Abstract: The present invention is a peptide compound which stimulates the formation of hard tissues such as bone and cartilage. The invention is also related to a method to treat a defect in hard tissues such as bone and cartilage using the peptide. The method of the present invention may be used to treat or prevent the defects in bones and cartilages which are caused by rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis which involves the regeneration of new bone or cartilage in or around the defects.

Abstract: Stable aqueous formulations which are free of products derived from human or animal origin and which maintain high biological activity and high chemical and physical stability of alpha-type interferon for an extended period of time. Methods of producing stable aerosol formulations of the same for delivery to the lungs are also provided, as well as systems and methods of delivering the formulations to the lungs for systemic absorption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human protein called phosphatonin, and isolated polynucleotides encoding this protein. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing this human protein. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to this novel human protein.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which makes it possible for a patient to be delivered gradually reduced amounts of nicotine over time thereby allowing the patient to be gradually weaned off of dependence on nicotine and quit smoking. The system is comprised of a means for aerosolizing a formulation and containers of formulation. The formulation is comprised of nicotine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, a plurality of containers are produced wherein the concentration of nicotine in the different containers or different groups of containers is reduced. The patient uses containers with the highest concentration initially and gradually moves towards using containers with lower and lower concentrations of nicotine until the patient's dependence on nicotine is eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for producing mammalian therapeutics free from prion contamination and cells for use in such methods. Such therapeutics are produced in somatic cells having a genome with an artificially altered PrP gene. The PrP gene in these cells may be ablated, or replaced by an exogenous inducible form of the PrP gene. The endogenous gene in the host cells may be disrupted, or disrupted and replaced by an exogenous PrP gene.

Abstract: A drug delivery device and method is disclosed which produces aerosolized particles of pharmaceutically active drug for delivery to a patient by inhalation. The device is comprised of a liquid feeding source such as a channel to which formulation is added at one end and expelled through an exit opening. The feeding channel is surrounded by a pressurized chamber into which gas is fed and out of which gas is expelled from an opening. The opening from which the gas is expelled is positioned directly in front of the flow path of liquid expelled from the feeding channel. Various parameters are adjusted so that pressurized gas surrounds liquid flowing out of the feeding channel in a manner so as to maintain a stable capillary microjet of liquid until the liquid exits the pressure chamber opening and is aerosolized. The aerosolized particles having a uniform diameter in the range of about 1 to 5 microns are inhaled into a patient's lungs and thereafter reach the patient's circulatory system.

Abstract: Genomic DNA region including the about 1.5 kb upstream region of MEGSIN gene was isolated and its nucleotide sequence was determined. In the genomic DNA region, two regulatory sequences that regulate the transcription positively were identified. Furthermore, nucleotide substitutions were introduced in the promoter regions located at the 3′ sites of the two regulatory sequences by site specific mutagenesis, and the nucleotide sequences that play important roles in the promoter activity were successfully identified.

Abstract: Relaxin is useful for promoting angiogenesis and the treatment of infections or ischemic wounds where the injury results from lack of oxygen due to poor circulation.

Abstract: Heart failure following myocardial infarction is treated by administration of an angiotensin II inhibitor for 8-12 weeks, followed by administration of a growth hormone for 1-3 weeks.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel PrP protein, and nucleic acids encoding this protein, where the PrP protein is characterized in vivo by 1) incomplete glycosylation relative to glycosylation of wild-type PrPC and 2) proper cellular localization, i.e. an ability to be transported to the cell surface. This novel, under-glycosylated PrP, unlike its normal cellular counterpart, can easily be converted into a protease-resistant isoform by incubation with infectious prions. The invention further provides systems for the study of prion disorders and methods of using these systems, e.g. the study of the mechanical processes in progression of prion-mediated disease or the identification of new therapeutic agents for treatment of prion-mediated disorders. In such systems, protease-resistant under-glycosylated PrP is generated de novo and can be detected by standard immunoblot techniques.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the production of optical fibers from optical fiber preforms using flow physics. The present methods provide for the “drawing” of an optical fiber preform using focusing of the preform by a surrounding fluid, e.g. a heated gas.

