Abstract: A method of treating cancer in a patient deficient in p53 tumor suppression gene is described herein by administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount if a polyamine such as DENSPM in combination with an anticancer agent. Also described is a method of selecting patients for cancer treatment with a polyamine, for example, DENSPM.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method to increase both the antitumor potency and the selectivity of DENSPM, a polyamine analog. The method comprises the steps increasing the amount of SSAT mRNA, and delivering a therapeutically sufficient dose of DENSPM which allows conversion of SSAT mRNA to enzyme activity, polyamine pool depletion and growth inhibition. The SSAT mRNA may be increased by conditionally induced overexpression of SSAT, or by modulating the transcriptional regulation of the endogenous SSAT gene.

Abstract: The compounds 5'-deoxy-5'-(hydroxyethylthio)adenosine (HETA); 5'-deoxy-5'-(monofluoroethylthio)adenosine (MFETA); 5'-deoxy-5'-(chloroethylthio)adenosine (CETA); 5'-deoxy-5'-(bromoethylthio)adenosine (BETA); 5-deoxy-5-(monofluoroethylthio)ribose (MFETR); 5-deoxy-5-(chloroethylthio)ribose (CETR); 5-deoxy-5-(bromoethylthio)ribose (BETR) and 5-deoxy-5-(hydroxyethylthio)ribose (HETR), are described as well as their uses in treating infections caused by 5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) phosphorylase-containing pathogenic microorganisms; in treating infections caused by 5-deoxy-5-methylthioribose (MTR) kinase-containing pathogenic microorganism; and for treating neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method that relates to the measurement of determinants related to the in-vivo induction of spermidine/spermine N.sup.1 -acetyltransferase (SSAT), subsequent to polyamine analog treatment (such as with a bis-ethyl spermine analog) of human malignant solid tumor types responsive to the polyamine analog. The method comprises the measurement of one or more SSAT-specific determinants that include SSAT enzyme activity, SSAT enzyme protein, and SSAT m-RNA transcripts. Alternatively, other determinants related to the SSAT induction may be measured. Such determinants include SSAT co-factor acetylCoenzyme A, and SSAT products N.sup.1 -acetylspermidine and N.sup.1 -acetylspermine. Measurements of these determinants may be useful as prognostic indicia and tumor response markers to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of anticancer agents comprising polyamine analogs.

Abstract: A novel multi-function fishing sinker embodying compact and simple means for locking circumventingly and captively yet freely slidable, to any point between the extremities of the line supporting the heavy weight of a downrigger. The lock is rotarily operated by a torque lever which is an extension of a centrally located threaded cylinder and doubles as a hitch for attachment of the trailing portion of a trolling line.

Abstract: A combination valve and pump assembly for use as ballasting apparatus in ships includes a cylindrical valve element disposed within an opening in a ballast chamber. The valve element communicates with ambient sea water and is movable toward and away from the ship's outer surface to block and unblock the opening. The valve and pump assembly also comprises pump apparatus, operable with the valve element, and including an impeller rotatably positioned concentrically within the valve element. The invention contemplates simultaneous reciprocatory translation of the valve element and the pump assembly by hydraulic motor apparatus such that opening and closing of the opening by the valve element is effected by the hydraulic apparatus, while a pump motor causes rotation of the impeller when the valve element is displaced from a position where the opening is blocked.