Abstract: The invention concerns a lift-off process for patterning layers that are deposited and/or sputtered. The invention provides a two-layer resist and a patterning method using the resist. The patterning method can readily produce burr-free layers on a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: sequentially applying positive radiation-sensitive resin compositions 1 and 2 to form a two-layer laminate; subjecting the two-layer resist to single exposure and development to produce fine patterns having an undercut cross section; depositing and/or sputtering an organic or inorganic thin layer with use of the resist pattern as a mask; and lifting off the resist pattern to leave a pattern of the thin layer in desired shape.

Abstract: An image forming method using a photothermographic material including, on a support, at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions, and a binder, wherein the photothermographic material includes at least two image forming layers having spectral sensitivities that are different from each other, and wherein the image forming method includes: imagewise exposing the photothermographic material by using at least two laser beams having wavelengths that are different from each other and correspond to photosensitive wavelengths of the image forming layers; and thermally developing the photothermographic material to form a fusion image made up of two or more kinds of image information. An image forming method using a photothermographic material which records a composite image made up of a silver image and a color image of different kinds of image information is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ehat-developabel photosensitive material comprising a support having provided thereon an image forming layer containing a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent, and a binder, wherein a binder of an outermost layer at a side of the support at which the image forming layer is provided includes a latex polymer such as an ionomer type urethane polymer latex in an amount of 85 mass % or more, preferably 90 mass % or more, and more preferably 95 mass % or more. The heat-developable photosensitive material may also have a layer adjacent to the outermost layer which layer contains a binder that gels due to temperature reduction or contains a binder containing a water-soluble polymer derived from animal protein in an amount of 50 mass % or more.

Abstract: The method employs a piece of skin of area greater than 1 cm2 cultured under conditions that maintain its viability and substantially normal structure for sufficient time for topically applied test material to potentially exert an effect. The skin includes the majority of the epidermal layer plus an appropriate amount of supporting dermis. The surface of the skin is partitioned by a surface barrier film into a pattern of isolated regions to which different test materials can be subsequently topically applied in such a way that they do not significantly migrate around the edges of the skin into the culture medium. The effect of the topically applied material on the skin is determined using an appropriate method. In a variant of the method, the temperature of the culture system is maintained at or below about 30° C. to improve the skins viability and maintain a substantially normal structure. The invention encompasses effective topically applied materials identified using the methods described herein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a screening method for a substance, which could be a therapeutic agent for diabetes with insulin resistance through regulating a function of a molecule involved in insulin signaling pathway. More specifically, the present invention discloses a screening method for a substance having hypoglycemic activity, which is characterized by contacting a sample to STAT-induced inhibitor of STAT function-1 in the presence of insulin, and by detecting inhibitory activity of STAT-induced inhibitor of STAT function-1 by a substance in the sample, as an index.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying evolutionarily significant polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences in human and/or non-human primates which may be associated with a physiological condition, such as enhanced resistance to AIDS infection. The invention also provides methods for identifying evolutionarily significant polynucleotides with mutations that are correlated with susceptibility to diseases, such as ICAM 1. The methods employ comparison of human and non-human primate sequences using statistical methods. Sequences thus identified may be useful as host therapeutic targets and/or in screening assays.

Abstract: The overexpression of certain marker genes including Wnt5a has been found useful in the identification of more aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Therefore, the overexpression of these genes in tumor samples of malignant melanoma may be useful in the diagnosis, profiling, and treatment of patients suffering from this disease. Inhibitors of Wnt5a activity may be useful in the treatment of aggressive forms of malignant melanoma. Inhibition of Wnt5a activity may be effected by any method including anti-sense therapy, gene therapy, and pharmaceutical intervention.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the presence of leptin in a sample.

