Abstract: Complexes of a selected class of chiral ligands with molybdenum, tungsten or chromium, preferably molybdenum, are effective as catalysts in highly enantioselective and regioselective alkylation of allylic substrates.

Abstract: Compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use are described which are effective in inhibiting cell death, particularly apoptotic cell death. The compositions may be used for prevention and treatment of injuries associated with cell death, including ischemia, such as results from stroke or myocardial infarction, trauma, neurodegeneration, and inflammation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved pharmaceutical composition and method for delivery of therapeutic agents. The methods and composition of the invention can be used with several therapeutic agents and can achieve site specific delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic substance. This can allow for lower doses and for improved efficacy with drugs which traditionally reach targeted sites and can result in improved utility for agents such as oligonucleotides and polynucleotides which are plagued with problems with biodistribution.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for constructing a high resolution physical map of a polynucleotide. In accordance with the invention, the polynucleotide is digested successively with at least two different restriction endonucleases and the ends of the restriction fragments are sequenced after each digestion. In this manner, restriction fragments having sequenced ends are produced that can be aligned by their sequences to give a physical map of the polynucleotide. Preferably, restriction fragment ends are sequenced by massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS), or a like parallel sequencing technique.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and materials for monitoring and isolating differentially expressed genes. In accordance with the method of the invention, differently labeled populations of DNAs from sources to be compared are competitively hybridized with reference DNA cloned on solid phase supports, e.g. microparticles, to provide a differential expression library which, in the preferred embodiment, may be manipulated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Monitoring the relative signal intensity of the different fluorescent labels on the microparticles permits quantitative analysis of expression levels relative to the reference DNA. The invention also provides a method for identifying and isolating rare genes. Populations of microparticles having relative signal intensities of interest can be isolated by FACS and the attached DNAs identified by sequencing, such as with massively parallel signature sequencing (MPSS), or with conventional DNA sequencing protocols.

Abstract: This invention relates compositions and methods for increasing the uptake of polynucleotides into cells. Specifically, the invention relates to vectors, targeting ligands, and polycationic agents. The polycationic agents are capable of (1) increasing the frequency of uptake of polynucleotides into a cell, (2) condensing polynucleotides; and (3) inhibiting serum and/or nuclease degradation of polynucleotides.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed which efficiently inhibit glutaminase but which have no effect, at higher levels, on various mechanistically and functionally related enzymes. The compounds, which are useful for neuroprotection and in treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, have the general formula I: as defined further herein.

Abstract: Detergent formulations are prepared by directly agglomerating a fermentation broth extract, containing a detergent-type enzyme and a nonionic detergent-type surfactant, with a suitable detergent base mixture, without need for prior isolation of the enzyme.

Abstract: Methods for determining the relative binding affinities of various ligands to various nucleic acid sequences are described. In a direct binding assay, the effect of adding increasing amounts of a ligand on a signal generated by two “indicator” oligonucleotides is observed. Also described is a competitive binding assay, in which a competitor oligonucleotide is added to an indicator duplex having a ligand bound thereto. The assays allow the rapid and convenient determination of nucleic acid binding specificities and base pair determinants of specificity of particular ligands.

Abstract: Effective corrosion inhibitors having minimal organic content, particularly suitable for use in municipal drinking water systems, are described. The corrosion inhibiting additive is a stannous salt of a non-carbon acid.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for simultaneously analyzing a plurality of analytes anchored to microparticles. Microparticles each having a uniform population of a single kind of analyte attached are disposed as a substantially immobilized planar array inside of a flow chamber where steps of an analytical process are carried out by delivering a sequence of processing reagents to the microparticles by a fluidic system under microprocessor control. In response to such process steps, an optical signal is generated at the surface of each microparticle which is characteristic of the interaction between the analyte carried by the microparticle and the delivered processing reagent. The plurality of analytes are simultaneously analyzed by collecting and recording images of the optical signals generated by all the microparticles in the planar array.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotides useful for treating a disease state characterized by p53 induction, such as proliferative cell disorders, e.g. cancer, or a hypoxic state induced by an ischemic attack, such as stroke, are described. The antisense agents are preferably of the class known as “steric blocker” type oligonucleotides, including morpholino oligonucleotides, peptide nucleic acids, 2′-O-allyl or 2′-O-alkyl modified oligonucleotides, or N3′→P5′ phosphoramidate oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Protective overlayers for magnetic recording media are described. The overlayers, composed of a transition metal-silicon or transition metal-germanium interlayer and a carbon overcoat, provide good wear resistance and corrosion resistance at thicknesses of less than 100 Å.

Abstract: Methods for determining the relative binding affinities of various ligands to various nucleic acid sequences, particularly in double stranded form, are described. In a direct binding assay, the effect of adding increasing amounts of a ligand on a signal generated by two “indicator” oligonucleotides is observed. Also described is a competitive binding assay, in which a competitor oligonucleotide is added to an indicator duplex having a ligand bound thereto. The assays allow the rapid and convenient determination of nucleic acid binding specificities and base pair determinants of specificity of particular ligands.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preventing neuronal cell death subsequent to an injury to neuronal tissue, particularly central nervous tissue exposed to an ischemic or hypoxic event, to trauma or to a chronic neurodegenerative disorder. The method includes exposing the cells to a glutaminase inhibitor that is relatively impermeant to healthy, intact cell membranes, and which is preferably a specific inhibitor of the form of glutaminase that is widely present in brain tissue.

Abstract: The present invention includes, in one aspect, a kit comprising one or more sets of oligonucleotide probes whose perfectly matched duplexes with complementary sequences have similar or substantially the same free energy of duplex formation.

Abstract: Nucleophilic oxygen species, such as primary alcohols, carboxylates, and water, are added to vinyl epoxides in a highly regioselective and enantioselective manner, providing a convenient route to enantiomerically enriched 1,2-diols and oxygen-containing heterocycles. The reaction employs a chiral Pd(0) complex and a borane or borate as co-catalysts Also described are similar additions of nitrogen nucleophiles, and the addition of carbonates to vinyl epoxides using a chiral Pd(0) catalyst.

Abstract: Polishing slurries for use in polishing substrates having a nickel or nickel-containing surface, such as those used for magnetic media, are described. The slurries include, in addition to a chemical etchant such as aluminum nitrate and suspended abrasive particles, an oxidizer which converts nickel metal at the surface to nickel oxide, but does not solubilize the nickel oxide in the aqueous medium to any significant degree. Preferred oxidizers include hydrogen peroxide, ferric nitrate and potassium iodate.

Abstract: This invention relates compositions and methods for increasing the uptake of polynucleotides into cells. Specifically, the invention relates to vectors, targeting ligands, and polycationic agents. The polycationic agents are capable of (1) increasing the frequency of uptake of polynucleotides into a cell, (2) condensing polynucleotides; and (3) inhibiting serum and/or nuclease degradation of polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new and improved pharmaceutical composition and method for delivery of therapeutic agents. The methods and composition of the invention can be used with several therapeutic agents and can achieve site specific delivery of a therapeutic substance. This can allow for lower doses and for improved efficacy with drugs which traditionally reach targeted sites and can result in utility for agents such as oligonucleotides which are plagued with problems in reaching targeted sites in necessary therapeutic levels. The delivery system includes gas-filled microbubbles formed in a nitrogen-free environment. Microbubbles formed through sonication in a nitrogen-free environment are smaller and more stable than microbubbles sonicated in the presence of room air.