Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: A reagent and method for determining the levels of 3-hydroxybutyric acid in a sample are provided. The reagent comprises a ferricyanide salt, a catalytic amount of a first enzyme operative to catalyze the oxidation of 3-hydroxybutyric acid in the sample, a cofactor corresponding to said first enzyme, and a catalytic amount of a second enzyme operative to catalyze the oxidization of the cofactor and the reduction of the ferricyanide. The reagent is incorporated into a test strip that generates an electrical output signal indicative of the level of 3-hydroxybutyric acid when the reagent is contacted with a sample.

Abstract: Assays for the detection of &bgr;-lactamase induction can be used to identify compounds that kill bacteria (i.e., bacteriocidal activity) or inhibit bacterial growth (i.e., bacteriostatic activity). The &bgr;-lactamase can be encoded, for example, by a &bgr;-lactamase gene carried by a bacterial host. The identified compounds can be use to treat bacterial infections in organisms such as mammals. The new methods can be used, for example, for high throughput screening of libraries of potential inhibitors.

Abstract: Thiazole esters are suitable for detecting the presence of leukocytes in urine. Such thiazole esters are suitable for use in compositions, diagnostic devices, and methods for detecting the presence of leukocytes. A thiazole ester of the invention is of the formula: or a salt or solvated salt thereof, in which A is an N-blocked amino acid residue or N-blocked peptide chain, preferably an alanine residue or polyalanine chain; and R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted aryl, unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkenyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy, amino, unsubstituted or substituted acyl, halo, nitro, cyano, —SO3H, or hydroxy, with the proviso that R1 and R2 are not both hydrogen. In one embodiment, at least one of R1 and R2 is methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, or butoxy. In still another embodiment, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, or butoxy.

Abstract: The present invention provides high throughput screening systems for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activity of a biochemically functional sarcomere. The method can be performed in plurality simultaneously with fluorescence or absorbance readouts.

Abstract: The invention concerns an analytical element for determining the amount of an analyte in a liquid containing a sample application zone (1) and a detection zone (2) which are in liquid-transferring contact, the latter containing at least one enzyme and an indicator substance, the enzyme catalysing a reaction in which the analyte or a substance derived from the analyte participates and the indicator substance forming a signal when the analyte is present which signal correlates with the amount of analyte, and containing a liquid-permeable interference-reducing layer (3) in direct contact with the detection zone (2) arranged such that liquid does not reach the detection zone until it has passed through the interference-reducing layer, the interference-reducing layer containing at least one enzyme which participates in a reaction of the analyte to be determined or of a substance derived from the analyte, wherein the analyte or the substance derived from the analyte is converted enzymatically in the interference-re

Abstract: Thiazole esters are suitable for detecting the presence of leukocytes in urine. Such thiazole esters are suitable for use in compositions, diagnostic devices, and methods for detecting the presence of leukocytes. In one embodiment, a thiazole ester is of the formula: or a salt or solvated salt thereof, in which A is an N-blocked amino acid residue or an N-blocked peptide chain, preferably N-blocked alanine or N-blocked polyalanine; and R1 is unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl; alkenyl substituted with unsubstituted or substituted aryl; or alkenyl substituted with unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl. For example, R1 may be thienyl, pyridyl, furyl, styryl, pyrrolyl, or indolyl. In still another embodiment, the thiazole ester includes unsubstituted or substituted fused hydrocarbyl rings as a substituent. In one embodiment, fused hydrocarbyl rings include naphthyl. In another embodiment, fused hydrocarbyl rings include anthryl.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining molecular markers for use as a diagnostic and quality control tool to identify genomic polymorphisms that arise during the process of tissue culture of in vitro propagated plants. By using a representational difference analysis (RDA) adapted for plant genomes, a set of nucleic acid difference sequences between normal and off-type plant genomes are obtained. The invention further provides a method for isolating sets of variant sequences which are common to many naturally occurring or tissue culture-generated off-types of the same cultivar or species, in addition to variant sequences present in all off-types, regardless of the phenotypic mutation, and/or in all off-types that exhibit the same mutation. Detection of somaclonal variation by the method of the invention may present an opportunity to optimize tissue culture conditions and to optimize plant multiplication rates without producing a significant number of off-types.

