Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive flexographic printing element for the production of flexographic newspaper printing plates, comprising at least a flexible, metallic support, an adhesive layer applied thereto, a photopolymerizable layer which can be developed in organic media and which itself comprises at least one elastomeric binder, ethylenically unsaturated monomers, a photoinitiator or photoinitiator system and a plasticizer, a transparent substrate layer, and optionally a removable protective film, where the total thickness of the flexographic printing element is from 300 to 1000 ?m, the elastomeric binder has a weight average molecular weight Mw of from 80,000 to 150,000 g/mol and a Shore A hardness of from 50 to 80, and the amount of plasticizer is from 5 to 50% by weight, based on the amount of all constituents of the photopolymerizable layer, and to a process for the production of flexographic newspaper printing plates by imagewise exposure of the flexographic printing element to act

Abstract: A method for carrying out positive tone lithography with a carbon dioxide development system is carried out by: (a) providing a substrate, the substrate having a polymer resist layer formed thereon, (b) exposing at least one portion of the polymer resist layer to radiant energy causing a chemical shift to take place in the exposed portion and thereby form at least one light field region in the polymer resist layer while concurrently maintaining at least one portion of the polymer layer unexposed to the radiant energy to thereby form at least one dark field region in the polymer resist layer; (c) optionally baking the polymer resist layer; (d) contacting the polymer resist layer to a carbon dioxide solvent system, the solvent system comprising a polar group, under conditions in which the at least one light field region is preferentially removed from the substrate by the carbon dioxide solvent system as compared to the at least one dark field region; wherein the carbon dioxide solvent system comprises a first p

Abstract: In accordance with the objectives of the invention a new water soluble negative photoresist is provided for packing-and-unpacking (PAU) processing steps.

Abstract: A process of forming ultra fine patterns using bottom anti-reflective coating containing acid generator. More particularly, a process of forming vertical patterns using an organic bottom anti-reflective coating containing excessive amount of acid generator, in order to prevent formation of sloping patterns due to photoresist resins absorbing wavelength of light used as light sources during lithography process using light sources such as KrF, ArF, VUV, EUV, E-beam and ion beam, even when photoresist resins having high absorbance to light source are used.

Abstract: A protective, biocompatible coating or encapsulation material protects and insulates a component or device intended to be implanted in living tissue. The coating or encapsulation material comprises a thin layer or layers of alumina, zirconia or other ceramic, less than 25 microns thick, e.g., 5-10 microns thick. The alumina layer(s) may be applied at a relatively low temperature. Once applied, the layer provides excellent hermeticity, and prevents electrical leakage. Even though very thin, the alumina layer retains excellent insulating characteristics. In one embodiment, an alumina layer less than about 6 microns thick provides an insulative coating that exhibits less than 10 pA of leakage current over an area 75 mils by 25 mils area while soaking in a saline solution at temperatures up to 80° C. over a three month period.

Abstract: A thermally developable photographic material containing a support, provided thereon: (i) a photosensitive layer containing photosensitive silver halide particles, and (ii) a layer containing at least one represented by formula below on one or both surfaces of the support

Abstract: The present invention provides a photothermographic material including a support having disposed on one surface thereof at least one image-forming layer containing a binder, an organic silver salt, a reducing agent for reducing silver ions, an organic polyhalogen compound and a photosensitive silver halide, wherein the photosensitive silver halide has a silver iodide content ranging from 10 mol % to 100 mol %. The silver halide further contains at least one metal selected from a first metal group and one metal selected from a second metal group, with a proviso that none of the at least one metal selected from the first metal group and the at least one metal selected from the second metal group are the same.

Abstract: Cell based assays are used to assess the hepatotoxicity of a stimulus. Imaging technologies are used to analyze the effects of a stimulus on hepatocytes. Image analysis may characterize the stimulus on the basis of whether it is hepatotoxic, and if so what type of pathology is exhibited; e.g., apoptosis, necrosis, cholestasis, and/or steatosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of regulating gene expression using recombinant zinc finger proteins, for functional genomics and target validation applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and assays for detecting bacteriophage MS2 in a sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying whether a compound inhibits entry of a virus into a cell which comprises: (a) obtaining nucleic acid encoding a viral envelope protein from a patient infected by the virus; (b) co-transfecting into a first cell (i) the nucleic acid of step (a), and (ii) a viral expression vector which lacks a nucleic acid encoding an envelope protein, and which comprises an indicator nucleic acid which produces a detectable signal, such that the first cell produces viral particles comprising the envelope protein encoded by the nucleic acid obtained from the patient; (c) contacting the viral particles produced in step (b) with a second cell in the presence of the compound, wherein the second cell expresses a cell surface receptor to which the virus binds; (d) measuring the amount of signal produced by the second cell in order to determine the infectivity of the viral particles; and (e) comparing the amount of signal measured in step (d) with the amount of signal produced in the a

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting fluorescence by using a solid support to which a probe molecule to be detected is fixed, wherein background is reduced by using a quenching agent. By using present invention, detection sensitivity of a DNA chip can be increased and stable data can be obtained.

