Abstract: The present invention relates to several novel acridone-derived compounds of of formula (I) or (II). These compounds are potent anti-viral agents, useful in the treatment of viral diseases, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In addition, these compounds are anti-neoplastic agents useful in the treatment of various forms of cancer. wherein R1 and R2 are independently —H, —OH, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxy, alkyl, haloalkyl or halogen; n is 2 to 6, X and X′ are independently —N or —NO2; Y and Y′ are independently —N or —CH, or —H; and the double-slash represents a double bond or no bond.

Abstract: An isolated, synthetic preparation of a novel neutrophil-specific chemotactic factor (NCF), monoclonal antibodies having specific binding affinity for NCF and a clone containing the complete cDNA coding sequence for NCF are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified retinal pigmented epithelium derived neurotrophic factor composition and a method for purifying such a retinal pigmented epithelium neurotrophic factor. The present invention also relates to a recombinant DNA molecule comprising a gene encoding a retinal pigmented epithelium derived neurotrophic factor having the DNA sequence or the amino acid sequence in SEQ ID NO:1 and to an organism transformed with the recombinant DNA molecule. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of treating tumors, ocular diseases, nerve injuries, and conditions resulting from the activity of serine proteases, which comprises administering PEDF.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to autotaxin. In particular, the present invention relates to a DNA segment encoding autotaxin; recombinant DNA molecules containing the DNA segment; cells containing the recombinant DNA molecule; a method of producing autotaxin; antibodies to autotaxin; and identification of functional domains in autotaxin.

Abstract: Highly efficient cationic liposomes have been developed as an improved delivery system for biologically active reagents. A novel structure, the sandwich liposome, is formed and comprises one or more biologically active agents sandwiched (and thus sequestered) between the lipid bilayers. This structure protects the incoming agent and accounts for the high efficiency of in vivo delivery and for the broad tissue distribution of the sandwich liposome complexes. These novel liposomes are also highly efficient carriers of nucleic acids. By using extruded DOTAP:cholesterol liposomes to form complexes with DNA encoding specific proteins, expression has been improved dramatically. Highest expression was achieved in the lung, while increased expression was detected in several organs and tissues.

Abstract: An isolated, synthetic preparation of a novel neutrophil-specific chemotactic factor (NCF), monoclonal antibodies having specific binding affinity of NCF and a clone containing the complete cDNA coding sequence for NCF are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the simultaneous and specific identification of the variant forms of &agr;-thalassemia. This invention utilizes simple and readily available equipment to rapidly identify, diagnose and differentiate the different forms of &agr;-thalassemia. Specifically, the present invention relates to a simple and rapid non-radioisotopic technique for the diagnosis and differentiation of the common forms of &agr;-thalassemia has been developed. This approach works on any biological tissue including blood, wherein the assay works equally well with fresh blood and dried blood samples stored on filter paper.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding the neurotrophic protein known as pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a truncated version of PEDF referred to as rPEDF, and equivalent proteins, vectors comprising such nucleic acids, host cells into which such vectors have been introduced, recombinant methods for producing PEDF, rPEDF, and equivalent proteins, the rPEDF protein and equivalent proteins of rPEDF and PEDF-BP, -BX and BA, and the PEDF protein produced by recombinant methods. Effects and uses of these variants on 1) neuronal differentiation (neurotrophic effect) 2) neuron survival (neuronotrophic effect) and 3) glial inhibition (gliastatic effect) are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding a melanoma antigen recognized by T lymphocytes, designated MART-1. This invention further relates to bioassays using the nucleic acid sequence, protein or antibodies of this invention to diagnose, assess or prognoses a mammal afflicted with melanoma or metastata melanoma. This invention also provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen and a second melanoma antigen designated gp100. This invention further provides immunogenic peptides derived from the MART-1 melanoma antigen or gp100 antigen which have been modified to enhance their immunogenicity. The proteins and peptides provided can serve as an immunogen or vaccine to prevent or treat melanoma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting a DNA sequence by means of a DNA:DNA hybrid in real time using fluorescence. The present invention eliminates the need to use radioactive probes to detect the DNA and eliminates the delay needed for autoradiographic exposure of the X-ray to the radioactive label.

Abstract: The present invention relates to several novel acridone-derived compounds of of formula (I) or (II). These compounds are potent anti-viral agents, useful in the treatment of viral diseases, such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus. In addition, these compounds are anti-neoplastic agents useful in the treatment of various forms of cancer. wherein R1 and R2 are independently —H, —OH, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, alkoxy, alkyl, haloalkyl or halogen; n is 2 to 6, X and X′ are independently —N or —NO2; Y and Y′ are independently —N or —CH, or —H; and the double-slash represents a double bond or no bond.

Abstract: A process for sequencing DNA segments having complementary strands comprising (a) synthesizing simultaneously truncated products and full-length products starting from both 3' ends of the complementary strands of the DNA segment, which serves as a template, by introducing specific oligonucleotide primers annealing to the 3' ends of both complementary strands of the DNA segment, a deoxyribonucleotide elongator for each of adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine, a thermally stable DNA polymerase and a terminator for each of adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine, (b) thermally cycling step (a), (c) separating out the resultant truncated products and full length products according to size, and (d) selectively detecting all truncated products and full length products according to size, and (e) selectively detecting all truncated products and full-length products generated from a given strand of template.

Abstract: Hydroxy-substituted azetidinone hypocholesterolemic agents of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Ar1 and Ar2 are aryl or R4-substituted aryl; Ar3 is aryl or R5-substituted aryl; X, Y and Z are —CH2—, —CH(lower alkyl)— or —C(dilower alkyl)—; R and R2 are —OR6, —O(CO)R6, —O(CO)OR9 or —O(CO)NR6R7; R1 and R3 are H or lower alkyl; q is 0 or 1; r is 0 or 1; m, n and p are 0-4; provided that at least one of q and r is 1, and the sum of m, n, p, q and r is 1-6; and provided that when p is O and r is 1, the sum of m, q and n is 1-5; R4 is selected from lower alkyl, R5, —CF3, —CN, —NO2 and halogen R5 is selected from —OR6, —O(CO)R6, —O(CO)OR9, —O(CH2)1-5OR6, —O(CO)NR6R7, —NR6R7, —NR6(CO)R7, —NR6(CO)OR9, —NR6(CO)NR7R8, —NR6SO2R9, —COOR6, —CONR6R7, —COR6, —SO2NR6R7, S(O)0-2R9, —O(CH2)1-10—COOR