the functions of the device may be executed by different layers.

Abstract: A homogeneous assay for determining the deoxynivalenol (DON) content in grains uses the technique of fluorescence polarization. A grain extract is prepared by shaking a crushed grain sample with water. A mixture is prepared by combining the grain extract with a tracer and with monoclonal antibodies specific to DON. The tracer is able to bind to the monoclonal antibodies to produce a detectable change in fluorescence polarization. The tracer is prepared by conjugating DON to a suitable fluorophore. The fluorescence polarization of the mixture is measured. The DON concentration of the mixture may be calculated using a standard curve obtained by measuring the fluorescence polarization of a series of DON solutions of known concentration.