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection, in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes in a patient, are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring transplant rejection, particularly cardiac transplant rejection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.

Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for diagnosing, monitoring, or predicting the conditions of pre-eclaimpsia, fetal chromosomal aneuploidy, and pre-term labor in a pregnant woman, as well as for detecting pregnancy in a woman, by quantitatively measuring in the maternal blood the amount of one or more mRNA species encoding human chorionic gonadotropin ? subunit (hCG-?), human placental lactogen (hPL), human corticotropin releasing hormone (hCRH), KiSS-1 metastasis-suppressor (KISS1), tissue factor pathway inhibitor 2 (TPFI2), placenta-specific 1 (PLAC1), or glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and comparing the amount of the mRNA species with a standard control.

Abstract: A method for achieving site specific integration of a desired DNA at a target site in a mammalian cell via homologous recombination is described. This method provides for the reproducible selection of cell lines wherein a desired DNA is integrated at a predetermined transcriptionally active site previously marked with a marker plasmid. The method is particularly suitable for the production of mammalian cell lines which secrete mammalian proteins at high levels, in particular immunoglobulins. Novel vectors and vector combinations for use in the subject cloning method are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals associated to a compound, wherein the nanocrystals have a characteristic spectral emission, wherein said spectral emission is tunable to a desired wavelength by controlling the size of the nanocrystal, and wherein said emission provides information about a biological state or event.

Abstract: The invention provides for polynucleotides and vectors comprising at least two tag sequences. In particular, preferred vectors are viral vectors. The invention also provides for polynucleotides and vectors comprising a streptavidin binding peptide sequence and a calmodulin binding peptide sequence. The invention also provides for polynucleotides and vectors wherein a gene of interest is fused in frame to at least two tag sequences, for example, a streptavidin binding peptide sequence and a calmodulin binding peptide sequence. The invention also provides for methods of using the polynucleotides and vectors of the invention for detecting and/isolating protein complexes or identifying a binding partner for a protein of interest.

Abstract: A method for the screening of ligands which bind to soluble ?2?-1 subtype polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing hypertension, and/or allergy, and/or hair loss, and/or liabilty for infection, of a human being, or a predisposition therefor; to a nucleic acid molecule coding for a human ClCKb protein comprising a genetic alteration at amino acid position 481 compared to the wild type, as well as for corresponding segments thereof; to a nucleic acid molecule which binds to the before-mentioned nucleic acid molecule under stringent conditions, as well as to a nucleic acid molecule which binds to that nucleic acid molecule; to a (poly)peptide encoded by the afore-mentioned nucleic acid molecules; to a method for identifying substances modulating activity of a peptide derived from ClCKb protein that is genetically altered at amino acid position 481 compared to the wild type; to a substance for modulating activity of a peptide derived from ClCKb protein that is genetically altered at amino acid position 481 compared to the wild type; to methods for preparing a pharmaceut

Abstract: A specific binding agent is provided, wherein the specific binding agent specifically binds Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) interleukin-6 (vIL-6), and the specific binding agent neutralizes an activity of vIL-6. In one embodiment, the specific binding agent is an antibody. Methods are provided for using a specific binding agent that binds vIL-6, and neutralizes a biological activity of vIL-6. Methods of treatment for a KSHV-associated disorder are also provided. Methods for diagnosing a KSHV-associated disorder are provided, as are kits that include a specific binding agent of the invention. A method is also provided for testing an agent for effectiveness in treating a KSHV-associated disorder. The method includes incubating the agent with a cell free system comprising a vIL-6 receptor component and vIL-6, and comparing the binding of vIL-6 and the receptor component in the presence of the agent to binding of vIL-6 to the receptor component in the absence of the agent.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to compositions of and methods for obtaining opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention relates as well to polynucleotides encoding opioid receptor polypeptides, the recombinant vectors carrying those sequences, the recombinant host cells including either the sequences or vectors, and recombinant opioid receptor polypeptides. By way of example, the invention discloses the cloning and functional expression of at least three different opioid receptor polypeptides. The invention includes as well, methods for using the isolated, recombinant receptor polypeptides in assays designed to select and improve substances capable of interacting with opioid receptor polypeptides for use in diagnostic, drug design and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the crystal structure of Estrogen Receptor-? (ER-?) complexed with genistein, and to the use of this structure in rational drug design methods to identify agents that may interact with active sites of ER-?, which may be useful as novel chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: Use of calcineurin B homologous protein (CHP) from body fluids or body tissues as a marker peptide for diagnosis, for prognosis and for monitoring the course of inflammations and infections and/or as a target for therapeutically influencing the course of inflammations and/or infections.

