Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of water-soluble texaphyrin-diamagnetic metal complexes retaining lipophilicity as photosensitizers in the treatment of benign and malignant neoplastic tissue.

Abstract: Heterogeneous polymer mixtures comprising a polymer in liquid or supercritical CO.sub.2 are stabilized by employing a poly(propylene oxide) or poly(butylene oxide) based surfactant. These surfactants are especially well suited for stabilizing heterogeneous polymer mixtures formed by micronizing techniques as well as by precipitation of a compressed fluid antisolvent applications.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the correct processing of IP-10, a myelosuppressive protein produced by certain cells such as keratinocytes, monocytes and human endothelial cells upon stimulation by .gamma.-interferon. Also disclosed is a method of treating human cancer patients by applying IP-10 in a pharmaceutical composition in conjunction with certain antineoplastic agents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for increasing venous blood flow to a human hand is disclosed. The apparatus includes a primary housing having an interior and exterior and a substantially transparent portion, a heating element enclosed in the interior of the primary housing, an opening in the primary housing which permits introduction of a hand into the primary housing, while substantially restricting movement of air between the interior of the primary housing and the exterior of the primary housing, a secondary housing enclosed in the interior of the primary housing, and a control for the heating element. The method includes using the apparatus to heat a patient's hand to permit venepuncture to be performed.

Abstract: The role for a substantially purified human growth factor preparation is shown to contain a distinct polypeptide with apparent M.sub.r on SDS/PAGE of about 220 kD, and to be distinct from bFGF, with a most active fraction at about 220 kD. A human growth factor polypeptide of 157 kD was identified, in human bone marrow aspirates and from bone stromal cells, by immunoblotting with the mAb MS 329, and by affinity isolation using a MS 329 antibody column. A PSA stimulating autocrine factor, PSAF, that is precipitable in ammonium sulfate at between 60-80% saturation is able to induce PSA expression and secretion, and serves as an indicator of androgen independent prostate cell growth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to serine protease mutants of the chymotrypsin superfamily that are resistant to inhibition by their cognate inhibitors, and genes that encode the same. The present invention also relates to serine protease inhibitor mutants that inhibit the serine protease mutants of the present invention, and genes that encode the same. The serine protease, mutants and serine protease inhibitor mutants are useful as, e.g., pharmacological agents.

Abstract: A feeding composition for feeding members of the Penaeus genus of the Class Crustacea including (i) prior art feeding compositions and admixed therewith (ii) Crustacea Class-exciting and/or attracting and/or stimulating and/or inciting amounts and concentrations of excitants, attractants, stimulants and/or incitants which include molecules including but not limited to the compound having the structure: ##STR1##

Abstract: Inhibition of ovulation in a female may be achieved by administering a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, alone or in combination with one or more of a progestin, an estrogen, and an LH-RH antagonist, thereby preventing conception. The stimulation of ovulation in a female may be achieved by administering a nitric oxide source, optionally in further combination with one or more of clomiphene, a gonadotropin, and an LH-RH agonist.

Abstract: A position-sensitive electromagnetic radiation detector for measuring the position and energy of high energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from a high energy electromagnetic radiation source. The detector may also be used for measuring the position and energy of high energy electromagnetic radiation emitted from a radioactive material administered to a patient in a medical diagnostic imaging system to produce an image of the patient. The electromagnetic radiation includes X-ray and Gamma ray radiation. The electromagnetic radiation detector includes the combination of a cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) crystal to absorb the incident radiation (incident photons) and directly convert the incident photons into electrons and a micro-channel plate (MCP) to collect and multiply these electrons.

Abstract: Methods for photocleavage of a polymer of ribonucleic acid using a texaphyrin or a texaphyrin metal complex are provided. A preferred method of use is the site-specific cleavage of a polymer of ribonucleic acid and a preferred texaphyrin is a derivatized texaphyrin having binding specificity, in particular, a texaphyrin covalently coupled to a site-directing molecule, preferably an oligonucleotide. Possible substrates for cleavage include messenger, ribosomal, transfer, small nuclear, and small cytosolic ribonucleic acids, and RNA cofactors, thereby inactivating these ribonucleic acids and providing a multifaceted approach for treating benign or malignant cancer cells, or other undesired cells or tissues.

