Abstract: An Xeroderma pigmentosum-deficient mouse, as well as methods for screening for the damaging and tumorigenic effect of ultraviolet light or a chemical DNA damaging agent, are disclosed.

Abstract: A tissue culture screening system to monitor a transcriptional response treated by a chemical signal interacting with a plasma membrane receptor is provided. The tissue culture screening system includes a cell line containing a membrane receptor, a target gene and a specific receptor selected from the group consisting of a steroid receptor, a vitamin receptor and an orphan receptor. The specific receptor regulates transcription of the target gene. Any of the target gene membrane receptor or specific receptor can be introduced into the cell by an expression vector. In addition to the screening system there is also provided assays for identifying test compounds and chemical signals that regulate transcription or are potential agonist or antagonist neurotransmitters or which regulate indirectly by a membrane receptor binding or regulate transription in the absence of a steroid, vitamin or orphan ligand. There is further provided kits for the assays.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant proteins of steroid hormone receptors. These mutant proteins are useful in methods of distinguishing a steroid hormone receptor antagonist from a steroid hormone receptor agonist. The present invention also provides plasmids containing mutated steroid hormone receptor proteins and cells transfected with those plasmids. In addition, the present invention provides methods for determining whether a compound is a steroid hormone receptor antagonist or agonist. Also, the present invention provides methods of determining endogenous ligands for steroid hormone receptors. The invention further provides a molecular switch for regulating expression in gene therapy and methods of employing the molecular switch in humans, animals, transgenic animals and plants.

Abstract: A method for treating or preventing a cancer in a mammal which comprises administering to said mammal an amount of a drug, comprising an .alpha..sub.1 -adrenoreceptor antagonist or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof, effective for treating or preventing the cancer.

Abstract: A method for modulating non-malignant skin related disorders in a subject has been demonstrated with 9-cis retinoic acid. Wrinkling, acne, keratinization, differentiation and proliferation disorders are treated by administration of 9-cis retinoic acid alone or in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to gene therapy by using vectors which encode stable MRNA and methods of using such vectors. In particular, this invention relates to vectors which establish controlled expression of recombinant genes within tissues at certain levels. The vector includes a 5' flanking region which includes necessary sequences for expression of a nucleic acid cassette, a 3' flanking region including a 3' UTR and/or 3' NCR which stabilizes mRNA expressed from the nucleic acid cassette, and a linker which connects the 5' flanking region to a nucleic acid sequence. The linker has a position for inserting a nucleic acid cassette. The linker does not contain the coding sequence of a gene that the linker is naturally associated with. The 3' flanking region is 3' to the position for inserting the nucleic acid cassette. The expression vectors of the present invention can also be regulated by a regulatory system and/or constructed with a coating.

Abstract: A keratin K1 vector for expression of a nucleic acid sequence in an epidermal cell. The vector includes a 5' flanking region which includes necessary sequences for expression of a nucleic acid cassette, a keratin K1 3' flanking region which regulates expression of a nucleic acid sequence, predominantly in the epidermis, and a linker which connects the 5' flanking region to a nucleic acid. The linker has a position for inserting a nucleic acid cassette. The linker does not contain the coding sequence of a gene that the linker is naturally associated with. That is, the linker is not the normal gene associated with the 5' and 3' regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a broad-spectrum tumor suppressor gene and the protein expressed by that gene in appropriate host cells. The protein is a second in-frame AUG codon-initiated retinoblasoma protein of about 94 kD relative molecular mass. The present invention also relates to methods of treating a mammal having a disease or disorder characterized by abnormal cellular proliferation, such as a tumor or cancer and methods of treating abnormally proliferating cells, such as tumor or cancer cells. Treatment is accomplished by inserting a host cell compatible p94.sup.RB expression vector or an effective amount of p94.sup.RB protein into a cell or cells in need of treatment.

Abstract: A non-metallic antimicrobial impregnated medical implant, such as a catheter, and a method for impregnating a non-metallic medical implant with an antimicrobial agent is provided. The method for making the impregnated implant comprises the steps of forming an antimicrobial composition of an effective concentration to inhibit the growth of organisms, such as staphylococci, other gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacilli and Candida and applying the antimicrobial composition to at least a portion of the medical implant under conditions where the antimicrobial composition permeates the material of the medical implant. The antimicrobial composition is formed by dissolving an antimicrobial agent in an organic solvent, adding a penetrating agent to the composition, and adding an alkalinizing agent to the composition. The antimicrobial composition is preferably heated to a temperature between about 30.degree. C. and 70.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a mass spectrometer probe and method of using said probe for desorption and ionization of analytes. The sample probe comprises a layer of energy absorbing molecules on the surface of the probe, free of analyte. The analyte is applied to the layer of energy absorbing molecules. The analyte can be desorbed by a high energy source and detected in the mass spectrometer. The probe and methods are useful in detection and analysis of macromolecules such as proteins or other biomolecules.

