Abstract: A liposome composition containing an entrapped cisplatin compound is described. The liposomes have a surface coating of hydrophilic polymer chains on inner and outer surfaces and an entrapped cisplatin compound. The compound is entrapped with substantially greater retention in the liposomes, when compared to liposomes lacking the polymer coating. A method of preparing the composition is also described.

Abstract: A method and comjugate for treating H. pylori infection in a subject are disclosed. The conjugate is composed of (a) a nuclease-resistant antisense oligomer effective to inhibit H. pylori infection in the subject by base-specific Watson-Crick binding to an H. pylori mRNA transcript, and (b) a transport moiety conjugated to the oligomer. The transport moiety is effective to facilitate uptake of the conjugate from the environment of the stomach into the cytoplasm of H. pylori cells by active transport or by pH-gradient transport across of the cell membrane of H. pylori. The conjugate is administered by oral route, preferably in a swellable polymer bolus designed to release the conjugate in sustained release.

Abstract: A liposome composition for administration of a polynucleotide and a method of preparing the composition are described. The liposomes in the suspension are composed predominantly of liposomes having a bilayer membrane formed of cationic vesicle-forming lipids and neutral vesicle forming lipids. The polynucleotide is entrapped in the central core of the liposomes and is localized predominantly on the inner surface of the core.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to assess connective tissue, especially bone, metabolism in disease or to monitor therapy, which method comprises assessing the levels of native free collagen-derived crosslinks in biological fluids, especially urine. The method can be enhanced by concomitantly determining the levels of an indicator of bone formation in biological fluids of the same individual and assessing the differences between the degradation marker and the formation indicator. Antibodies which are specifically immunoreactive with forms of crosslinks which occur free in biological fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and assay kit for positively identifying HTLV-I and HTLV-II infection from human serum samples. The kit includes peptide antigens from the C-terminal regions of HLTV-I p19 and HTLV-II p21 gag proteins, and peptide antigens from the HLTV-I and HTLV-II env proteins immobilized on a solid support. After reaction of the serum sample with the solid support, an antibody-detection reagent in the kit is added to the support, to detect binding of human serum antibodies to each of the peptide antigens separately. The test allows positive identification of HTLV-I or HTLV-II when antibody binding to each HTLV-I or HTLV-II gag and env peptide antigen, respectively, is observed. Also disclosed is a kit for screening human sera for evidence of HTLV-I or HTLV-II infection.

Abstract: A biosensor apparatus for detecting a binding event between a ligand and receptor. The apparatus includes an electrode substrate coated with a high-dielectric hydrocarbon-chain monolayer, and having ligands attached to the exposed monolayer surface. Binding of a receptor to the monolayer-bound ligand, and the resultant perturbation of the monolayer structure, causes ion-mediated electron flow across the monolayer. In one embodiment, the monolayers have a coil-coil heterodimer embedded therein, one subunit of which is attached to the substrate, and the second of which carries the ligand at the monolayer surface.

Abstract: A suspension of microfabricated microdevices for use in therapeutic applications is disclosed. The microdevices have a selected shape, and uniform dimensions preferably in the 100 nm to 10 Am range. Also disclosed are microfabrication methods for making such microdevices.

Abstract: A lipid vesicle composition for use in delivering a vesicle-encapsulated agent to a target cell is disclosed. The composition is formed of vesicle-forming lipids, including at least 10 mole percent plasmalogen phospholipid with a small-volume polar head group. The composition may also include a fusion protein for promoting fusion of the vesicles to the target cells. A novel fusion protein identified as an isoform of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is also disclosed.