Abstract: The major problem with current direct delivery techniques of therapeutic reagents into solid tumors, especially of cells or large volumes of recombinant DNA reagents or drugs, has been resistance of the tissues to the influx of the fluid and/or cells, resulting in low quantities of the fluid and/or cells penetrating into and remaining in the tumor tissue to be treated. Increased penetration and/or reduced backflow and diversion through the point of entry, so that more material is introduced into and remains in the tumor, is obtained through the use of a viscous vehicle, most preferably having a similar density to tissue, for the material to be delivered. Preferred materials include solutions or suspensions of a polymeric material which gel or solidify at the time of or shortly after injection or implantation. In the preferred embodiment, the solution is injected via a catheter into regions of the tumor to be treated.

Abstract: Locally deposited polymer depots are used as a vehicle for the immobilization and local delivery of a radionuclide or radiopharmaceutical. Radionuclides are incorporated in their elemental forms, as inorganic compounds, or are attached to a larger molecule or incorporated into the polymer, by physical or chemical methods. Ancillary structure may be employed to control the rate of release. Standard radionuclides which have been used for local radiotherapy may be used, such as radionuclides of iodine, iridium, radium, cesium, yttrium or other elements.

Abstract: Formulations for controlled, prolonged release of GM-CSF have been developed. These are based on solid microparticles formed of the combination of biodegradable, synthetic polymers such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(glycolic acid) (PGA), and copolymers thereof with excipients and drug loadings that yield zero order or first order release, or multiphasic release over a period of approximately three to twenty one days, preferably one week, when administered by injection. In the preferred embodiment, the microparticles are microspheres having diameters in the range of 10 to 60 microns, formed of a blend of PLGA having different molecular weights, most preferably 6,000, 30,000 and 41,000. Other embodiments have been developed to alter the release kinetics or the manner in which the drug is distributed in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nasal drug delivery composition comprising nicotine or a pharmacologically-acceptable salt or derivative thereof wherein the composition is adapted to delivery a pulse of nicotine for rapid absorption and a controlled release of nicotine for subsequent sustained absorption. The controlled release phase can be achieved by providing an ion-exchange material which will form a complex with the nicotine. The ion-exchange material may be a polymeric material such as a polysaccharide, or may be in the form of bioadhesive ion-exchange microspheres. The pulse release can be achieved by overloading the ion-exchange material with nicotine so that the composition contains some excess nicotine for immediate release and absorption. Alternatively, some nicotine may be associated with a non ion-exchange material which will release the nicotine immediately on contact with the nasal mucosa, for example non-ion-exchange bioadhesive microspheres.

Abstract: Variant complement proteins that are modified in their complement-mediated activity are provided, along with methods for their preparation, and their potential uses. The modifications comprise amino acid substitutions in regions of the complement proteins that contain certain motifs also present in homologous proteins. The amino acid substitutions and their effect on the complement activity of the modified protein are also provided.

Abstract: A composition for delivering an active agent to the lymphatic system comprises a plurality of colloidal particles and an active agent associated with each particle, wherein the surface of each particle has a hudrophobicity ratio as defined of less than 10, or wherein a modifying agent is adsorbed onto the surface of each particle such that the modifying agent gives an advancing contact angle as defined of less than 60.degree. or wherein the adsorbed layer thickness as defined is less than 10 nm or the albumin uptake ratio is between 0.2 and 0.5. The composition may satisfy one or more of these requirements. Preferred modifying agents are non-ionic surfactants, in particular block copolymers containing polyethyleneglycol.

Abstract: Methods for regulation of lipid and cholesterol uptake are described which are based on regulation of the expression or function of the SR-BI HDL receptor. The examples demonstrate that estrogen dramatically downregulates SR-BI under conditions of tremendous upregulation of the LDL-receptor. The examples also demonstrate the upregulation of SR-BI in rat adrenal membranes and other non-placental steroidogenic tissues from animals treated with estrogen, but not in other non-placental non-steroidogenic tissues, including lung, liver, and skin. Examples further demonstrate the uptake of fluorescently labeled HDL into the liver cells of animal, which does not occur when the animals are treated with estrogen.

