Abstract:
A diagnostic method and screening test for atherosclerosis and analogous diseases involving activated phagocytes and/or inflammation is provided which comprises determining the presence of p-hydroxyphenylacetaldehyde-lysine in a test sample of a body fluid or tissue at a level which is elevated relative to the level in a normal patient.
Abstract:
Compositions and methods for inhibition of the intracellular activation of a signal transducing protein comprising phosphoserine containing peptides derived from the Raf-1 protein are disclosed. The peptides bind to 14-3-3 protein and thereby prevent its association with the signal transducing peptide to block signal transduction. Also provided is an assay method for identifying a pharmacologic agent that can bind 14-3-3 protein and block signal transduction.
Abstract:
The integrity of structures may be determined by either one of two methods. In a first method, an impulse of energy is introduced into the structure (20), such as by striking the structure (20), and the induced vibration is measured and the modal damping factor is calculated, the modal damping factor being directly related to the integrity of the structure (20). In a second method, a continous energy input is provided to the structure (20) for inducing a continous vibration in the structure (20). This continous vibration is measured with a transducer (28) and a modal damping factor is calculated with a computer (32). The computer uses an algorithm to estimate the modal damping factor of the structure by calculating a theoretical response of an idealized system from several assumed parameters and varying those parameters.
Abstract:
A diagnostic assay for detecting the presence of an infectious herpesvirus in a specimen and a genetically engineered cell line for use in such assay are disclosed. The cell line used in the assay expresses a reporter gene only if infectious herpesvirus is present in the specimen. The assay involves inoculating a DNA-transfected cell line with a specimen suspected of containing a herpesvirus, allowing a sufficient period of time for the herpesvirus infectious cycle to proceed, and detecting and quantifying the number of herpesvirus-infected cells to determine the number of infectious herpesvirus virions in the specimen. The cell line is a DNA-transfected cell line susceptible to infection by a herpesvirus which is stably transformed with a chimeric gene comprising a herpesvirus inducible promoter and a gene coding for an enzyme, the expression of the enzyme being dependent upon and quantitatively proportional to the presence of herpesvirus. A kit for such assay is also provided.
Abstract:
A 52 kDa protein is disclosed, which is a receptor for the cell-binding peptide sequences of the cell-binding domain (CBD) of thrombospondin 1 (TS1), namely the 4N1s and 7N3 peptide sequences as well as the 4N1K and 4NK peptides.
Abstract:
Osteoclast associated antigen (47J) and monoclonal antibodies and methods for detecting and ameliorating osteoporotic disease are disclosed. The monoclonal antibodies are specifically reactive with epitopes present on 47J antigen, which is specific to osteoclasts.
Abstract:
Single-chain forms of the glycoprotein hormone quartet, at least some members of which are found in most vertebrates, are disclosed. In one embodiment of these single-chain forms, the alpha and beta subunits of the wild-type heterodimers or their variants are covalently linked, optionally through a linker moiety. A drug may further be included within the linker moiety to be targeted to receptors for these hormones. Some of the single-chain forms are agonists and others antagonists of the glycoprotein hormone activity. Another embodiment of the single-chain compounds of the invention comprises two beta subunits of the glycoprotein hormones, which beta subunits are the same or different. These "two- beta " forms are antagonists of glycoprotein hormone activity.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a noninvasive method for improving collateral circulation to tissue at risk of ischemia or ischemic necrosis. Improved collateral circulation is obtained by applying a growth factor from the PDGF family to the area at or around an occluded blood vessel causing compromised direct circulation to the affected tissue. The present invention further provides a method for anastomosing one or more divided blood vessels using a growth factor from the PDGF family. Preferably, the growth factor is administered locally to the end(s) of the divided blood vessel(s) at or around the area where a single divided blood vessel is attached to tissue of an organ at risk of ischemia.
Abstract:
A novel pars planitis-specific circulating protein, designated P-36, having a molecular mass of approximately 36 kilodaltons is disclosed. The cDNA gene encoding P-36 has been cloned, and the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences have been determined. Vectors and systems for expressing recombinant P-36 are described. Also described are antibodies to P-36 and their use in immunoassays for the protein. A method of diagnosing a patient for pars planitis by determining the presence of P-36 in the bloodstream is disclosed.