Abstract: Methods of identifying homologous recombination activators are provided. These recombination activators can be use for gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain compounds comprising substituted oxadiazole, thiadiazole and triazole structures which are useful as inhibitors of serine proteases, including human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Compounds described herein are characterized by their relatively low molecular weight, high potency and selectivity with respect to HNE, and can be used to effectively prevent, alleviate or otherwise treat disease states characterized by the degradation of connective tissue by proteases in humans.

Abstract: AC waveforms biasing of bead transporter chucks and their accumulated charge sensing circuits tailored for low resistivity substrates and beads where if traditional DC quasi-static biasing potentials were used, the bead attraction potentials of the chuck would undergo rapid RC decay and cause the bead transporter chuck to stop working. Methods for selecting AC waveforms are given, including those that maximize the time average of the bead attraction potential at the bead collection zone of the bead contact surface.

Abstract: A method and nutritional and pharmaceutical compositions are provided for the reduction of hyperinsulinemia and the improvement of disease conditions related to hyperinsulinemia by administering a nutritional composition to modify hormonal response.

Abstract: Described herein are compounds having the general formula: ##STR1## Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.2 are independently selected aryl groups, optionally substituted with substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxy, alkanoyl, aralkyl, aralkyloxy, halo, NO.sub.2, Ph, CF.sub.3, CN, OH, methylenedioxy, ethylenedioxy, SO.sub.2 NRR', NRR', CO.sub.2 R (where R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl) and a second aryl group, which may be substituted as above;wherein any cycloalkyl or aryl substituent is linked to Ar.sub.1 or Ar.sub.2 by a bridging element which may be a single bond, a vinylene group, an ethynylene group, a Z group, a --Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- group, a --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Z-- group, or a --Z--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --Z-- group, where Z represents an O atom, a S atom, an NH group or an N-alkyl group, and n is an integer from 1 to 4;wherein Ar.sub.1 and Ar.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain substituted oxadiazole nonpeptides, which are useful as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) for the treatment of HNE-mediated processes implicated in conditions such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock and multiple organ failure. A series of studies also have indicated the involvement HNE in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, emphysema. HNE-mediated processes are implicated in other conditions such as arthritis, periodontal disease, glomerulonephritis, dermatitis, psoriasis, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, organ transplantation, corneal ulcers, and invasion behavior of malignant tumors.

Abstract: Bead transporter chucks for selective pick up and discharging of polymer beads for chemical synthesis or analysis, whereby repulsive field conductors are arranged around bead electrodes used for selectively attracting and retaining beads. Problems of bead control are addressed by adding repulsive fields to help guide and direct beads to desired or designated bead collection zones. The repulsive electrodes create non-uniform electric fields that control, focus, and deflect charged beads in the vicinity of the bead collection zone, helping prevent multiple bead retention at intended bead collection zones. For better bead control, and allowing manipulation of beads with higher charge/mass ratios, dielectric material may be positioned around the bead electrode and between the bead electrode and the repulsive field conductor. Multiple bead electrodes may be provided to form two or more bead collection zones, and these may selectively addressed and controlled (e.

Abstract: Method for electrostatically depositing select doses of medicament powder at select locations on a substrate. Specifically, the apparatus contains a charged particle emitter for generating charged particles that charge a predefined region of a substrate and a charge accumulation control circuit for computing the amount of charge accumulated upon the substrate and deactivating the emitter when a selected quantity of charge has accumulated. Additionally, a triboelectric charging apparatus charges the medicament powder and forms a charged medicament cloud proximate the charged region of the substrate. The medicament particles within the medicament cloud electrostatically adhere to the charged region. The quantity of charge accumulated on the substrate at the predefined region and the charge-to-mass ratio of the medicament powder in the cloud control the amount (dose) of medicament deposited and retained by the substrate.