Abstract: A protein signature analysis is obtained using a peptide ladder library. The molecular signature of a protein is defined to be that subsequence of amino acid positions within the protein which are essential for the protein to bind to a target molecule. The molecular signature may be determined by screening a peptide ladder library which corresponds to the protein against the target molecule. The peptide ladder library is a library of m peptides wherein each peptide has an amino acid sequence of length m corresponding to an amino acid sequence of the protein, with one exception, viz. peptidem has a substitute amino acid at positionm and the substitute amino acid is attached by a labile bond to its neighboring amino acid. Screening the peptide ladder library against the target molecule results in a division of the original mixture into a positive (functional) pool and a negative (non-functional) pool. The pools are separated and subjected to cleavage to obtain cleavage products.

Abstract: The present invention provides high throughput screening systems for identifying compounds that modulate the biological activity of a biochemically functional sarcomere. The method can be performed in plurality simultaneously with fluorescence or absorbance readouts.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel polymorphisms in the human cytochrome P450 2A6 gene and the use of those polymorphisms as predictive sequences for altered metabolism or occurrence of disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining various biological characteristics of in vitro fertilized embryos, including overall embryo health, implantability, and increased likelihood of developing successfully to term. More specifically, the present invention concerns analyzing media specimens of in vitro fertilization cultures for levels of bioactive lipids in order to determine these characteristics.

Abstract: The enzyme Lp-PLA2 in purified form, an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding Lp-PLA2, the use of an inhibitor of the enzyme Lp-PLA2 in therapy and a method of screening compounds to identify those compounds which inhibit the enzyme.

Abstract: A method of increasing a fraction of free carotenoids in a source of carotenoids in which at least some of the carotenoids are fatty acid esterified carotenoids is disclosed. The method is effected by contacting the source of carotenoids with an effective amount of an esterase under conditions effective in deesterifying the fatty acid esterified carotenoids, thereby increasing the fraction of free carotenoids in the source of carotenoids.

Abstract: Pyrimidine auxotroph mutants of apicomplexans are provided which are mutated in one of six enzymes of the de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway. Also provided are methods of protecting an animal against infection by apicomplexans by administering a pyrimidine auxotroph mutant and methods for screening for inhibitors of pyrimidine salvage enzymes in apicomplexans.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for detecting the existence or measuring the concentration of total viable bacteria in a test sample from a food product. A medium is provided which contains three or more different enzyme substrates each having a nutrient moiety and a detectable moiety linked together. When a substrate is hydrolysed by a bacterial enzyme to create a separate detectable moiety, it causes or produces a detectable signal. These substrates produce detectable signals when any one of a phosphatase enzyme, a glycosidase enzyme or a peptidase enzyme is present in the medium.

Abstract: Improvements in calorimetric assays, surfaces for arraying microcolonies and instrument hardware for screening mutagenized enzymes and proteins in a solid phase format are presented. These improvements permit new enzyme activities to be screened. New filter membrane materials and formats for arraying the microcolonies provide higher throughput, better solvent resistance and ease of handling. Modifications to the instrument heating and illumination systems provide improved temperature control and a more compact, folded light path.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the screening of a non-recombinant cell line capable, under appropriate conditions, of exhibiting an upregulated expression of a target protein, preferably an isoenzyme of PDE4, more preferably PDE4A.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of AL353662, antibodies to AL353662, methods of screening for AL353662 modulators using biologically active AL353662, and kits for screening for AL353662 modulators.

