Abstract: Oligopeptides having an amino acid sequence corresponding to a receptor's extracellular domain, and having sequence similarity to regulatory peptides from MHC class I antigens, enhance or replace the physiological response of ligand binding to the corresponding receptor. The oligopeptides are used in diagnosis and therapy of diseases that involve inadequate or inappropriate receptor response as well as in the screening of drug candidates that affect surface expression of receptors. Also useful for drug screening is a modified receptor molecule, where the sequence corresponding to the regulatory peptide is modified or deleted.

Abstract: Methodology is provided for developing probes for identifying sequence differences between two related DNA populations, sets of DNA fragments or collections of restriction-endonuclease-cleaved DNA or cDNA. The method employs an initial stage to obtain a representation of both DNA populations, namely using the PCR to produce relatively short fragments, referred to as amplicons. Tester amplicons containing target DNA, sequences of interest, are ligated to adaptors and mixed with excess driver amplicons under melting and annealing conditions, followed by PCR amplification. The process may be repeated so as to greatly enrich the target DNA. Optionally, the target DNA may then be cloned and the DNA used as probes.

Abstract: Substituted phenylalanines are provided comprising an hydantoin, urea or 2-hydroxyl, 2-methylpropionyl group, dimers thereof and alkyl, polyfluoroamido and haloarylamino derivatives thereof, as well as radiolabeled derivatives thereof. The compounds bind specifically to the androgen receptor and find use in the therapy of indications associated with the androgen receptor, such as, hirsutism, acne and androgenetic alopecia, and in the therapy and diagnosis of cell hyperplasia dependent on androgens.

Abstract: Vessels suffering vascular injury from angioplasty are treated with L-arginine intramurally. The incidents associated with restenosis are substantially reduced providing for a reduced incidence of restenosis as a result of the injury.

Abstract: The ethyl ester of derivatives of benzoyl ecgonine are provided having a linking group at the para position of the benzoyl group. The derivatives are used to bond to immunogenic polypeptides for production of antisera and monoclonal antibodies. The antisera and antibodies find use in assays, for treatment of cocaine overdose and detoxification.

Abstract: Thermoplastics interdispersed with a variety of functional thermostable polypeptides, including proteins, and methods of making such thermoplastics are provided. The disclosure demonstrates that certain polypeptides can retain functional activity through exposure to plastic thermomolding. The polypeptides are exposed to the heating and molding/extrusion/casting process and are hence present on the formed plastic surface and at a depth below the plastic surface. The polypeptides contained in the disclosed compositions retain functional properties or binding specificities through the heating and molding/extrusion/casting processes. Preferred thermostable polypeptides used in the disclosed compositions include silk-like protein polymers, particularly ProNectin.RTM.F. The disclosed methods and compositions find use in many applications where plastics containing functional thermostable polypeptides are desired, in particular, cell cultureware.

Abstract: The invention is directed to isolated polypeptides useful in ameliorating autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Serine protease inhibitors are provided comprising compounds having a P site binding moiety and a divalent cation(s) chelating moiety which are pre-prepared as divalent cation(s) complexes or combined with the serine protease in the presence of divalent cation(s). The compounds are shown to have high inhibitory activity when complexed to divalent cation(s) and find use in various processes associated with serine protease isolation and inhibition.

Abstract: Disclosed are human pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell (PHSC) enriched compositions and methods for obtaining and using the compositions. A substantially homogeneous population of human hematopoietic cells characterized as CD34.sup.+, HLA-DR.sup.-, and c-kit receptor positive (KR.sup.+) and capable of in vitro self-renewal and differentiation to members of at least the erythroid, myeloid, and megakaryocytic lineages, is obtained by separating the population from a cellular mixture, for example by cytometric cell sorting techniques. Also disclosed is a method of obtaining persistent maintenance of grafted human hematopoietic cells in a mammal, which includes grafting a mammal in utero with a cellular composition enriched in human hematopoietic cells characterized as CD34.sup.+, HLA-DR.sup.- and capable of in vitro self-renewal and differentiation to members of the lymphoid, myeloid, erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic assay device and method for its use are provided. The device comprises a sample addition port in fluid communication with at least one main channel. The main channel comprises, in the direction of fluid flow, a main reagent area in fluid communication with an incubation area and a waste area. In fluid communication with the main channel is at least one side reagent channel. The side reagent channels comprise, in the direction of fluid flow, a liquid addition port and a side reagent area in fluid communication with the main channel at a region of the main channel upstream from the incubation area. Agitation means may be included in the at least one of the main and side reagent areas and/or the incubation area. Capillary valves may be located at various positions along the main and side reagent channels upstream from the incubation area, providing for control over fluid flow through the device.

