Abstract: The present invention relates to a toner useful, for example, for visualizing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image bearing member by a method such as electrophotography and electrostatic recording methods.

Abstract: A fuser member having a substrate, an outer polymeric layer, an outer polymeric layer, and a release agent material coating on the outer polymeric layer, wherein the release agent material coating includes a copolymer having the following formula: wherein A and B are the same or different, and each represents —R4—X, wherein R4 represents an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 10 carbons, X represents —NH2 or —NHR6NH2 with R6 representing an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 10 carbons; R1 and R2 are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, an aryl having from about 4 to about 10 carbons, and an arylalkyl; R3 and R5 are the same or different and each is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbons, an aryl having from about 4 to about 10 carbons, an arylalkyl, and a substituted diorganosiloxane chain having from about 1 to about 500 siloxane units; b and c are numbers and a

Abstract: A method for preparation of a lithographic printing plate, which comprises the steps of: imagewise recording on a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having a hydrophilic surface and a thermosensitive layer, the thermosensitive layer comprising at least one of polymer particles and a microcapsule encapsulating an oleophilic compound therein; and rubbing the printing plate precursor by a rubbing member in the presence of a processing liquid to remove the thermosensitive layer of non-image portions.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises a hydrophilic support and an oleophilic coating comprising an infrared absorbing agent and a polymer, which comprises a phenolic monomeric unit wherein the phenyl group of the phenolic monomeric unit is substituted by a group having the structure —N?N-Q wherein the —N?N— group is covalently bound to a carbon atom of the phenyl group and wherein Q is an aromatic group and wherein the substitution increases the chemical resistance of the coating.

Abstract: The invention is a photoswitchable benzocyclobutene-based polymer that while remaining aqueous developable, avoids the problem of significant moisture uptake. The oligomer or polymer comprises a polymeric backbone, benzocyclobutene reactive groups, and photoswitchable pendant groups. The pendant groups are bonded to the polymeric backbone and are characterized by the presence of a moiety that converts to carboxylic acid upon exposure to activating wavelengths of radiation a carboxylic acid. When the oligomer or polymer is subsequently heated to cause cure of the oligomer or polymer, carbon dioxide is emitted and the group forms a substantially non-polar moiety. The invention is also a method of making such a polymer and a method of forming a patterned film using such a polymer.

Abstract: A method for forming a resist pattern on a substrate (18) places a donor element (12) having a layer of thermoresist material proximate the substrate. A gap is maintained such that the surface of the layer of thermoresist material is spaced apart from the surface of the substrate by a number of spacing elements. Thermal energy is directed toward the donor element (12) according to the resist pattern, whereby a portion of thermoresist material is transferred from the donor element (12) across the gap by ablative transfer and is deposited onto the substrate (18) forming the resist pattern.

Abstract: A positive resist composition comprising: (A1) a resin containing at least one type of repeating unit represented by the specific formula and additionally containing at least one type of repeating unit represented by the specific formula, which increases the solubility in an alkali developing solution by the action of an acid, and (B) a compound which is capable of generating an acid by the action of actinic ray or radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planographic printing element suitable to receive and bond with a subsequently applied hydrophilic layer comprises a substrate layer, such as polyester film or paper, having coated thereon an adhesion layer, said adhesion layer comprising a polymer having a glass transition temperature of less than 15C and containing functional groups such as hydroxyl, epoxy or glycidyl groups capable of reacting with the hydrophilic layer. The polymer may be a terpolymer of a hydroxyalkyl methacrylate, an alkyl acrylate and an aminoalkyl methacrylate. The polymer may be mixed with gelatin and the mixture applied to the substrate as a coating. The hydrophilic layer, which may comprise metal oxide particles, such as aluminium oxide and/or titanium dioxide particles in a sodium silicate binder, is subsequently applied as a coating to the adhesion layer.

Abstract: A positive-working, heat-sensitive material for making a lithographic printing plate by direct-to-plate recording is disclosed. The material comprises a hydrophobized grained and anodized aluminum support and a layer comprising a compound capable of converting light into heat provided onto said support, said support being obtainable by RF plasma treatment of a grained and anodized aluminum support in the presence of a fluorine containing gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a dry film resist by forming a photocurable resin composition onto a support film with a thickness of 1 to 50 ?m and optionally laminate a protective film onto the photocurable composition layer to obtain a dry film resist; whereby the photocurable resin is formed from a homogeneous mixture comprising (a) from 20–90 wt % of an alkaline soluble binder oligomer or polymer; (b) from 5 to 60 wt % of one or more photopolymerizable monomers which are compatible with the oligomers and polymers of component (a); (c) from 0.01 to 20% by weight of one or more photoinitiators; (d) from 0 to 20% by weight of additives and/or assistants; and (e) from 0.