Abstract: Angiogenic endothelial cells are selectively targeted with lipid/DNA complexes or cationic liposomes containing a substance which affects the targeted cells by inhibiting or promoting their growth. A site of angiogenesis can be precisely located by administering cationic liposomes containing a detectable label. The complexes may comprise nucleotide constructs which are comprised of promoters which are selectively and exclusively activated in the environment of an angiogenic endothelial cell.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound and probe are described. The compound is capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. The compound comprises (1) one or more semiconductor nanocrystals capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy, and (2) one or more linking agents, having a first portion linked to one or more semiconductor nanocrystals and a second portion capable of linking to one or more affinity molecules. One or more semiconductor nanocrystal compounds are linked to one or more affinity molecules to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with one or more detectable substances in a material being analyzed, and capable of, in response to exposure to a first energy, providing a second energy. Also described are processes for respectively: making the semiconductor nanocrystal compound; making the semiconductor nanocrystal probe; and treating materials with the probe.

Abstract: An antiseptic composition useful in destroying the infectivity of infectious proteins such as prions is disclosed. The antiseptic composition is preferably maintained at either a low pH of 4.0 or less or a high pH of 10.0 or more either of which allows for an environment under which the active component (which is preferably sodium dodecyl sulfate) destroys infectivity. The composition may be added to blood, blood products, collagen, tissues and organs prior to transplantation. The composition also may be added to livestock feed to denature any prions in the livestock. Methods of denaturing infectious proteins are also disclosed which method can use but do not require higher temperatures and long period of exposure.

Abstract: An antiseptic composition useful in destroying the infectivity of infectious proteins such as prions is disclosed. The antiseptic composition is preferably maintained at a pH of 4.0 or less which allows for an environment under which the active component destroys infectivity. The composition may be added to blood, blood products, collagen, tissues and organs prior to transplantation. The composition also may be added to livestock feed to denature any prions in the livestock. Methods of denaturing infectious proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal compound is described capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound comprises (1) a semiconductor nanocrystal capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation and/or absorbing energy, and/or scattering or diffracting electromagnetic radiation—when excited by an electromagnetic radiation source or a particle beam; and (2) at least one linking agent, having a first portion linked to the semiconductor nanocrystal and a second portion capable of linking to an affinity molecule. The compound is linked to an affinity molecule to form a semiconductor nanocrystal probe capable of bonding with a detectable substance. Subsequent exposure to excitation energy will excite the semiconductor nanocrystal in the probe, causing the emission of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Dosages of inhaled insulin are controlled within a narrow range by controlling the total volume of air inhaled by a patient. By repeatedly delivering aerosolized insulin with the same total inhaled volume of air, the amount of insulin delivered to the patient each time is consistent. A device for delivering insulin by inhalation is disclosed which device comprises a means for measuring inhaled volume and for halting inhalation at a pre-determined point. The device also comprises an adjustable means for applying various amounts of force to a container of formulation to expel different amounts of drug from the container based on the force applied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA expressed at high frequency in mesangial cells and a protein (Meg-4) encoded by this DNA. These substances are useful in, for example, identifying mesangial cells and detecting abnormalities in mesangial cells. Moreover, the above protein would be helpful for clarification of the functions of mesangial cells and, in its turn, for clarification of the causes of diseases relating to mesangial cells. This protein is expectedly applicable to the treatment, diagnosis, and such of diseases relating to mesangial cells.

Abstract: An assay method is disclosed which isolates and detects the presence of a disease related conformation of a protein (e.g., PrPSc) present in a sample also containing the non-disease related conformation of the protein (e.g., PrPC). The sample is treated (e.g., contacted with protease) in a manner which hydrolyzes the disease related conformation and not the non-disease related conformation. The treated sample is contacted with a binding partner (e.g., a labeled antibody which binds PrPSc) and the occurrence of binding provides and indication that PrPSc is present. Alternatively the PrPSc of the treated sample is denatured (e.g., contacted with guanadine) or unfolded. The unfolded PrPSc is contacted with a binding partner and the occurrence of binding indicates the presence of PrPSc in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel human protein called phosphatonin, and isolated polynucleotides encoding this protein. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing this human protein. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to this novel human protein.