Abstract: A peptide comprising a free terminal alpha amine is treated with an aryl sulfonamide activating agent, resulting in an activated amide. The resulting activated amide is deprotonated with a base and modified by the addition of a substituent group. The aryl sulfonamide activating group is cleaved using a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The method is particularly useful for the modification of peptides at specific N-alpha positions, and is compatible with conventional solid phase peptide synthesis, including those that utilize Fmoc protecting groups.

Abstract: A fluidized-bed reactor for the chemical vapor deposition of a coating on a substrate surface is described. The reactor enables high rates of deposition and a highly homogeneous coating by modifying the boundary layer formed between the gasified reactive gas stream and the substrate. The boundary layer is minimized by the presence of an exhaust outlet placed in close proximity to the center of the surface of the substrate and/or the presence of a gas inlet capable of injecting a tangential stream of gas which results in a swirling radial flow of reactive gas. Methods of forming a metal coating on a surface of a substrate using the reactor are provided as well.

Abstract: Devices for the generation of inhalable aerosols by extrusion through a porous membrane by a motor-driven cam assembly are disclosed. The device holds a drug formulation container in a drug release position. The package is comprised of a collapsible wall with an opening and a cover for the opening that includes a porous membrane having a plurality of pores therein with a diameter in the range of 0.5 to 6.0 microns. An electric motor in the device is powered by a battery to rotate a cam assembly having three cams. The first cam forces a clamping member (configured to correspond to the outer periphery of the container) against the periphery of the collapsible wall of the container, sealing the jointure of the collapsible wall to the cover of the container along the entire periphery, except for a small unsealed portion thereof. The second cam crushes the collapsible wall, forcing the contents of the container through the unsealed portion of the jointure.

Abstract: A venous flow control device is provided for assisting in the maintenance of a penile erection or in preventing urinary incontinence. The device is a tubular structure adapted to be secured in a loop configuration about the penis to provide an adjustable radial constrictive force about the base of the penis. Methods for using the device are also provided.

Abstract: Novel antiandrogenic agents are provided. An exemplary group of compounds has the structural formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 through R.sup.10, a and b are as defined herein. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using the compounds of formula (I) to treat androgen-related clinical conditions are provided, as are methods and compositions for using the compounds as contraceptive agents.

Abstract: Lipophilic active substance composition and its use in a new method of treating erectile dysfunction by administration of nitroglycerine together with a hydrophilic vehicle and optionally an antibacterial agent into the urethra.

Abstract: Antibodies are disclosed which specifically bind to native PrP.sup.Sc in situ. Preferred antibodies bind only to the native PrP.sup.Sc of a particular species e.g., human, cow, sheep, pig, etc. Particularly preferred antibodies bind specifically to a particular isoform of human PrP.sup.Sc. Preferred antibodies of the invention are (1) produced by phage display methodology, (2) bind specifically to native PrP.sup.Sc, (3) neutralizes the infectivity of prions, (4) bind to PrP.sup.Sc in situ and (5) bind 50% or more of PrP.sup.Sc in a liquid flowable sample. Antibodies of the invention can be bound to a substrate and used to assay a sample (which has any PrP.sup.c denatured via proteinase K) for the presence of PrP.sup.Sc of a specific species which PrP.sup.Sc is associated with disease. Antibodies which specifically bind to human PrP.sup.Sc can be labeled and injected carrying out an in vivo diagnostic test to determine if the human is infected with prions associated with disease.

Abstract: Two component, storage stable apatitic cement compositions, as well as methods for their production, are provided. The dry component of subject apatitic cements comprises basic calcium source particles at least partially coated with a partially neutralized acidic calcium phosphate. The dry component of subject compositions is prepared by combining basic calcium source particles with dissolved acidic phosphate in at least a partially aqueous medium, whereby the basic calcium source particles become partially coated with a partially neutralized acidic calcium phosphate. The reaction is terminated prior to completion of the reaction between the acidic phosphate and the basic calcium source by removing the available water from the reaction mixture. In a first mode, the subject cement may be produced by mechanically mixing an acidic phosphate source with basic calcium source particles in the presence of an aqueous solvent and stopping the reaction between the acid and base prior to completion.

Abstract: Lipophilic active substance composition and its use in a new method of treating erectile dysfunction by administration thereof, optionally together with a hydrophilic vehicle and optionally an antibacterial agent into the urethra.

