Abstract: A series of compounds in the 4-fluoroalkyl-3-halophenyl nortropanes family are described as diagnostic and therapeutic agents for diseases associated with serotonin transporter dysfunction. These compounds bind to serotonin transporter protein with high affinity and selectivity. The invention provides methods of synthesis which incorporate radioisotopic halogens at a last step which permit high radiochemical yield and maximum usable product life. The radiolabeled compounds of the invention are useful as imaging agents for visualizing the location and density of serotonin transporter by PET and SPECT imaging.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing an ester, by admixing a compound having the structure I or IV: with a base and an alcohol to produce an ester, wherein the alcohol is a precursor to Taxol and its analogs. The present invention also relates to compounds having the structure I and IV and methods of main them therefor. The invention also relates to the esterification of an alcohol by adding an alkoxide to a compound having the structure, VII: The invention further relates to compounds having the structure I, IV, and VII and methods of making them therefor. The invention further relates to alcohols, and in particular, alcohols that are synthetic precursors to Taxol and analogs thereof.

Abstract: A method and composition for the treatment of HIV and HBV infections in humans and other host animals is disclosed that includes the administration of an effective amount of a [5-carboxamido or 5-fluoro]-2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydro-pyrimidine nucleoside or a [5-carboxamido or 5-fluoro]-3′-modified-pyrimidine nucleoside, or a mixture or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, including a 5′ or N4 alkylated or acylated derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of subjects for the purpose inhibiting vaso-occlusive events, including thrombosis and embolism, by administering agents which reduce the number of circulating platelets to low or below normal levels. Methods and pharmaceutical preparations comprising such agents are provided.

Abstract: A method and device for treating acute mania or bipolar disorder is disclosed, by transdermal delivery of Li+ at substantially constant rate through the skin via a dermal patch.

Abstract: Specific amino acid loci of human factor VIII interact with inhibitory antibodies of hemophilia patients who have developed such antibodies after being treated with factor VIII. Modified factor VIII is disclosed in which the amino acid sequence is changed by a substitution at one or more amino acids of positions 484-508 of the Az domain. The modified factor VIII is useful as a clotting factor supplement for hemophiliacs.

Abstract: Compounds such as formula (I) are useful in the treatment of tumor cells and the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A process is provided for expanding the population of endothelial cells obtained from peripheral blood which can be transformed with a vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding a preselected bioactive polypeptide. The resulting transgenic endothelial cells are useful to biocompatibilize implantable medical devices or can be used directly, as for gene therapy.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes DNA damage endonucleases which exhibit broad specificity with respect to the types of structural aberrations in double stranded DNA. These enzymes recognize double stranded DNA with distortions in structure, wherein the distortions result from photoproducts, alkylation, intercalation, abasic sites, mismatched base pairs, cisplatin adducts and inappropriately incorporated bases (for example, 8-oxoguanine, inosine, xanthine, among others). The UVDE (Uve1p) of Schizosaccharomyces pombe, certain truncated forms of that UVDE (lacking from about 100 to about 250 amino acids of N-terminal sequence) and certain endonucleases from Homo sapiens, Neurospora crassa, Bacillus subtilis, and from Deinococcus radiodurans. The present disclosure further provides methods for cleaving double stranded DNA having structural distortions as set forth herein using the exemplified endonucleases or their stable, functional truncated derivatives.

Abstract: An endovascular support device adapted for local delivery of a therapeutic agent and for minimizing the rate of restinosis having a cylindrical support body with an inside surface and an opposite outside surface, and at least one layer of pericardial tissue covering at least a portion of at least a selected one of the inside surface or the outside surface of the cylindrical support body. At least one therapeutic agent is disposed on a portion of the support device.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of Huntington's disease. Compositions comprise stably transfected cell lines that serve as a cellular model for Huntington's disease, sequences corresponding to an antigen associated with Huntington's disease, and monoclonal antibodies that bind specifically to said antigen. The stably transfected cell lines of the invention express truncated mutant huntingtin protein and display cellular defects similar to those observed in cells of patients with Huntington's disease. A method is provided wherein these cell lines are used to screen for therapeutic agents for the treatment of Huntington's disease. The monoclonal antibodies of the invention find use in a diagnostic assay for Huntington's disease.

