Abstract: An 80 kDa metaloproteinase is found in hormone-dependent human breast cancer cells. The enzyme is active in the presence of calcium, manganese, or magnesium ions. The 80 kDa proteinase is useful for evaluating therapeutic progress and in formulating plans for treatment.

Abstract: The nitrogen in amides of aldonic and aldaric acids having 5 or 6 carbon atoms in the carbohydrate residue is available to support plant growth, i.e. the materials act as nitrogen fertilizers.

Abstract: 3.beta.,7.beta.,17.beta.-androstenetriol (".beta.AET") may be used to increase production of IL-2 in cell culture and in the intact animal. Increase in IL-2 under stimulating effect of .beta.AET provides benefits associated with IL-2 administration without the untoward effects such as increased cortisol production.

Abstract: Novel monomers are described which contain a glucaric acid unit linked through an amide bond formed between a carbonyl carbon of a D-glucaric acid and one of the amino nitrogens of a primary diamine as well as their alkali metal salts. These N-aminohydrocarbylene (or N-aminoheterohydrocarbylene)-D-glucaramidates may then be polymerized to form polyhydroxypolyamides and in particular stereoregular polyhydroxypolyamides.

Abstract: The invention is a device for use as a prop to hold the mouth open which consists essentially of a bite block with an elongated portion that is deflected to provide a turn of about 180.degree. so that the elongated portion extends around the outside of the cheek with the end of the extension pointing backward from the mouth to form a handle by which the bite block is held in position.

Abstract: A method of evaluating salt sensitivity in a hypertensive patient comprises evaluating customary salt intake and deleting from the diet any substance other than salt that might influence blood pressure, feeding the patient a diet without restriction of salt and measuring blood pressure until blood pressure becomes stabilized at the hypertensive level or, if hypertension is not seen, for about 90 days, thereafter restricting the salt intake in the diet, and gradually increasing the salt intake and measuring blood pressure to determine when the blood pressure begins to rise during the period of increasing salt intake to determine salt sensitivity that gives rise to hypertension.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved compositions and methods for regulating the immune response, for ameliorating effects of stress, and for avoiding untoward effects of chemotherapy or exposure to irradiation by administration of androstenediol (AED) and androstenetriol (AET). The improved means of regulating immune response can be utilized in treating infectious diseases and immune diseases such as diabetes and chronic fatigue syndrome, both diseases now considered to be immune response related syndromes.

Abstract: An inflatable enclosure useful as a matress is described which has first (bottom) and second (top) broad surfaces connected at their edges to form the enclosure, the bottom being formed of a substantially air-impermeable resilient closed-cell foam wherein the thickness and density of the closed-cell foam has been selected to provide semi-rigid characteristics between adjacent points of support and the top being formed of material selected from an air-impermeable resilient closed-cell foam and a flexible air-impervious material, said first surface being connected around its edges to a flexible air-impervious material which is in turn attached around the edges of the second surface to form the enclosure, the enclosure having at least one closable means for admitting a fluid to and releasing fluid from the enclosure.

Abstract: Polymers of glucaric or xylaric acid with diprimary amines containing at least one heteroatom in the main chain form films when cast from aqueous solution and show adhesive properties. Unexpectedly, analogous polymers prepared using galactaric acid, an isomer of glucaric acid, do not form satisfactory films when cast from aqueous solution and exhibit poor or no adhesive properties. Copoly(aldaramides) comprising galactaric acid residues and either glucaric acid or xylaric acid residues, when prepared by reacting an equivalent weight of an activated galactarate with a product formed by reaction of two equivalents of a diprimary heterohydrocarbylenediamine with one equivalent of either an activated xylarate or glucarate also afford film-forming polymers which exhibit adhesive properties.

Abstract: A kit for use in determining the dosages and administering testosterone for the treatment of hair loss and disorders involving the lubricating function of the skin.

