Abstract: A multicolored display and process for forming such a display is provided. The multicolored display includes marking particles comprising a mixture of photochromic materials. The photochromic materials each exhibit a first “invisible” photochromic state at a first absorption spectrum and at least a second “visible” photochromic state at a second absorption spectrum. The second “visible” photochromic state of each photochromic material produces a different color relative to the other photochromic materials. In embodiments, the marking particles include a mixture of a spiropyran material and a dithienylethene material.

Abstract: Methods for carrying out lithography with a carbon dioxide development system are described. In some embodiments the methods involve preferential removal of a darkfield region; in other embodiments the methds involve preferential removal of a light field region. The carbon dioxide development systems include a quaternary ammonium salt, preferably a quaternary ammonium hydroxide, halide, or carbonate. Compositions for carrying out the methods are also described. The quaternary ammonium salts preferably contain at least one CO2-philic group, such as a siloxane-containing group or a fluorine-containing group.

Abstract: A method of producing an organic silver salt dispersion, the method comprising: mixing a first aqueous solution including a water-soluble silver ion supplier and a second aqueous solution including an alkali metal salt of an organic acid to form an organic silver salt dispersion; wherein, the mixing is conducted in the presence of at least one compound selected from polyacrylamide and derivatives of polyacrylamide, and at least 10 mass % (in terms of silver quantity) of the organic silver salt in the organic silver salt dispersion is formed by simultaneous addition of the first aqueous solution and the second aqueous solution to an aqueous medium followed by mixing.

Abstract: The present invention provides reagents for use in an automated environment for removing or etching embedding media by exposing a biological sample to be stained in histochemical or cytochemical procedures without the dependence on organic solvents. The reagents comprise components optimized to facilitate removal or etching of the embedding media from the biological sample. The present invention also provides reagents for use in an automated environment for cell conditioning biological samples wherein the cells are predisposed for access by reagent molecules for histochemical and cytochemical staining procedures. The reagents comprise components optimized to facilitate molecular access to cells and cell constituents within the biological sample.

Abstract: Sequences of B12-dependent dehydratases with improved reaction kinetics are presented. Use of these B12-dependent dehydratases reduce the rate of the enzyme's suicide inactivation in the presence of glycerol and 1,3-propanediol. The enzymes were created using error-prone PCR and oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis to target the DhaB1 gene, which encodes the ?-subunit of glycerol dehydratase. Mutants with improved reaction kinetics were rapidly identified using high throughput assays.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for determining ADP in the presence of ATP. These comprise including among the assay reagents at least one of the correcting components creatine phosphokinase and phosphocreatine, pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate, peroxidase and a non-interfering peroxidase substrate, and catalase. One aspect of the method employs formation of hydrogen peroxide from the ADP by pyruvate kinase, phosphoenolpyruvate and pyruvate oxidase. The hydrogen peroxide is then determined. A combined reagent having all of the reagents may optionally include a peroxidase when the hydrogen peroxide is to be enzymatically determined. A peroxidase substrate is added to the sample in conjunction with the peroxidase substrate reagent, the mixture incubated and depending on whether the peroxidase substrate is a fluorescer or chemiluminescer, the mixture may be illuminated with excitation light and the emitted light determined as a measure of the ADP in the sample.

