Abstract: Ground clearing apparatus (10) and a method for transporting the apparatus are provided. The ground clearing apparatus (10) includes a plurality of ground clearing tools (20) attached to a rotating shaft (18). The ground clearing tools include a chain (22) having a plurality of links and a hammer (24) attached to one end of the chain (22). The rotation of the shaft (18) causes the hammer (24) to strike objects in its path and generally mill the ground surface.

Abstract: Signaling pathways dependent on members of the corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) gene family exert pleiotropic effects within both the brain and peripheral tissues. Two biochemically and pharmacologically distinct corticotropin releasing factor receptor subtypes (corticotropin releasing factor receptor-1 and corticotropin releasing factor receptor-2) have been described. To study the developmental and physiological role of the specific receptor subtypes, a strain of mice null for the corticotropin releasing factor receptor-1 gene has been generated. This genetically engineered strain of mice suggest that corticotropin releasing factor receptor-1 is obligatory both in development and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and in mediating behavioral changes associated with anxiety and locomotor activity rhythms.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel enzyme which de-O-acetylates glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans and a gene encoding such enzyme. Also provided are applications of such enzyme in treating cryptococcosis.

Abstract: The small particle liposome or lipid complex aerosol compounds and methods of treatment of the present invention involve lipid- or water soluble anti-cancer drugs incorporated into liposomes or other lipid complexes. The liposomes and complexes are administered in aqueous dispersions from a jet nebulizer to the respiratory tract of an individual. Various anti-cancer drugs may be used, including 20-S-Camptothecin, 9-Nitro-camptothecin, 9-Amino-camptothecin, 10, 11-methylenedioxy-camptothecin and taxol or its derivatives. Administration of these drugs by inhalation provides faster and more efficient absorption of the anticancer drug than does intramuscular administration or oral administration.

Abstract: An optical coupler, for coupling two waveguides, and an optical switch based on the optical coupler. The indices of refraction of parallel sections of the two waveguides are reversibly perturbed periodically in space to couple low order modes in the two waveguides via a high order mode common to the two waveguides. The waveguides are thus couples with a beat length that may be five or more orders of magnitude shorter than it would be without the periodic perturbations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a 120-kDa protein gene of Ehrlichia canis, amplified by PCR using primers derived from the DNA sequences flanking the Ehrlichia chaffeensis 120-kDa protein gene. The recombinant E. canis 120-kDa protein contains 14 tandem repeat units with 36 amino acids each. The repeat units are hydrophilic and predicted to be surface-exposed. Also disclosed is that the recombinant E. canis 120-kDa protein is antigenic and reacts with sera from dogs convalescent from canine ehrlichiosis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an isolated gene encoding a 120 kDa immunodominant antigen of Ehrlichia chaffeensis. The 120-kDa protein is one of the immunodominant proteins of E. chaffeensis that stimulates production of specific antibodies in infected humans. Also disclosed are the amino acid sequence of the 120 kDa antigen. Methods of producing a recombinant 120 kDa antigen and therapeutic methods of use of the antigen are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of selecting virus vaccine candidates by selecting virus variants that do not bind to brain membrane receptor preparations, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a brain membrane receptor preparation; (b) mixing an amount of a virus of interest with an amount of said membrane receptor preparation containing excess membrane receptors to form a virus-membrane receptor preparation suspension; (c) centrifuging said suspension to form a supernatant; (d) determining residual virus infectivity in said supernatant; and (e) isolating individual membrane receptor preparation binding-resistant virus variants which are useful as virus vaccine candidates.

Abstract: A processor and associated memory device that includes a fetcher for fetching instructions stored in the memory device. Each instruction constitutes either a value generating instruction or a non-value generating instruction. The processor further including a decoder for decoding the instructions, an issue unit for routing decoded instructions to an execution unit. The processor further having a predictor being responsive to a first set of instructions, from among the value generating instructions, for predicting, with respect to each one instruction in said first set of instructions, a predicted value that is determined on the basis of a prediction criterion which includes: (i) a previous value generated by the instruction; and (ii) at a stride.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel human cytokine termed Oncoinhibin. The protein Oncoinhibin is secreted by human erythroblastoid cells, has a molecular weight of approximately 28 kDa and exerts diverse neoplastic activity. The present invention also provides a method for treating neoplastic cells using human Oncoinhibin and a pharmaceutical composition comprised essentially of Oncoinhibin.

Abstract: Novel derivatives of 1-aminoindan and their salts are described. Optically active 1-aminoindan derivatives are prepared by reacting a N-benzyl analog of the desired compound with an enantiomer of mandelic acid.