Abstract: The present method is directed to methods of detecting mismatches, polymorphisms, and methylation in multiple genes or the same gene in multiple individuals.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pin head or other implements between handling a plurality of samples of nucleic acid subject to an amplification process using a biochemical amplification product. The method comprises exposing the pin head or other implement to ultraviolet (UV) and preferably also infrared (IR) illumination between handling different samples in order to suppress cross-contamination by non-specific amplification. The biochemical amplification product may be obtained from a rolling circle amplification (RCA) procedure, such as that catalyzed by bacteriophage phi29, or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification product.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to polynucleotides derived from M. tuberculosis genes imparting resistance to antibiotics and chemically related compounds. This invention also relates to the use of the polynucleotides as oligonucleotide primers or probes for detecting M. tuberculosis strains that are resistant to antibiotics and related compounds in a biological sample. Kits containing the primers and probes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human source gene targeting sequence a gene vector and gene expression strategies. The invention includes the following: (1) Using a DNA sequence without important physiological function-related genes in the short arms of human group D, G chromosomes, or a DNA sequence sharing 50% or over 50% identity to the sequence selected from human D, G group chromosomes, as a targeting sequence for gene targeting and (2) Construction of a gene vector containing the targeting sequence. the nucleolus organizing region in D, G group chromosomes that is described above is used as the target site, the gene of interest is integrated into the short arms where the gene expresses actively in D,G group chromosomes of human cells. The present invention provides a novel gene targeting sequence by which the gene vector construction and gene expression strategies are realized. The gene expression strategies can be used for human gene therapy and for manufacturing protein.

Abstract: Small heat shock proteins, e.g., Pyrococcus fuiosus (Pfu-sHSP and/or Pfu-tsHSP), confer thermotolerance on cellular cultures and on proteins in cellular extracts during prolonged incubation at elevated temperature, demonstrating the ability to protect cellular proteins and maintain cellular viability under heat stress conditions. Such heat shock proteins are effective to combat enzymatic aggregation and intracellular precipitation during heat stress, and thereby enable enhancement of the utility and stability of enzymes in various applications, e.g., Taq polymerase in PCR applications, digestive enzymes in microbial degradative applications, etc.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of vaccinating a mammal against papillomavirus by administering papillomavirus virus-like particles transdermally to a mammal under conditions effective to induce an immune response to the papillomavirus.

Abstract: Methods and compounds, including compositions therefrom, are provided for determining the sequence of nucleic acid molecules. The methods permit the determination of multiple nucleic acid sequences simultaneously. The compounds are used as tags to generate tagged nucleic acid fragments which are complementary to a selected target nucleic acid molecule. Each tag is correlative with a particular nucleotide and, in a preferred embodiment, is detectable by mass spectrometry. Following separation of the tagged fragments by sequential length, the tags are cleaved from the tagged fragments. In a preferred embodiment, the tags are detected by mass spectrometry and the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule is determined therefrom. The individual steps of the methods can be used in automated format, e.g., by the incorporation into systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for quickly determining cAMP content or an adenylate cyclase activity in a biological sample containing non-cyclic adenine nucleotides without the use of radioactive agents. Particularly, the present invention provides a method of determining cAMP content or an adenylate cyclase activity in a biological sample containing non-cyclic adenine nucleotides selected from the group consisting of cAMP produced by endogenous adenylate cyclase, and AMP, ATP, ADP and a mixture thereof, which comprises (1) combining a biological sample with effective amounts of apyrase, adenosine deaminase and alkaline phosphatase to enzymatically remove non-cyclic adenine nucleotides other than cAMP, and glucose-6-phosphate in the sample; (2) enzymatically converting cAMP into AMP; (3) determining an amount of AMP without the use of radioactive agents, and a kit to carry out the method.

Abstract: The genomic structure including the sequence of the intron/exon junctions is disclosed for KVLQT1 and KCNE1 which are genes associated with long QT syndrome. Additional sequence data for the two genes ARE also disclosed. Also disclosed are newly found mutations in KVLQT1 which result in long QT syndrome. The intron/exon junction sequence data allow for the design of primer pairs to amplify and sequence across all of the exons of the two genes. This can be used to screen persons for the presence of mutations which cause long QT syndrome. Assays can be performed to screen persons for the presence of mutations in either the DNA or proteins. The DNA and proteins may also be used in assays to screen for drugs which will be useful in treating or preventing the occurrence of long QT syndrome.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods and kits useful in modulating bacterial cell DNA replication and for treating pathogenic bacterial.

Abstract: Methods for identifying agents which enhance the activity of a caspase according to the invention are described, as well as methods for enhancing caspase activity and methods for enhancing apoptosis in a lymphocyte.

