Abstract: The subject invention is related to a cell-mediated gene therapy treatment for orthopedic disease using a member belonging to the transforming growth factory-&bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) superfamily. TGF-&bgr; gene therapy as a new treatment method for degenerative arthritis is demonstrated. After transfection of TGF-&bgr; cDNA expression vectors into fibroblasts (NIH 3T3-TGF-&bgr;1), the cells were injected into rabbit achilles tendon and knee joints with artificially-made cartilage defects. Intratendinous injections were performed to determine the optimal concentration for in vivo expression. Partially defected cartilage model was made to simulate degenerative arthritis of the knee joint. The partial cartilage defect treated with the cell-mediated gene therapy procedure was covered by newly formed hyaline cartilage which indicates that the cells survived and stimulated matrix formation in this area. Completely denuded cartilage areas were covered by fibrous collagen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a herbal medicinal composition for preventing or treating type II diabetes. The composition is comprised of extracts from Pterocarpus marsupium, Morus alba, Orthosiphon aristatus, Opiophogon japonicus, Rosa rugosa, Commelina communis, Trichosanthis kirilowii and Anemarrhena asphodeloides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel angiogenesis inhibitor, LK68 whose amino acid sequence is identical with the human apolipoprotein (a) kringle domains IV36, IV37 and V38, a cDNA sequence encoding the LK68, a recombinant expression vector comprising the cDNA, a recombinant microorganism transformed with the recombinant expression vector and a novel use of the LK68 as an anticancer agent and a method for treating angiogenesis-mediated disease. LK68, LK6, LK7 and LK8 exhibit inhibitory activities on the cultured endothelial cell proliferation as well as on the endothelial cell migration. LK68 and its single kringles also inhibit the normal development of capillaries in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). It was also showed that systemic administration of LK68 causes the inhibition of primary tumor growth, which is correlated with a suppression of tumor-induced angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of nanoparticles of silver (Ag) and silver alloyed with other elements such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), gold (Au), aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd) and sulfur (S) in surfactant solutions. The surfactant molecules have the intrinsic property to adsorb into the interface, which are formed between two different phases. Thus, the surfactant molecules would adsorb into the surface of nuclei in solution. The adsorbed surfactant molecules from the solution prevent the coalescence of particles and control the rate of particle growth. By choosing the proper kind and/or concentration of surfactants, the size of particles formed in solution can be controlled in nm scale.

Abstract: The subject invention is related to a cell-mediated gene therapy treatment for orthopedic disease using a member belonging to the transforming growth factor-&bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) superfamily. TGF-&bgr; gene therapy as a new treatment method for degenerative arthritis is demonstrated. After transfection of TGF-&bgr; cDNA expression vectors into fibroblasts (NIH 3T3-TGF-&bgr;1), the cells were injected into rabbit achilles tendon and knee joints with artificially-made cartilage defects. Intratendinous injections were performed to determine the optimal concentration for in vivo expression. Partially defected cartilage model was made to simulate degenerative arthritis of the knee joint. The partial cartilage defect treated with the cell-mediated gene therapy procedure was covered by newly formed hyaline cartilage which indicates that the cells survived and stimulated matrix formation in this area. Completely denuded cartilage areas were covered by fibrous collagen.