Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid and maltol.

Abstract: Yeast strains and a method of expression in yeast of the monooxygenase activity of heterologous cytochromes P450 are disclosed. Within the genome of the yeast strain, genes for NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase and cytochrome b5 are stably integrated and coexpressed. The genome is transformed with a plasmid carrying a cassette for the expression of a heterologous P450 gene.

Abstract: Genetic material encoding p30 and B1 peptides of Toxoplasma gondii has been isolated and characterized. This genetic material allows the production of peptides for use in diagnosis or immunization or can itself be directly used in hybridization assays.

Abstract: A novel human serine protein kinase, human p21-protein activated serine kinase p65 protein, referred to as hPAK65, and methods for its preparation and use are provided. Nucleic acids encoding hPAK65 and methods for their use in preparing hPAK65 as well as in preparing and identifying hPAK65 analogs are provided. Methods provided for the use of hPAK65 protein and its protein fragments, such as those that retain at least one hPAK65 activity, that include screening libraries of agents for candidates that modulate hPAK65 activity. Methods are provided to identify agents that modulate the interaction of hPAK65 with rho-like p21 GTPases, particularly racl and CDC42Hs binding to hPAK65 and subsequent activation of hPAK65 serine protein kinase activity, that modulate hPAK65 serine protein kinase activity, and that modulate hPAK65 effect on p21 protein GTPase activity.

Abstract: A pessary device, comprising a first inflatable chamber adapted to fit in the vestibule of the vaginal cavity of a human when inflated, wherein the chamber compresses the urethra of the human when inflated; an anchor member adapted to snugly fit in the vaginal cavity, the anchor member being connected to the inflatable chamber on the posterior side of the chamber when the pessary is in its normal operating position; and an inflation tube having a first end fluidly connected to the inflatable chamber and a second end connected to an inflation valve located external to the vagina when the pessary device is in its normal operating position that permits inflation and deflation of the inflatable chamber without disturbing the fit of the anchor member.

Abstract: Intermolecular interactions between Raf-1 and human 14-3-3 proteins which regulate Raf activity are identified. Compositions and method for identifying novel drugs which modulate Raf activity in vivo are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for integration of a chosen gene or of a specific DNA molecule into the chromosome or episome of a bacterium by cloning the gene or DNA molecule into a defective transposon which is then integrated into the chromosomal or episomal DNA of the bacteria. The defective transposon is incapable of transposition autonomously but can be induced to transpose when properly complemented. The complementation to induce transposition can be limited so that the defective transposon produces a specific number of copies and thereafter is stable. The number of copies of the defective transposon produced during the period of transposition can be estimated by the level of expression of a marker gene contained within the defective transposon.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the detection and treatment of Schistosoma parasites. These compositions and methods are based on nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of Schistosoma phosphofructokinase.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositons for convergent synthesis of branched polymers useful as molecular probes. The invention also includes several novel branched polymeric structures particularly useful for detecting target polynucleotides. Branched polymers of the invention comprise at least two branches: at least one branch is a target binding moiety capable of specifically binding to a target molecule of interest and one or more branches are signal generation moities capable of directly or indirectly generating a detectable signal. In accordance with the method of the invention branched polymers are assembled from components having phosphorothioate groups and/or haloacyl- or haloalkylamino groups. The phosphorothioate and haloacyl- or haloalkylamino groups react rapidly and efficiently when brought into contact to form thiophosphorylacyl- or thiophosphorylalkylamino bridges which.complete the assembly of a branched polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and a method for delivering an antisense compound or probe to a target polynucleotide. The compositions of the invention comprise a plurality of compounds each having an oligonucleotide moiety from about 4 to 12 monomers in length whose 3' and/or 5' termini have been modified by the addition of one or more terminal binding moieties. Whenever the oligonucleotide moieties specifically anneal to a target polynucleotide in a contiguous end-to-end fashion, the terminal binding moieties are capable of spontaneously interacting with one another to form a covalent linkages or stable complexes so that an effective antisense compound or probe is formed. The invention facilitates the delivery of antisense compounds to their targets and reduces the likelihood of nonspecific binding to non-target structures.

Abstract: A screening method for the identification of bioenhancers that increase the bioavailability of an orally administered pharmaceutical compound through the inhibition of P-glycoprotein transport activity in the gut of a mammal is disclosed. These compounds increase the systemic availability of a pharmaceutical compound when administered prior to, or concurrently with, that compound.