Abstract: A thin film circuit is fabricated using a lithographic technique in combination with an inkjet printing technique. The lithographic technique, providing extremely high resolution, is used to fabricate transistor source and drain electrodes, parts of interconnections and circuit electrodes, enabling highly conductive materials to be used. Semiconductor regions, insulator regions, gate electrodes and other parts of the interconnections, and in particular interconnection cross-over points, are patterned using an inkjet printing technique. A variety of materials can be used in the inkjet printing technique and the alignment concerns associated with the use of multiple lithographic steps and, in particular, with the use of plastics substrates, are substantially alleviated.

Abstract: A method of forming a pattern, which comprises forming a masking material layer on a surface of a working film by coating the surface with a solution of a mixture comprising an inorganic compound having a bond between an inorganic element and oxygen atom, and a volatile unit, volatilizing the volatile unit to thereby make the masking material layer porous, forming a resist layer on a surface of the masking material layer, patterning the resist film to form a resist pattern, dry-etching the masking material layer to thereby transfer the resist pattern to the masking material layer, thereby forming a masking material pattern, and dry etching the working film to thereby transfer the masking material pattern to the working film to thereby form a working film pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed are an organic anti-reflective coating polymer having a structure represented by the following formula I, its preparation method and an organic anti-reflective coating composition with respect to an ultra-fine pattern formation process of the photoresist for photolithography technique using ArF light source with a wavelength of 193 nm or VUV light source with a wavelength of 157 nm. An organic anti-reflective coating polymer capable of protecting a photoresist from amines in the atmosphere to minimize the post exposure delay effect after exposure to light and, at the same time, enhances notching status, such as, a pattern distortion caused by diffused reflection, and reducing reflection rate to minimize the swing effect. wherein m is an integer ranging from 5 to 5000.

Abstract: A water-soluble material used for forming a water-soluble film on a chemically amplified resist film includes a water-soluble polymer, an acid generator and a compound constructing an inclusion compound for incorporating the acid generator. Also, in a pattern formation method, a chemically amplified resist film is formed on a substrate, and a water-soluble film made of a water-soluble material including a water-soluble polymer, an acid generator and a compound constructing an inclusion compound for incorporating the acid generator is formed on the resist film. Thereafter, pattern exposure is carried out by selectively irradiating the resist film with exposing light through the water-soluble film, the resultant resist film is developed and the water-soluble film is removed. Thus, a resist pattern made of the resist film is formed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a positive image in a photothermographic element comprising a potentially negative-working emulsion wherein fog density development is imagewise inhibited in exposed areas of the image upon thermal development, the element further comprising a developer or precursor thereof and an oxidized developer scavenging agent to accelerate development by removing oxidized developer as it is formed during the thermal development step. In one embodiment of the invention, in which a density-inhibiting agent is released during thermal development that inhibits the thermal development of unexposed silver salts in the exposed areas relative to the unexposed areas, the method comprises imagewise exposing the film with a non-solarizing amount of radiation/energy to form a latent image and thermally developing the latent image in a single development step to produce a positive image in the element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for quantitatively determining homocysteine in a biological specimen containing homocysteine and cysteine by use of an enzyme which is capable of forming hydrogen sulfide both from homocysteine and from cysteine, which comprises (a) reacting the biological specimen with cysteine dioxygenase in the absence of a reducing agent, (b) subsequently reacting the resultant specimen of (a) with a reducing agent and the enzyme which is capable of forming hydrogen sulfide both from homocysteine and from cysteine, and (c) measuring the concentration of the hydrogen sulfide thus obtained to determine the homocysteine concentration in the biological specimen; and a reagent for such a quantitative determination of homocysteine.

Abstract: Novel hepatitis C virus (HCV) polypeptides are provided which are not encoded by the standard HCV open reading frame. These alternate reading frame polypeptides are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions, in diagnosing HCV infection, and as therapeutic targets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleic acid composition comprising or consisting of at least one polynucleic acid containing 8 or more contiguous nucleotides corresponding to a nucleotide sequence from the region spanning positions 417 to 957 of the Core/E1 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 4664 to 4730 of the NS3 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 4892 to 5292 of the NS3/4 region of HCV type 3; and/or the region spanning positions 8023 to 8235 of the NS5 region of the BR36 subgroup of HCV type 3a; and/or the coding region of HCV type 4a starting at nucleotide 379 in the core region; and/or the coding region of HCV type 4; and/or the coding region of HCV type 5, with said nucleotide numbering being with respect to the numbering of HCV nucleic acids as shown in Table 1, and with said polynucleic acids containing at least one nucleotide difference with known HCV type 1, and/or HCV type 2 genomes in the above-indicated regions, or the complement thereof.