Abstract: A method to express rotavirus genes in a baculovirus system. Different clones are used to express rotavirus genes for all of the viral proteins. These proteins are isolated in their native conformation. Some of these proteins show antigenic properties and are used to vaccinate human, agricultural animals and pet animals against diarrheal disease. The antigenic proteins are also used to detect the presence of the viral infectious agent either by themselves or in conjunction with antibodies produced against the antigenic proteins.

Abstract: Methoxy and ethoxy substituted 3-aroyl-2-arylbenzo?b!thiophenes and benzo?b!thiophene analogues are described for use in inhibiting tubulin polymerization. The compounds' use for treating tumor cells is also described.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the formation of organic gels by dissolving organic gelling agents in organic solvents. The aryl cyclohexanol gelling agents employed in this invention are not structurally related to previously known gellation agents and they exhibit potent gellation activity, for example, from 0.2-5%, by weight, of gelling agent is able to immobilize a variety of organic solvents. The gels formed range from optically transparent to slightly translucent, and complete fluidity can be restored by either increasing the temperature (reversible) or by chemical treatment (irreversible).

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant proteins of steroid hormone receptors. These mutant proteins are useful in methods of distinguishing a steroid hormone receptor antagonist from a steroid hormone receptor agonist. The present invention also provides plasmids containing mutated steroid hormone receptor proteins and cells transfected with those plasmids. In addition, the present invention provides methods for determining whether a compound is a steroid hormone receptor antagonist or agonist. Also, the present invention provides methods of determining endogenous ligands for steroid hormone receptors. The invention further provides a molecular switch for regulating expression in gene therapy and methods of employing the molecular switch in humans, animals, transgenic animals and plants.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes differential measurement of radiation that migrated into two migration paths between two source-detector pairs placed on the head in a manner that each path is localized in a portion of one hemisphere of the brain. The present invention also provides various embodiments of spectrophotometer systems for in vivo examination of tissue of a human by measuring changes in electromagnetic radiation scattered and absorbed in a migration path in the tissue. Generally, the spectrophotometer systems comprise a light source for introducing the radiation into the tissue, a detector for detecting radiation that has migrated in the tissue, a processor for processing signals of the detected radiation to create processed data, and a system for determining physiological or pathophysiological changes in the tissue of interest. The present invention also provides for determining the metabolic condition of an aerobically stressed portion of tissue such as the muscle tissue of an exercising person.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of detecting persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy comprising obtaining a sample comprising patient nucleic acids from a patient tissue sample; amplifying sulfonylurea receptor specific nucleic acids from said patient nucleic acids to produce a test fragment; obtaining a sample comprising control nucleic acids from a control tissue sample; amplifying control nucleic acids encoding wild type sulfonylurea receptor to produce a control fragment; comparing the test fragment with the control fragment to detect the presence of a sequence difference in the test fragment, wherein a difference in said test fragment indicates persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy. A diagnostic kit and primers for the detection of persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy are also within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods for the use of a class of dyes for improved DNA sequencing are provided. A new class of dyes, BODIPY.RTM. fluorophores, has been described recently. The parent heterocyclic molecule of the BODIPY.RTM. fluorophores is a dipyrrometheneboron difluoride compound which is modified to create a broad class of spectrally-discriminating fluorophores. The present invention provides methods for the use of BODIPY.RTM. fluorophore-labeled DNA for dye-primer sequencing in which the BODIPY.RTM.s are attached to the 5' end of sequencing primers. BODIPY.RTM. fluorophores have improved spectral characteristics compared to conventional fluorescein and rhodamine dyes. BODIPY.RTM. fluorophores have narrower band width, insensitivity to solvent or pH, and improved photostability, thus, BODIPY.RTM. fluorophores lead to improved DNA sequencing and/or detection in any method where electrophoresis and detection of DNA is required. Additionally, the spectral properties of the BODIPY.RTM.

Abstract: The present invention involves an aspirin/polyglycolide complex, its preparation and use. The complex provides a stable aspirin source, slowly releasing aspirin by dissociation or during polyglycolide degradation in vivo.

Abstract: A medical implant, such as an orthopedic implant, having a first antimicrobial coating layer and a second protective layer, and a method for coating such an implant is provided. The medical implant has one or more of its surfaces coated with an antimicrobial coating layer and a protective coating layer formed over the antimicrobial coating layer. The protective coating layer includes a durable coating layer composed of material such as collodion and nylon, and a resilient coating layer composed of material such as collodion. The coating layers are applied by applying an antimicrobial coating layer to at least a portion of the surfaces of the medical implant, applying a durable coating layer over the antimicrobial coating layer, and applying a resilient coating layer over the durable coating layer.

Abstract: A method and kit are described that are useful in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or the evaluation of its progression. According to the method, a purified voltage-sensitive calcium channel complex is contacted with a biological fluid obtained from a person suspected of having, or known to have, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The voltage-sensitive calcium channel is of a type that ALS sera selectively reacts with. The reaction takes place for a time and under conditions sufficient for the calcium channel complex and anti-calcium channel complex antibodies that may be present in the biological fluid to form an antigen/antibody complex. The presence or absence of the antigen/antibody complex is then determined.