Abstract: A method of preparing an olefin comprising: reacting a polyol in the presence of a carboxylic acid, such that an olefin is produced by the deoxygenation of the polyol. The reacting step can comprise (a) providing a composition comprising the polyol, (b) heating the composition, and (c) introducing the carboxylic acid to the composition wherein the introducing step occurs prior to, at the same time as, or subsequent to the heating step. In one embodiment, the polyol is glycerol, the carboxylic acid is formic acid, and the olefin is allyl alcohol, which is produced at a yield of about 80% or greater.

Abstract: Polypeptides and domains of leptomycin polyketide synthase and the nucleic acids encoding them are provided. Methods to prepare leptomycin, leptomycin analogs, and leptomycin derivatives are described, as are methods to prepare other polyketides using the nucleic acids encoding leptomycin polyketide synthase domains or modifying enzymes.

Abstract: Domains of jerangolid polyketide synthase and modification enzymes and polynucleotides encoding them are provided. Methods to prepare jerangolid in pharmaceutically useful quantities are described, as are methods to prepare jerangolid analogs and other polyketides using the polynucleotides encoding jerangolid synthase domains or modifying enzymes.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition effective for preventing and alleviating bronchoconstriction, lung allergy(ies) and inflammation comprises a surfactant and an oligonucleotide anti-sense to an adenosine receptor gene, flanking regions or regions bridging the intro/exon borders, analogues which bind thymidine but have low adenosine content or exhibit lower or no adenosine receptor agonist activity, or antisense to the corresponding mRNA, combinations, sales or mixtures thereof, and a carrier, and optionally other therapeutic agents and formulation products.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant human &agr;-L-iduronidase and biologically active fragments and mutants thereof, large scale methods to produce and purify commercial grade recombinant human &agr;-L-iduronidase enzyme as well as methods to treat certain genetic disorders including &agr;-L-iduronidase deficiency and mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS 1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant human &agr;-L-iduronidase and biologically active fragments and mutants thereof, large scale methods to produce and purify commercial grade recombinant human &agr;-L-iduronidase enzyme as well as methods to treat certain genetic disorders including &agr;-L-iduronidase deficiency and mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS 1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for using viral vectors to bear populations of sequence variants and using plant hosts to select the sequences that exhibit the desired traits.

Abstract: A novel method of over expressing genes in plants is provided. This method is based on the RNA amplification properties of plus strand RNA viruses of plants. A chimeric multicistronic gene is constructed containing a plant promoter, viral replication origins, a viral movement protein gene, and one or more foreign genes under control of viral subgenomic promoters. Plants containing one or more of these recombinant RNA transcripts are inoculated with helper virus. In the presence of helper virus recombinant transcripts are replicated producing high levels of foreign gene RNA. Sequences are provided for the high level expression of the enzyme chloramphenicol acetyltransferase in tobacco plants by replicon RNA amplification with helper viruses and movement protein genes derived from the tobamovirus group.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant &agr;-L-iduronidase and biologically active fragments and mutants thereof, methods to produce and purify this enzyme as well as methods to treat certain genetic disorders including- &agr;-L-iduronidase deficiency and mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS 1).

Abstract: A method of promoting drainage of congested middle ear fluid in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the middle ear of the subject a uridine triphosphate such as uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), an analog of UTP, or any other analog, in an amount effective to promote drainage of congested middle ear fluid by hydrating mucous secretions in the middle ear or by stimulating ciliary beat frequency in the middle ear or eustachian tube. The method is useful for treating patients afflicted with otitis media and other middle ear diseases, otitis externa, and inner ear diseases including Ménière's Disease. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed. Methods of administering the same would include any liquid suspension (including nasal drops or spray), oral, inhaled by nebulization, topical, injected or suppository form.

Abstract: A method of stimulating ciliary beat frequency in a subject in need of such treatment is disclosed. The method comprises administering to the airways, ears, eyes, or genito-urinary tract of the subject a triphosphate nucleotide such as uridine 5′-triphosphate (UTP), an analog of UTP, or any other analog, in an amount effective to stimulate ciliary beat frequency. This method is useful for treating patients afflicted with ciliary dyskinesia, Kartagener's syndrome, or any other disease involving dysfunction of ciliary movement, such as male infertility caused by impairment of propulsion of the spermatozoa or immune deficiency caused by impairment of ciliary movement in neutrophils or macrophages. Pharmaceutical formulations and methods of making the same are also disclosed.