Abstract: The present invention provides method for the treatment of a symptom of neuronal damage associated with cerebral ischemia comprising administering gamma-, beta-, or delta-tocopherol enriched tocopherol compositions.

Abstract: A novel class of peptides selectively block class E voltage-gated calcium channels. The class is exemplified by HG peptides such as HG-1, which is isolated from the venom-producing cells of the tarantula Hysterocrates gigas. Also disclosed are methods of producing blocking class E channels using the peptides. HG peptides have utility, for example, in inhibiting oxytocin release and for use as anticonvulsants.

Abstract: A method of screening for and treating subjects with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is effective in reducing cellular damage related to an ischemic condition, such as stroke or glaucoma. Test compounds are selected and therapeutically effective amount determined based on the relative efficacy of test compounds in preventing cell death in primary cultures of excitable cells, such as retinal ganglion cells, in vitro.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a novel protease capable of cleaving &bgr;-amyloid precursor protein on the amino-terminal side of the &bgr;-amyloid peptide therein are provided. The protease is designated &bgr;-secretase. The &bgr;-secretase may be used in screening assays to identify &bgr;-secretase inhibitors, or the &bgr;-secretase is combined with a suitable polypeptide substrate and cleavage of the substrate determined in the presence and absence of the test substance.

Abstract: Isozyme-specific agonists or activators of .epsilon.PKC are disclosed. The agonists include peptides corresponding to the region of .epsilon.PKC between about amino acids 85 and 92. Also disclosed are therapeutic methods employing such .epsilon.PKC-specific agonists to induce preconditioning and thereby reduce injury due to subsequent ischemia, as well as methods for screening test compounds for .epsilon.PKC-selective agonist properties.

Abstract: A novel class of peptides selectively block class E voltage-gated calcium channels. The class is exemplified by HG peptides such as HG-1, which is isolated from the venom-producing cells of the tarantula Hysterocrates gigas. Also disclosed are methods of producing blocking class E channels using the peptides. HG peptides have utility, for example, in inhibiting oxytocin release and for use as anticonvulsants.

Abstract: A method of producing analgesia in nociceptive and neuropathic pain is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject an omega conopeptide which is characterized by its ability to (a) inhibit electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea pig ileum, and (b) bind selectively to omega conopeptide MVIIA binding sites present in neuronal tissue. Also disclosed are novel omega conotoxin peptides effective in producing analgesia.

Abstract: This invention provides methods useful in aiding in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The methods involve measuring the amount of amyloid-.beta. peptide (x-.gtoreq.41) in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient. High levels of the peptide generally are inconsistent with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Low levels of the peptide are consistent with the disease and, with other tests, can provide a positive diagnosis.

Abstract: A method of contraception by delivering to the ovaries of a female mammal a pharmaceutically-effective dose of a PDE3-specific inhibitor at about the time of ovulation.

Abstract: A improved method of treating pain is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject an N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocking omega conopeptide which is characterized by its ability to (a) inhibit electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea pig ileum, and (b) bind selectively to omega conopeptide MVIIA binding sites present in neuronal tissue. The method includes administering the omega conopeptide epidurally, preferably so that the compound is in prolonged or sustained contact with the epidural region.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aqueous suspension of organosilanized colloidal silica particles is disclosed. Such particles are used in a variety of applications including density gradient separation media, anti-abrasion coatings and toner materials. The disclosed process is environmentally safe and produces a product that is aqueous and non-toxic to most biological cells.

Abstract: This invention provides peptides which block cellular adhesion mediated by VLA-4. The peptides can be used to treat a number of inflammatory diseases, in particular, inflammatory brain disorders.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel gene and growth arrest gene product encoded by the gene. Expression of the growth arrest gene B4B results in inhibition of cellular proliferation. The gene and gene product serve as markers of cancerous or pre-cancerous conditions, and as markers of immune states.

Abstract: A method of producing analgesia in nociceptive and neuropathic pain is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject an omega conopeptide which is characterized by its ability to (a) inhibit electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea pig ileum, and (b) bind selectively to omega conopeptide MVIIA binding sites present in neuronal tissue. Also disclosed are novel omega conotoxin peptides effective in producing analgesia.

Abstract: An improved fluorescence monitoring apparatus for measuring fluorescent emission from a sample in response to sample irradiation by an emission beam is disclosed. The apparatus employs a sample tube having surface roughness characteristics which substantially reduce background fluorescence emission due to contamination of the tube holder in the apparatus. Also disclosed is a method of reducing such background, by texturing of a sample tube to produce desired roughness characteristics.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence contained in fixed cells or cell structures is provided. The method includes the steps of forming the fixed cells or cell structures by fixing cells or cell structures so as to allow a nucleic acid probe to enter, and forming a probe/RecA complex in which a single-stranded probe and RecA protein are stably bound to each other. The probe/RecA complex is allowed to react with the double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence to bind thereto under conditions in which the double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence is not denatured, and by detecting the RecA protein included in the probe/RecA complex, the presence of the double-stranded target nucleic acid sequence is detected.The invention provides a diagnostic method by which the position of a specific gene or its regulatory region in a chromosome and the presence of a nucleic acid sequence derived from virus can be measured or visualized with high sensitivity and with ease.

Abstract: A method of preventing progression of neuropathic pain is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject an N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel blocking compound which is characterized by its ability to (a) inhibit electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea pig ileum, and (b) bind selectively to omega conopeptide MVIIA binding sites present in neuronal tissue. Also disclosed are formulations effective to stabilize omega conotoxin peptide preparations at elevated temperatures. Novel omega conopeptides also form part of the invention.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelope proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: A method of producing analgesia in nociceptive and neuropathic pain is disclosed. The method includes administering to a subject an omega conopeptide which is characterized by its ability to (a) inhibit electrically stimulated contraction of the guinea pig ileum, and (b) bind selectively to omega conopeptide MVIIA binding sites present in neuronal tissue. Also disclosed are novel omega conotoxin peptides effective in producing analgesia.