Abstract: The invention relates to delivery devices and methods for providing more uniform delivery of agents such as drugs. In some embodiments, a delivery device is provided made of one or more implantable materials having predetermined agent-permeable and agent-impermeable regions and a reservoir containing one or more active agents, either alone or in an acceptable composition, as well as methods of administering one or more agents using such a device. Also provided are methods of equilibrating such devices, so that a steady state of agent delivery can be achieved at or soon after introduction of the device to its intended location of use. Methods of use of such devices to deliver an agent are also provided.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for producing a nanoscale zero-valent metal, including reduction of a metal ion solution with a dithionite compound, wherein the reduction is carried out under alkaline conditions under substantially an inert atmosphere. A nanoscale zero-valent metal obtainable by this process, and having a new crystalline form, is also described. The nanoscale zero-valent metal produced by the process of the invention is preferably iron, and is advantageously used for the remediation of contaminated water.

Abstract: Compositions capable of simultaneous two-photon absorption and higher order absorptivities are provided. Compounds having a donor-pi-donor or acceptor-pi-acceptor structure are of particular interest, where the donor is an electron donating group, acceptor is an electron accepting group, and pi is a pi bridge linking the donor and/or acceptor groups. The pi bridge may additionally be substituted with electron donating or withdrawing groups to alter the absorptive wavelength of the structure. Also disclosed are methods of generating an excited state of such compounds through optical stimulation with light using simultaneous absorption of photons of energies individually insufficient to achieve an excited state of the compound, but capable of doing so upon simultaneous absorption of two or more such photons. Applications employing such methods are also provided, including controlled polymerization achieved through focusing of the light source(s) used.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture involving cationic conjugated conformationally flexible polymers are provided. A method for the synthesis of cationic water-soluble polymers with linkages along the polymer main chain structure which disrupt the ability of the polymers to form extended-rod structures is provided. Such polymers may serve in the fabrication of novel optoelectronic devices and in the development of highly efficient biosensors. The invention further relates to the application of these polymers in assay methods.

Abstract: Fluorescent dyes, fluorescence energy transfer dye couples, multi-color dye sets, can be employed in art-recognized assays and certain novel methods, such as in proximity assays.

Abstract: Self-healing copolymeric materials comprising a plurality of intermediate strength crosslinks are provided. The copolymeric materials comprise a silicon component and a plurality of crosslinking components. The crosslinking components comprise a polymeric structure forming a structure held together by ionic and/or hydrogen bonding with a net intermediate strength. The plurality of intermediate strength crosslinks provide toughness to the material, and allow for rehealing by allowing reforming of the crosslinks after a disruptive stress incidence. The material is also suited for recasting, and can be used as an active matrix by incorporating additional substances. Articles of manufacture incorporating such materials, and methods of recasting such materials are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining the colorectal cancer susceptibility of a patient comprising determining a patient's genotype at the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) gene locus, wherein a patient with one or two alleles encoding alanine at position −9 of the signal peptide has an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer. Also provided are nucleic acid probes and kits for determining a patient's colorectal cancer risk.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for assaying a sample for a GHB source are provided. A sample suspected of containing a GHB source is contacted with a first oxidoreductase selective for GHB and an oxidized cofactor. In the presence of GHB in the sample, the first oxidoreductase oxidizes GHB to succinic semialdehyde and reduces the cofactor. The reduced cofactor thus produced can be detected directly, or a hydride abstractor can be used that abstracts a hydride from the reduced cofactor and produces a detectable change. The hydride abstractor can be a second oxidoreductase that oxidizes the reduced cofactor and produces a detectable change in a chromogen or dye. Preferably a visual change is produced, allowing performance of the assay outside of a laboratory setting. Fusion proteins comprising the first oxidoreductase, polynucleotides encoding such proteins, host cells expressing such proteins, and vectors comprising such polynucleotides are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides metallocene catalyst systems for the controlled polymerization of alkenes to a wide variety of polyolefins and olefin coplymers. Catalyst systems are provided that specifically produce isotactic, syndiotactic and steroblock polyolefins. The type of polymer produced can be controlled by varying the catalyst system, specifically by varying the ligand substituents. Such catalyst systems are particularly useful for the polymerization of polypropylene to give elastomeric polypropylenes. The invention also provides novel elastomeric polypropylene polymers characterized by dyad (m) tacticities of about 55% to about 65%, pentad (mmmm) tacticities of about 25% to about 35%, molecular weights (MW) in the range of about 50,000 to about 2,000,000, and have mmrm+rrmr peak is less than about 5%.

Abstract: An ink jet printing medium for an embossed interior decorating member includes a base member having a face, a thermoplastic resin layer deposited on the face of the base member, and a non-aqueous and porous ink receiving layer, deposited on the thermoplastic resin layer, for receiving liquid pigment ink. The thermoplastic resin layer is made of a material including a thermoplastic resin and a heating foaming agent dispersed in the thermoplastic resin. In an aspect, the thermoplastic resin layer has not yet been foamed. In another aspect, the thermoplastic resin layer has already been foamed. In still another aspect, the thermoplastic resin layer has already been foamed and embossed.