Abstract: The present invention comprises compositions and preparations for the promotion of wound healing in an animal. Methods for preparing the compositions as well as methods for using the compositions to achieve the promotion of wound healing are also provided. Methods for enhancing collagen production at a wound site are also disclosed. The composition may comprise a dietary regimen or a therapeutic agent. These compositions include a wound healing promoting concentration of ribonucleotides in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier solution. By way of example, such ribonucleotides may comprise RNA, adenine, uracil or a mixture thereof. The compositions can be prepared as suitable for oral, parenteral, intravenous or topical administration. Methods for using the preparation as a treatment to enhance the healing of an already existing wound or for use as a pretreatment regimen for animals in anticipation of surgery, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention involves peptides derived from nerve growth factor receptor protein. Such peptides are characterized by competing for NGF binding to NGF receptor at high concentrations while accentuating NGF binding at low concentrations. Preferred peptides include Cys-Glu-Glu-Cys-Pro-Glu-OH, Asn-Thr-Val-Cys-Glu-Glu-Cys-Pro-Glu-OH, Gln-Asp-Lys-Gln-Asn-Thr-Val-Cys-Glu-Glu-Cys-Pro-Glu-OH and Cys-Gln-Asp-Lys-Gln-Asn-Thr-Val-Cys-Glu-Glu-Cys-Pro-Glu-OH.

Abstract: A novel purified phosphoprotein designated mitosin is provided by this invention. Also provided is the amino acid sequence of mitosin, active fragments of mitosin, and a nucleic acid molecule encoding mitosin. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods of using the protein and nucleic acid molecule are also provided. The nucleic acid molecules are useful to recombinantly produce mitosin and for use as probes. The compositions and methods of this invention are based on the discovery that the intracellular presence of mitosin is necessary for the cell to enter the M phase of mitosis, and that the degradation of mitosin is necessary for the cell to advance to the next stage. Thus, an anti-mitsoin antibody, or a mutant or non-functional analog of mitosin, would inhibit the mitotic cell cycle by preventing cells from entering the M phase, and overexpression of mitosin, or a functional equivalent thereof, would inhibit the cycle by preventing cells from leaving the M phase.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity.

Abstract: Described is a process for determining excitants, attractants and incitants for members of the Procambrus clarkii species of the Class Crustacea.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hepatocyte and keratinocyte growth factors for stimulating the proliferation and motility of corneal cells in vivo and in vitro. Also disclosed is the use of these factors for maintaining the viability of corneal cells during or after ocular surgery and during corneal preservation in storage medium prior to transplant. Polymerase chain reaction amplification has demonstrated that corneal epithelial and endothelial cells in vitro and ex vivo corneal epithelium produce messenger RNA coding for hepatocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor receptor, keratinocyte growth factor, and keratinocyte growth factor receptor. Several growth factors were found to inhibit the differentiation of corneal epithelial cells as measured by decreased expression of keratin K3. Methods for treating ocular dry eye diseases are presented.

Abstract: A general method for vaccinating against any pathogen is presented. The method utilizes expression library immunization, where an animal is inoculated with an expression library constructed from fragmented genomic DNA of the pathogen. All potential epitopes of the pathogen's proteins are encoded in its DNA, and genetic immunization is used to directly introduce one or more expression library clones to the immune system, producing an immune response to the encoded protein. Inoculation of expression libraries representing portions of the Mycoplasma pulmonis genome was shown to protect mice from subsequent challenge by this natural pathogen. Protection against Listeria was also obtained using the method.

Abstract: A bone prosthesis having a porous or mesh type mating surface for attachment to bone and at least one continuous hollow internal chamber is disclosed. The prosthesis also includes at least one portal and at least one channel extending from each hollow chamber that allows communication between the chamber of the prosthesis and the mating surface of the device. Biomaterial for enhancing bone growth is injected in fluid form through a portal of the device into a hollow chamber, simultaneous with or after press fitting the prosthesis into the bone. Biomaterial thereby reaches bone mating surfaces through one or more channels. Bony growth at a mating surface of the prosthesis is enhanced, and union of the prosthesis with bone is thereby promoted.

Abstract: A probe, and an apparatus incorporating the probe, for detecting tissue abnormality, particularly precancerous cervical tissue, through fluorescence spectroscopy are disclosed. In vivo fluorescence excitation and detection can be accomplished easily and accurately using a probe whose tip conforms to the surface of the cervix. In addition, a higher number of fiber pairs provides more information and, therefore, more accurate diagnosis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting tissue abnormality, particularly precancerous cervical tissue, through fluorescence or Raman spectroscopy, or a combination of fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. In vivo fluorescence measurements were followed by in vitro NIR Raman measurements on human cervical biopsies. Fluorescence spectra collected at 337, 380 and 460 nm excitation were used to develop a diagnostic method to differentiate between normal and dysplastic tissues. Using a fluorescence diagnostic method, a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 67% were observed for differentiating squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) from all other tissues. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, using Raman scattering peaks observed at selected wavenumbers, SILs were separated from other tissues with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 100%. In addition, inflammation and metaplasia samples are correctly separated from the SILs.