Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid is provided, which encodes a stress-responsive subunit of mammalian RNA polymerase II, RPB4. In a preferred embodiment, the human RPB4 subunit (hsRPB4) is provided. Also provided are oligonucleotides that specifically hybridize with the nucleic acid, the purified polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid and antibodies immunologically specific for the polypeptide. These biological molecules are useful as markers of stress-related responses, which may correspond to the occurrence of malignant disease, and as therapeutic agents to modify resistance of a selected cell population to external stress conditions, such as that resulting from treatment of a patient with chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid is provided which encodes a transiently-expressed kinetochore protein, CENP-F. Also provided are the purified polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid sequence, and antibodies immunologically specific for the polypeptide. These biological molecules are useful as markers of cellular proliferation, particularly for the identification of cells in the G2 and M phases of the cell cycle. Methods are provided for using the nucleic acid, protein and antibodies for assessing cellular proliferation in biological fluids and tissue samples, and for detecting the presence of autoantibodies to the protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) system for plants, which is based on modification of the plastid genome. The CMS system comprises three transgenes: a "plastid male sterility" (pms) gene, regulated by a "nuclear male sterility" (rims) gene and a "restorer of male fertility" (rmf) gene. The pms gene is either an inactive gene encoding a toxic gene product or an actively expressed gene encoding an essential gene product. The runs gene is controlled by an anther-specific promoter, and encodes a plastid-directed polypeptide that regulates the pms gene, either by activating expression of the inactive toxic pms gene or by repressing expression of the essential pms gene, which causes plastid and cellular disablement or death in anther tissue, thereby preventing formation of viable pollen. The rmf gene encodes a gene product that prevents the rims gene from regulating the pms gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving the circulation of blood through a patient's heart and extremity. The method comprises applying external positive regional pressure on an extremity synchronously with the patient's heartbeat. An adjustable timing cycle is initiated at the QRS complex of the arterial pulse cycle. The timing cycle is based on an average time period between QRS complexes, which is calculated from a measurement of several successive QRS complexes in the patient's heart rate. Pressure pulses are applied in the end-diastolic portion of the arterial pulse cycle to reinforce the pulse that forces blood into the extremity. The pressure is then relieved prior to the next projected QRS complex to enable the next pulse to enter the extremity without undue obstruction, thereby promoting circulation of blood through the extremity. To promote circulation of blood through the heart, compression of the extremity is released shortly before the next projected QRS complex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new bisquinolines useful in the treatment of malaria and to processes for the production thereof. The invention also relates to methods for the treatment of malaria and, in particular, to the treatment of chloroquine-resistant strains of malaria. The compounds of the invention have the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R is a bivalent radical derived from an acyclic or cyclic hydrocarbon by removal of one hydrogen atom from each of two different carbon atoms. R' is hydrogen or lower alkyl (generally containing between about 1 and about 4 carbon atoms). X is hydrogen (--H), fluoro (--F), chloro (--Cl), bromo (--Br), trifluoromethyl (--CF.sub.3), cyano (--CN), or methylsulfoxide (--SOCH.sub.3). In its acyclic form, R generally contains at least two, and no more than about 12, carbon atoms and, preferably, is an unsubstituted straight or branched alkane.