Abstract: Oxyhalopolymer composites which include an oxyhalopolymer having free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the free volume of the oxyhalopolymer are disclosed. Also disclosed is a surface-oxyhalogenated non-halopolymer composite. The composite includes a surface-oxyhalogenated non-halopolymer having free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the free volume of the surface-oxyhalogenated non-halopolymer. Methods for making and using these composites are also described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules encoding a truncated human cyclin E protein, the truncated human cyclin E protein being a constitutively active form of human cyclin E protein. These truncated forms can be encoded by the nucleotide sequence of wild-type cyclin E, with a deletion therein to result in the truncated protein. Vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid molecules are also provided. The invention further provides isolated fragments of the truncated cyclin E proteins, which fragments consist essentially of the deletion flanking regions of the wild-type cyclin E nucleotide sequence. Antisense nucleic acid molecules, and fragments thereof, to the truncated cyclin E protein and to the fragments thereof are also provided. Methods using the nucleic acid molecules, fragments thereof, antisense nucleic acid molecules, and fragments thereof, are provided. The antisense can be used therapeutically for inhibition of cyclin E activity.

Abstract: The invention provides an extracellular matrix for wound healing comprising peptides from two or more fibronectin domains in a backbone matrix. In one embodiment, the subject invention provides a hyaluronic acid backbone derivatized with the minimal FN sequences that are optimal for tissue cell recruitment. These constructs can be used to accelerate the healing of acute gaping cutaneous wounds and chronic cutaneous ulcers. The invention thus further provides a method of enhancing wound healing which comprises applying the extracellular matrix to a wound.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method/system utilizing interaction of electromagnetic pulses or ultrasonic radiation with nano- and microparticles for enhancement of drug delivery in solid tumors. The particles can be attached to antibodies directed against antigens in tumor vasculature and selectively delivered to tumor blood vessel walls. Cavitation induced by ultrasonic waves or local heating of the particles by pulsed electromagnetic radiation results in perforation of tumor blood vessels, microconvection in the interstitium, and perforation of cancer cell membrane, and therefore, provides enhanced delivery of macromolecular therapeutic agents from blood into cancer cells with minimal thermal and mechanical damage to normal tissues.

Abstract: The invention provides a cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule having a nucleic acid sequence which includes a binding site for a nuclear DNA binding protein expressed only in a specific cell type. The invention further provides a plasmid for targeting a DNA molecule into the nuclei of a specific cell type. The plasmid comprises the cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule and a DNA molecule to be targeted to the nuclei of the specific cell type. This plasmid of the subject invention can be introduced into various host cells, and the cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule will target the DNA molecule to the nuclei of the specific cell type. Thus, the invention further provides a method of targeting a DNA molecule into the nuclei of a specific cell type. The method comprises providing a plasmid (the plasmid comprising the cell-specific nuclear targeting molecule and the DNA molecule to be targeted) and introducing the plasmid into the cytoplasm of the specific cell type.

Abstract: In an improved process for immobilizing a chelator moiety on a silica substrate, the substrate is reacted in a liquid reaction medium with an alkyltrialkoxysilane compound having a functional group that provides an attachment site for covalently binding the chelator moiety to the substrate. The improvement comprises providing a particulate silica substrate having a surface area of less than about 50 m.sup.2 /g. An improved extracorporeal device for removing metal ions from blood and other fluids includes a cartridge having an inlet and an outlet and containing a plurality of tubular fibers that extend from the inlet to the outlet. Each fiber has a lumen enclosed by an anisotropic membrane. The membrane is supported by a macroporous structure that contains a chelator moiety immobilized on a particulate silica substrate having a surface area of less than about 50 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding an interferon-.alpha.-induced protein, particularly the protein designated p36. Expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecule are also provided, as well as methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of the interferon-.alpha.-induced protein in host cells. DNA oligomers and antibodies specific for interferon-.alpha.-induced protein are provided, each of which can be used to detect interferon-.alpha.-induced protein in a sample. Methods for diagnosing immunodeficiency and autoimmune disease in an individual and methods for detecting the presence or past existence of lupus inclusions or interferon-.alpha. in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: The effect of changing satellite geometry on the achievable accuracy of GPS relative positioning under the full GPS constellation has been researched. A mathematical model has been developed for the quantitative analysis of the accuracy of GPS relative positioning with respect to the changing satellite/station configuration, observation starting time and session length. A method based on modeling the relative dilution of precision (RDOP) has been developed for the optimum design of GPS relative positioning with carrier phase observable. The RDOP surface, a mathematical surface, has been generated based on the broadcast almanac file. The optimum observation windows, optimum session starting time and optimum observation session length have been derived from the study of the RDOP surface.The method and mathematical model based on the RDOP are compared with those based on the PDOP (position dilution of precision) for application purposes.

Abstract: Provided is a method of detecting transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The method comprises: selecting a sample from a subject to determine whether the subject has a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy; and detecting spiroplasma-specific 16S rDNA indicative of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in the sample. The spiroplasma-specific 16S rDNA is preferably detected by contacting the sample with a pair of oligonucleotide primers under polymerase chain reaction conditions and detecting the resulting polymerase chain reaction product, wherein each of the pair of the oligonucleotide primers is complementary to spiroplasma-specific 16S rDNA indicative of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of preserving red blood cells. The method comprises treating the red blood cells with about 2 mM to about 35 mM of N-acetylcysteine. The invention further provides a method of aging red blood cells. This method comprises isolating red blood cells; incubating the isolated red blood cells at about 37.degree. C.; and cyclically exposing the incubated red blood cells to N.sub.2 for about 15 minutes then to ambient air for about 5 minutes for a total of about 16 hours. This method allows for the timely screening of agents for their ability to affect the premature aging of red blood cells. This timely screening can be conducted in the course of 16 hours as opposed to weeks or months that would be necessary if the red cells could not be prematurely aged in accordance with the method of the subject invention.