Abstract: Compositions are provided comprising sets of fluorescent labels carrying pairs of donor and acceptor dye molecules, designed for efficient excitation of the donors at a single wavelength and emission from the acceptor in each of the pairs at different wavelengths. The different molecules having different donor-acceptor pairs can be modified to have substantially the same mobility under separation conditions, by varying the distance between the donor and acceptor in a given pair. Particularly, the fluorescent compositions find use as labels in sequencing nucleic acids.

Abstract: First and second compounds are provided, where the first compound is administered to a mammalian host into blood for covalent bonding to blood components, where the components have an extended lifetime in the blood stream. The first compound comprises an active functionality and an agent of interest or a first binding entity. A second compound may be subsequently administered to the patient, which comprises a second binding entity, complementary to the first binding entity and an agent of interest. By virtue of binding to long-lived blood components, the half-life of the agent of interest is greatly extended in vivo.

Abstract: Bacteria capable of reducing the concentration of sulphur black dye in a substrate when contacted with the substrate are provided. The subject bacteria may be either aerobic or anaerobic and reduce the concentration of sulphur black dye in the substrate through either bioadsorption or biodegradation of sulphur black dye.

Abstract: Expression systems are provided, where plasmids can be safely maintained in a prokaryotic host, by providing for a tRNA gene for an essential tRNA in a tRNA gene negative background. A non-selective medium can be employed to permit vigorous growth of the host and efficient expression of a protein of interest.

Abstract: Copolymers are provided having varying ratios of elastin and fibroin repeating units. By varying the length of segments of the elastin and fibroin repeating units, the absorption can be greatly varied. Tensile strengths remain relatively constant regardless of the composition within the prescribed ranges. The copolymer compositions and recombinant fibroin can be used for the production of a wide variety of formed objects and amorphous masses for use as implants.

Abstract: NADH oxidase is shown to be a target for a variety of uses in diagnosis and therapy. Particularly, the NADH oxidase associated with neoplastic cells is immunologically and biologically different from NADH oxidase associated with normal cells. Thus, the presence of tumor cells in patients can be monitored by monitoring the NADH oxidase of serum. In addition, use of the NADH oxidase associated with tumor cells provides opportunities for assays for screening drugs which are specific for neoplastic cells and can serve as anticancer drugs or growth inhibitors.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are offered for reducing nerve injury pain associated with shingles (herpes-zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia), where intradermal delivery of lidocaine is maintained for a predetermined period of time. The lidocaine appears to specifically affect the damaged nerve fibers, while leaving the undamaged and normal nerve fibers with retention of response to other stimuli. Lidocaine formulations are provided which allow for the necessary dosage of the lidocaine in the dermis during the period of treatment. The formulation may be covered with an occlusive or non-occlusive dressing, which protects the lidocaine formulation from mechanical removal and enhances the transport of the lidocaine into the dermis. Long term relief is realized after maintenance of the administration of lidocaine has been terminated.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for preparing storage stable partially neutralized acid compositions. The partially neutralized acid compositions are amenable to prolonged periods of storage. Following storage, the acids can be neutralized with a calcium neutralizing source and combined with a lubricant to form a rapidly setting calcium phosphate mineral suitable for a variety of purposes, e.g. bone replacement.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of a host with a cellular proliferative disease, particularly a neoplasia. In the subject methods, a pharmaceutically acceptable, substantially anhydrous, injectable semi-solid composition which acts as a depot for a cytostatic agent, is administered to a lesion of the disease, particularly intralesionally. The subject compositions comprise a water immiscible, fatty acid ester matrix and a cytostatic agent.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting the presence of tumors are provided, where a physiological sample is assayed for the expression product of a c-onc gene as diagnostic for the presence of the tumor. The method finds use in both pre-and postoperative situations with a host suspected of having transformed malignant cells.