Abstract: This invention provides a direct method for monitoring bacterial transglycosylase activity using labeled substrates produced by chemo-enzymatic synthesis wherein the labels are selected to permit the detection of both polymeric and non-polymeric products simultaneously, either directly or following the separation of product from starting material. The invention promotes the discovery of new antibiotics with activity against bacterial transglycosylases by a) laying the groundwork for structural analysis of purified, active transglycosylase (which permits structure-based design); and b) providing an assay that can be used to screen for inhibitors.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a patient, comprising the steps of: (1) providing a sample of an appropriate body fluid from said patient; (2) detecting the presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with an altered glycosylation pattern in said sample. It has been established that approximately 75-95% of the AChE in the CSF of AD patients binds to Concanavalin (Con A) or wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) but with different specificity to each. Accordingly, in order to identify the glycosylation pattern of AChE in the sample, the binding to Con A is determined, then the binding to WGA is determined, and a ratio calculated. The ratio is characteristic of the glycosylation pattern. In alternative embodiment of the invention a monoclonal antibody specific for AChE with an altered glycosylation pattern is used to detect its presence.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for detecting preeclampsia in pregnancies. The present invention comprises the steps of obtaining a sample specimen from a patient, assaying the specimen to determine the level of glycerophosphatidyl compounds, glycerophosphatidylcholine, lysophospholipids and/or lysophosphatidylcholine in the sample, comparing levels in the sample to levels in normal samples, and correlating significant decreases as compared to normal samples as a positive indicator of preeclampsia.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent endogenous enzyme assays which provide for the rapid, simple, and sensitive quantitation of cells directly in microwell cultures by the measurement of endogenous enzyme activity. These endogenous enzyme assays provide homogeneous chemiluminescent formats for measuring cell proliferation, growth inhibition, cell adhesion, cell migration, and cell number quantitation and normalization. Methods and kits employing such assays are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKrp5, antibodies to HsKrp5, methods of screening for HsKrp5 modulators using biologically active HsKrp5, and kits for screening for HsKtp5 modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif16b, antibodies to HsKif16b, methods of screening for HsKif16b modulators using biologically active HsKif16b, and kits for screening for HsKif16b modulators.

Abstract: The present invention provides high throughput screening systems for identifying compounds useful in the treatment of cellular proliferation disorders. The method can be performed in plurality simultaneously with fluorescence or absorbance readouts.

Abstract: This invention provides novel PDE11 genes and polypeptides, and variants, homologues, fragments, and derivatives thereof. This invention also provides vectors and host cells comprising the disclosed nucleotide sequences. This invention further provides antibodies that bind to the PDE11 polypeptides. This invention further yet provides methods for identifying agents that affect the expression or activity of the PDE11 genes and polypeptides. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the PDE11 genes or polypeptides, or inhibitors thereof. This invention additionally provides methods for treating diseases and conditions related to PDE11 activity, or the inhibition thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of AL353662, antibodies to AL353662, methods of screening for AL353662 modulators using biologically active AL353662, and kits for screening for AL353662 modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif12a, antibodies to HsKif12a, methods of screening for HsKif12a modulators using biologically active HsKif12a, and kits for screening for HsKif12a modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of AL353662, antibodies to AL353662, methods of screening for AL353662 modulators using biologically active AL353662, and kits for screening for AL353662 modulators.

Abstract: A method for identifying compounds which inhibit the HIBEF51 receptor activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human phosphatase inhibitor protein (HPIP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HPIP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HPIP and a method for producing HPIP. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HPIP, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HPIP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HPIP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HPIP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HPIP.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif12a, antibodies to HsKif12a, methods of screening for HsKif12a modulators using biologically active HsKif12a, and kits for screening for HsKif12a modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif12a, antibodies to HsKif12a, methods of screening for HsKif12a modulators using biologically active HsKif12a, and kits for screening for HsKif12a modulators.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif21b, antibodies to HsKif21b, methods of screening for HsKif21b modulators using biologically active HsKif21b, and kits for screening for HsKif21b modulators.

