Abstract:
Alkanethiols of formula (1) and the enantimomers of the alkanethiol of formula (1), and disulfides of formula (3) and the anantimomers of the disulfide of formula (3), where -T is a moiety of formula (2) R1 and R2 are each individually selected from the group consisting of H and OH; a is 0 to 3; b is 0 to 3; and indicates that the chirality of the carbon atom to which it is attached is either R or S; may form inert surfaces that prevent the unwanted adsorption of proteins and cells.
Abstract:
Generation of longer cDNA fragments from SAGE tags for gene identification (GLGI) is disclosed. This method converts SAGE tags, which are about 10 base pairs in length, into their corresponding 3'cDNA fragments covering hundred bases. This added information provides for more accurate genome-wide analysis and overcomes the inherent deficiencies of SAGE. The generation of longer cDNA fragments from isolated and purified protein fragments for gene identification is also disclosed. This method converts a short amino acid sequence into extended version of the DNA sequences encoding the protein/protein fragment and additional 3' end sequences of the gene encoding the protein. This additional sequence information allows gene identification from purified protein sequences. The invention also provides a high-throughput GLGI procedure for identifying genes corresponding to a set of unidentified SAGE tags.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are provided for reconstructing images from data obtained from scintillation events occurring within a projection space of a depth-of-interaction positron emission tomography system. The method includes the steps of identifying a segment of each depth-of-interaction detector of respective pairs of depth-of-interaction detectors detecting the scintillation events of the data obtained within the projection space and estimating a set of sinograms from the data based upon a set of depth-independent point spread functions of the identified segments of the respective pairs of depth-of-interaction detectors.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for inducing hair growth by providing beta-catenin activity to a skin cell. This may be achieved by providing a beta-catenin polypeptide, providing a beta-catenin agonist, providing a polynucleotide encoding a beta-catenin polypeptide, enhancing the de novo synthesis of beta-catenin, increasing the stability or decreasing the degradation of beta-catenin polypeptides.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to the field of diabetes. More particularly, it concerns the identification of genes responsible for NIDDM1 for use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The present invention demonstrates that the NIDDM1 locus is, in fact, the calpain 10 gene. The invention further relates to the discovery that analysis of mutations in calpain genes and gene products can be diagnostic for type 2 diabetes. The invention also contemplates methods of treating diabetes in view of the fact that calpain mutations can cause diabetes. Further, the invention relates to novel polynucleotides of the NIDDM1 locus and polypeptides encoded by such polynucleotides.
Abstract:
A method, computer program product, and system (100) for computerized analysis of the likelihood of malignancy in a pulmonary nodule using artificial neural networks (ANNs) (S4). The method, on which the computer program product and the system is based on, includes obtaining a digital outline of a nodule; generating objective measures corresponding to physical features of the outline of the nodule; applying the generated objective measures to an ANN; and determining a likelihood of malignancy of the nodule based on an output of the ANN. Techniques include novel developments and implementations of artificial neural networks and feature extraction for digital images. Output from the inventive method yields an estimate of the likelihood of malignancy (S7) for a pulmonary nodule.
Abstract:
A method and system for automatically establishing operational parameters of a statistical surveillance system. The method and system performs a frequency domain transition (20) on time dependent data, first Fourier composite (30) is formed, serial correlation (35) is removed, a series of Gaussian whiteness tests (50) are performed along with an autocorrelation (35) test, Fourier coefficients (80) are stored and a second Fourier composite is formed. Pseudorandom noise is added, a Monte Carlo simulation is performed to establish SPRT missed alarm probabilities and tested with a synthesized signal. A false alarm test is then empirically evaluated and if less than a desired target value, then SPRT probabilities are used for performing surveillance.
Abstract:
The ICP4 protein of herpes simplex virus plays an important role in the transactivation of viral genes. The present invention discloses that ICP4 also has the ability to inhibit apoptosis. This function appears to reside in functional domain distinct from the transactivating function, as indicated by studies using temperature sensitive mutants of ICP4 that have transactivating function at elevated temperatures. Also disclosed are methods for inhibition of apoptosis using ICP4 or an ICP4 encoding gene, such as an α4 gene, methods for inhibiting ICP4's apoptosis-inhibiting function, and methods for the production of recombinant proteins and treatment of HSV infections. Further, the present invention discloses that the HSV-1 mutant lacking the α4 gene, has a secondary mutation in the gene US3 specifying a protein kinase. Thus a functional US3, a viral gene encoding a protein kinase known to phosphorylate serine/threonine within a specific arginine rich consensus sequence, is required in order to block apoptosis. Also disclosed are methods for inhibition of apoptosis using US3 or an US3 encoding gene, methods for inhibiting US3's apoptosis-inhibiting function, and methods for the production of recombinant proteins and treatment of HSV infections.
Abstract:
This invention relates to uses of components of plant-like metabolic pathways not including psbA or PPi phosphofructokinase and not generally operative in animals or encoded by the plastid DNA, to develop compositions that interfere with Apicomplexan growth and survival. Components of the pathways include enzymes, transit peptides and nucleotide sequences encoding the enzymes and peptides, or promoters of these nucleotide sequences to which antibodies, antisense molecules and other inhibitors are directed. Diagnostic and therapeutic reagents and vaccines are developed based on the components and their inhibitors.