Abstract: To elucidate molecular mechanisms in learning and memory, the expression of mRNAs in brains of rabbitsundergoing eyeblink conditioning was analyzed. Infusion of the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D (ActD) into the cerebellar nuclei reversibly blocked learning but not performance of the CR. Differential display PCR (DD-PCR) analysis of cerebellar RNAs from trained and pseudo-trained rabbits identified a 207-bp band that was induced with learning. The fragment was used to isolate a cDNA from a &lgr;gt11 rabbit brain library containing a 1698-bp open-reading frame. The genomic sequence also has been obtained and is reported. The deduced amino acid sequence contains the KKIAMRE motif, which is conserved among cdc2-related kinases. These results suggest that there is a new category of cdc2-related kinases in the brain whose function may be important in learning and memory.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for rapid, reliable and simple isolation of RNA from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples. RNA purified in this manner can be used for quantitative measurement gene expression levels. The tissue sample can be a tumor or other pathological tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed are highly efficient multiphoton absorbing compounds and methods of their use. The compounds generally include a bridge of pi-conjugated bonds connecting electron donating groups or electron accepting groups. The bridge may be substituted with a variety of substituents as well. Solubility, lipophilicity, absorption maxima and other characteristics of the compounds may be tailored by changing the electron donating groups or electron accepting groups, the substituents attached to or the length of the pi-conjugated bridge. Numerous photophysical and photochemical methods are enabled by converting these compounds to electronically excited states upon simultaneous absorption of at least two photons of radiation. The compounds have large two-photon or higher-order absorptivities such that upon absorption, one or more Lewis acidic species, Lewis basic species, radical species or ionic species are formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fatty acid &Dgr;5-desaturase able to catalyze the conversion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid. Nucleic acid sequences encoding a &Dgr;5-desaturase, nucleic acid sequences which hybridize thereto, DNA constructs comprising a &Dgr;5-desaturase gene, and recombinant host microorganism or animal expressing increased levels of a &Dgr;5-desaturase are described. Methods for desaturating a fatty acid at the &Dgr;5 position and for producing arachidonic acid by expressing increased levels of a &Dgr;5 desaturase are disclosed. Fatty acids, and oils containing them, which have been desaturated by a &Dgr;5-desaturase produced by recombinant host microorganisms or animals are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions, infant formulas or dietary supplements containing fatty acids which have been desaturated by a &Dgr;5-desaturase produced by a recombinant host microorganism or animal also are described.

Abstract: Compositions of matter and methods for expressing a polypeptide are provided. In one aspect, a gene construct is provided that comprises an enhancer comprising particular elements or combinations of elements from the immunoglobulin &kgr; locus, the immunoglobulin heavy chain &mgr; locus, and the immunoglobulin &lgr; locus, and a promoter and polyadenylation site linked to a nucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide from a select group. Cells comprising the gene construct, processes for producing such cells, and processes for producing the polypeptide encoded by the gene construct from such cells are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides metallocene catalyst systems for the controlled polymerization of alkenes to a wide variety of polyolefins and olefin coplymers. Catalyst systems are provided that specifically produce isotactic, syndiotactic and steroblock polyolefins. The type of polymer produced can be controlled by varying the catalyst system, specifically by varying the ligand substituents. Such catalyst systems are particularly useful for the polymerization of polypropylene to give elastomeric polypropylenes. The invention also provides novel elastomeric polypropylene polymers characterized by dyad (m) tacticities of about 55% to about 65%, pentad (mmmm) tacticities of about 25% to about 35%, molecular weights (Mw)in the range of about 50,000 to about 2,000,000, and have mmrm+rrmr peak is less than about 5%.

Abstract: ORGANOMETALLIC COORDINATION complexes exhibiting two separate, stable forms are described. Conversion from one form to the other is intramolecular, reversible, light-activated (a molecular switch) and occurs both in the solid and in solution. The two forms differ in photochemical and electrochemical characteristics (different colors and reduction potentials). The complexes can be used in information storage and for light-gathering, light-emitting, sensing and detecting applications.

Abstract: This invention provides combination therapy methods, pharmaceutical combinations and compositions for inducing tumor cell regression in cancer patients, particularly metastatic breast cancer patients. The combination methods, combinations and compositions employ both edatrexate and a taxane which are administered simultaneously or sequentially. The combination therapy described here permits the administration of unusually high doses of edatrexate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous crosslinked hydrophilic polymeric material having cavities joined by interconnecting pores wherein at least some of the cavities at the interior of the material communicate with the surface of the material. The present invention also relates to a process for producing the polymeric material. This process involves combining a hydrophilic monomer phase with an oil discontinuous phase to form an emulsion, and polymerizing the emulsion. The emulsion can be a high internal phase emulsion (i.e., a “HIPE”). The polymeric material can be produced in a variety of forms. In one embodiment the emulsion is suspended in an oil suspension medium, and emulsion droplets are polymerized to produce polymeric microbeads.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that comprise gallium complexes of 3-hydroxy-4-pyrones. These compositions provide enhanced gallium bioavailability particularly when orally administered as compared to the gallium bioavailability achieved by use of pharmaceutical compositions containing gallium salts. Compositions included in this invention are useful in providing gallium to humans and other mammals for a wide variety of medical and veterinary applications, including the treatment, prevention, or diagnosis of hypercalcemia, certain cancers, certain disorders of calcium homeostasis, and certain bone diseases including osteoporosis, osteopenia, and Paget's disease.