Abstract: Provided is, among other things, a dry deposition apparatus for depositing grains on a substrate comprising:an electrostatic chuck having one or more collection zones, wherein the substrate is layered on the chuck for processing;a charged grain delivery apparatus for directing charged grains for electrostatic deposition on the substrate at the locations of the collection zones; andan optical detection device for quantifying the amount of grains deposited.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the propagation of plants and plant tissue. In particular, the present invention provides a method for propagating woody plant material comprising culturing the material in the presence of carbon dioxide in excess of about 1000 .mu.l/l and pulses of filtered light. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a propagation method comprising culturing the plant material in excess of about 7000 .mu.l/l of carbon dioxide and further exposing the plant material to pulses of filtered light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, a composition is disclosed which comprises a substituted 1,2,4-triazine of the formula (I) ##STR1## and the biologically and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated.

Abstract: This invention relates to aircraft passenger accommodations which are easily and individually convertible from a sitting position to a reclining position. The accommodations provide privacy and security in single or double occupancy configurations.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acid and corresponding amino acid sequences of a multifunctional protein that has been found to be useful in numerous medical and cosmetic contexts. A protein having "multifunctional activity," is defined herein as including at least one of a chymotrypsin, trypsin, collagenase, elastase or exo peptidase activity or asialo GM.sub.1 ceramide binding activity. These proteins are useful for multiple purposes, including treating viral infections such as herpes outbreaks, fungal, bacterial or parasitic infections, including the primary and secondary infections of leprosy, colitis, ulcers, hemorrhoids, corneal scarring, dental plaque, acne, cystic fibrosis, blood clots, wounds, immune disorders including autoimmune disease and cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain substituted oxadiazole, thiadiazole and triazole peptoids which are useful as inhibitors of serine proteases including human neutrophil elastase, equivalently known as human leukocyte elastase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional enzyme that can be derived from crustaceans or fish. The enzyme has at least one of a chymotrypsin, trypsin, elastase, collagenase and exo peptidase activity, and a molecular weight between about 20 kd and about 40 kd. Preferably, the multifunctional enzyme has substantial anti cell-cell adhesion activity. Preferably, the multifunctional enzyme has substantial homology with the krill multifunctional enzyme. These enzymes are useful for treating viral infections such as herpes outbreaks, fungal, bacterial or parasitic infections, including the primary and secondary infections of leprosy, colitis, ulcers, hemorrhoids, corneal scarring, dental plaque, acne, cystic fibrosis, blood clots, wounds, immune disorders including autoimmune disease and cancer. Additionally, the invention relates to a method of purifying the multifunctional enzyme, and to a preparation of essentially purified multifunctional enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain substituted oxadiazole, thiadiazole, and triazoles, in particular those including a cycloheptane structure, that are useful as serine protease inhibitors, including inhibitors for human neutrophil elastase. Compounds of the invention are useful in treating conditions such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock, and multiple organ failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting and reversing nonenzymatic cross-linking (protein aging). Accordingly, compositions are disclosed which comprise an agent capable of inhibiting the formation of advanced glycosylation endproducts of target proteins, and which additionally reverse pre-formed crosslinks in the advanced glycosylation endproducts by cleaving alpha-dicarbonyl-based protein crosslinks present in the advanced glycosylation endproducts. Certain agents useful are thiazolium salts. The method comprises contacting the target protein with the composition. Both industrial and therapeutic applications for the invention are envisioned, as food spoilage and animal protein aging can be treated. A novel immunoassay for detection of the reversal of the nonenzymatic crosslinking is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, nucleic acid sequences encoding the GlyT1d form of glycine transporter, vectors, methods of producing the transporter, and methods for identifying bioactive agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cysteine protease inhibitors of the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein Z is a cysteine protease binding moiety; X and Y are S, O or optionally substituted N; and R.sub.1 is optionally substituted alkyl or aryl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to certain substituted oxadiazole tripeptides, which are useful as inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase (HNE) for the treatment of HNE-mediated processes implicated in conditions such as adult respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock and multiple organ failure. A series of studies also have indicated the involvement HNE in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, emphysema. HNE-mediated processes are implicated in other conditions such as arthritis, periodontal disease, glomerulonephritis, dermatitis, psoriasis, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, organ transplantation, corneal ulcers, and invasion behavior of malignant tumors.