Abstract: The present invention includes an improved method to detect and quantitatively assay the amount of DNA damage in large double-stranded templates starting with less than 50 ng of sample DNA. This invention has utility in vivo for quantitating gene-specific DNA damage, measuring DNA repair rates and monitoring efficacy of anti-neoplasia therapy in patients. Additionally, this invention is useful to detect and assess risk due to mutagenic environmental hazard sites, and monitor hazard site dynamics and includes a device for accomplishing these objects.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cell culture medium useful for a biochemical analysis of antioxidant function in human lymphocytes, said medium comprising, a buffered, serum-free solution containing the following ingredients: a carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of glucose and a compound biologically capable of producing glucose in the cells, a biologically usable form of pantothenic acid, choline or a biological usable form of a substance capable of producing choline in the cells, inorganic ions comprising chloride, phosphate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and iron in a biologically utilizable form, cumene hydroperoxide, deionized water, and a mitogen in an amount effective to stimulate the lymphocytes being assayed; said buffered, serum-free solution having a pH from about 6.8 to 7.6, said cell culture medium characterized by being effective to determine nutritional deficiencies, inadequacies, and imbalances and to biochemically analyze antioxidant function of the lymphocytes.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the inhibition of activation of NF-.kappa.B by caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and two analogues of CAPE. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activation of NF-.kappa.B is completely blocked by CAPE in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as is activation by phorbol ester, ceramide, hydrogen peroxide, and okadaic acid. Additionally, capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-noneamide) and resiniferatoxin inhibit the activation of NF-.kappa.B induced by different agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated and purified protein derived from Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies thuringiensis, having a molecular weight of approximately 20 kDa of SDS-PAGE, said protein having the partial amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 1, and wherein said protein displays cytotoxic effects against tumor cells. Also provided is a method of treating a neoplastic cell comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of the composition of the present invention to said cell, and a method of activating macrophages, comprising administering a therapeutically effective dose of the composition of the present invention to said macrophages.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of testing for compounds which may induce STF-1 transcription. Pancreatic islet cells which express the STF-1/lacz fusion gene are isolated and the effect of various compounds on STF-1 expression is measured by adding the compound of interest to STF-1/lacZ expressing cells. LacZ activity in control and treated cells is then quantitated by a colorimetric assay. Using this method, a large number of compounds can be screened and STF-1 inducing compounds can be identified readily. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a method of using the STF-1 promoter to mark insulin producing pancreatic islet cells in vivo. In this regard, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) served as an indicator. The introduction of the STF-1 green fluorescent protein transgene into pigs allows for the efficient and rapid recovery of insulin producing cells from the pancreas.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutants of the Rb and p53 genes and methods utilizing these mutants therapeutically. Along with mutated Rb genes and p53 genes, the present invention provides plasmids containing a mutated Rb gene or a p53 gene. In addition, the present invention provides cells transfected with the plasmids of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention provides for methods of treating a variety of pathophysiological cell proliferative diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high dose pharmaceutical liposome aerosol composition comprising about 12-30 mg/ml of a pharmaceutical compound, and about 130-375 mg of a phospholipid/ml starting reservoir concentration. Specifically, the present invention is drawn to anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive compounds, anti-fungal compounds, antibiotic compounds, anti-viral compounds, and anti-cancer compounds delivered via a high dose liposome aerosol composition in a phospholipid. More specifically, the invention provides a high dose cyclosporin A liposome aerosol composition comprising up to about 30 mg/ml cyclosporin A in up to about 225 mg of a phospholipid/ml starting reservoir concentration. Also provided is a high dose budesonide-liposome aerosol composition comprising up to about 15 mg/ml budesonide in up to about 225 mg of a phospholipid/ml starting reservoir concentration.

Abstract: The present invention provides DNA encoding a human ARSA-I protein selected from the group consisting of: (a) isolated DNA which encodes a human ARSA-I protein; (b) isolated DNA which hybridizes to isolated DNA of (a) above and which encodes a human ARSA-I protein; and (c) isolated DNA differing from the isolated DNAs of (a) and (b) above in codon sequence due to the degeneracy of the genetic code, and which encodes a human ARSA-I protein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising human human ARSA-I protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and host cells transfected with the vector of the present invention said vector expressing a human ARSA-I protein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel anti-AIDS immunotoxin. The immunotoxin comprises a toxin chemically conjugated to a monoclonal antibody directed against viral reverse transcriptase. Also provided are various methods of using this novel immunotoxin including methods of treating various diseases.