Abstract: Featured are methods of modulating angiogenesis, e.g., by modulating PKC delta. The methods are useful in the treatment of disorders characterized by aberrant and/or increased blood vessel formation and/or increased permeability. The methods are also useful for treatment a disorder characterized by abnormal, inadequate or unstable blood vessel formation or increased permeability. Also featured are diagnostic and screening methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for screening and testing disorder suppressor genes and disorder suppressor polypeptides. By screening the cDNA expression library incorporated with nucleic acids derived from an organism suffering from a disorder that accompanies cell death, genes having suppressive effects on the disorder symptoms were successfully cloned. Furthermore, suppressive effects of the nucleic acid and polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid on the disorder have been also examined. Screening of nucleic acids or polypeptides derived from an organism suffering from a disorder that accompanies cell death enables the efficient isolation and selection of suppressor genes of the disorder.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of E6 and/or E7 peptides from human papilloma virus (HPV) to evaluate a cell-mediated response in a patient infected with HPV to determine the prognosis for that patient with respect to the development or recurrence of pre-cancerous or cancerous growths, including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for diagnosing mental disorders such as mood disorders, including bipolar disorder I and II and major depression. The invention also provides methods of identifying modulators of such mental disorders as well as methods of using these modulators to treat patients suffering from such mental disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for confirming the integrity of primers and other components of amplification reactions, including multiplex amplification reactions.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to systems and methods for identifying and selecting, desired proteins or nucleic acid molecules by linking mRNA, with known or unknown sequences, to its translated protein to form a cognate pair. The cognate pair is selected based upon desired properties of the protein or the nucleic acid. This method also includes the evolution of a desired protein or nucleic acid molecule by amplifying the nucleic acid portion of the selected cognate pair, introducing variation into the nucleic acid, translating the nucleic acid, attaching the nucleic acid to its protein to form a second cognate pair, and re-selecting this cognate pair based upon desired properties. Modified MRNAs operable to crosslink to tRNAs are also provided. Methods of producing a psoralen monoadduct or a crosslink are also provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting and measuring the concentration of biomolecules in solution, utilizing a conducting electrode in contact with a solution containing target biomolecules, with a film with controllable pore size distribution characteristics applied to at least one surface of the conducting electrode. The film is functionalized with probe molecules that chemically interact with the target biomolecules at the film surface, blocking indicator molecules present in solution from diffusing from the solution to the electrode, thereby changing the electrochemical response of the electrode.

Abstract: Method and device to collect multiplex data simultaneously in analyte detection and analyze the data by experimentally trained software (machine-learning) is disclosed. Various ways (magnetic particles and microcoils) are disclosed to collect multiple reporter (tag) signals. Multiplex detection can increase the biomolecule analysis efficiency by using small sample size and saving assay reagents and time. Machine learning and data analysis schemes are also disclosed. Multiple affinity binding partners, each labeled by a unique reporter, are contacted with a sample and a green spectrum is taken to detect multiple reporter signals. The spectrum is deconvoluted by experimentally trained software to identify multiple analytes.

Abstract: This invention relates to detection of specific extracellular nucleic acid in plasma or serum fractions of human or animal blood associated with neoplastic or proliferative disease. Specifically, the invention relates to detection of nucleic acid derived from mutant oncogenes or other tumor-associated DNA, and to those methods of detecting and monitoring extracellular mutant oncogenes or tumor-associated DNA found in the plasma or serum fraction of blood by using rapid DNA extraction followed by nucleic acid-amplification with or without enrichment for mutant DNA. In particular, the invention relates to the detection, identification, or monitoring of the existence, progression or clinical status of benign, premalignant, or malignant neoplasms in humans or other animals that contain a mutation that is associated with the neoplasm through detection of the mutated nucleic acid of the neoplasm in plasma or serum fractions.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and materials that can be used to detect, examine and exploit protease mediated protein expression. An illustrative embodiment of the invention is a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having a plurality of operatively linked elements comprising a polypeptide degradation signal that functions as a proteosome substrate; a polypeptide of interest having an observable activity; and a linker disposed between the polypeptide degradation signal and the polypeptide of interest. The linker comprises a protease recognition motif that is capable of being specifically recognized and cleaved by a protease. The activity of the polypeptide of interest is observed when the motif is specifically recognized and cleaved by the protease; and the activity of the polypeptide of interest is decreased or not observed when the motif is not specifically recognized and cleaved by the protease.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated PTS nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel PTS proteins from Corynebacterium glutamicum are described. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing PTS nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides isolated PTS proteins, mutated PTS proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and methods for the improvement of production of a desired compound from C. glutamicum based on genetic engineering of PTS genes in this organism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of testing a compound for biological activity, which method comprises providing cells expressing one of the CD94/NKG2 family of receptors, contacting the cells with recombinant HLA-E under binding conditions in the presence of the test compound, and determining whether the presence of the compound affects the binding of HLA-E to the cells. The HLA-E property of binding to CD94/NKG2 receptors on NK cells and a subset of CD8+ T cells is useful for targeting CD94/NKG2+ cells for a variety of purposes such as identification, isolation, killing or inactivation.

