Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the treatment of articular cartilage defects and disease involving the combination of tissue, such as osteochondral grafts, with active growth factor. The active growth factor is preferably a composition containing at least one bone morphogenetic protein and a suitable carrier. The method results in the regeneration and/or functional repair of articular cartilage tissue.

Abstract: The present invention particularly relates to a newly identified murine genomic polynucleotide that encodes an ortholog of the human P2T receptor which is expressed at high levels in the central nervous system, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides, as well as the production of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. The invention relates also to identifying compounds which may be agonists, antagonists and/or inhibitors of P2T, and therefore potentially useful in therapy.

Abstract: Novel, stable formulations of bupropion hydrochloride are provided which will maintain at least 80% of initial bupropion hydrochloride potency after one year. Methods of inhibiting degradation of bupropion hydrochloride and methods of preparing stable formulations of bupropion hydrochloride are also provided.

Abstract: A soluble ionic complex is formed by an aqueous mixture of a benzylammonium group-containing surfactant and a polynucleic acid sequence. When the mixture forms a vesicular complex, the sequence is packaged therein. This composition is useful in pharmaceutical compositions and in methods of delivering the polynucleic acid sequence (which preferably encodes a protein or peptide) to a cell for expression. Such methods are useful in therapy, as vaccines and as gene therapy agents.

Abstract: A protein from the M. catarrhalis designated the 74 kD protein is isolated and purified. The 74 kD protein has an amino-terminal amino acid sequence which is conserved among various strains of M. catarrhalis. The protein has a molecular weight of approximately 74,9 kD as measured on a 10% SDS-PAGE gel, while its molecular weight as measured by mass spectrometry is approximately 74 kD. The 74 kD protein is used to prepare a vaccine composition which elicits a protective immune response in a mammalian host to protect the host again disease caused by M. catarrhalis.

Abstract: Crystallographic and NMR solution structures of human IL-6 are reported. The invention provides models and systems incorporating such structures which are useful for identifying IL-6/IL-6 receptor interactions and for identification of agonists and antagonists of such interactions. Crystalline human IL-6 is also provided.

Abstract: Novel human megakaryocyte stimulating factors (MSFS) capable of stimulating the growth and development of colonies of megakaryocytes, pharmaceutical compositions containing same, and methods for their preparation and use are provided.

Abstract: An original document image is irradiated with light emitted from a light source, and light reflected from or passed through the original document image is applied to a line sensor for reading the image. A maximum output value of the line sensor is determined within a linear characteristic region thereof with respect to the amount of exposure of the line sensor to the light reflected from or passed through the original document image. The amount of light emitted from the light source is regulated within the maximum output value to determine a sensitivity correcting value for the line sensor with respect to a reference object, and the sensitivity correcting value is stored as corrective data. An image signal from the line sensor is corrected with the corrective data when the original document image is read.