Abstract: Fast and highly accurate mass spectrometry-based processes for detecting a particular nucleic acid sequence in a biological sample are provided. Depending on the sequence to be detected, the processes can be used, for example, to diagnose a genetic disease or chromosomal abnormality; a predisposition to a disease or condition, infection by a pathogenic organism, or for determining identity or heredity.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting DNA sequence differences including single nucleotide mutations or polymorphisms, one or more nucleotide insertions, and one or more nucleotide deletions. Labeled heteroduplex PCR fragments containing base mismatches are prepared. Endonuclease cleaves the heteroduplex PCR fragments both at the position containing the variation (one or more mismatched bases) and to a lesser extent, at non-variant (perfectly matched) positions. Ligation of the cleavage products with a DNA ligase corrects non-variant cleavages and thus substantially reduces background. This is then followed by a detection step in which the reaction products are detected, and the position of the sequence variations are determined.

Abstract: This patent describes a novel in vitro cell-based method for biological validation and pharmacological screening of drugs, new chemical entities (NCEs) and biologics, which is predictive of in vivo testing for efficacy and adverse events in patients, as occurs in clinical trials. The same method can be used to create an in vitro cell-based assay to identify the ‘right marketed medication for the right patient’ (personalized medicine), and to identify responders/non-responders in ongoing clinical trials with NCEs. In addition this approach can be used to identify new indications for existing medicines and new indications for NCEs that were unsuccessful in their intended uses.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating a modified peptide from a complex mixture of peptides, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a proteinaceous preparation from an organism, wherein the preparation comprises modified peptides from two or more different proteins; (b) contacting the preparation with at least one immobilized modification-specific antibody; and (c) isolating at least one modified peptide specifically bound by the immobilized modification-specific antibody in step (b). The method may further comprise the step of (d) characterizing the modified peptide isolated in step (c) by mass spectrometry (MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS—MS), and/or MS3 analysis, or the step of (e) utilizing a search program to substantially match the spectra obtained for the modified peptide during the characterization of step (d) with the spectra for a known peptide sequence, thereby identifying the parent protein(s) of the modified peptide.

Abstract: A non-symmetric polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification method employing a limiting primer in low concentration whose concentration-adjusted melting point at least equals, and preferably exceeds, that of the excess primer, the latter in turn not being more than 25° C. below the melting temperature of the amplicon. Assays employing such amplification and labeled hybridization probes, including assays that include a detection step following primer extension or a low-temperature probe, or both. Kits for performing such assays and primer or primer-and-probe sets for performing the foregoing amplifications and assays.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to polymorphisms or mutations of the PHOX2B gene. More particularly, the invention relates to polymorphisms or mutations of the PHOX2B gene that are responsible for the disease Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR), which is a neural crest-associated developmental disorder. Specifically, the invention relates to the detection of a single base-pair polymorphism in the PHOX2B gene that is associated with HSCR. The invention also relates to methods and kits for screening for carriers of mutations of the PHOX2B gene and the diagnosis of increased risk of HSCR. The invention further relates to diagnosing predisposition or susceptibility to increased risk of developing HSCR by screening for the presence of a polymorphism associated with HSCR. The invention also relates to compositions for screening for the polymorphism and treatment choices for patients having the polymorphism of the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and uses of NRG4, and to variants thereof and to polynucleotides encoding NRG4, for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, particularly related to colon and pancreatic cancer. This invention also relates to therapeutic agents based on or derived from the polynucleotides and proteins, NRG4 inhibitors, particularly antibodies capable of specifically binding to NRG4.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the detection of analytes, particularly biomolecules in samples. The invention also relates to compositions, methods, and kits for detecting the presence of analytes, typically in multiplex detection formats. The invention also relates to methods for determining the presence of at least one analyte in a sample, the methods employing employ single molecule detection techniques to individually detect at least one molecular complex or at least part of a molecular complex.

