Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -C-X.sub.2 -C-R-X.sub.3 -C-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is 3 to 9 amino acids; X.sub.2 is one amino acid, preferably Y, H or R; X.sub.3 is 2 or 3 amino acids; X.sub.4 is three amino acids; X.sub.5 is five amino acids; X.sub.6 is 6 to 10 amino acids; and X.sub.7 is 0 to 9 amino acids. The invention also provides a method of preparing substantially purified mouse cryptdin having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 -L-X.sub.2 -C-Y-C-R-X.sub.3 -C-K-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -G-T-C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is 3 or 4 amino acids, preferably LRD, LSKK (SEQ ID NO: 1) or LRG; X.sub.2 is 1 amino acid, preferably V, L or I; X.sub.3 is 3 amino acids, preferably KGH or *RG, where * is S, T, K, I or A; X.sub.4 is 2 amino acids, preferably GR, RR or RG; X.sub.5 is 3 amino acids, preferably RMN, RVR, RVF HMN or HIN; X.sub.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of radiosensitizing a tumor in a subject by contacting the tumor with a cytokine or a nucleic acid molecule encoding a cytokine. The invention also provides a method of radiosensitizing a tumor in a subject by administering, at a site other than the tumor, a cell genetically modified to express a cytokine. The invention further provides a method of reducing the severity of a cancer in a subject by administering a cytokine at the site of the tumor or by immunizing the subject at a site other than the tumor with tumor cells genetically modified to express a cytokine, and treating the tumor with radiotherapy.

Abstract: A method of suppressing cell proliferation of a mammalian cell by contacting the cell with decorin.

Abstract: A composition including 2-hexyl cyanoacrylate and gold is useful in treating arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and other body lumens to be blocked.

Abstract: Provided are serum-free, animal protein-free media formulations to be used in conjunction with hematopoietic growth factors for the in vitro growth of human neutrophil and megakaryocyte precursors. The medium contains a base medium, corticosteroid, transferrin, insulin, cholesterol, ethanolamine, and human albumin. Also provided are methods for preparing serum-free, animal protein-free suspensions of human hematopoietic precursor cells wherein the cellular component contains at least about 16% neutrophil precursors and at least about 1% megakaryocyte precursors. Serum-free, animal protein-free suspensions of human hematopoietic cells are provided wherein the cellular component comprises at least about 30%, preferably greater than 60% neutrophil precursors. The neutrophil precursors are comprised of blast cells, promyclocytes, neutrophilic myelocytes, and neutrophilic metamyelocytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating inflammation and other pathological conditions using novel blocking P-selectin antibodies that inhibit adhesion of leukocytes to activated platelets and/or to activated vascular endothelium in vivo. Both murine and humanized antibodies are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microbial UC pANCA antigens. The invention provides methods of diagnosing ulcerative colitis (UC) and methods of inducing tolerance in a pANCA-positive patient with UC using a histone H1-like antigen. The invention further provides methods of diagnosing UC and methods of inducing tolerance in a pANCA-positive patient with UC using a porin antigen. Methods of diagnosing UC and methods of inducing tolerance in a pANCA-positive patient with UC using a Bacteroides antigen also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single test system and method for determining the integrated glycemic condition of a subject by measuring the concentration of glucose and the level of protein-bound glucose in a subject's body fluid, such as whole blood. The glucose concentration is indicative of the subject's immediate glycemic condition, whereas the protein-bound glucose concentration is indicative of either intermediate or long-term glycemic condition. Optionally, other analytes indicative of glycemic condition, such as ketone bodies or fatty acid derivatives, can also be measured. The present invention also provides a method of diagnosing diabetes. The invention additionally provides a method for analyzing the concentration of fructosamine in less than or equal to five minutes without the use of a reaction accelerator.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprising a plurality of procaryotic cells containing diverse combinations of first and second DNA sequences encoding first and second polypeptides which form a heteromeric receptor exhibiting binding activity toward a preselected molecule, those heteromeric receptors being expressed on the surface of filamentous bacteriophage.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assembling arrays of oligonucleotides on a solid support, wherein the arrays can optionally be removed from the support after assembly. The invention also provides a solvent suitable for automated assembly of arrays of oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substantially purified nucleic acid molecule encoding a Brassica oleracea APETALA1 (AP1) gene product, Brassica oleracea var. botrytis AP1 gene product or a Zea mays AP1 gene product. The invention also provides a substantially purified Brassica oleracea AP1 gene product, a substantially purified Brassica oleracea var. botrytis AP1 gene product or a substantially purified Zea mays AP1 gene product in addition to an antibody that specifically binds such an AP1 gene product. In addtion, the invention provides an expression vector containing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a floral meristem identity gene product operably linked to a heterologous regulatory element. Kits for converting shoot meristem to floral meristem in an angiosperm and kits for promoting early reproductive development in a seed plant also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sonic treatment to selectively reduce the void volume of a sintered polymer such as porous high density polyethylene (HDPE). The invention also provides a method and an article of manufacture for receiving a liquid sample, where a first portion of the sintered polymer (1a) overlies a solid surface (4a) and a second portion of the polymer (1b) overlies a window (4b). Sonic treatment of the sintered polymer reduces the void volume of the first portion (1a) compared to the second portion (1b). As a result, a liquid sample applied to the polymer will preferentially migrate through the second portion (1b), rather than through the first portion (1a). When the article of manufacture is used to analyze a liquid sample such as blood, less sample is required because of the preferential migration in the sonically treated sintered polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-naturally occurring seed plant such as a transgenic angiosperm or gymnosperm that contains an ectopically expressible nucleic acid molecule encoding a floral meristem identity gene product. The invention further provides a method of converting shoot meristem to floral meristem in an angiosperm by ectopically expressing a floral meristem identity gene product in the angiosperm. In addition, the invention provides a method of promoting early reproductive development in a seed plant by ectopically expressing a floral meristem identity gene product in the seed plant.

