Abstract: It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an automated system based on an integral fluid bag for administering a variety of intravenous drug regimens and reducing the vagaries of existing manual systems. The fluid has multiple chambers configured to implement a prescribed intravenous medical therapy. Each chamber's geometry (size, shape), sequence and position, alone and in combination with the other chambers, matches the prescribed intravenous therapy or drug regimen. The bag's configuration assures that the intravenous therapy is administered in accordance with the prescribed drug regimen, thus automating the previous manual method. A choice of fluid bag configurations may be stocked so that a prescription for well known and widely accepted drug regimens may be filled by merely selecting a bag with the appropriate chamber configuration and filling it with the prescribed medications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expression and assembly of foreign multimeric proteins—e.g., antibodies—in plants, as well as to transgenic plants that express such proteins. In one of several preferred embodiments, the generation and assembly of functional secretory antibodies in plants is disclosed. The invention also discloses compositions produced by the transgenic plants of the present invention and methods of using same.

Abstract: Farnesyl pyrophosphate, the metabolically active form of farnesol, is a key precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol, carotenoids, steroid hormones, bile acids and other molecules involved in cellular growth and metabolism. A nuclear receptor has been identified that is transcriptionally activated by farnesol and related molecules. This novel signaling pathway can be modulated by the use of key metabolic intermediates (or analogs and/or derivatives thereof) as transcriptional regulatory signals.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the proliferation of a hyperproliferative mammalian cell having a multiple drug resistant phenotype utilizing an amount of a laulimalide compound effective to disrupt the dynamic state of microtubule polymerization and depolymerization to arrest cell mitosis is disclosed, together with laulimalide compounds which find use in such method.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a class of compounds which are capable of modulating processes mediated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-&ggr;). The identification of such compounds makes it possible to intervene in PPAR-&ggr; mediated pathways.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided conjugates of nitric oxide scavengers (e.g., dithiocarbamates, or “DC”) and pharmacologically active agents (e.g., NSAIDs). Invention conjugates provide a new class of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents) which cause a much lower incidence of side-effects due to the protective effects imparted by modifying the pharmacologically active agents as described herein. In addition, invention conjugates are more effective than unmodified pharmacologically active agents because cells and tissues contacted by the pharmacologically active agent(s) are protected from the potentially damaging effects of nitric oxide overproduction induced thereby as a result of the co-production of nitric oxide scavenger (e.g., dithiocarbamate), in addition to free pharmacologically active agent, when invention conjugate is cleaved.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel G-protein-coupled receptor proteins (CRF-R) characterized by having sufficient binding affinity for corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) such that concentrations of ≦10 nM of CRF occupy ≧50% of the binding sites of said receptor protein. Nucleic acid sequences encoding such receptors, assays employing same, as well as antibodies derived therefrom, are also disclosed. Invention CRF-Rs can be employed in a variety of ways, such as, for example, in bioassays, for production of antibodies thereto, in therapeutic compositions containing such proteins and/or antibodies.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that histone deacetylase associates with hormone receptor complexes and contributes to the repression thereof. It has further been discovered that exposure of a repressed system to histone deacetylase inhibitors relieves this repression. Thus, histone deacetylase inhibitors have been found to be useful for the activation of genes responsive to hormone receptors. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, formulations useful for modulation of hormone-mediated processes have been developed. In addition, assays have been developed for the identification of compounds useful to modulate the above-described processes.

Abstract: Methods are presented whereby regional pain relief is achieved through the periodic topical administration of compositions comprising NMDA receptor antagonists, by applying said compositions to the skin above areas affected by pain.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for enhancing the color of minerals useful as gemstones. Invention methods are relatively inexpensive to carry out, avoid the use of hazardous materials, and require no specialized equipment.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided normal modified forms of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Modified NSAIDs according to the invention provide a new class of anti-inflammatory agent which provide the therapeutic benefits of NSAIDs while causing a much lower incidence of side-effects then typically observed with such agents.

Abstract: The preparation and use of a protected organic aldehyde is described wherein bioavailability of the orally administered therapeutic aldehyde is improved. The protected aldehyde is prepared by reacting the aldehyde with a protecting group, for example, condensing the aldehyde chemically with a thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid. The improved bioavailability of such orally administered drugs increases the feasibility of delivering sufficient amounts of vanillin or other therapeutic organic aldehydes in vivo to prevent sickling in sickle cell anemia. Combination therapy is also described wherein a protected organic aldehyde is administered to a subject in treatment of sickle cell anemia in conjunction with one or more other drugs, such as pain killers, used in treatment of the symptoms of sickle cell anemia or sickle cell disease.

Abstract: Amphiphilic polyamide compounds and derivatives thereof having the property of promoting transfection of polynucleotides and polypeptides into cells, and formulations comprising said compounds.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided various methods for modulating the expression of an exogenous gene in a mammalian subject employing modified ecdysone receptors. Also provided are modified ecdysone receptors, as well as homomeric and heterodimeric receptors containing same, nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptors, modified hormone response elements, gene transfer vectors, recombinant cells, and transgenic animals containing nucleic acids encoding invention modified ecdysone receptor.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel analytical method for identifying compounds which induce and/or inhibit signal transduction in cells. The invention method enables rapid testing of a variety of compounds to determine if they exert an influence on signal transduction. The invention assay can be carried out using unmodified cells and/or cell lines, avoiding the need for extensive preparation prior to analysis.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein comprises assay methods for identifying substances useful for treating pathogenic disorders. The assay methods disclosed herein are based on the discovery that POD function and structure are key elements in normal transcriptional processes. Disruption of POD function and/or structure contributes to the creation and/or maintenance of a variety of pathogenic disorders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel dithiocarbamamte disulfide dimer useful in various therapeutic treatments, either alone or in combination with other active agents. In one method, the disulfide derivative of a dithiocarbamate is coadministered with an agent that inactivates (or inhibits the production of) species that induce the expression of nitric oxide synthase to reduce the production of such species, while, at the same time reducing nitric oxide levels in the subject. In another embodiment, free iron ion levels are reduced in a subject by administration of a disulfide derivative of a dithiocarbamate(s) to scavenge free iron ions, for example, in subjects undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy. In another embodiment, cyanide levels are reduced in a subject by administration of a disulfide derivative of a dithiocarbamate so as to bind cyanide in the subject. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to compositions and formulations useful in such therapeutic methods.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided articles for use in non-invasive measurements of nitric oxide levels in a variety of fluid media, e.g., in mammalian body fluids. Articles according to the present invention comprise a nitric oxide trapping agent contained within a vessel, wherein the vessel comprises a semi-permeable membrane. Nitric oxide diffuses through the semi-permeable membrane and is trapped therein for subsequent quantitative analysis. Articles of the present invention are particularly useful in selectively detecting nitric oxide in the presence of other NOx species.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided conjugates of a combination of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors). Invention conjugates provide a new class of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents) which provide the therapeutic benefits of both NSAIDs and selective COX-2 inhibitors, while causing a much lower incidence of side-effects then are typically observed with such agents due to the protective effects imparted by modifying the pharmacologically active agents as described herein.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that nuclear receptor proteins isolated from the silk moth Bombyx mori (bR) are useful for the regulation of transgene expression. bR is generally thought to be a strong transcriptional regulator within cells of the silk moth. In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that bR is also functional in mammalian cells. It has further been discovered that the addition of activation domains to the bR open-reading frame enhances the activity of the ligand modulated regulator to afford high-level transcriptional induction. Further modifications to the bR ligand binding domain result in receptors with unique tranactivational characteristics.