Abstract: A reflective substrate is used to amplify the photon signal captured from overlying analyte domains containing photon emitters. The reflective substrate provides substantial desired signal amplification of the photon emissions from each domain via interference effects induced in the incident excitation and/or emission energies. A dielectric is interposed between the domains and the reflective surface, which has a thickness such that substantial destructive interference occurs with respect to emission photons or excitation photons or both at the attachment surface. When analyte domains have a three-dimensional structure such that a significant fraction of their volume extends at least ¼ wavelength above the attachment surface provided by the dielectric, substantial constructive signal amplification can take place of signals generated within the analyte domains.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a sample to detect cells infected by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is provided. The method includes passing a medium containing the sample across a filter. The filter has a pore size that is greater than a dimension of a HPV particle, but smaller than a dimension of a HPV infected cell, such that most of the HPV particles pass through the filter, while leaving the cells on the filter. The material collected on the filter is then examined to determine if HPV infected cells are present in the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of the molecular binding domains between presenilins and its substrates such as amyloid precursor protein and telencephalin. These binding domains can be efficiently used in drug screening assays to screen for compounds capable of modulating the interaction between presenilins and type I transmembrane proteins. The invention further relates to compounds capable of modulating the interaction.

Abstract: A panel of monoclonal antibodies recognizing and binding to human inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS or type II iNOS) enzyme have been developed. The monoclonal antibodies may also be employed in an assay to detect the presence and/or quantitate the amount of human iNOS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a screening method by which a prediabetic state can be more accurately determined and many test samples can be treated without physical burden on patients, and a diagnostic reagent used for it. By measuring a D-mannose concentration, preferably a D-mannose concentration and a glucose concentration, in a body fluid collected from a subject, and comparing them with their respective standard values, a patient in a prediabetic state can be detected. Further, the measurement of the mannose concentration is conducted by allowing an enzyme having an oxidizing activity on mannose by dehydrogenation to react on the mannose in a sample in the presence of an electron acceptor, and quantitatively determining the formed reductant of the electron acceptor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining the drug sensitivity of a microbe which comprises pouring a microbial suspension into each of the compartments or wells at a position which is in the vicinity of an electrode for measuring dissolved oxygen concentration, measuring current from each electrode at a second time interval for a third time period, each time is obtained based upon each of the measured currents at which the maximum current is obtained, obtaining each current value within a fourth time period which starts from the time at which the maximum current is obtained, detecting drug sensitivity based upon the variation condition of each current value during the fourth time period. The method allows rapid drug susceptibility measurements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a culture medium for isolating Vibrio bacteria, characterised in that it comprises, in a Vibrio culture medium, at least a chromogenic agent selected among the ?-glucosidase substrates and the ?-galactosidase substrates.

Abstract: To determine the transplant compatibility of an in vitro cultured tissue, a method measures the stiffness of the cultured tissue by using a stiffness measuring device, which stiffness measuring device includes a detecting unit and calculation means, the detecting unit includes a contact unit, a vibrator connected to the contact unit, and a vibration detecting unit for detecting the vibration of the vibrator, and the calculation means determines stiffness information by calculation based on the detected result from the vibration detecting element; and by bringing the contact unit into contact with the cultured tissue. With this method the transplant compatibility of the cultured tissue can be nondestructively and easily determined easily and the quality of the cultured tissue can be appropriately controlled.

Abstract: A long-lived, myeloid-committed stem cell population is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and compositions for targeting this population with retrovirus vectors in gene therapy protocols for correcting congenital disorders of myeloid system and for potentiating immune responses to defined tumor and viral antigens.

Abstract: The present application features two different forms of the human MCH receptor: (1) MCH-R2 and (2) MCH-R3. Such MCH receptors provide a target for achieving a beneficial affect in a patient and facilitate the screening of compounds that modulate MCH receptor activity or expression. Beneficial effects that can be obtained include increasing appetite, decreasing appetite, and reducing stress.

Abstract: The present invention describes a newly discovered polynucleotide encoding a protein involved in the cell signaling cascade, called RET16, cloned, isolated and identified from TNF-alpha stimulated human microvascular endothelial cells, as well as mouse and rat RET16 orthologs thereof. Also described are the RET16 polypeptide sequence, expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antagonists, antisense molecules, and antibodies related to the polynucleotide and/or polypeptide of the present invention. Methods for screening for modulators, particularly inhibitors, of the human RET16 protein, and use of the RET16 polynucleotide and polypeptide for therapeutics and diagnostics are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polynucleotides encoding HGPRBMY39 polypeptides, fragments and homologues thereof. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing said polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for applying these novel HGPRBMY39 polypeptides to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various diseases and/or disorders related to these polypeptides. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having homology to members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention and to methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present inventors conducted a similarity search of the amino acid sequence of known G protein-coupled receptor proteins in GenBank, and obtained a novel human GPCR gene “BG37”. cDNA containing the ORF of the gene was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. Moreover, novel GPCR “BG37” genes from mouse and rat were isolated. Use of the novel GPCR of the present invention enables screening of ligands, compounds inhibiting the binding to a ligand, and candidate compounds of pharmaceuticals which can regulate signal transduction from the “BG37” receptor.

