Abstract: A plasmid-liposome composition for transfection of a cell is described. The composition includes plasmid molecules condensed with a polycationic condensing agent and cationic liposomes. Also disclosed is a method for preparing the plasmid-liposome complexes.

Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates. Such compositions provide a versatile and low-cost alternative to existing catalysts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sampling tube comprising a glass tube (2) with two closed ends (3), the sampling tube (1) being filled, at least over a portion of the length of the tube, with an adsorption material (4), the adsorption material (4) being confined between two gas-permeable plugs (5). According to the invention, the plugs (5) are manufactured from completely inert material and no non-inert material is present in the sampling tube. The invention further relates to a sampling tube whose ends (3) are closed off with sealing caps (6) which are manufactured from TEFLON.RTM., the sealing caps (6) comprising an end portion (7) and a cylindrical stopper (8) integrally connected therewith, which stopper (8), at least locally, has an external diameter receivable with a proper fit in the interior of the glass tube (2), the end portion (7) having a diameter greater than the internal diameter of the glass tube (2). The invention further describes a method for manufacturing such sampling tubes.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a blood-cell fraction enriched for potent antigen presenting cells is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a monocyte-depleted lymphocyte fraction, culturing the cell fraction in a serum-free medium for a period sufficient to produce a morphological change in dendritic-precursor cells to cells having the morphology of dendritic cells, harvesting non-adherent cells produced by said culturing, and enriching the portion of dendritic cells in the harvested cells by density centrifugation. Also disclosed is a PAP cell composition containing cells enriched for PAP activity in a collagen matrix.

Abstract: A method of amplifying a mixture of different-sequence DNA fragments which may be formed from RNA transcription, or derived from genomic single- or double-stranded DNA fragments. The fragments are treated with terminal deoxynucleotide transferase and a selected deoxynucleotide, to form a homopolymer tail at the 3' end of the anti-sense strands, and the sense strands are provided with a common 3'-end sequence. The fragments are mixed with a homopolymer primer which is homologous to the homopolymer tail of the anti-sense strands, and a defined-sequence primer which is homologous to the sense-strand common 3'-end sequence, with repeated cycles of fragment denaturation, annealing, and polymerization, to amplify the fragments. In one embodiment, the defined-sequence and homopolymer primers are the same, i.e., only one primer is used. The primers may contain selected restriction-site sequences, to provide directional restriction sites at the ends of the amplified fragments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for checking for tightness a closure or a connecting weld provided in a flexible fluid-filled hose, which device comprises two clamping members slidable relative to each other, forming in an inserted position a profile with at least one clamping space and an expansion space, as well as folding means, the arrangement being such that at least one hose portion can be folded and clamped in the at least one clamping space, so that the fluid present in the at least one hose portion is pressed to another hose portion including the closure or connecting weld to be checked, which other hose portion can expand in the expansion space.

Abstract: System for applying a pumpable substance (printing liquid) to running material webs, comprising a chambered doctor blade casing provided with a space for pumpable substance; an inlet and an outlet for pumpable substance; and at least two doctor blades detachably mounted on the chambered doctor blade casing, which blades bound an opening which, in operation, faces the outer circumference of a roller and which extends over the length of the chambered doctor blade casing, and the chambered doctor blade casing being sealed at its end faces by detachable seals.

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: Disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods for inducing cytotoxic T cell responses in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic compositions consist of antigen presenting cells activated by contact with a polypeptide complex constructed by joining together a dendritic cell-binding protein and a polypeptide antigen. Also disclosed are expression vectors and systems for producing the polypeptide complexes.

Abstract: The present invention describes the generation of site-directed RNA cleaving agents. These agents consist of RNA-binding proteins, or polypeptides derived thereof, which are modified to contain a moiety capable of cleaving RNA backbones. Alternatively, the agents are oligonucleotides having nuclease resistant backbones to which a moiety capable of cleaving RNA backbones has been attached. The present invention also describes a method of cleaving target RNA substrates using the cleaving agents described herein. Further, the invention describes a method for inhibiting RNA virus expression in infected cells.

Abstract: An improvement in an apparatus having an external casing defining a processing chamber for deposition of a film on a substrate and an opening in the processing chamber through which a substrate is introduced for deposition is described. The improvement comprises an internal casing member moveably mounted within the processing chamber for movement between a first position which allows deposition onto the substrate to occur and a second position at which the casing is in sealing engagement with the opening to form an isolation chamber within the processing chamber and effective to isolate the substrate from processing chamber. The invention also includes a method for reducing cross-contamination between processing chambers in such an apparatus and a method for reducing particulate contamination to media prepared in such a deposition apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for promoting plant growth. The compounds are cyclopropyl- and cyclobutyl-substituted brassinosteroids having high growth promoting ability. They may be used alone or in combination with other plant growth regulating agents.

Abstract: Methods of treating autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, are disclosed. The methods employ administration of interferon-tau (IFN.tau.) in a therapeutically-effective dose.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for rapidly detecting or isolating a target nucleic acid sequence in a polynucleotide-containing sample. The sample is exposed to a rapid pairing reagent, which contains a rapid capture component, effective to rapidly and non-selectively bind polynucleotides, and a target specific probe, effective to selectively bind the target nucleic acid sequence. Selectively disrupting the binding between the capture component and polynucleotides leaves only target sequence bound to the rapid pairing reagent.

Abstract: Reagents for use in preparing a therapeutic liposome composition sensitized to a target cell are described. The reagents include a liposomal composition composed of pre-formed liposomes having an entrapped therapeutic agent and a plurality of targeting conjugates composed of a lipid, a hydrophilic polymer and a targeting ligand. The therapeutic, target-cell sensitized liposome composition is formed by incubating the liposomal composition with a selected conjugate.

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: The present invention is directed to the identification and isolation of a promoter region from a raspberry genome. The promoter is operably linked, in a native raspberry genome, to the coding region of a raspberry E4 gene. The raspberry E4 gene promoter of the invention is capable of regulating moderate level, constitutive expression of a heterologous plant gene under its control. The invention is further directed to chimeric genes, cassette vectors, kits, transgenic plants, and methods employing a raspberry E4 promoter.

Abstract: A method for loading a therapeutic compound having a cis diol moiety into pre-formed liposomes is described. The method includes adding to a suspension of liposomes (i) the compound to be loaded into the liposomes and (ii) a boronic acid compound, thereby achieving accumulation of the compound within the liposomes.

Abstract: A chimeric plant promoter which is responsive to sugar depletion or deprivation is disclosed. The promoter includes a promoter element and, carried in the element, a heterologous sequence from the rice Amy3D that is responsive to sugar depletion. Also disclosed is a plant transfecting vector containing the sequence, and plant cell transfected with the vector.

Abstract: A method of liposome-based therapy for a mammalian subject is disclosed. The method uses liposomes with outer surfaces that contain an affinity moiety effective to bind specifically to a biological surface at which the therapy is aimed, and a hydrophilic polymer coating effective to shield the affinity moiety from interaction with the target surface. The hydrophilic polymer coating is made up of polymer chains covalently linked to surface lipid components in the liposomes through releasable linkages. After a desired liposome biodistribution is achieved, a releasing agent is administered to cause cleaving of a substantial portion of the releasable linkages in the liposomes, to expose the affinity agent to the target surface.