Abstract: Processes for transfer of design and kite therefore are easily used to transfer images on objects, including fine materials such as silk. The recipient materials remain pliable. Kits containing components for use in the processes of the invention may be prepared for use with any transfer materials. Fabric that has been decorated by the processes of the invention can be sewed, washed, and dried without releasing the image transferred thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to use of cyclodextrins to complex urushiols to protect against and to treat irritation arising from exposure to urushiols. Cyclodextrins, particularly gamma-cyclodextrins, are capable of binding strongly to urushiols and can be used effectively to prevent irritation of tissue that is exposed to urushiols.Cyclodextrin-urushiol complexes can also be used to desensitize against urushiol. Compositions containing cyclodextrin/urushiol complexes may be provided as tablets for buccal administration in dosages sufficient to induce desensitizing response.

Abstract: Patients may effectively be treated for inflammatory conditions of the mouth using aqueous anti-inflammatory steroids in solutions that can be swished and expectorated as a mouthwash. Such therapy would allow direct contact of the medication with the diseased mucous membranes and would contact areas of the oral cavity that would not usually be reached with application of creams, gels, or ointments. Compositions containing antifungal agents in addition to steroids are particularly useful.Swishing for three to five minutes, then expectorating the aqueous anti-inflammatory-containing, results in maintenance of contact of the active agents with the oral cavity surfaces for a longer time than would application of gels containing those agents. The mode of application is simple and is not repugnant to the patient as is the application of creams, gels, or ointments.

Abstract: 3.beta.,17.beta.-androstenediol (".beta.AED") and 3.beta.,7.beta.,17.beta.-androstenetriol (".beta.AET") may be used to counteract the antiproliferative and immunosuppressive effects of hydrocortisone and other corticosteroids (i.e., to act as buffers to counteract the lymphosuppressive response to such steroids). .beta.AED and .beta.AET are steroids which mediate immune response to provide the body protection against immune down-regulation. A method for testing analogues of .beta.AED and .beta.AET to compare the effectiveness of such analogues as buffers of certain effects of hydrocortisone and other corticosteroids, including immune response and proliferative effects is described. Cytokines, including most particularly IL-3, are produced by addition of .beta.AET and .beta.AED and their analogues to the growth media of cell cultures of lymphatic cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides delipidating compositions containing essentially oil-free "empty" cyclodextrin compositions. It also provides compositions for use in removal of cerumen from the ear. The compositions containing "empty" cyclodextrin advantageously avoid use of harsh, drying agents or injurious mechanical methods.

Abstract: A mattress is disclosed which eliminates components by combining structural integrity, air-impervious and insulating functions, thereby significantly reducing overall weight and increasing portability. In a particularly preferred embodiment the mattress is self-inflating. The semi-rigid cover provides the dimensional rigidity necessary to effect self-inflation. The increased thickness of the utilized cover component affords improved puncture resistance.

Abstract: Novel monomers are described which contain a glucaric acid unit linked through an amide bond formed between a carbonyl carbon of a D-glucaric acid and one of the amino nitrogens of a primary diamine as well as their alkali metal salts. These N-aminohydrocarbylene (or N-aminoheterohydrocarbylene)-D-glucaramidates may then be polymerized to form polyhydroxypolyamides and in particular stereoregular polyhydroxypolyamides.

Abstract: A single step process for converting aldaric acid salts to activated aldarates utilizing a lower alkanol as both solvent and esterifying agent is described. The activated aldarates are particularly useful as monomers for polymerizations with primary diamines in which the nitrogen atoms are bound to aliphatic carbon atoms to form poly(aldaramides).

Abstract: Compositions used to treat inflammatory diseases of the mouth contain anti-inflammatory steroids in combination with antifungal drugs in an aqueous medium as a mouthwash. Swishing for three to five minutes, then expectorating the mouthwashes results in maintenance of contact of the active agents with the oral cavity surfaces for a longer time than would application of gels containing those agents. The mode of application is simple and is not repugnant to the patient as is the application of creams, gels, or ointments.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for delipidation of skin or hair through the use of cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin derivatives such as hydroxypropyl .beta.-cyclodextrin. The invention also relates to cerumen removal methods involving introduction of cyclodextrins to the ear canal, followed by complexation of the cyclodextrin with cerumen components, and removal of the resulting cyclodextrin complexes. The cyclodextrin components are used in a substantially oil-free powdered or aqueous formulation without detergents, soaps, solvents, oils or other lipid-like agents.