Abstract: An inexpensive, time-efficient, and effective protective barrier device which provides protection against the transfer of contaminants such as infectious agents from one dental patient to another dental patient is provided. In particular, a barrier device is provided for attachment to a dental instrument. Dental instruments which can be directly protected include saliva ejector instruments and air/water supply instruments. Because the hands of the dental care provider or other user are protected from exposure to contaminating infectious agents, all dental instruments and accessories are indirectly protected. The barrier device includes a disposable sheath which can be positioned to shroud the instrument without encumbering its functionality. The device further includes a disposable probe which is integrally formed with the sheath and which is attached to the instrument along with the sheath.

Abstract: Blends of polymers having properties distinct from the individual polymer components and that are suitable for use as carriers of pharmaceutically active agents, are prepared from two or more polyanhydrides, polyesters or mixtures of polyanhydrides and polyesters. The blends have different properties than the polymers used to prepare the blends, providing a means for altering the characteristics of a polymeric matrix without altering the chemical structure of the component polymers. Blends of various polyanhydrides, polyesters, and polyanhydrides and polyesters, containing pharmaceutically active agents, are prepared using solvent mixing or melt mixing procedures.

Abstract: Disclosed are transgenic mice that produces prostate tumors and faithfully recapitulate many of the features of human prostatic carcinoma. It has been discovered that transcriptional regulatory elements active in Paneth cells, granule goblet cells, intermediate cells, or a combination, when used to express Simian Virus 40 large T antigen (TAg) in a transgenic mouse leads to development of prostate tumors in the mouse. The transcriptional regulatory elements are derived from the cryptdin-2 (CR2) gene. The disclosed mice develop prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) at an early age. Progression with local invasion, loss of androgen-dependence and eventual metastases are hallmarks of the disclosed transgenic mice.

Abstract: An exogenous stimulus is applied to tissues or cells which are at risk in a subsequent surgical procedure or other intervention which induces a response by the cells that minimizes reaction to the subsequent procedure. Stimuli can be chemical, physiological or physical. Examples include those stimuli known to induce expression of stress response proteins or heat shock proteins, especially heat shock protein 70 (hsp 70) and hsp 90, for example, exposure to heat or dilute hydrogen peroxide, or direct administration of exogenous heat shock proteins, or those stimuli which act to inhibit or reduce heat shock protein expression, for example, treatment with flavonoids.

Abstract: A method for preparation of multi-layer polymeric microspheres formed from any degradable or non-degradable polymers which are not soluble in each other at a particular concentration, but which have a positive spreading coefficient in solution. The multi-layer microspheres produced by the method are distinguished by extremely uniform dimensioned layers of polymer and actual incorporation of the substance to be delivered into the polymer layers. In the preferred embodiment of the method, two polymers are dissolved in a volatile organic solvent, the substance to be incorporated is dispersed or dissolved in the polymer solution, the mixture is suspended in an aqueous solution and stirred, and the solvent is slowly evaporated, creating microspheres with an inner core formed by one polymer and an outer layer formed by the second polymer. In another embodiment, solvent is removed by spray drying.