Abstract: A method and test device for differentiating between states of an analyte that can exist in different forms, such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The method or test device uses a pair of specific binding agents, especially monoclonal antibodies, in two assays for the same analyte. The assays, applied to contemporaneous samples, differ from one another in format, one being a two step assay and the other being one step. A novel pair of anti-FSH monoclonal antibodies that can be used together in two such assays to differentiate pre-menopausal and post-menopausal FSH samples is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protease biosensor that can be used to detect the presence of the lethal factor protease from Bacillus anthracis, as well as methods for using the protease biosensor.

Abstract: A method for improving the diagnostic assessment of cartilage degenerative processes, and to provide means of monitoring the effects of therapeutical measures taken towards arthritic diseases in most mammals utilizes an immunoassay to detect fragments of collagen type II resulting from collagenase activity comprising an antibody directed against an epitope comprised in the amino acid sequence HRGYPGLDG, located in the helical region of collagen type II.

Abstract: A reagent and method for the specific and highly sensitive detection of C. parvum in which the reagent is an antibody for a soluble C. parvum sporozoite antigen and the method is an immunoassay in which the antibody is used to detect or quantify C. parvum sporozoite antigen in a sample. The sample is treated to cause excystation of C. parvum oocytes, thereby releasing a C. parvum sporozoite antigen, and combined with antibodies specific for the sporozoite antigen under conditions to form an antibody-antigen complex. Detection of the complex indicates the presence of C. parvum in the sample. The assay allows recognition and detection of C. parvum in turbid samples, and due to a lack of crossreactivity with other Cryptosporidium species, is specific for C. parvum contamination or infection. The assay is highly sensitive, allowing for the detection of less than 100 oocysts per milliliter of sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in mammals and to methods of using those compositions for the same.

Abstract: A method of increasing the relative number of cells expressing one or more stem cell markers in a cell population including committed cells is described. The method comprises: i. contacting the cell population with an agent that operably engages said committed cells; and ii. incubating committed cells that are engaged by said agent such that the relative number of cells expressing one or more stem cell markers increases as a result of said engaging.

Abstract: Method for identifying compounds that interfere with or modulate sister chromatid separation in animal or plant cells by modulating a protease with separin-like cysteine endopeptidase activity. Inhibitors of separin activity are useful in cancer therapy, to prevent birth defects and to increase ploidy in plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the expression and secretion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae of readily purifiable soluble variants of the Kex1 endopeptidase of Kluyveromyces lactis and the purification and use thereof for the in vitro processing of recombinant proteins usable in industrial applications. The soluble Kex1 endoproteases described here are free from the transmembrane domain of the native enzyme; the deletion of the transmembrane domain is achieved by removing at least 57 amino acid residues from the C-terminal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polypeptide involving in the modulation of central nervous system function, circulatory function, immune function, gastrointestinal function, metabolic function, reproductive function, etc., it can be used as a drug for treating or preventing a variety of diseases, e.g. HIV infection or AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) or the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are constitutively activated, non-endogenous versions of endogenous human G protein-coupled receptors comprising (a) the following amino acid sequence region (C-terminus to N-terminus orientation) and/or (b) the following nucleic acid sequence region (3? to 5? orientation) transversing the transmembrane-6 (TM6) and intracellular loop-3 (IC3) regions of the GPCR: (a) P1 AA15X and/or (b) pcodon (AA-codon)15 Xcodon, respectively. In a most preferred embodiment, P1 and Pcodon are endogenous proline and an endogenous nucleic acid encoding region encoding proline, respectively, located within TM6 of the non-endogenous GPCR; AA15 and (AA-codon)15 are 15 endogenous amino acid residues and 15 codons encoding endogenous amino acid residues, respectively; and X and Xcodon are non-endogenous lysine and a non-endogenous nucleic acid encoding region encoding lysine, respectively, located within IC3 of the non-endogenous GPCR.

Abstract: A gene coding for any of the following estrogen receptors (a) to (c): (a) an estrogen receptor comprising the amino acid sequence represented by amino acid numbers 153 to 602 in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, (b) an estrogen receptor comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and (c) an estrogen receptor comprising an amino acid sequence exhibiting 95% or more amino acid identity to the amino acid sequence represented by amino acid numbers 153 to 602 in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; and the like.