Abstract: A complex of enzyme, protein and carrier comprising two or more molecules of an enzyme conjugated through an amino group or other group to a carrier such as polylysine, and a protein (for example, antibody) with a specific binding potency to other substance(s) (for example, antigen) conjugated to at least one of said two or more molecules of the enzyme. This complex enables accurate assay of a trace amounts of a substance at a high sensitivity.

Abstract: A method of making a derivatized aminoglycoside includes reacting an aminoglycoside with at least 2 equivalents of a divalent metal ion in an aprotic solvent to complex two neighboring amino group and hydroxyl group pairs; reacting the non-complexed amino groups with a protecting reagent to provide protecting groups; removing the divalent metal ion to provide two unprotected amino groups; reacting one of the unprotected amino groups with a reactive substance containing an linker, a carrier, or a label; and removing the protecting groups. This method can be used to produce novel compounds and reagents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a human osteoclast-derived cathepsin (Cathepsin O) polypeptide and DNA(RNA) encoding such cathepsin O polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques. The present invention also discloses antibodies, antagonists and inhibitors of such polypeptide which may be used to prevent the action of such polypeptide and therefore may be used therapeutically to treat bone diseases such as osteoporosis and cancers, such as tumor metastases.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel NAIP nucleic and sequences. Also provided are anti-NAIP antibodies and methods for modulating apoptosis and detecting compounds which modulate apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system for determining the distribution, environment, or activity of fluorescently labeled reporter molecules in cells for the purpose of screening large numbers of compounds for specific biological activity. The invention involves providing cells containing fluorescent reporter molecules in an array of locations and scanning numerous cells in each location with a fluorescent microscope, converting the optical information into digital data, and utilizing the digital data to determine the distribution, environment or activity of the fluorescently labeled reporter molecules in the cells. The array of locations may be an industry standard 96 well or 384 well microtiter plate or a microplate which is a microplate having a cells in a micropaterned array of locations. The invention includes apparatus and computerized method for processing, displaying and storing the data.

Abstract: Methods for detecting G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) activity; methods for assaying GPCR activity; and methods for screening for GPCR ligands, G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) activity, and compounds that interact with components of the GPCR regulatory process are described. Included are methods for expanding ICAST technologies for assaying GPCR activity with applications for ligand fishing, and agonist or antagonist screening. These methods include: engineering seronine/threonine phosphorylation sites into known or orphan GPCR open reading frames in order to increase the affinity of arrestin for the activated form of the GPCR or to increase the reside time of arrestin on the activated GPCR; engineering mutant arrestin proteins that bind to activated GPCRs in the absence of G-protein coupled receptor kinases which may be limiting; and engineering mutant super arrestin proteins that have an increased affinity for activated GPCRs with or without phosphorylation.

Abstract: The current invention discloses nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for novel organic anion transfer proteins (“OATPs”). The invention encompasses the OATPs described herein, together with vectors containing the cDNA sequences, host cells containing the vectors and polypeptides having all or part of an OATP. Also encompasses are uses for OATPs for targeting drugs to specific organs and for modulating the concentration of endogenous substrates.

Abstract: The invention provides assay methods for the detection and quantitation of gastrin hormones, including total and free gastrin hormone in a sample. ELISA-type heterogeneous phase assays suitable for use with biological fluid samples such as blood, plasma or other bodily fluids of a mammal, particularly a human subject are provided. The method provides a precise assay for the amounts of free and total G17 and G34 in biological fluid samples, as well as the amounts of free and total Gly-extended G17, and Gly-extended G34. Also provided are methods of determining suitable treatment for patient suffering from a gastrin hormone-mediated disease or condition employing gastrin hormone immunoassays.

Abstract: The instant invention describes a method for establishing the hemostatic competence of blood, wherein the steps of the method include obtaining a blood sample from a subject, contacting the blood sample with an effective amount of tissue factor under conditions conducive to coagulating blood; and detecting the amount of thrombin in the blood sample at a pre-determined time point. The invention also describes a method for testing the capacity of an individual subject to produce thrombin, wherein the steps of the method include obtaining a blood sample from the subject; contacting the blood sample with an effective amount of tissue factor under conditions conducive to coagulating blood; and detecting the amount of thrombin produced in the blood sample at a pre-determined time point.

