Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the delivery of a nucleic acid to an arterial cell comprising contacting the cell with a hydrophilic polymer incorporating the nucleic acid. The nucleic acid may be any nucleic acid, including antisense DNA or RNA. The nucleic acid may encode hormones, enzymes, receptors or drugs of interest. The nucleic acid is selected based upon the desired therapeutic outcome. For example, in the treatment of ischemic diseases, one would select a DNA encoding an angiogenic protein. The nucleic acid may be carried by a microdelivery vehicle such as cationic liposomes and adenoviral vectors. DNA encoding different proteins may be used separately or simultaneously.

Abstract: A clip for earrings comprising: a movable spring action clip arm and a stationery body, said body having a attachment member at one end thereof and connection means at the other end thereof, one end of said clip arm having means for receiving said body connection means so as to pivotally attach said clip arm to said body for relative spring urged movment towards and away from said clip, said attachment member having a first and second side and an opening extending through said sides, said first side being adapted to receive a decorative element, said second side having a metallic band positioned above said opening and extending from the surface in an arc shape and adapted to receive an earwire.

Abstract: The present invention provides mouse embryonic stem cells and homozygous mutant mice carrying disruptions in the neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) gene generated by homologous recombination which results in the insertion of a reporter gene or a drug-resistance gene into an exon of the neurotrophin-3 gene. The mice harboring such homozygous mutations have a reduced number of sensory neurons compared with the number of sensory neurons present in a mouse lacking such mutations. These mice may be used to screen for substances that enhance the transcriptional activity of the NT-3 gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for determining the presence of a class of an antibody in a biological sample. In this method, a first reagent including insoluble particles having an antigen to the antibody immobilized on the surface thereof, and a second reagent including insoluble magnetic particles having immobilized on the surface thereof a substance particularly reactive to a specific immunoglobulin class, is reacted with the sample under conditions to promote agglutination of the first and second reagents with the antibody. The unreacted second reagent and the agglutinate are separated from the unreacted first reagent by application of a magnetic field. Then the amount of unreacted first reagent is determined.