Abstract: A class of 2′-fluoro-nucleoside compounds are disclosed which are useful in the treatment of hepatitis B infection, hepatitis C infection, HIV and abnormal cellular proliferation, including tumors and cancer.

Abstract: Intermediates in the synthesis of 1,3-Oxathiolane Nucleosides.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following formula: wherein R is C2-C6 mono- or multi-unsaturated hydrocarbon having one or more ethylene, acetylene or allene groups, A is 18 or 19, and X is H or halogen. The compounds of the invention bind to dopamine transporter with high affinity and selectivity and are thus useful as diagnostic and therapeutic agents for diseases associated with dopamine transporter dysfunction. The radiolabeled compounds are useful as imaging agents for visualizing the location and density of dopamine transporter by PET imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods for minimizing oxidative damage in an animal or human during or after malnutrition, underfeeding or fasting, especially during refeeding after undernutrition or malnutrition, and for minimizing oxidant damage during or after toxicity resulting from chemotherapy, alcoholism, irradiation therapy or chemical or environmental exposure to a toxic compound. Administration of an effective amount of a gut trophic growth factor (GTGF) effective for improving gut and/or systemic antioxidant status results in improved clinical condition and/or outcome for the patient or animal to which the GTGF has been administered. In the context of the present disclosure, GTGF includes fibroblast growth factors, keratinocyte growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, insulin-like growth factor I, glucagon, glicentin, and glucagon-like peptide.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for delivery of a treating element, such as a radiation source, through a catheter to a desired site in the intraluminal passageways of a patient, such as a coronary artery, for inhibiting the formation of scar tissue such as may occur in restenosis following balloon angioplasty. The apparatus includes an elongated flexible catheter tube having proximal and distal end portions, with a lumen extending therebetween, and a diameter sufficiently small for insertion in to a patient's intraluminal passageways. One or more treating elements, such as a capsule or pellet containing radioactive material, is positionable within the lumen and movable between the proximal and distal end portions under the force of liquid flowing through the lumen. A method for using such apparatus, including a method for using such apparatus simultaneously with a balloon angioplasty procedure, is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode LIM mineralization protein, or LMP. The invention further provides vectors comprising nucleotide sequences that encode LMP, as well as host cells comprising those vectors. Moreover, the present invention relates to methods of inducing bone formation by transfecting osteogenic precursor cells with an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding LIM mineralization protein. The transfection may occur ex vivo or in vivo by direct injection of virus or naked plasmid DNA. In a particular embodiment, the invention provides a method of fusing a spine by transfecting osteogenic precursor cells with an isolated nucleic acid molecule having a nucleotide sequence encoding LIM mineralization protein, admixing the transfected osteogenic precursor cells with a matrix and contacting the matrix with the spine.

Abstract: Methods for treating diseases or disorders of the skin which are characterized by angiogenesis have been developed using curcumin and curcumin analogs. Based on the results obtained with curcumin, it has been determined that other angiogenesis inhibitors can also be used to treat these skin disorders. It has further been discovered that curcumin acts to inhibit angiogenesis in part by inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and thereby provides a means for treating other disorders characterized by elevated levels of bFGF, such as bladder cancer, using curcumin and other analogues which also inhibit bFGF.

Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated cellular composition comprising greater than about 90% mammalian, non tumor-derived, neuronal progenitor cells which express a neuron-specific marker and which can give rise to progeny which can differentiate into neuronal cells. Also provided are methods of treating neuronal disorders utilizing this cellular composition.

Abstract: A process for detecting mutations in the gene responsible for galactosemia, galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase (GALT), is described. In one embodiment, the process can be used to detect over 85% of the mutations known to cause galactosemia in the United States population by using six different oligonucleotide probes, which span single-nucleotide Missense or nonsense mutations in the GALT gene. Hybridization conditions which can distinguish a single nucleotide mismatch are used to detect both the presence and zygosity of mutations in the GALT gene to aid in genetic counseling. A kit for use in detecting mutations in the GALT gene is also disclosed.