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 preventive/therapeutic agents for anorexia nervosa and preventive/therapeutic agents for obesity. More specifically, the present invention provides a method and kit for screening a compound or its salt that changes the binding properties of GPR7 to a polypeptide capable of binding specifically to GPR7.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides made of mannitol-dehydrogenase of Cladosporium herbarum and Alternaria alternata nucleic acids coding therefor and the use thereof in diagnosis and therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating diseases, disorders, and/or conditions related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: Sensor constructs for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample comprise a molecular scaffold, a pair of labels which interact via Förster resonance energy transfer, and at least one molecular recognition domain. When the analyte is bound by the molecular recognition domain, the Förster resonance energy interaction between the pair of labels is disrupted, resulting in a changed optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the anti-cancer activity of IL-19 polypeptide molecules. IL-19 is a cytokine involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. The present invention includes Use of IL-19 for decreasing proliferation of cervical cancer cells, treating cervical cancer, amongst other uses disclosed. IL-19 polypeptides can be administered alone, or can be fused to cytotoxic moieties, and can be administered in conjunction with radiation or chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to 2-O sulfatase and uses thereof. In particular, the invention relates to recombinantly produced 2-O sulfatase, functional variants and nucleic acid molecules that encode these molecules. The invention also provides methods of using 2-O sulfatase for a variety of purposes, including degrading and analyzing glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) present in a sample. For instance, 2-O sulfatase may be used for determining the purity, identity, composition and sequence of glycosaminoglycans present in a sample. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting angiogenesis and cellular proliferation as well as methods for treating cancer, neurodegenerative disease, atherosclerosis and microbial infection using 2-O sulfatase and/or GAG fragments produced by degradation with 2-O sulfatase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having sequence similarity to GDNFR 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 invention relates to flea peritrophin proteins; to flea peritrophin nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such flea peritrophin proteins; to antibodies raised against such proteins; and to compounds that inhibit the activity of such proteins. The present invention also includes methods to obtain and use such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. The present invention also includes therapeutic compositions comprising such inhibitory compounds, particularly those that specifically inhibit flea peritrophin activity, as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to treat animals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for gene expression in a cell-free transcription/translation system, the reaction solution containing all the components necessary for the transcription/translation mechanism, amino acids, nucleotides, metabolic components which provide energy and which are necessary for synthesis, and the proteins arising during translation being immobilized on a matrix.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel fluorescent protein derived from organisms other than Aequorea victoria. According to the present invention, there is provided a fluorescent protein derived from Galaxea fascicularis, which has the following properties: (1) the molecular weight is approximately 27,000; (2) a tetramer is formed in an equilibration state; (3) the excitation maximum wavelength is 492 nm, and the fluorescence maximum wavelength is 505 nm; (4) the molar absorption coefficient is 74,100; (5) the quantum yield is 0.625; and (6) the pH sensitivity of the fluorescent property is low in the range between pH 5 and pH 12.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms having exogenous nucleic acid sequences introduced therein and methods for producing proteins in such host cells, such as members of the genus Bacillus. More specifically, the present invention relates to the expression, production and secretion of a polypeptide of interest and to cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention provides for the enhanced expression of a selected polypeptide by a microorganism.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to anti-thrombin proteins from the salivary glands of the species, Simulium. Methods for recombinant production of the protein as well as biomedical uses are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a keratinocyte growth factor fragment, KGFdes1-23, or an analog thereof that is composed of a portion of an amino acid sequence of mature, full length keratinocyte growth factor, KGF163. The fragment exhibits at least a 2-fold increase in mitogenic activity as compared to a mature, recombinant keratinocyte growth factor, rKGF, but lacks a sequence comprising the first 23 amino acid residues, C-N-D-M-T-P-E-Q-M-A-T-N-V-N-C-S-S-P-E-R-H-T-R- (SEQ ID NO: 2) of the KGF163 N-terminus. The present invention also relates to a DNA molecule encoding KGFdes1-23, an expression vector and a transformed host containing the DNA molecule, and a method of producing KGFdes1-23 by culturing the transformed host. The present invention further relates to a conjugate of KGFdes1-23 and a toxin molecule, and the use thereof for treatment of hyperproliferative disease of the epidermis.

Abstract: A Ca2+ dependent recombinant antibody that specifically binds to a specific twelve peptide sequence (E D Q V D P R L I D G K) in the activation region of the Protein C has been constructed. The antibody does not bind to Activated Protein C and can be used to inhibit activation of Protein C by thrombin-thrombomodulin, in purification of Protein C, and in treatment of tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for the production of recombinant peptides from bacterial cells.

