Abstract: A method is provided for preparing polyphosphazene microspheres wherein the polyphosphazene microspheres are produced by coacervation. A solution containing a polyphosphazene is admixed with a solution containing a salt of a monovalent ion such as a salt of a Group I element (for example, NaCl) to form a dispersion containing polyphosphazene coacervate microdroplets. The dispersion then is admixed with a solution containing a salt of a multivalent ion, such as a salt of a Group II element (for example, CaCl.sub.2) to form a suspension of polyphosphazene microspheres. The polyphosphazene microspheres then are recovered from the suspension. Such method enables one to obtain high yields of microspheres having a controlled size distribution. Polyphosphazene microspheres containing biological material can be produced by providing a biological material in the polyphosphazene solution that is mixed with the solution containing a salt of a monovalent ion.

Abstract: A method for treating a patient's heart which comprising delivering a gene therapy agent into the pericardial sac around the patient's heart. The agent is introduced surgically or by transvascular means such as a catheter which has been introduced percutaneously or otherwise. Introducing the gene therapy agent into the pericardial sac contains the agent, allowing high concentration of the agent adjacent large regions of the epicardium and pericardium without spillage or systemic distribution to other organs or tissues. The gene therapy agents of this invention comprise vectors for transferring genetic information to the epicardial cells in vivo or harvested cells which have been genetically engineered in vitro. In a preferred embodiment, a catheter is percutaneously introduced, such as through the femoral artery, and guided upstream into the left ventricle. The distal end of the catheter advanced until it penetrates through the epicardium so that agent can be introduced into the pericardial space.

Abstract: A Faraday rotator for rotating a plane of polarization of polarized light, said Faraday rotator having an optical element comprising a rod which is comprised of an optically transmitting composition comprising cadmium, zinc, and tellurium, and preferably from about 30 wt. % to about 48 wt. % cadmium, from about 2 wt. % to about 20 wt. % zinc, and about 50 wt. % tellurium. This Faraday rotator is especially useful an optical isolator for preventing feedback of transmitted light waves.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyorganophosphazene from a polyhalophosphazene. The polyhalophosphazene is reacted with a metal salt of an alkyl ester of hydroxybenzoic acid wherein the metal salt of the alkyl ester of hydroxybenzoic acid is contained in a homogeneous melt solution. The reaction of the polyhalophosphazene with the metal salt of an alkyl ester of hydroxybenzoic acid produces a macromolecular substituted polymer, which is reacted with a base to hydrolyze the polymer and produce the desired polyorganophosphazene product.

Abstract: An adenovirus wherein the adenovirus fiber protein includes a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type. The adenovirus may have at least a portion of the adenovirus fiber protein removed and replaced with a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type, or the adenovirus may include a fusion protein of the adenovirus fiber protein and the ligand. Such an adenovirus may also include a gene(s) encoding a therapeutic agent(s) and may be "targeted" in order to deliver such gene(s) to a desired cell type.

Abstract: A guide rail arrangement for a vehicle seat has first and second rail members. The first and second rail members are of configurations which engage one into the other to hold the rail members slidably together and they have first and second contact portions, along which the rail members bear linearly against each other for mutual play-free guidance thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a LO-CD2a antibody and methods of using such antibodies or molecules that bind to the same epitope (or a portion thereof) to prevent and inhibit an immune response in human patients, preferably, where the immune response is mediated by the activation and proliferation of T cells or natural killer cells. The administration of an effective amount of the LO-CD2a antibody to a human patient will prevent or inhibit graft rejection, graft versus host disease or autoimmune disease.

Abstract: A regimen and composition for treating Attention Deficit/Hperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by the use of proanthocyanidin both with and without a heterocyclic anti-depresssant, preferably desipramine and a citrus bioflavinoid.

Abstract: A retroviral vector which includes a nucleic acid sequence encoding a retroviral envelope. The nucleic acid sequence encoding a retroviral envelope includes a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a first envelope portion which is a portion of MCF viral gp 70 protein, a nucleic acid sequence which encodes xenotropic envelope, a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an amphotropic envelope portion, and a nucleic acid sequence which encodes p15E protein. Such retroviral envelopes encoded by such nucleic acid sequence may be included in infectious viral particles. The infectious viral particles also may include gene(s) encoding therapeutic agents, and thus may be used in gene therapy.

Abstract: Retroviral plasmid vectors which include an enhancer region obtained from a virus selected from the group consisting of Myeloproliferative Sarcoma Virus and polyoma virus, and a primer binding site obtained from murine retrovirus. The retroviral plasmid vector does not include a negative control region. The vector also may include a nucleic acid sequence which encodes demethylation of cytosine residues in the proviral LTR. Such plasmid vectors are especially useful in the generation of retroviral vector particles which may be expressed in embryonic cells, such as embryonic stem cells.

Abstract: A solution which comprises a polyphosphazene solute, such as a polyhalophosphazene solute, and a stabilizing solvent such as diglyme. Such solution enables the polyphosphazene to remain stable for extended periods of time so that such polyhalophosphazenes may be employed for further modification or use.