Abstract: A method for treating autoimmune disease in a mammalian subject, particularly a human, which method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of certain 2-amino purine compounds to the subject. The compounds particularly useful are antiviral compounds exemplified by acyclovir, penciclovir and famciclovir. The compounds are administered at doses significantly higher than the dose level used to treat viral infections, e.g., doses that will result in blood plasma levels of about 3-10 micrograms/mi.

Abstract: The present invention provides histamine derivatives and methods for using histamine derivatives as immunomodulators and in immunotherapeutics. More specifically the present invention provides methods for inhibiting at least a portion of an an antigen specific antibody response and/or a portion of a T-cell proliferative response by the immune system of a mammal comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one histamine derivative having binding specificity for at least one histamine receptor.

Abstract: Fusion enzymes having multiple segments of different biological activity including one segment having P450scc activity and at least one segment having electron-transfer activity for transferring electrons to P450scc are described along with genetic constructs for production of such enzymes and methods for their use. Methods of their use include cholesterol degradation in vitro or in vivo as well as conversion of cholesterol to other useful steroidal products including pregnenolone.

Abstract: A method of reducing the severity of toxoplasmosis resulting from infection of a patient with Toxoplasma gondii by administering to a patient in need of such treatment, either after infection or before exposure to infection, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound that is a spiropiperidyl derivative of rifamycin S, wherein the derivative comprises an imidazole ring that includes carbons at positions 3 and 4 of the rifamycin ring, the carbon at position 2 of the imidazole ring also being a ring carbon at position 4 of a piperidine ring system, thereby forming a spiropiperidyl ring system, the spiropiperidyl ring system optionally comprising a lower hydrocarbon substituent on the nitrogen of the piperidine.

Abstract: A microprocessor (50) includes a main central processing unit (CPU) (70) and a separate direct memory access (DMA) CPU (72) in a single integrated circuit making up the microprocessor (50). The main CPU (70) has a first 16 deep push down stack (74), which has a top item register (76) and a next item register (78), respectively connected to provide inputs to an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) (80) by lines (82) and (84). An output of the ALU (80) is connected to the top item register (76) by line (86). The output of the top item register at (82) is also connected by line (88) to an internal data bus (90). A loop counter (92) is connected to a decrementer (94) by lines (96) and (98). The loop counter (92) is bidirectionally connected to the internal data bus (90) by line (100). Stack pointer (102), return stack pointer ( 104), mode register (106) and instruction register (108) are also connected to the internal data bus (90) by lines (110), (112), (114) and (116), respectively.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioelastomer comprising tetrapeptide and/or pentapeptide monomeric units of the formula:R.sub.1 PGR.sub.2 G.sub.nwherein R.sub.2 is a peptide-producing residue of alanine or glycine; P is a peptide-producing residue of proline; G is a peptide-producing residue of glycine; R.sub.2 is a peptide-producing residue of glycine or alanine; and n is 0 or 1. In a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preventing adhesion of biological materials, such as protein, cells, and tissues, by forming a protective layer between a first surface and a second surface using the bioelastomer.

Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid and maltol.

Abstract: Polymeric materials having an inverse temperature transition, particularly bioelastic polymers comprising monomeric units selected from the group consisting of bioelastic pentapeptides, tetrapeptides, and nonapeptides, have been found to have controllable absorbent properties that can be varied with temperature or contact with liquids. The materials are selected to be in a contracted or swollen state initially, depending on the specific use. When the material is located under different conditions (such as a different temperature resulting from being either in contact with or at distance from human skin), the material undergoes swelling or contraction to switch to the other state.

Abstract: The invention provides a bioelastomer comprising tetrapeptide and/or pentapeptide monomeric units of the formula:R.sub.1 PGR.sub.2 G.sub.nwherein R.sub.1 is a peptide-producing residue of alanine or glycine; P is a peptide-producing residue of proline; G is a peptide-producing residue of glycine; R.sub.2 is a peptide-producing residue of glycine or alanine; and n is 0 or 1. In a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preventing adhesion of biological materials, such as protein, cells, and tissues, by forming a protective layer between a first surface and a second surface using the bioelastomer.