Abstract: The invention includes biologically active polypeptides comprising a therapeutically active polypeptide fused to human serum albumin or a variant of human serum albumin, methods for the preparation of such fusion polypeptides, nucleotide sequences encoding such fusion polypeptides, expression cassettes comprising such nucleotide sequences, self-replicating plasmids containing such expression cassettes, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such fusion polypeptides.

Abstract: The polypeptides, and the polynucleotides encoding for them, described herein are IL-21 antagonists that bind with specificity and exhibit an EC50 that is not detectable in receptor binding studies. These molecules have mutations in the D helix of the IL-21 molecule, and can be used to inhibit the activity of IL-21 with its cognate receptor.

Abstract: Polypeptides and multimeric polypeptides capable of binding interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interluekin-13 (IL-13) which are useful therapeutically in methods of treating IL-4 and IL-13-related conditions or diseases.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived form the thermophilic archaebacterium Archaeoglobus fulgidus. The enzyme can be native or recombinant, is stable under PCR conditions and exhibits double strand specific exonuclease activity. It is a 3?-5? exonuclease and cleaves to produce 5?-mononucleotides. Thermostable exonucleases are useful in many recombinant DNA techniques, in combination with a thermostable DNA polymerase like Taq especially for nucleic acid amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method to produce biodegradable polyester, which comprises the following steps: (a) mixing a carbon source, a nitrogen source and water into a reactive material to perform pretreatment; (b) providing a halophilic bacterium, a starting broth and culture with the reactive material; (c) feeding the reactive material; and (d) extracting the polyester from the fermentation broth; wherein, the bacterium has a salt tolerance of 10-30%.

Abstract: Enzyme activity sensors comprising a planar waveguide can be used for sensitive and quantitative measurement of enzyme activity. Such enzyme activity sensors are useful in a variety of settings, including clinical, commercial, and public health settings.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated ACTR-1 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel acyltransferase family members. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing ACTR-1 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which an ACTR-1 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated ACTR-1 proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-ACTR-1 antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: A gene encoding a polypeptide having an activity of digesting sulfated fucogalactan which is useful in sugar chain engineering reagents, analyzing the structures of sulfated fucose-containing polysaccharides and preparing degraded products of the polysaccharides; a genetic engineering process for producing the polypeptide; and the polypeptide obtained by the process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for in vitro seriological diagnosis of Whipple's disease, whereby the bacteria responsible for the disease are isolated and established in a culture and brought into contact with the serum or biological fluid of an infected patient. The invention also relates to useful oligonucelotides with a probe and a primer for amplifying, sequencing and detecting the gene rpoB of the bacteria, Tropheryma whippelii.

Abstract: The invention provides composition and methods for producing proteins of interest which comprise at least one disulfide bond, include proteins which in their mature form do not contain disulfide bonds, but whose precursor molecule contained at least one disulfide bond. The methods employ a host cell modified to more efficiently produce properly folded disulfide bond containing proteins. The host cells generally contain a mutation in one or more reductase genes, and can be further genetically modified to increase their growth rate, and are further optionally modified to increase the expression of a catalyst of disulfide bond formation. Host cells, methods for using such to produce proteins of interest, proteins of interest produced by these methods are within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: A microorganism strain secreting S-adenosylmethionine having increased activity of the cmr (mdfA) gene product is provided.

Abstract: The yeast which has ?-glutamylcysteine-producing ability and is auxotrophic for pantothenic acid is proliferated in a medium containing a sufficient amount of pantothenic acid, and then it is cultured in a medium containing a limited amount of pantothenic acid to increase the ?-glutamylcysteine content in its cells, whereby the yeast in which ?-glutamylcysteine is accumulated is obtained.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for adhering cells in a specific and predetermined position, and associated methods. The device includes a plate defining a surface and a plurality of cytophilic islands that adhere cells, isolated by cytophobic regions to which cells do not adhere, contiguous with the cytophilic islands. The islands or the regions or both may be formed of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM).