Abstract: A method of determining glycated hemoglobin is provided, by which a ratio of the glycated hemoglobin in a sample can be determined accurately and easily. The ratio of glycated hemoglobin can be determined by degrading a glycated hemoglobin in a whole blood sample selectively with a protease to give a glycated hemoglobin degradation product; causing a redox reaction between a glycation site of the glycated hemoglobin degradation product and a fructosyl amino acid oxidoreductase; and determining this redox reaction. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in a whole blood sample, there is a correlation between the ratio of the glycated hemoglobin determined by this method and an HbA1c concentration. Thus, without determining the glycated ?-amino group as a characteristic structure of HbA1c, an amount of HbA1c can be determined accurately and easily from the determined ratio of the glycated hemoglobin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a medium for microbiological analysis by biochemical means involving chromogenic or fluorogenic substrates that react with enzymes (esterases) specific for the target strains. One object of the invention is to improve the sensitivity, initial translucence, stability and ease of use of such detection/identification media. For this purpose the medium according to the invention is characterized in that it is in a stable, ready-to-use liquid or gel form and in that it contains a solubilizer and stabilizer selected from fatty acid sorbitan esters, bile salts and mixtures thereof, as well as a selective activator selected from alkylsulfate salts, for example the sodium salts. The medium can comprise a solvent, for example dimethyl sulfoxide. The invention further relates to the method of obtaining this medium and to the use of products of the sodium alkylsulfate type as selective activators in such media. Application: microbiological analyses.

Abstract: The present invention provides CDR-grafted antibodies against human tissue factor that retain the high binding affinity of rodent monoclonal antibodies against tissue factor but have reduced immunogenicity. The present humanized antibodies are potent anticoagulants and are thus useful in the treatment and prophylaxis of human thrombotic disease. The invention also provides methods of making the CDR-grafted antibodies and pharmaceutical compositions for the attenuation or prevention of coagulation.

Abstract: The sequences of 5? ESTs derived from mRNAs encoding secreted proteins are disclosed. The 5? ESTs may be to obtain cDNAs and genomic DNAs corresponding to the 5? ESTs. The 5? ESTs may also be used in diagnostic, forensic, gene therapy, and chromosome mapping procedures. Upstream regulatory sequences may also be obtained using the 5? ESTs. The 5? ESTs may also be used to design expression vectors and secretion vectors.

Abstract: Disclosed are a preparation containing cell extracts for cell-free protein synthesis, prepared by excluding from a living organism a system, participating to inhibiting of self protein synthesis reaction, an apparatus for cell-free protein synthesis reaction equipped with a reaction tank for cell-free protein synthesis, and a kit for use therefor; the preparation can be stored at room temperature and prepared as a preparation in a state where biological functions of the cell extracts are maintained, and further, disclosed is methods for cell-free protein synthesis comprising providing cell extracts from which an inhibitor for self protein synthesis reaction is substantially excluded, having introduced therein treatment selected from supplement, storage, exchange or discharge with respect to an element selected from at least mRNA serving as a template for synthesis reaction, an energy reproduction system enzyme, a substrate, and an energy source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for identifying substances that alter the interaction of a presenilin protein with a presenilin-binding protein, including contacting at least the interacting domain of a presenilin protein to a presenilin-binding protein in the presence of a test substance, and measuring the interaction of the presenilin protein and the presenilin-binding protein. Also disclosed is method for identifying substances that modulate the nuclear translocation of an armadillo protein, including providing a culture of cells that express the armadillo protein and a mutant presenilin protein, or a functional fragment thereof that binds an armadillo protein; contacting the culture with a test substance; inducing nuclear translocation of the armadillo protein in the cells; and measuring levels of nuclear armadillo protein as compared to a control as an indication of modulatory activity of the test substance.

Abstract: The present invention provides two novel E. coli synthetic promoters, Syn 1 and Syn 2. Syn 1 and Syn 2 are two tight regulated synthetic promoters that control uninduced, leaky expression of proteins that are toxic and interfere with production of recombinant protein from an E. coli expression system.