Abstract: Methods of genotyping amplified mixtures of DNAs, nucleic acid markers and methods of obtaining markers, kits, recombinant plants, positional cloning and integrated systems for making genotypes and assessing hybridizations are provided. These features are applicable to DNA fingerprinting, marker assisted selection, genotyping, cladistic analysis of variance, and high throughput laboratory screening methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to presqualene diphosphate (PSDP) analogs having an active region of natural PSDP and a metabolic transformation region resistant to rapid intracellular inactivation in vivo. For example, PSDP and its stable analogs can inhibit neutrophil signal transduction events in cellular activation that result in the generation of active oxygen species, regulation of leukocyte adherence, both homotypic (leukocyte-leukocyte) or heterotypic adherence with leukocytes and epithelial cells of mucosal origin or endothelial cells of vascular origin. These analogs can also be used to regulate leukocyte-dependent tissue injury.

Abstract: The invention provides human cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (HSPDE10A) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HSPDE10A. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists and methods for diagnosing or treating disorders associated with expression of HSPDE10A.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of HsKif6, antibodies to HsKif6, methods of screening for HsKif6 modulators using biologically active HsKif6, and kits for screening for HsKif6 modulators.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel assays for the identification of agents that inhibit the catalytic activity of PTPbr7. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such agents identified using the assays of the invention. The invention further provides methods of treatment comprising administering such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hybrid enzyme containing a foreign peptide, the hybrid enzyme having an enzyme activity similar to that prior to the substitution or insertion of the peptide, and having a property that the hybrid enzyme activity is modulated or modified when a material having binding ability to the peptide introduced by substitution or insertion is bound to the peptide moiety. Using the hybrid enzyme, it becomes possible to assay a trace amount of CRP in a sample by a homogeneous colorimetry, and a macromolecule materials can be easily assayed in a homogeneous system.

Abstract: A method and device for rapidly, non-invasively and inexpensively differentiating between allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and bacterial sinusitis, comprising a support strip upon which is fixed discrete indicators of pH, protein content, nitrite content, leukocyte esterase activity, and eosinophil content or other measure of a substance found in allergic secretions, such as TAME esterase, of a sample with which said reagent test strip is contacted. Contact of a nasal secretion with the device of this invention permits differentiation between allergic, bacterial and viral conditions, based on pH, protein content, leukocyte esterase activity, nitrite content, eosinophil content and TAME esterase activity. The invention further provides a novel means for collecting nasal secretions to facilitate differential diagnosis of sinusitis, upper respiratory tract viral infection and allergic rhinitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for using a human cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase belonging to the superfamily of mammalian phosphodiesterases. The invention also relates to methods for using polynucleotides encoding the phosphodiesterase. The invention relates to methods using the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target for diagnosis and treatment in phosphodiesterase-mediated or -related disorders. The invention further relates to drug-screening methods using the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides to identify agonists and antagonists for diagnosis and treatment. The invention further encompasses agonists and antagonists based on the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides. The invention further relates to agonists and antagonists identifiefd by drug screening methods with the phosphodiesterase polypeptides and polynucleotides as a target.

Abstract: Described herein are methods which identify candidate agents as binding to a protein or as a modulator of the binding characteristics or biological activity of a protein. Generally, the methods involve the use of ADP or phosphate. The assays can be used in a high throughput system to obviate the cumbersome steps of using gels or radioactive materials.

Abstract: Screening methods and methods of treatment taking advantage of the mode of action of apoptolidin and its analogs are described.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and materials useful in the detection of organophosphorous and organosulfur compounds are disclosed. In particular, biosensors wherein a porous or a non-porous support having an enzyme immobilized upon or within are disclosed. The biosensors exhibit enzymatic stability at extreme temperatures and/or denaturing conditions, and similar kinetic characteristics of the soluble form of the enzymes utilized. The enzyme does not leach from the porous or non-porous support and the material retains enzymatic activity after prolonged storage. Differential biosensors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Modified Tn5 transposase proteins having a preference for transposon Tn5 inside ends rather than outside ends are disclosed and can be used in combination with a transposase enzymes that prefer outside ends to inside ends in a method for end-specific directed transposition in vivo or in vitro.