Abstract: A process for producing spherical, non-porous hydroxyapatite particles having a size which does not exceed 250 microns and having a density of at least 3.00 g/cc. The process comprises agglomerating in the presence of water as the only additive hydoxyapatite powder feedstock having a purity of at least 97%, and having metallic impurities which do not exceed 500 ppm, to form hydroxyapatite particles having a size which does not exceed 350 microns. The particles are then dried and then sintered at a temperature from about 1,100.degree. C. to about 1,200.degree. C. to provide spherical, non-porous hydoxyapatite particles which do not exceed 250 microns and having a density of at least 3.00 g/cc. Such particles have a variety of medical uses, including bone replacement, implant coatings, and dental applications such as alveolar ridge augmentation, root extraction site fillings, restoration of periodontal osseous lesions, and soft tissue augmentations.

Abstract: A locking washer 54a formed in a conical shape and a seal retainer 56a are disposed between a coupling member 30 and the internally directed flange 50 of a fastening nut 36a. These locking washer 54a and seal retainer 56a are placed so that an outer periphery thereof is positioned on the side of said coupling member, while an internal periphery thereof positioned on the internal surface of said fastening nut, when no external force is applied on said locking washer. When the fastening nut 36a is screwed to be tightened on said coupling member, the internal periphery of the locking washer 54a having recesses is reduced with its diameter, and the locking washer 54a together with the locking washer 54a urge the tubular conduit 38a into the coupling member 30 and grippingly deformably retain the conduit as indicated by the locking washer 54b. The conduit coupling of the invention is effectively applicable for any conduit formed of rigid metal or flexible plastic material.

Abstract: A printing medium or image carrier for application to a printing apparatus or substrate which comprises a plastic composition which is applied to a printing substrate to form a plastic coating covering the substrate, which plastic coating is engraved to provide a printing medium. Preferred plastic compositions are those including epoxide resins such as cycloaliphatic epoxide resins, reaction products of epichlorohydrin and bisphenol A, bisphenol A epoxy resins modified with cresol novolac(s), epoxy-novolac resins, and epoxy-novolac based vinyl esters. The present invention provides for an effective rotogravure printing medium without the use and/or disposal of hazardous chemicals.

Abstract: A vector system comprising a first vector, which is an adeno-associated viral vector, and which includes an adeno-associated virus 5'ITR, an adeno-associated virus 3'ITR, and at least one heterologous DNA sequence. The vector system also includes a second vector which includes an inducible origin of replication, such as an SV40 origin of replication, which is capable of being induced or activated by an agent, such as the SV40 T-antigen. The second vector also includes DNA sequences encoding the adeno-associated virus rep and cap proteins. When induced by an agent, the second vector may replicate to a high copy number, and thereby increased numbers of infectious adeno-associated viral particles may be generated.

Abstract: A retroviral vector including a multiple cloning site having no greater than about 70 base pairs, and which includes at least four different enzyme restriction sites, wherein at least two of the sites have an average frequency of appearance in eukaryotic genes of less than one in 10,000 base pairs. Such vector may be employed in conjunction with a shuttle cloning vector having complementary cloning sites to accomplish transfers of genes and/or promoters between the shuttle cloning vector and the retroviral vector. Such a system provides for efficient transfer of genes and/or promoters to a retroviral vector without necessitating reconstruction of the entire retroviral vector. Also contemplated within the scope of the present invention is a retroviral vector having a 3' LTR wherein at least the promoter sequence of the 3' LTR is mutated such that the promoter sequence becomes nonfunctional.

Abstract: Libraries of compounds such as nucleic acids or peptides are contacted with a target molecule and libraries that have at least one compound that bind with at least a minimum activity are determined by a reiterative process in which a change in the rate of recovery (elimination) of compounds that bind to the target indicates that the library contains such a compound. The procedure may also be used to determine indirectly the sequence of such compound by employing sublibraries, each of which have a known entity at a known position of the compound.

Abstract: A method of purifying retroviral vector particles which comprises culturing retroviral vector producer cells which are capable of generating retroviral vector particles, and obtaining a supernatant containing retroviral vector particles from the culture of retroviral vector producer cells. The supernatant is clarified, and then concentrated. The supernatant then is contacted with a precipitation agent, and the supernatant and precipitation agent are centrifuged. A precipitate is recovered, resuspended, and subjected to a high-speed centrifugation. Retroviral particles then are recovered. The above method provides for increased recovery of retroviral vector particles which may be employed in gene therapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an efficient method, termed spin transduction, of transducing cells with retroviral vectors. Retroviral particles, suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, are contacted with the cells to be transduced, and the mixture is centrifuged for a sufficient period of time to permit transduction. This method leads to a 3- to 15-fold increase in transduction efficiency, depending on the type of cells transduced.

Abstract: A composition comprising a cross-linked salt of (a) a polyvinylpyrrolidone having ring opened pyrrolidone groups; (b) at least one acrylic acid-containing or methacrylic acid-containing polymer; and (c) an amine-containing polymer. The composition may be used as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, has good tack, and may be peeled from the body or from an object without causing damage or injury to the body or object.