Abstract: This invention refers to a method of withholding noxious compounds contained in cigarette smoke (NO, NOx, carcinogenic nitrosocompounds, free radicals, H.sub.2 O.sub.2, CO, aldehydes, and trace elements) which were up to today insufficiently retained by conventional cigarette filters. The method described specifically refers to the enrichment of common convention filters with biological substances of the metal ions (Fe.sup.2+, Cu.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+) complexed with porphirin ring as well as Fe.sup.2+ ions stereospecifically bound to protein molecules, either separately or in combinations. The enrichment of these conventional filters with the abovementioned biological substances alters neither the physical properties of the cigarette smoke (odor, taste and appearance) nor the physical properties of the filter itself.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions with tethered growth effector molecules, and methods of using these compositions for growing cells and tissues. Growth effector molecules, including growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules, are flexibly tethered to a solid substrate. The compositions can be used either in vitro or in vivo to grow cells and tissues. By tethering the growth factors, they will not diffuse away from the desired location. By making the attachment flexible, the growth effector molecules can more naturally bind to cell surface receptors. A significant feature of these compositions and methods is that they enhance the biological response to the growth factors. The new method also offers other advantages over the traditional methods, in which growth factors are delivered in soluble form: (1) the growth factor is localized to a desired target cell population; (2) significantly less growth factor is needed to exert a biologic response.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymer networks are provided which are useful in a variety of dental and orthopedic applications. The biodegradable polymer networks can be formed in one embodiment by polymerizing anhydride prepolymers including crosslinkable groups, such as unsaturated moieties. The anhydride prepolymers can be crosslinked, for example in a photopolymerization reaction by irradiation of the prepolymer with light in the presence of a free radical initiator. Suitable anhydride prepolymers include dianhydrides of a dicarboxylic acid and a carboxylic acid molecule comprising a crosslinkable group. For example, methacrylic acid dianhydrides of monomers or oligomers of a diacid such as sebacic acid or 1,3-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-hexane can be used. The anhydride prepolymers can be applied in vivo to a site where an orthopedic implant is needed, and then may be crosslinked, for example, by irradiation with U.V. light, to form a biodegradable implant such as a rods, pin or plate.

Abstract: An improved barrier or drug delivery system which is highly adherent to the surface to which it is applied is disclosed, along with methods for making the barrier. In the preferred embodiment, the system is compliant, in that it is capable of conforming to the three dimensional structure of a tissue surface as the tissue bends and deforms during healing processes. The barrier or drug delivery systems is formed as a polymeric coating on tissue surfaces by applied a polymerizable monomer to the surface, and then polymerizing the monomer. The polymerized compliant coating preferably is biodegradable and biocompatible, and can be designed with selected properties of compliancy and elasticity for different surgical and therapeutic applications.

Abstract: Multicyclic nitrone spin trapping compounds capable of forming stable free radical spin adducts are provided as well as methods for their synthesis. The multicyclic nitrone spin trapping compounds can be reacted with a free radical, such as a hydroxy or hydroperoxy radical, in solution to form a spin adduct which is stable and readily detectable by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The multicyclic nitrone spin traps can be used to detect free radicals in a sample such as a biological system. In one embodiment, the spin trapping compound, 1,3,3-trimethyl-6-azabicyclo-?3.2.1!oct-6-ene-N-oxide ("TRAZON") is provided, as well as methods for the synthesis of TRAZON and of modified forms of TRAZON. TRAZON can react with a wide range of different free radicals in solution to form free radical spin adducts which are readily detectable by EPR.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the directed delivery of ribozymes or other compounds to specific cells which express the heme receptor on their surface using heme-bearing microparticles. Such microparticles are useful in the directed delivery and accumulation of drugs designed to treat hepatic diseases such as viral hepatitis or hepatoma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heterodimeric T lymphocyte receptor subunit. The subunit consists of a signal peptide, variable, joining, constant, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic regions.The structure, amino acid, and nucleotide sequence of the lymphocyte receptor subunit were determined using cDNA clones derived from a functional murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte clone. The genes corresponding to these cDNA are expressed and rearranged specifically in T cells and have significant sequence homologies to immunoglobulin V and C genes.T cell receptor subunits may be produced from the cDNA clones. The protein molecules may be further used for the production of T-cell clone specific antibodies.

Abstract: Delivery of bioactive molecules such as nucleic acid molecules encoding a protein can be significantly enhanced by immobilization of the bioactive molecule in a polymeric material adjacent to the cells where delivery is desired, where the bioactive molecule is encapsulated in a vehicle such as liposomes which facilitates transfer of the bioactive molecules into the targeted tissue. Targeting of the bioactive molecules can also be achieved by selection of an encapsulating medium of an appropriate size whereby the medium serves to deliver the molecules to a particular target. For example, encapsulation of nucleic acid molecules or biologically active proteins within biodegradable, biocompatible polymeric microparticles which are appropriate sized to infiltrate, but remain trapped within, the capillary beds and alveoli of the lungs can be used for targeted delivery to these regions of the body following administration to a patient by infusion or injection.