Abstract: A sensor having a substrate overlayed with a sol-gel layer, a chemical sensing species deposited upon the sol-gel layer, and a thin film of a second sol-gel layer overlaying and entrapping the species. The effect of this sensor is that the species exhibits a significant portion of its intrinsic function over a period of time. In yet another embodiment of the subject invention, a method is disclosed to form a thin sol-gel layer upon an ambient substrat. This method ensures the integrity, stability and functionality of the chemical sensing species within the sol-gel layers.

Abstract: A composition for human or animal consumption for supplying folate which includes a natural isomer of reduced folate, such as (6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-methyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formyl-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 10-formyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methylene-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5,10-methenyl-(6R)-tetrahydrofolic acid, 5-formimino-(6S)-tetrahydrofolic acid, and their polyglutamyl derivatives is disclosed. Such compositions include multivitamin preparations (with or without minerals and other nutrients); breakfast foods such as prepared cereals, toaster pastries and breakfast bars; infant formulas; dietary supplements and complete diet and weight-loss formulas and bars; animal feed (for example pet foods) and animal feed supplements (such as for poultry feed). The amount of the natural isomer of a reduced folate in a composition for human consumption can range between about 5% and about 200% of the daily requirement for folic acid per serving or dose.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for separating target cells from a plurality of cells which is based on a reversible high affinity interaction between two molecules. The method comprises: forming a target cell/cell binding reagent/first molecule/second molecule/solid support complex, wherein the cell binding reagent is specific for target cells present within a plurality of cells and wherein the first molecule reversibly binds to the second molecule; removing non-target cells of the plurality of cells not attached to the solid support; and reversing the first molecule binding to the second molecule, thereby releasing the target cells as separate cells from the plurality of cells.

Abstract: Composites which include a polymer matrix having natural free volume therein and an inorganic or organic material disposed in the natural free volume of the polymer matrix are disclosed. In addition, methods for making a composite are described. A polymer matrix having free volume therein is provided. The free volume is evacuated, and inorganic or organic molecules are infused into the evacuated free volume of the polymer matrix. The inorganic or organic molecules can then be polymerized under conditions effective to cause the polymerized inorganic or organic molecules to assemble into macromolecular networks. Alternatively, where the polymer matrix contains a functionality, the inorganic or organic molecules can be treated underconditions effective to cause the inorganic or organic molecules to interact with the polymer matrix's functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating groundwater in situ in rock or soil. An elongate permeable upgradient zone and an elongate permeable downgradient zone, each in hydraulic communication with a permeable subsurface treatment zone and having a major axis parallel to a non-zero component of the general flow direction, are provided in the subsurface by any of a number of construction methods. The upgradient zone, downgradient zone, and treatment zone are situated within the subsurface medium and have permeabilities substantially greater than the adjacent subsurface medium's permeability. Groundwater is allowed to move from the subsurface medium adjacent to the upgradient zone into the upgradient zone, where the groundwater refracts and moves to a treatment zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding gamma glutamyl hydrolase (GH). Expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules are also provided, as well as methods for increasing or decreasing the expression of GH in host cells. The invention further provides a method of screening a substance for the ability of the substance to modify GH function, and a method for isolating other GH molecules. DNA oligomers and antibodies specific for GH are provided, each of which can be used to detect GH in a sample. Methods for decreasing deleterious side effects of antifolate treatment, increasing the levels of GH in cells of a patient, increasing the effectiveness of antifolate treatment, and monitoring progression of a tumor are further provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of preventing cytotoxic effects of amyloid beta protein on cells. The method comprises exposing the cells to an effective amount of melatonin. The invention further provides a method of treating Alzheimer's disease in a human subject, which comprises administering an amount of melatonin effective to prevent the cytotoxic effects of amyloid beta protein to the human subject.

Abstract: The invention provides an extracellular matrix for enhancing wound healing. The extracellular matrix comprises a recombinant fibronectin protein and a backbone matrix, wherein the recombinant fibronectin protein comprises peptides from two or more fibronectin domains. The extracellular matrix facilitates wound healing by providing hemostasis and, in addition, an environment that intrinsically recruits new tissue cells to the wound site. The extracellular matrix according to the subject invention is thus used in a method for enhancing wound healing. The method comprises applying the extracellular matrix to the wound.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided which are targeted to nucleic acids encoding human serine/threonine protein phosphatases and which are capable of inhibiting protein phosphatase expression. Methods of inhibiting the expression of human protein serine/threonine phosphatases using oligonucleotides of the invention are also provided. The present invention further comprises methods of preventing or inhibiting hyperproliferation of cells and methods of treating abnormal conditions, including cancer, using oligonucleotides of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides the development of models for cell migration, including an in vitro model and an in vivo model. The in vitro model for cell migration comprises a first extracellular matrix containing a cell (the cell which will migrate) and a second extracellular matrix in physical contact with the first extracellular matrix. The first extracellular matrix simulates a first natural environment in which the cell naturally resides, and the second extracellular matrix simulates a second natural environment into which the cell naturally migrates from the first natural environment. The in vivo model according to the subject invention comprises an animal model having a naturally occurring first extracellular matrix containing a cell, and a second extracellular matrix in physical contact with the first extracellular matrix. The first and second extracellular matrices are generally as described above for the in vitro model, except that the first extracellular matrix is part of an animal model.