Abstract: Novel synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptides which have high affinity and specificity for their receptors by virtue of restrictions on their stereochemical conformation. Such restrictions can be provided by cyclization, by inclusion into a constraining conformational structure such as a helix, by providing an additional chemical structure such as an amide or an enantiomer of a naturally occuring amino acid, or by other methods. In particular, there is provided a cyclic peptide having increased affinity and selectivity for the vitronectin receptor over that of linear, Arg-Gly-Asp-containing synthetic peptides.

Abstract: The invention provides a nonenzymic method for the release of cells which have been selected from a heterogeneous cell suspension by antibody-mediated binding to beads or other solid support. The method entails forming within the cell suspension a complex comprising the solid support linked to a primary monoclonal antibody, which in turn is bound to a cell surface antigen on the target cells. The complex is separated from the cell suspension, and then contacted with a specific peptide which binds to the primary antibody, displacing the antibody from the cell surface antigen, thereby releasing the target cell from the complex. The invention also provides methods for positive/negative cell selection wherein target cells having a first antigen are selected from a heterogeneous cell suspension containing undesired cells having a second antigen.

Abstract: The invention provides cyclic peptides which inhibit platelet aggregation without causing prolonged bleeding time. The invention provides RGD or KGD containing peptides which are cyclized and contain hydrophobic amino acids adjacent to the carboxy terminus of the RGD sequence. Peptides of this nature are also provided which contain in addition to the hydrophobic amino acid an adjacent positively charged amino acid. Such peptides have a high affinity for the receptor IIb/IIIa and a low affinity for the fibronectin and vitronectin receptors. Such peptides can be administered in a suitable physiologically acceptable carrier to therapeutically treat thrombosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-infectious immunotherapeutic containing retroviral particles devoid of outer envelope proteins or containing selected antigens isolated from a retrovirus. There is also provided a vaccine effective against HIV. In one aspect, the immunogen is useful for immunizing an individual previously infected by a retrovirus including HIV, so as to induce immunoprotective factors protective against progression of the infection. In another aspect, the vaccine is useful for vaccinating an individual not previously infected with HIV in order to prevent subsequently acquired infection. In another aspect, there is provided a method of rendering a viral immunogen non-infectious. The immunogen may also be used to produce antibodies for passive immunotherapy, alone or in conjunction with active immunotherapy, in individuals infected with a retrovirus, including HIV, preferably those individuals exhibiting low levels of antibodies to retroviral gene products other than the outer envelope.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel purified TGF-.beta.-binding glycoprotein, endoglin, an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes an amino acid sequence corresponding to the TGF-.beta.-binding glycoprotein, soluble endoglin-derived polypeptide, and fragments thereof. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises the endoglin-derived polypeptide purified by applicants or produced by applicants' recombinant methods and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is further provided as well as methods of treating patients which comprise administering to the patient the pharmaceutical composition of this invention.

Abstract: The invention provides RGD containing peptides which are cyclized and contain hydrophobic moieties adjacent the carboxy terminus of the RGD sequence. Such peptides have an high affinity for the receptor IIb/IIIa and low affinity for the fibronectin and vitronectin receptors. Such peptides can be administered in a suitable physiologically acceptable carrier to therapeutically treat thrombosis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a patient having a reduced population of neutrophils following a myeloablative cancer treatment such as high dose chemotherapy. Following myeloablative therapy, a cell composition of at least 25% neutrophil precursors, i.e. promyelocytes, myelocytes, and metamyelocytes, is administered to the patient. Thereafter, the neutrophil precursors differentiate rapidly in vivo to replenish the supply of mature neutrophils for fighting infection. The method is used to reduce the neutropenic window between the time of myeloablative therapy and the time required for infused stem cells to proliferate and differentiate into mature neutrophils.