Abstract: A novel process for synthesizing &bgr;-lapachone (beta-lapachone), an agent that has demonstrated significant antineoplastic activity against human cancer lines. The process comprises the conversion of starting material, 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphothoquinone into &bgr;-lapachone intermediate, lapachol. The lapachol is then converted to &bgr;-lapachone by treatment with sulfuric acid and purified by recrystallization from ethanol. This novel process is extremely simple and provides &bgr;-lapachone in excellent quality and high yield.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region containing a translocation carrier moiety having the function of a transport polypeptide amino acid sequence from, e.g., herpesviral VP22, HIV TAT, Antp HD, Arg repeats, or a cationic polymer, or from homologues or fragments thereof, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel class of substituted macrocyclic metallic complexes. The complexes are useful as peroxynitrite decomposition catalysts. Pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and using the compounds, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, prodrug, or mixture thereof are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved rotating seal apparatus including a plurality of concentrically spaced annular rotating seals. The invention also provides a rotating seal apparatus including a pressurized annular chamber surrounding an annular rotating seal.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for delivering biologically active molecules to the eye by implanting biocompatible capsules containing a cellular source of the biologically active molecule. Also provided is a method of treating ophthalmic diseases using biocompatible capsules.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of diagnosing and treating carcinomas, including metastatic thyroid carcinomas using differential gene expression. Also disclosed are novel nucleic acid sequences whose expression is differentially regulated in metastatic and non-metastatic thyroid carcinomas.

Abstract: An isolated BLAA polynucleotide and the membrane-associated or secreted polypeptide encoded by the BLAA polynucleotide are disclosed. Also disclosed are the antibodies that immunospecifically bind to a BLAA polypeptide or any derivative, variant, mutant or fragment of the BLAA polypeptide, polynucleotide or antibody. Also disclosed are nucleic acid vectors and host cells containing the nucleic acid sequence of the invention.

Abstract: A device is provided for distributing a fluids from different sources to different destinations. The device receives fluids from a plurality of different sources and distributes the fluids out of a port to a destination. The device also receives fluid from the destination and transfers the fluid to another port out to another destination.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acids encoding aortic carboxypeptidase-related polypeptides, polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acids, and methods of using these nucleic acids and polypeptides.

Abstract: A method for producing analgesia or for neuroprotection in a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a conantokin to the mammal.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding an PilG-like protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the PilG-like gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: In summary of this disclosure, the present invention provides a method of nucleic acid, including DNA, immunization of a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae, employing a vector, containing a nucleotide sequence encoding a lorf2 protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae and a promoter to effect expression of the lorf2 gene in the host. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.

Abstract: cDNA libraries may be obtained from neural cell cultures produced by using growth factors to induce the proliferation of multipotent neural stem cells. The libraries may be obtained from both cultured normal and dysfunctional neural cells and from neural cell cultures at various stages of development. This information allows for the identification of the sequence of gene expression during neural development and can be used to reveal the effects of biological agents on gene expression in neural cells. Additionally, nucleic acid derived from dysfunctional tissue can be compared with that of normal tissue to identify genetic material which may be a cause of the dysfunction. This information could then be used in the design of therapies to treat the neurological disorder. A further use of the technology would be in the diagnosis of genetic disorders or for use in identifying neural cells at a particular stage in development.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions of controlling cell distribution within a bioartificial organ by exposing the cells to a treatment that inhibits cell proliferation, promotes cell differentiation, or affects cell attachment to a growth surface within the bioartificial organ. Such treatments include (1) genetically manipulating cells, (2) exposing the cells to a proliferation-inhibiting compound or a differentiation-inducing compound or removing the cells from exposure to a proliferation-stimulating compound or a differentiation-inhibiting compound; exposing the cells to irradiation, and (3) modifying a growth surface of the BAO with ECM molecules, molecules affecting cell proliferation or adhesion, or an inert scaffold, or a combination thereof. These treatments may be used in combination.

Abstract: Disclosed are complexes of the MDM2 protein and a novel MDM2-interacting protein (MDMIP). Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding the MDMIP polypeptide, as well as derivatives, fragments, analogs and homologs of the MDMIP polypeptide and MDM2-MDMIP complexes.

Abstract: Methods are described for the production of neurons or neuronal progenitor cells. Multipotent neural stem cells are proliferated in the presence of growth factors and erythropoietin which induces the generation of neuronal progenitor cells. The erythropoietin may be exogenously applied to the multipotent neural stem cells, or alternatively, the cells can be subjected to hypoxic insult which induces the cells to express erythropoietin.

Abstract: ARPE-19 cells were evaluated as a platform cell line for encapsulated and un-encapsulated cell-based delivery technology. ARPE-19 cells were found to be hardy (the cell line is viable under stringent conditions, such as in central nervous system or intra-ocular environment); can be genetically modified to secrete the protein of choice; has a long life span; is of human origin; has good in vivo device viability; delivers efficacious quantity of growth factor; triggers no or low level host immune reaction, and is non-tumorigenic.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for expanding cells that are not abundant or are difficult to obtain in pure form in culture, are in short supply (e.g., human cells), or have brief lifetimes in culture, using fusion polypeptide. The fusion polypeptide has a first region having the transport function of herpesviral VP22 protein or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) TAT protein, and a second region with a polypeptide having cell immortalization activity, a polypeptide having telomerase-specific activity, or a polypeptide having telomerase gene activation activity. The resulting cells of the invention are suitable for use in cell therapy.

Abstract: Polynucleotides encoding the human IL-11 receptor and fragments thereof are disclosed. IL-11 receptor proteins, methods for their production, inhibitors of binding of human IL-11 and its receptor and methods for their identification are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for controlled transgene transcription using chimeric activator and repressor proteins functioning in a novel regulatory network. The target transgene is actively silenced in non-inducing conditions by a novel class of chimeric proteins consisting of the DNA-binding tetracycline repressor fused to distinct multimerized eukaryotic transcriptional repression domains. In the presence of a tetracycline “inducer”, the repressor does not bind to the promoters for both the target gene and for another regulatory gene encoding a transactivator (e.g., GAL4-VP16). Under these inducing conditions, the transactivator activates expression of the target transgene and of its own gene, in an additional autoregulatory positive feedback loop.