Abstract: Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus (KSHV) protease and assembly protein sequences are disclosed. Also disclosed are polynucleotides that encode the protease and assembly protein. The invention includes screening and detection methods, as well as KSHV protease inhibitory compositions.

Abstract: A method of treating cancer in a subject, by administering to the subject a combination of genes including wt p53, Pax5 and HSV-tk genes is disclosed. The method may involve subsequently treating the subject with ganciclovir.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions effective for delivering compounds in living organisms are described. The compositions include polypeptides which exhibit solubility in both hydrophilic and lipophilic environments by undergoing a reversible pH-dependent transition from a low-pH, lipophilic form to a high-pH, hydrophilic form.

Abstract: A unit cell for use in a medical device, such as a stent, is disclosed along with a description of a stent formed from a plurality of unit cells and for use in the treatment of restenosis or other vascular narrowing. The unit cell is designed and configured for uniform radial expansion with minimal axial shortening and recoil, and is selectively variable in flexibility and expendability.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus group II (BVDV-II) nucleic acid sequences (e.g., gp53 sequences), to methods of using the nucleic acid sequences for detecting BVD-II virus in animal sera, to polypeptide viral antigens derived from the sequences and immunoreactive with sera from animals infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea group II (BVD-II) virus, to polynucleotide sequences which encode these polypeptide antigens, to an expression system capable of producing the polypeptide antigens, to vaccines containing the polypeptide antigens, to methods of using the polypeptide antigens for detecting BVD-II virus antibodies in animal sera, and to antibodies directed against these polypeptide antigens.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aqueous suspension of organosilanized colloidal silica particles is disclosed. Such particles are used in a variety of applications including density gradient separation media, anti-abrasion coatings and toner materials. The disclosed process is environmentally safe and produces a product that is aqueous and non-toxic to most biological cells.

Abstract: A process for hot or supercritical water oxidative decomposition of wastes, particularly halogenated organic compounds, is described. The process employs a heterogeneous reagent which accelerates the decomposition and is effective to neutralize acidic byproducts. The reagent is maintained in suspension throughout the reaction by operating at conditions of temperature and pressure at which the heterogeneous reagent is largely or fully insoluble in water, and preferably at which liquid water is not present. Production of potentially corrosive brine is also minimized by operating at conditions under which sodium chloride is insoluble.

Abstract: The present invention defines a DNA:protein-binding assay useful for screening libraries of synthetic or biological compounds for their ability to bind DNA test sequences. The assay is versatile in that any number of test sequences can be tested by placing the test sequence adjacent to a defined protein binding screening sequence. Binding of molecules to these test sequence changes the binding characteristics of the protein molecule to its cognate binding sequence. When such a molecule binds the test sequence the equilibrium of the DNA:protein complexes is disturbed, generating changes in the concentration of free DNA probe. Numerous exemplary target test sequences (SEQ ID NO:1 to SEQ ID NO:600) are set forth. The assay of the present invention is also useful to characterize the preferred binding sequences of any selected DNA-binding molecule.

Abstract: An improvement in a magnetic recording medium having an underlayer and first and second magnetic recording layers is described. The improvement, effective to reduce media noise, includes deposition of an interlayer between the first and second magnetic recording layers. The interlayer is deposited to a thickness of between 5-50 .ANG. and is composed of an CoCr-based alloy having a defined saturation magnetization.

Abstract: A method of purifying a hydrophobically substituted polynucleotide by reverse phase HPLC is described. The hydrophobic substituent may be removed from the polynucleotide under non-acidic conditions; the purification method is thus especially useful for acid sensitive polynucleotide analogs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel gene and growth arrest gene product encoded by the gene. Expression of the growth arrest gene B4B results in inhibition of cellular proliferation. The gene and gene product serve as markers of cancerous or pre-cancerous conditions, and as markers of immune states.

Abstract: A biphasic multilamellar lipid vesicle comprising a plurality of spaced apart lipid bilayers that include a liposome-forming component and optionally a biologically active agent entrapped within the lipid bilayers. The lipid vesicle also comprises peripheral aqueous solution compartments formed between the lipid bilayers and a central lipophilic core compartment substantially at the center of the multilamellar lipid vesicle.

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: A composition for transdermal administration of an immunogen is described. The immunogen is entrapped in lipid vesicles having a oil-in-water emulsion in the central core compartment. The vesicles are administered transdermally to elicit an immune response in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and compositions useful for inhibiting corrosion of a corrodible metal resulting from contact of water and air with the metal. In this method, a stannous salt and a hydrocarbyl substituted succinimide of a polyethylene polyamine, separately or in combination, are added to the water in a minor amount and reduce corrosion of the metal to a substantially low rate.

Abstract: A polymer-platinum compound for use in tumor treatment is described. The compound is composed of a biodegradable diamido-diamine polymer linked to a platinum species. The platinum species is released from the polymer to yield a platinum species having anti-tumor activity.

Abstract: A thermocycling apparatus comprising a plurality of capillaries for moving DNA-containing samples between two or more discrete zones maintained at selected elevated temperatures.

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 invention includes a method of determining the level of Type I collagen fragments in a biological fluid using an antibody which is immunospecific for an epitope contained in one of the following sequences:(1) Ala-Hyp-Gly-Asp-Arg-Gly-Glu-Hyp-Gly-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Pro-Ala, or(2) Gly-Asn-Ser-Gly-Glu-Hyp-Gly-Ala-Hyp.under conditions effective to allow determination of the level of collagen fragments in the sample which contain the epitope. The method is useful for assessing the level of bone collagen degradation, particularly in humans. Also disclosed are antibodies and kits which can be used in the method.

Abstract: A liposome composition for treating a bacterial infection is described. The composition includes liposomes having a surface coating of hydrophilic polymer chains and an entrapped drug-conjugate composed of ciprofloxacin conjugated to an amino acid.