Abstract: Compounds of formula I: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 have any of the values defined in the specification, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, are PKC activators and are useful for treating diseases, such as, for example, cancer. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula I, processes for preparing compounds of formula I, and intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula I.

Abstract: Recombinant proCVF exhibits substantially the same activity as CVF and is useful for lowering complement activity.

Abstract: The non-invasive, dynamic tracking and diagnosing of cardiac vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation involves analysis of both cardiac electrical stability and the influence of autonomic activity. The magnitude of alternation in an electrocardiogram is indicative of cardiac electrical stability. Alternans are made manifest by applying a physiologic stress such as exercise or behavioral stress to a subject.

Abstract: Gelators gel a variety of nonpolar and polar liquids. Moreover, gelation of various monomers with subsequent polymerization of the gelled monomers forms organic zeolites and membrane materials. An ionic gelator includes salts of compounds of the formula (I):?R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 X-R.sup.4 !.+-.Y.-+. (I)where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different hydrogen or organic groups including alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, alkynyl groups, aryl groups, arylalkyl groups, alkoxy groups, aryloxy groups; X is a Group IIIA or Group VA element; R.sup.4 is a steroidal group, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an alkoxy group or an aryloxy group; and Y is a Group IA or Group VIIA element or one-half of a Group IIA or VIA element, that is, a divalent counterion. The gelling agent composition may include a single isomer or mixtures of isomers of the formula (I). A non-ionic gelator also includes compounds of the formula:R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 X (II)where R.

Abstract: Recombinantly produced L1 major capsid proteins which mimic conformational naturalizing epitopes on human and animal papilloma virions including canine and equine papilloma virions are provided. These recombinant proteins are useful as vaccines for conferring protection against papillomavirus infection. Antibodies to the recombinant protein are also provided. Such antibodies are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of viral infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking peptides which are capable of binding to ligands for the erbB-2 receptor or the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The blocking peptides of the invention are used to detect the presence of such ligand molecules. In addition, the blocking peptides are useful in inhibiting or preventing the growth of adenocarcinoma cells which express the erbB-2 receptor or the EGFR.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the non-invasive, dynamic tracking and diagnosing of cardiac vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation are disclosed. T-wave alternans and heart rate variability are simultaneously evaluated. T-wave alternation is an absolute predictor of cardiac electrical stability. Heart rate variability is a measure of autonomic influence, a major factor in triggering cardiac arrhythmias. By simultaneously analyzing both phenomena, the extent and cause of cardiac vulnerability can be assessed.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the quantitation of virus and viral nucleic acid. The invention relates to methods for quantitating an amount of virus present in a sample, comprising introducing into the sample a composition comprising a genetically tagged viral nucleic acid, isolating said wild type and said tagged nucleic acid, and quantitating said wild type and said tagged nucleic acid. The invention also relates to genetically tagged retroviral nucleic acid comprising a tag sequence, including insertions and deletions.

Abstract: A benzoylecgonine conjugate represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein, R is H or CH.sub.3 ; R' is --NH--NH--, --(NH).sub.2 --CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --CO--NH--NH--, or related linear chains wherein at least one (CH.sub.2) is replaced with a substituent selected from the group consisting of an ether, an amide, a sulfide, a disulfide, an alkyl, an aryl, an alkoxy, an aryloxy or an alkylhalide; and T is a targeting substance selected from the group consisting of proteins, peptides, antigens, polypeptides, dyes, biotins, enzymes, antibodies, hormones, carbohydrates, polysaccharide supports, and filter paper.

Abstract: A fibroblast growth factor receptor-blocking peptide is provided. In one embodiment, the peptide is a retro-peptide of the fibroblast growth factor receptor. The receptor-blocking peptide may be used in a therapeutic method for treatment of viral diseases, hypervascular diseases, and tumors.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing or treating an autoimmune disorder and/or recurrent autoimmune disorder in a transplant tissue in a mammal, which entails administering an effective amount of a single subtype of .alpha.- and/or .beta.-interferon or a hybrid or analog of either or mixture thereof to the mammal.

Abstract: A tubular medical device is adapted for placement into a human patient or other living being. The tubular medical device includes a body member and a rib structure. The body member extends along a longitudinal axis and has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a hole extending Longitudinally through the body member between opposite ends thereof. The rib structure is connected to the outer surface of the body member and projects outwardly from the outer surface relative to the longitudinal axis. The rib structure and the outer surface of the body member define at least one channel oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis. The tubular medical device can be constructed in a variety of embodiments including a tympanostomy tube device, a ribbed sleeve and an elongated tube.

Abstract: DNA sequences encoding cobra C3, CVF1, and CVF2, as well as plasmids and transformed hosts comprising such DNA sequences, are provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting an enzyme-mediated DNA cleavage reaction in a fluorometric assay is provided. The method can be used to detect DNA cleavage caused by restriction endonucleases, retroviral integrase enzymes, DNases, RNases, or enzymes utilized in other strand separating processes in molecular biology.

Abstract: An improved method for encapsulating high molecular weight nucleic acids in liposomes, which provides for high nucleic acid entrapment efficiencies, is provided. The resulting compositions provide enhanced in vitro and in vivo transfection and are useful, for example, in producing cell lines expressing a desired nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A method for killing tumor cells in vivo entails providing replication competent herpes simplex virus vectors to tumor cells. A replication competent herpes simplex virus vector, with an essential herpes simplex virus gene which is driven by a tumor-specific or cell-specific promoter that specifically destroys tumor cells and is not neurovirulent. Also, a method for producing an animal model, by ablating a specific cell type in vivo, entails providing replication competent herpes simplex virus vectors to the animal. Such a vector, with an essential herpes simplex virus gene driven by a cell- or tissue-specific promoter, specifically destroys the target cell type. This method of viral-mediated gene therapy employs cell-specific viral replication, where viral replication and associated cytotoxicity are limited to a specific cell-type by the regulated expression of an essential immediate-early (IE) viral gene product.

Abstract: A novel functionally active derivative of cobra venom factor is described in which the .beta.-chain has been cleaved by treatment with a protease. Gel electrophoretic analyses of the purified derivative revealed the absence of an intact .beta.-chain and a decrease of the molecular weight.

Abstract: A series of novel thyrotropin-releasing hormone analogs wherein the C-terminal prolineamide moiety has been preserved, the N-terminal moiety comprises one of five different ring structures and the histidyl moiety is substituted with CF.sub.3, NO.sub.2 or a halogen. A method of use of the analog for the treatment of neurologic disorders is also provided.

Abstract: A liposome, which contains an oligodeoxynucleotide or an analog thereof.

Abstract: Polyclonal antibodies which are specific against quinolinic acid are provided. The antibodies are used for immunohistological detection of quinolinic acid.