Disclosed herein are novel genes and methods for the screening of therapeutics useful for treating impaired glucose tolerance conditions, as well as diagnostics and therapeutic compositions for identifying or treating such conditions.

The invention comprises methods for identifying agents that can activate C. elegans DAF-16 and human homologs thereof, or their corresponding genes, whereby cytoprotective effects in cells may be induced. Such cytoprotective effects can result in enhanced environmental stress resistance, increased life span and improved late life vigor without significant inhibition of insulin-signaling pathways. The invention also comprises the therapeutic agents identified and methods of treatment using the agents.

Disclosed herein are novel genes and methods for the screening of therapeutics useful for treating impaired glucose tolerance conditions, as well as diagnostics and therapeutic compositions for identifying or treating such conditions.

A composition of acetic acid and a composition of acetic acid and RF3 effecting expression of DAF-16 in C. elegans, wherein the at least acetic acid and the RF3 polysaccharide is effective to increase the life-span of C. elegans or humans. A method of regulating DAF-16 expression, comprising: administering a composition comprising at least acetic acid and RF3 polysaccharide; providing the composition to at least one receptor on a surface of a cell; causing an increase in expression of DAF-16. A method for screening a series of compounds or constituents parts of compounds including some antioxidant vitamins, traditional herb medicines, and vinegars using C. elegans as a live organism model to examine to determine if they have an impact the lifespan of C elegans and the underlying mechanism(s) thereof.

Chimeric proteins containing sequences from MCP and DAF and further containing peptide sequences capable of binding glycosaminoglycans. Nucleotide sequences encoding the chimeric proteins, expression vectors containing the nucleotide sequences, as well as transformed host cells capable of producing the chimeric proteins are claimed.

The invention involves methods and products for interfering with neutrophil transmigration and treating inflammatory conditions. Agents that bind decay accelerating factor (DAF) and agents that mimic SCR-3 epitope of DAF are provided.

The invention provides a method of producing a product having a fat and/or protein content, the method comprising combining under temperature and pressure and at a pH of at least about 6.2, a grain or grain-containing material and dissolved air floatation (DAF) sludge to form a mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the food product is extruded under temperature and pressure and at a pH of at least about 6.2. The invention further provides a food product comprising a mixture of a grain or grain-containing material and DAF sludge, and optionally, one or more additives. The food product may be used as pet or animal food.

The invention relates to the identification and use of the DAF-2/IR responsive sod-3 promoter. Transgenic C. elegans containing sod-3 reporter gene constructs are described which are useful for the identification of genes or compounds capable of modulating the DAF-2/IR- akt pathway. Conditions are disclosed that increase or decrease the reporter activity, demonstrating the presence of either activators or inhibitors of the DAF-2/IR pathway.

The invention is concerned with use of the model organism C. elegans as a research tool to screen for compounds active in insulin signalling. In particular, the invention relates to improved screening methods based on release of C. elegans from the dauer larval state.

An electron gun of the in line type comprises cathodes (2) for emitting electrons, the cathodes being juxtaposed in a first direction. The electron gun comprises a main lens section (4) for focusing the beams of electrons onto a display screen (36). Conventionally, the electrodes (20, 21, 22) of the main lens section comprise a base plate (23), which is a plate shaped element provided with separate apertures for each of the beams. According to the invention, at least one of the electrodes (10, 11, 12) of the main lens section is provided with a so called field cutter (14, 19), which is a plate shaped element provided with a common aperture for all beams. The field cutter allows in preferred embodiments to have astigmatic main lenses that result in better spot performance and a reduced horizontal magnification. Preferably, the main lens has positive dynamic astigmatism, so that a separate DAF section is no longer required.