Abstract: We describe here an in vitro method of increasing complementarity in a heteroduplex polynucleotide sequence. The method uses annealing of opposite strands to form a polynucleotide duplex with mismatches. The heteroduplex polynucleotide is combined with an effective amount of enzymes having strand cleavage activity, 3? to 5? exonuclease activity, and polymerase activity, and allowing sufficient time for the percentage of complementarity to be increased within the heteroduplex. Not all heteroduplex polynucleotides will necessarily have all mismatches resolved to complementarity. The resulting polynucleotide is optionally ligated. Several variant polynucleotides result. At sites where either of the opposite strands has templated recoding in the other strand, the resulting percent complementarity of the heteroduplex polynucleotide sequence is increased. The parent polynucleotides need not be cleaved into fragments prior to annealing heterologous strands. Therefore, no reassembly is required.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for mutation analysis of the HIV pol gene of HIV virions comprising amplifying virion RNA or DNA via nested PCR using outer primers as represented in SEQ ID No. 1 and 2, amplifying said PCR product via nested PCR using a 5? and 3? primer chosen from the inner primers SEQ ID No. 3, 4, 5, and 6, and sequencing this secondary obtained PCR product using at least one sequencing primer chosen from any of SEQ ID No. 7 to 12 or variants thereof. In the alternative, at least one secondary sequencing primer may be used chosen from any of SEQ ID No. 13 to 24. The benefit of the sequences present in the invention resides in the fact that, with the aid of the oligonucleotides, the sequences of all presently known HIV subtypes and all mutations of the pol gene presently known to yield resistance towards antiretroviral therapy can be determined. The present invention also relates to kits for performing such a method as well as primers for performing the same.

Abstract: Provided are an isolated gene capable of participating in the production of L-homoglutamic acid, and a production system of L-homoglutamic acid by using this gene. The gene is derived from the genome of Flavobacterium lutescens.

Abstract: A molecular detection chip including a metal oxide silicon-field effect transistor (MOSFET) on sidewalls of a micro-fluid channel and a molecular detection device including the molecular detection chip are provided. A molecular detection method, particularly, qualification methods for the immobilization of molecular probes and the binding of a target sample to the molecular probes, using the molecular detection device, and a nucleic acid mutation assay device and method are also provided. The formation of the MOSFET on the sidewalls of the micro-fluid channel makes easier to highly integrate a molecular detection chip. In addition, immobilization of probes directly on the surface of a gate electrode ensures the molecular detection chip to check for the immobilization of probes and coupling of a target molecule to the probes in situ.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nutrient absorption enhancing composition that contains a mixture of various Aspergillus derived enzymes and mineral cofactors. In one aspect, the enzymes of the formulation may include protease, lipase, amylase, and cellulase. In another aspect, the mineral cofactors of the formulation may include calcium compounds, zinc compounds, manganese compounds, and magnesium compounds.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the need to improve the long-term storage stability (i.e. infectivity) of vector formulations. In particular, it has been demonstrated that for adenovirus, the use of bulking agents, cryoprotectants and lyoprotectants imparts desired properties that allow both lyophilized and liquid adenovirus formulations to be stored at 4° C. for up to 6 months and retain an infectivity between 60–100% of the starting infectivity.

Abstract: Cell preparations comprising a plurality of apoptotic EBV-transformed B lymphocytes and methods of producing cell preparations comprising a plurality of apoptotic EBV-transformed B lymphocytes. The methods comprise transforming B lymphocytes with EBV, incubating the transformed B lymphocytes with a flavin N-oxide photosensitizer, adding a non-toxic antioxidant, and exposing the lymphocytes to an activator, such as photoradiation of an appropriate wavelength to activate the photosensitizer. Also provided are methods of using the apoptotic EBV-transformed B lymphocyte cell preparations to elicit production of EBV-specific T cells in human patients. Finally, methods of treating organ transplant patients, specifically children, comprising administering an effective amount of the apoptotic EBV-transformed B-lymphocyte cell preparation to the patient prior to transplantation are provided.

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 present invention relates to the determination of an authentic HCV genome RNA sequences, to construction of infectious HCV DNA clones, and to use of the clones, or their derivatives, in therapeutic, vaccine, and diagnostic applications. The invention is also directed to HCV vectors, e.g., for gene therapy of gene vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria capable of reducing an individual's tendency to react allergic against a variety of different allergens. In particular, the present invention relates to recombinant strains of lactic acid bacteria that express surface polypeptides which include peptides or antibody fragments acting as mimic for at least a part of the Fc region of IgE-molecules. The invention also pertains to food or pharmaceutical compositions containing said micro-organisms or active fractions thereof.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a bacterium for producing polyhydroxyalkanoate with improved productivity. To achieve above objective, the gene coding for the polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerase of the bacterium for producing polyhydroxyalkanoate is disrupted to improve the productivity of polyhydroxyalkanoate.