Abstract: The invention provides a novel polyherbal composition useful for treating acute Hepatitis E virus infection including acute liver failure due to HEV infection, healthy Hepatitis B virus carriers who develop superadded hepatitis E virus infection, acute hepatitis B virus infection, and animal hepadna virus, therapeutic effects on hepatitis B virus infection and also used as a hepatoprotective agent, said composition comprising essentially extracts of plants Rheum emodi Wall., Phyllanthus amarus Linn., Eclipta alba Hassk., Andrographis paniculate Nees., and Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth., and optionally Fumaria officinalis, Tinospora cordifolia Miers., Terminalia chebula Retz., Cichorium intybus Linn., Tephrosea purpurea Linn. and Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.

Abstract: A multiple coagulation test system and method for determining an appropriate coagulation promoting substance for administration to a patient as a therapy for improving clotting function in said patient has at least three sample wells. One of the wells is for testing a baseline clotting indicator time of a patient's blood to serve as a control sample. Each of the other wells are for testing clotting indicator times of different coagulation promoting substances when mixed with the patient's blood. The coagulation promoting substances are agents or combination of agents capable of improving clotting function in the patient. An appropriate therapy for improving clotting function in the patient is determined by comparison of the baseline control clotting indicator time with the clotting indicator times of the coagulation promoting substances mixed with the patient's blood. Generally, the agent giving the lowest clotting indicator time is selected as an appropriate treatment for reducing hemorrhaging begun.

Abstract: A transgenic mouse having somatic and germ cells in which at least one allele of an endogenous interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme (ICE) gene is functionally disrupted is provided. The mouse may be heterozygous or, more preferably, homozygous for the ICE gene disruption. In homozygous mice, secretion of mature interleukin-1.beta. and interleukin-1.alpha. is substantially reduced relative to non-mutant mice. The mice of the invention can be used as positive controls to evaluate the efficacy of ICE inhibitors and to identify disease conditions that can be treated with ICE inhibitors. A transgenic mouse having functionally disrupted endogenous ICE genes but which has been reconstituted with a human ICE gene is also provided. This mouse can be used to identify agents that inhibit human ICE in vivo.

Abstract: A composition for immunostimulation contains an effective amount of an Echinacea extract, Bromelain and Lysozyme. In particular, a treatment for excessive bacterial growth in the oral cavity includes administration of such a composition.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining enriched populations of osteoclast precursor cells which can be released from tissue culture dishes and used for biochemical studies are described. Osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells are co-cultured. Next a .alpha..sub.v .beta..sub.3 receptor ligand, such as echistatin is used for cell detachment. The result is a 75-95% pure enriched population of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP.sup.+) cells, in high yields (2-3.times.10.sup.6 cells per experiment) can be obtained. These cells are mosty mononucleated and based on their characteristics are considered to be pre-fusion osteoclasts (pOC cells). The precursor osteoclasts can be reseeded onto osteoblasts to obtain an enriched population of mature, multinucleated osteoclast cells.

Abstract: A method and preparations for the treatment of vaginal yeast and other yeast infections is provided for the treatment of infections caused by Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans. The method and preparations of the invention can also be used for other yeast and fungal infections including systemic, mucosal and cutaneous caused by Candida and Cryptococcus. The vaginal antiyeast and antifungal preparations include, in addition to suppositories and mouth washes, troches, lotions, creams, tablets and capsules containing gentian preparations as an active ingredient obtained from the plant Radix gentianae Longdancao. For systemic fungal infections gentian preparations from the plant Radix gentianae Longdancao are taken orally in the form of lozenges, tablets, capsules or in solution form for gargling or swallowing.

Abstract: There is provided a method for growing human intervertebral cells. Disc tissue is surgically removed from a normal disc of a patient, the cells expanded by feeding with a cell stimulant such as a growth factor, or a cytokine or a bioactive agent to form monolayer primary cell cultures on a plastic mesh such as a nylon mesh. In the case of a growth factor, fetal bovine serum is preferred as it improves cell proliferation and production of appropriate extracellular matrix components. In another aspect of this invention, the monolayer primary cell cultures are seeded in alginate or agarose and fed again with the cell stimulant until three-dimensional cell cultures are formed. The cells are recovered from the alginate or agarose or from monolayer cultures. Re-implantation is carried out using bioresorbable carriers or cell suspensions.

Abstract: Transgenic mice with a non-functional proteinase activated receptor-2 (PAR2) gene are prepared by targeted disruption of the endogenous PAR2 gene. The resulting transgenic mice display a phenotype including a lack of a hypotensive response to administration of the peptide, SLIGRL, and a reduction in carrageenin-induced paw edema compared to wild type mice.

Abstract: A method and a medium for culturing epithelial cells of both normal and malignant origin is provided. The method entails physically disaggregating tissue samples, placing the resulting fragments onto a surface comprised of basement membrane matrix components, and culturing the tissue in a medium containing preselected fetal and newborn calf sera and rat sera. Both primary explant cell cultures and cell lines, which are long-lived and particularly suitable for further study, are produced. The cultured primary explant cells undergo differentiation to form complex structures resembling those seen in vivo.