Abstract: Methods for producing modified polypeptides containing amino acid analogues are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising purified dihydrofolate reductase polypeptides, produced by the methods of the invention. In certain aspects, methionine residues of the compositions are replaced with homoallyglycine, homoproparglycine, norvaline, norleucine, cis-crotyiglycine, trans-crotylglycine, 2-aminoheptanoic acid, 2-butynyiglycine and allyglycine.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel fluorescent GFPs and BFPs. A novel BFP according to this invention has an F64L mutation as well as a L236R mutation and is provided with improved fluorescence. Furthermore, another BFP has the F64L mutation with the characteristics as described above and other mutations, V163A and S175G, and it possesses markedly improved characteristics in the expression at 37 ° C. in addition to those as described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of treating and diagnosing disorders characterized the by the presence of antigens associated with inflammatory diseases and/or cancer, and nucleotide sequences, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), oligonucleotide probes, polypeptides, vectors and host cells expressing such antigens PRO301, PRO362 or PRO245.

Abstract: A polypeptide which contains the amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO: 1 in the Sequence Listing encoded by a gene originating in human being. Because of serving as a chemical efficacious in the suppression of the proliferation and differentiation of undifferentiated blood cells, this polypeptide is expected to be usable in medicines and medical supplies.

Abstract: The isolation of the yeast ?-factor genes is described. The promoter and signal peptide portions are isolated and joined to DNA coding for proteins heterologous to yeast in a plasmid which is used to transform yeast cells. The yeast expresses the heterologous DNA and processes and secretes the heterologous protein.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to HER-2/neu fusion proteins, nucleic acid molecules encoding HER-2/neu fusion proteins, viral vectors expressing HER-2/neu fusion proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions (e.g., vaccines) comprising the HER-2/neu fusion proteins and/or nucleic acid molecules encoding the HER-2/neu fusion proteins. The present invention is also directed to methods of treating or preventing cancer by eliciting or enhancing an immune response to the HER-2/neu protein, including for uses in the treatment of malignancies associated with the HER-2/neu oncogene.

Abstract: The present invention intends to find out a gene participating in addition of mannose phosphate to a sugar chain of a glycoprotein originating in a yeast belonging to the genus Pichia and provide a means of controlling the same. The present invention also intends to provide a process for producing a protein with reduction of an acidic sugar chain by using the thus controlled yeast strain belonging to the genus Pichia. Namely, the present invention includes a protein participating in the addition of mannose phosphate to a sugar chain of a glycoprotein; a gene encoding this protein; a mutant of this gene; a vector carrying the mutant gene; a yeast strain belonging to the genus Pichia having been transformed by this vector; a process for producing a protein with reduction of an acidic sugar chain by using the transformed yeast strain; and a glycoprotein thus produced.

Abstract: A polyketide synthase (“PKS”) of Type I is a complex multienzyme including a loading domain linked to a multiplicity of extension domains. The first extension module receives an acyl starter unit from the loading domain and each extension module adds a further ketide unit which may undergo processing (e.g. reduction). We have found that the Ksq domain possessed by some PKS's has decarboxylating activity, e.g. generating (substituted) acyl from (substituted) malonyl. The CLF domain of type II PKS's has similar activity. By inserting loading modules including such domains into PKS's not normally possessing them it is possible to control the starter units used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the isolation of hepatitis C virus. The method comprises the separation of particles termed exosomes from the blood plasma of an individual infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the extraction or RNA from these exosome particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for recombinational cloning. The compositions include vectors having multiple recombination sites and/or multiple topoisomerase recognition sites. The methods permit the simultaneous cloning of two or more different nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments the molecules are fused together while in other embodiments the molecules are inserted into distinct sites in a vector. The invention also generally provides for linking or joining through recombination a number of molecules and/or compounds (e.g., chemical compounds, drugs, proteins or peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, etc.) which may be the same or different.