The present invention describes an association between genetic polymorphisms in the ABCC2 gene and a predisposition to prolongation of the QT interval, and provides related methods for the prediction of such a predisposition, the administration of QT interval-prolonging compounds to individuals having such a predisposition, and determining whether a compound is capable of inducing QT prolongation.

Modified double-stranded oligonucleotides that have terminal regions on each of their strands, that have a hybrid length of 6-50 nucleotides long, that have a melting temperature Tm of at least 32° C., and that include 2-4 modifying groups, each covalently attached to a different terminal region, preferably to a terminal nucleotide, said modifying groups being polycyclic substituents that do not have bulky portions that are non-planar, said modified oligonucleotide being capable of binding to the 5′ exonuclease domains of DNA polymerases and, when included in a PCR or other primer-dependent DNA amplification reaction at a concentration, generally not more than 2000 nM, that is effective for at least one of the functions of suppressing mispriming, increasing polymerase selectivity against 3′ terminal mismatches. increasing polymerase selectivity against AT-rich 3′ ends, reducing scatter among replicates, suppressing polymerase 5′ exonuclease activity, and inhibiting polymerase activity; as well as amplification reaction mixtures containing such modified double-stranded oligonucleotides, and amplification reactions, amplification assays and kits that include such modified double-stranded oligonucleotides.

The present invention describes an association between genetic polymorphisms in the BAI3 gene and a predisposition to prolongation of the QT interval, and provides related methods for the prediction of such a predisposition, the administration of QT interval-prolonging compounds to individuals having such a predisposition, and determining whether a compound is capable of inducing QT prolongation.

Methods and kits are described for testing for the presence or absence of any fungus in a sample. Examples of fungi that can be detected include, but are not limited to, those belonging to the genera Candida, Aspergillus and Pneumocystis. The methods include obtaining a sample suspected of containing fungal nucleic acid, including at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid, and testing for the presence or absence in the sample of the at least one universal region of fungal nucleic acid. Samples may be biological or non-biological.

The invention provides methods for the administration of compounds capable of prolonging a QTc interval and methods for predicting whether an individual is predisposed to such QTc prolongation.

Methods for detecting polynucleotides, especially the DNA replicated from samples obtained from subjects infected with pathogenic viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus, by detecting electromagnetic signals (“EMS”) emitted by such polynucleotides, and methods for improving the sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”).

The invention provides methods and compositions for early diagnosis and treatment of a disease associated with a specific antibody by employing the detection of a cross-idiotypic epitope on the specific antibody to detect the cells that produce the antibody before the development of clinical symptoms of the disease.

The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of Sodium channel, voltage-gated, alpha subunit (SCNA), in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of Sodium channel, voltage-gated, alpha subunit (SCNA). The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of SCNA.

Disclosed herein are methods of treating cancer in a subject, and methods for inhibiting growth, migration and/or invasion of a cancer cell in the subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody or antigen binding fragment thereof that downmodulales Fzd2. The antibody may specifically bind Fzd2, and may promote internalization of the Fzd2 receptor by the cancer cells and/or prevent ligand binding to Fzd2. Specific antibodies, and also specific portions of the Fzd2 molecule for antibody binding are disclosed. In one embodiment the antibody specifically binds to the epitope HGAEQICVGQNHSEDGAPAL (SEQ ID NO: 1). Specific cancers (e.g. late stage hepatocellular carcinoma), intended for treatment are provided, and include cancers that exhibit overexpression of Fzd2, and/or Wnt5a.

Methods and materials are described for human genome prophylaxis and therapy of diseases using myoblast transfer. These methods result in gene transcript changes in multiple pathways. Linking the myoblast transfer technology development from DMD, cardiomyopathy, and Type-II diabetes, the myoblast transfer demonstrably mediates its effect through transfer of the normal myoblast nuclei that supply the complete human genome, in addition to just replenishing the missing gene(s) or the aberrant gene(s). The replacement genes then transcribe to produce the necessary proteins or factors for genetic repair. A variety of uses of this technology are described, including that for disease treatment, disease prevention, drug discovery, and selection of superior cells and clones for therapy