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled and instrumented bioreactor for conditioning tissue engineered medical products. The microprocessor control providing measurement and control of the tissue displacement and subsequent determination of material and growth properties. The microprocessor control providing adaptive adjustment of the applied conditions to provide optimal tissue growth.

Abstract: An optical instrument is provided for simultaneously illuminating two or more spaced-apart reaction regions with excitation beams generated by a light source. The light source can include an area light array of light emitting diodes, one or more solid state lasers, one or more micro-wire lasers, or a combination thereof. According to various embodiments, a Fresnel lens can be disposed along a beam bath between the light source and the reaction regions. Methods of analysis using the optical instrument are also provided.

Abstract: Device having a flat macroporous support material made of silicon and having surfaces, a plurality of pores each having a diameter in a range of from 500 nm to 100 ?m distributed over at least one surface region of the support material and extending from one surface through to the opposite surface of the support material, at least one region having one or more pores with SiO2 pore walls, and a frame of walls with a silicon core surrounding the at least one region and arranged essentially parallel to longitudinal axes of the pores and open towards the surfaces, wherein the silicon core merges into silicon dioxide over a cross section towards an outer side of the walls forming the frame.

Abstract: The invention is related to polynucleotide-based cytomegalovirus vaccines. In particular, the invention is plasmids operably encoding HCMV antigens, in which the naturally-occurring coding regions for the HCMV antigens have been modified for improved translation in human or other mammalian cells through codon optimization. HCMV antigens which are useful in the invention include, but are not limited to pp65, glycoprotein B (gB), IE1, and fragments, variants or derivatives of either of these antigens. In certain embodiments, sequences have been deleted, e.g., the Arg435-Lys438 putative kinase in pp65 and the membrane anchor and endocellular domains in gB. The invention is further directed to methods to induce an immune response to HCMV in a mammal, for example, a human, comprising delivering a plasmid encoding a codon-optimized HCMV antigen as described above.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to proteinase inhibitors, a precursor thereof and to genetic sequences encoding same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule comprising a sequence of nucleotides which encodes or is complementary to a sequence which encodes a type II serin proteinase inhibitor (PI) precursor from a plant wherein the precursor comprises at least three PI monomers and wherein at least one of the monomers has a chymotrypsin specific site and at least one other of the monomers has a trypsin specific site.

Abstract: Stem cell lines derived from meningeal tissue such as dura mater, pia mater, or arachnoid mater, are disclosed. In various embodiments, the stem cell lines include greater than 80%, greater than 90%, or greater than 99% of pluripotent meningeal-derived stem cells. In other embodiments, the stem cell lines are induced to form nerve cells, bone cells, cartilage cells, Schwann cells, adipocytes, fibroblasts, or melanocytes with various inducing agents, such as antioxidants, steroid hormones, laminin, or various growth factors. Derivation of the current stem cell lines is accomplished through explantation or enzymatic dissociation of meningeal tissue, followed by expansion to large populations using growth media.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an improved system for culturing human pluripotent stem cells. Traditionally, pluripotent stem cells are cultured on a layer of feeder cells (such as mouse embryonic fibroblasts) to prevent them from differentiating. In the system described here, the role of feeder cells is replaced by components added to the culture environment that support rapid proliferation without differentiation. Effective features are a suitable support structure for the cells, and an effective medium that can be added fresh to the culture without being preconditioned by another cell type. Culturing human embryonic stem cells in fresh medium according to this invention causes the cells to expand surprisingly rapidly, while retaining the ability to differentiate into cells representing all three embryonic germ layers. This new culture system allows for bulk proliferation of pPS cells for commercial production of important products for use in drug screening and human therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transfected primary and secondary somatic cells of vertebrate origin, particularly mammalian origin, transfected with exogenous genetic material (DNA) which encodes erythropoietin or an insulinotropin [e.g., derivatives of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)], methods by which primary and secondary cells are transfected to include exogenous genetic material encoding erythropoietin or an insulinotropin, methods of producing clonal cell strains or heterogenous cell strains which express erythropoietin or an insulinotropin, methods of gene therapy in which the transfected primary or secondary cells are used, and methods of producing antibodies using the transfected primary or secondary cells.