Abstract: Novel polyketides and novel methods of efficiently producing both new and known polyketides, using recombinant technology, are disclosed. In particular, a novel host-vector system is described which is used to produce polyketide synthases which in turn catalyze the production of a variety of polyketides.

Abstract: Drug delivery systems for the transdermal administration of tamsulosin are described. The systems are in the form of laminated patches having one or more reservoirs comprised of a polymeric adhesive material containing a tamsulosin formulation. The invention also relates to a method for treating benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and related conditions and diseases, by administering tamsulosin transdermally, to tamsulosin-containing pharmaceutical compositions for transdermal administration of the drug and to a low-temperature method for manufacturing a tamsulosin-containing transdermal delivery system.

Abstract: A locally administrable topical pharmaceutical composition is provided for use in the prevention or treatment of skin conditions associated with hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and/or an immunologically mediated disorders, as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis or actinic dermatitis. The composition contains a topical carrier and spirogermanium or a structurally related azaspirane.

Abstract: A method and system for quantifying the relative abundance of gene transcripts in a biological sample. One embodiment of the method generates high-throughput sequence-specific analysis of multiple RNAs or their corresponding cDNAs (gene transcript imaging analysis). Another embodiment of the method produces a gene transcript imaging analysis by the use of high-throughput cDNA sequence analysis. In addition, the gene transcript imaging can be used to detect or diagnose a particular biological state, disease, or condition which is correlated to the relative abundance of gene transcripts in a given cell or population of cells. The invention provides a method for comparing the gene transcript image analysis from two or more different biological samples in order to distinguish between the two samples and identify one or more genes which are differentially expressed between the two samples.

Abstract: Angiogenic endothelial cells are selectively targeted with lipid/DNA complexes or cationic liposomes containing a substance which affects the targeted cells by inhibiting or promoting their growth. A site of angiogenesis can be precisely located by administering cationic liposomes containing a detectable label. The complexes may comprise nucleotide constructs which are comprised of promoters which are selectively and exclusively activated in the environment of an angiogenic endothelial cell.

Abstract: Stem cells transduced with HOXB4 exhibit enhanced in vitro and in vivo ability for self-regeneration and generate higher-numbers of tranplantable pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells relative to control and nonmanipulated cells.

Abstract: Phosphopeptides which significantly reduce bone loss or weakening are provided by the invention. Also provided is a method for treating or preventing any condition associated with bone loss or weakening by administering the phosphopeptides by oral or injectable means.

Abstract: Secretory gland cells, particularly pancreatic and salivary gland cells, are genetically altered to operatively incorporate a gene which expresses a protein which has a desired therapeutic effect on a mammalian subject. The expressed protein is secreted directly into the gastrointestinal tract and/or blood stream to obtain therapeutic blood levels of the protein thereby treating the patient in need of the protein. The transformed secretory gland cells provide long term therapeutic cures for diseases associated with a deficiency in a particular protein or which are amenable to treatment by overexpression of a protein.

Abstract: Bridged bicyclic aromatic compounds are provided having the structure ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and n are as defined herein. The novel compounds are useful for modulating gene expression of retinoic acid receptors, vitamin D receptors and thyroid receptors. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for modulating gene expression are provided as well.

Abstract: A halohydrocarbon solvent recovery process. The process in one embodiment included heating a gross mixture including solvent, fatty-acid impurities and water in a bath to vaporize at least a portion of the solvent and the impurities. A portion of the vapor is then condensed in a reflux condenser to form a condensate mixture. After drying and impurity adsorption, a solvent product of at least 99% purity may be recovered. In one embodiment, the gross mixture is obtained from steam stripping dry-cleaner filter cartridges.

Abstract: The invention includes deleting codon segments from DNA expressing a native protein (e.g., PrP.sup.Sc) in order to obtain a shorter, soluble protein which mimics characteristics of an insoluble native (e.g., PrP.sup.Sc) protein. Soluble proteins of the invention are characterized by: (1) having less amino acids than the full length native protein; (2) having a higher degree of solubility than the native protein; (3) retaining the basic biological characteristics of the native protein such as (a) not being subject to enzymatic digestion and (b) causing disease. Soluble proteins of the invention are obtained by providing a DNA sequence which encodes a native protein and systematically removing codons, making copies of the shortened versions of DNA which are then expressed to provide the shortened proteins. The shortened proteins are then tested for solubility. Soluble proteins are then further tested to confirm that they retain the biological characteristics of the native protein.