Abstract: The gene for Streptococcus pyogenes DNase B has been cloned and vectors incorporating the cloned DNA have been used to transform Escherichia coli, allowing efficient and rapid production of the DNase in E. coli without the necessity of growing large quantities of S. pyogenes. The enzyme can be produced with a leader peptide at its amino terminus. An improved method for the purification of naturally occurring S. pyogenes DNase B enzyme is also provided. The DNase B enzyme produced, either by purification of naturally occurring enzyme or by recombinant DNA techniques, can be used to generate antibodies and can also be used in immunochemical assays to detect the presence of anti-DNase B antibodies in serum as a marker of infection by S. pyogenes.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for practical enzymatic conversion of GDP-mannose to GDP-fucose. These methods are useful for efficient synthesis of reactants used in the synthesis of fucosylated oligosaccharides.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of using enterovirus-specific primers for the detection and identification of enterovirus infection. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules and kits useful for detection and diagnostic testing of enterovirus infection in a subject.

Abstract: The invention is drawn to the enzymatic decarboxylation of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KLG) to produce xylose. The invention is also drawn to a method to detect xylose in vitro or in vivo (intracellularly), which employs an L-xylose dehydrogenase.

Abstract: L-glutamic acid is produced by culturing in a medium a microorganism belonging to enterobacteria and having L-glutamic acid productivity, into which a citrate synthase gene derived from a coryneform bacterium is introduced to produce and accumulate L-glutamic acid in the medium and collecting the L-glutamic acid from the medium.

Abstract: Thermostable omega-transaminases, particularly thermostable omega-transaminases which have a high reaction rate and which are tolerant to high concentrations of donor amine, can be used to enrich enantiomerically a mixture of chiral amines or to synthesize stereoselectively one of a pair of chiral amines in which the amino group is bound to a non-terminal, chirally substituted, carbon atom.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems isolated from or derived from Schizochytrium sp., to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.

Abstract: An enzymatic catalyst in the granular form which is non-dispersible in water comprising an inner core provided with a coating which coating comprises an enzymatic material characterised in that the coating has a thickness of from 30 to 400 microns and the ratio of the size of the core to the thickness of the coating is from 2 to 20. A method for the preparation of the catalyst and the use of the catalyst in the conversion of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butyronitrile to ammonium 2-hydroxy-4-methylthio butanoate is also claimed.

Abstract: Polypeptides with lipase/acyltransferase activity are described with an amino acid sequence which has identity to the sequence reported in SEQ ID NO 2 of at least 49%, also polypeptides which display this activity, as well as nucleic acids (genes) which code for these polypeptides, vectors which contain nucleic acids which code for these polypeptides, transformed microorganisms which contain these nucleic acids, processes for production of these polypeptides and the application of nucleic acids for discovering new lipase/acyltransferases and the use of these lipase/acyltransferases as catalysts in chemical and biochemical processes.

Abstract: A novel restriction endonuclease has been identified from Citrobacter species 2144 (NEB#1398) which can cleave at nt sequence 5?-CAANNNNNGTGG-3? (SEQ ID NO:13) in double-stranded DNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening process for hydantoin racemases and to novel hydantoin racemases, to the nucleic acid sequences coding therefor and to a proces for mutagenesis. Hydantoin racemases are of interest in connection with the production of enantiomerically enriched amino acids from racemic hydantoins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having low-substrate-specific amino acid racemase activity; DNA encoding the protein; a recombinant DNA comprising the DNA; a transformant carrying the recombinant DNA; a process for producing the protein by using the transformant; and a process for producing a racemic amino acid which comprises allowing a culture of the transformant or a treated matter thereof as an enzyme source and an amino acid to be present in an aqueous medium to racemize the amino acid in the aqueous medium, and recovering the racemic amino acid from the aqueous medium.

Abstract: The present invention describes a mutant plasmid replication control region having the ability to convey a phenotype of altered plasmid copy number to the plasmid on which it resides. The mutant replication control region is based on a similar region isolated from the pBBR1 plasmid family. Plasmids containing this replication control region cannot be classed as belonging to any known incompatibility group and thus may co-exist with a broad range of other plasmids in a single host.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically active compound comprising: a first step of culturing a microorganism capable of assimilating either the R-isomer or the S-isomer of a compound represented by Formula (1): wherein R is a methyl, ethyl, propyl, chloromethyl, or hydroxyethyl group, in a culture medium whose Ca2+ concentration at the beginning of culturing is controlled and which contains a racemic mixture of the compound as a carbon source; and a second step of recovering the optically active compound remaining in the culture broth.

Abstract: Arrays of protein-capture agents useful for the simultaneous detection of a plurality of proteins which are the expression products, or fragments thereof, of a cell or population of cells in an organism are provided. A variety of antibody arrays, in particular, are described. Methods of both making and using the arrays of protein-capture agents are also disclosed. The invention arrays are particularly useful for various proteomics applications including assessing patterns of protein expression and modification in cells.