Compounds that Interfere with the Androgen Receptor Complex

Investigators at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered compounds that have potential as novel anti-androgen therapeutics. The immunophilin protein FKBP52 is part of a protein complex that helps fold the androgen receptor (AR) protein, a target for treating prostate cancer, and enhances its activity. Disruption of the FKPB52-AR interaction greatly reduces the activity of the AR.

Transgenic Mice Expressing CNO-sensitive Gq- or Gs-coupled Designer Receptors Selectively in Pancreatic Beta Cells

Impaired functioning of pancreatic beta cells is a key hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Beta cell function is modulated by the actions of different classes of heterotrimeric G proteins. The functional consequences of activating specific beta cell G protein signaling pathways in vivo are not well understood at present, primarily due to the fact that beta cell G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are also expressed by many other tissues.

New Cholera Vaccine and Method for Conjugating Bacterial Polysaccharides to Proteins

A new conjugate vaccine for cholera has been developed. The invention includes a new method to conjugate the O-specific polysaccharide-core part of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide and protein subcomponents. Conventional technology has entailed chemical treatment of both components to introduce linkers, which made them amenable for covalent linking. The new method simplifies production by utilizing squaric acid chemistry for conjugating the free amine-containing species (e.g. polysaccharides) directly to amine-containing species (e.g.

Artificial Salivary Gland

The present application describes an artificial fluid secreting prosthetic device for non-invasive insertion and methods of using this device. Specifically, compositions and methods based on the discovery of an artificial fluid secreting prosthesis are disclosed in this application. Currently, there is no conventional effective treatment for salivary gland hypofunction. And although the transplantation of mammalian salivary glands has also been tried, this option has not proven desirable due to lack of sufficient donor supplies.

Neutralization of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Available for licensing and commercial development are compositions and methods for preventing and/or treating infection caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The invention is based on mapping studies conducted by the inventors of two epitopes within HCV E2: epitope I and epitope II. It has been discovered that epitope I is involved in virus neutralization but that epitope II mediates antibody interference, probably an adaptation of the virus to obfuscate the immune system.

HIV-1 Infection Detection Assay for Seroconverted HIV-1 Vaccine Recipients

Available for licensing and commercial distribution is a serological test specifically designed to distinguish between antibodies generated in HIV vaccine recipients and those generated in a natural HIV infection. The method is useful in HIV vaccine development and clinical studies as it can readily detect early breakthrough infections in seroconverted vaccine recipients, thus providing the information required to determine vaccine efficacy. The test kit includes diagnostic peptide fragments derived from human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1).

Monoclonal Antibodies Against Poliovirus

Early work by Hammond at al. showed gamma globulin to be effective for the prevention of poliomyelitis. Therefore, passive immunotherapy could be another way to treat chronic excretors. Even though prior attempts to use intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and breast milk were unsuccessful, there is reason to think that higher doses of antipoliovirus antibodies could result in complete clearance of poliovirus from chronically infected individuals.

Lipopolysaccharide Carriers For Use In Vaccines

This invention is a new carrier for conjugate vaccines. The carrier is lipopolysaccharide (LPS) isolated from Brucella abortus (BA). The claims of the patent cover all conjugates comprising BA-LPS and an antigen from an infectious agent or tumor. BA-LPS, like other LPSs from gram-negative bacteria, raises antibody responses in a T-independent fashion, which allows antibodies to be raised in the absence of T cell help. BA-LPS is much less toxic than LPS from other bacteria, and is much less potent than other bacterial LPS in inducing inflammatory cytokines.

Probe To Identify Enteroinvasive E. coli And Shigella Species

Standard means for detecting pathogenic organisms in food or clinical specimens rely on animals or large DNA fragments, such as the 17 kb EcoRI fragment of Boileau. These methods are expensive, time-consuming, difficult to use, and have not been able to distinguish between nonvirulent enteroinvasive E. coli and Shigella. This invention describes DNA probes for enteroinvasive E. coli and Shigella species, including the sequence of the 2.5 kb fragment (SmaII and Falkow's) on which the probe is based.

The probe is more reliable, more sensitive, and less expensive than methods now in use.
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