Abstract: The present invention provides a methods and apparatuses for use in providing rapid, selective and effective targeted delivery of beneficial substances into hair follicles. The invention relies on the use of vibrational method of delivery of substances of different size from small molecules up to particles compatible with the diameter of hair strand into the hair bulb. The skin is subjected to the vibration of about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz frequency and 0.1 mm to about 10 mm amplitude, an amount which is sufficient to cause mechanical shifts in different directions of skin structure without damage. This results in follicle effective uptake of the tested substances such as carbon particles of different size as well as melanin. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are particularly useful in conjunction with photosensitive agents and electromagnetic irradiation. Such a combination is used to target the delivery of the agent to within hair follicles and then subsequently activate the agent.

Abstract: The invention describes a method to deliver a composition selectively to hair follicles using a liposomal formulation. Proteins which are cell cycle inhibitors are products of the multi-drug resistance gene or the recombinant materials for their production are targeted to hair follicles by encapsulating them in liposomes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using an in vitro culture system to measure the cellular proliferative capacity cellular viability of human tissues, particularlytumor tissues. The invention also describes the use of the method to evaluate the effectiveness of an antineoplastic drug in inhibiting tumor cell proliferation of viability.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating and reducing the potential for cardiovascular disease using methioninase compositions having less than 10 ng endotoxin per mg methioninase.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for using methioninase as an antitumor reagent in anti-methionine chemotherapy. Specifically, methioninase is used to slow or stop cell division which can be enhanced with competitive inhibitors of methionine. In addition, methioninase can be used in combination with chemotherapeutic agents to increase the therapeutic effectiveness of the agent by inducing cell cycle synchronization.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for targeted and specific delivery of beneficial compounds, including dyes, proteins, and nucleic acids for gene therapy, to hair follicle cells using liposomes encapsulating the beneficial compound. Particularly preferred methods describe delivery of tyrosinase to the hair follicle for the purpose of improving hair color or condition, either by encapsulating the compound in liposomes, or by encapsulating a nucleic acid capable of expressing the protein in liposomes.

Abstract: A method of evaluating the effectiveness of drugs in inhibiting the growth of tumor cells. A sample of a tumor is histocultured, a drug to be evaluated is added to the sample and the sample is incubated. A suitable tetrazolium salt is added and a frozen section of the sample is prepared. The section is stained with a fluorescent dye. The section is exposed to polarized light and the reflected light is measured. Then the section is exposed to fluorescent light and the light emitted by the dye is measured. These measurements are compared to a control and/or measurements from tests using other drugs and the relative effectiveness of the drug is evaluated, preferably by pixel analysis.