Abstract: Transgenes for producing recombinant polypeptides transgenic bovine species are described. A transgene for producing recombinant polypeptides in the milk of transgenic bovine species comprises at least one expression regulation sequence, a secretory DNA sequence encoding a secretory signal sequence which is functional in mammary secretory cells of the bovine species and a recombinant DNA sequence encoding the recombinant polypeptide. Also included are methods for producing transgenic bovine species. The method includes introducing the above transgene into an embryonal target cell of a bovine species, transplanting the transgenic embryonic target cell formed thereby into a recipient bovine parent and identifying at least one female offspring which is capable of producing the recombinant polypeptide in its milk.

Abstract: This invention relates to analgesic compositions obtained from the fruit of the Capsicum genus, in particular Capsicum annuum and more particularly to purees or extracts of sweet peppers. This invention further relates to therapeutic uses of such analgesic compositions.

Abstract: The present invention features transgenic mice models for gene function, wherein the transgenic mice are characterized by having altered serotonin 5-HT6 receptor gene function. The transgenic mice may be either homozygous or heterozygous for a disruption in the endogenous 5-HT6 gene. Transgenic mice homozygous for a disruption in the endogenous 5-HT6 gene display a phenotype of increased anxiety behavior including diminished investigation of foreign objects and an elevation in stretched attend postures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preparation and the composition of a water soluble extract of the plant species Uncaria. The present invention is also directed to the pharmaceutical use of the composition for the enhancement of the immune, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and DNA repair processes of warm blooded animals. The present preparation of the water soluble extract of the plant species Uncaria results in the depletion of many of the ingredients which lead to various toxic side effects associated with other extracts or compositions derived from Uncaria. Also, the present preparation leads to the depletion of many of the active ingredients commonly associated with other extracts and compositions of the plant species Uncaria.

Abstract: A thimerosal-free hyaluronidase is prepared wherein the preferred hyaluronidase is devoid of molecular weight fractions below 40,000 MW, between 60-70,000 MW and above 100,000 MW. Also a method for accelerating the clearance of hemorrhagic blood from the vitreous humor of the eye is carried out by contacting at least one hemorrhage-clearing enzyme (e.g., hyaluronidase, .beta.-glucuronidase, matrix metalloproteinase, chondroitinase, chondroitin sulfatase or protein kinase) with the vitreous humor in an amount which is effective to cause accelerated clearance of blood therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to therapeutic formulations containing 75 to 85% by weight of a serenoa repens extract, 2 to 5% by weight of vitamin B6, 2 to 5% by weight of vitamin B3, 2 to 5% by weight of zinc salt, and 10 to 15% by weight of L-arginine. The therapeutic formulations can be used to treat male pattern baldness by topical application to the hair.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro T-lymphopoiesis system in which a population of T-cells is produced from precursor cells expressing CD34. The T-lymphopoiesis system of the present invention produces a population of T-cells of which approximately 17-74% express CD2, approximately 1.5-34% express CD3, and approximately 16-61% express CD4, and approximately 0-15% express CD8. A method of producing such a population of T-cells in vitro, as well as various compositions including T-cells of the present invention, are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions derived from Chinese herbal medicines, medicinal plants and extracts thereof, are provided for the treatment of animals infected with viruses, especially with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). More specifically, the compositions of the present invention are derived from various Chinese herbal medicines or medicinal plants which have a long history of human consumption. The compositions of the invention are obtained through specific techniques and have demonstrated outstanding efficacy for treating human HBV carriers and hepatitis C patients. Compositions according to the invention have also exhibited in vitro antiviral activities against murine leukemia virus (MuLV) and HIV. HIV is the virus known to cause acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in humans and AIDS presents special problems to the medical community which the present invention addresses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting the complement pathway in a mammal comprising administering an effective dose of a composition comprising an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of isolated sea cucumber (Phylum Echinodermata, Class Holothuroidea) body wall, isolated sea cucumber epithelial layer, isolated sea cucumber flower, sea cucumber fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, combinations thereof, active derivatives thereof or combinations of active derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Embryonic stem cells derived from an inbred mouse strain selected from the group consisting of C3H/HeN, C57BL/6N, DBA/1J, and BALB/c strains, for example, C-2 cell having the accession number FERM BP-5933 and C-6 cell having the accession number FERM BP-5934 are disclosed. The embryonic stem cells of the present invention are derived from genetically complete inbred strains, and therefore, they are extremely useful for close genetic research.

Abstract: The present invention provides inhibition of angiogenesis in a warm-blooded animal by the administration of preparations isolated from the echinoderm sea cucumber (Class Holothuroidea). This preparation is useful as a therapeutic agent against malignant tumors and as a preventive or therapeutic drug against various diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, caused by vascular hyperplasia.