Abstract: A compound in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, the compound having a formula: wherein: R1 is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, benzo, lower alkyl, phenyl, and lower alkoxy; R2 is a member of the group consisting of hydroxy, acetoxy, and lower alkoxy; and R3 is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkenoxy-carbonyl; and n is either 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; for use in treatment of or prevention of skeletal muscle fibrosis and/or for inducing skeletal muscle regeneration.

Abstract: In a method and system for treating pain or impairment a video imaging device obtains image frames of a continuous portion of the patient's body including a selected impaired member in proper spatial relationship to a facial image of the patient. A processor coupled to the imaging device processes the image frames to form composite image frames in substantially real time wherein the impaired member is replaced by a virtual image of a corresponding healthy member so as to depict the imaged portion of the patient's body performing healthy movement of the selected impaired member. An interface is coupled to the processor for controlling virtual movement of the impaired limb in the composite image frames, and a display screen is coupled to the processor for displaying at least some of the composite image frames in substantially real time synchronism with operation of the interface.

Abstract: An amino acid sequence derived from the N? terminus region of the 50 Kd subunit of heparanase, preferably, the sequence including amino acid residues Lys158-Asn171 of human heparanase and any functional fragments thereof. Compositions for the inhibition of heparanase glycosidase catalytic activity, having as an active ingredient an isolated and purified peptide as the amino acid sequence. An antibody directed to the sequence and compositions and uses thereof as heparanase inhibitor. The use of the amino acid sequence in a screening method for specific heparanase inhibitors. Compositions including the heparanase inhibitors and methods for the treatment of heparanase related disorders.

Abstract: Novel cell attachment peptides having sequences homologous to specific portions of the carboxy terminal sequence of fibrinogen chains are disclosed. The novel peptides, derived from proteins related to fibrinogen including a peptide adjacent to fibrinogen ?-chain C terminus denoted pre-C? possess cell attraction activities, and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: In a method and system for treating pain or impairment a video imaging device obtains image frames of a continuous portion of the patient's body including a selected impaired member in proper spatial relationship to a facial image of the patient. A processor coupled to the imaging device processes the image frames to form composite image frames in substantially real time wherein the impaired member is replaced by a virtual image of a corresponding healthy member so as to depict the imaged portion of the patient's body performing healthy movement of the selected impaired member. An interface is coupled to the processor for controlling virtual movement of the impaired limb in the composite image frames, and a display screen is coupled to the processor for displaying at least some of the composite image frames in substantially real time synchronism with operation of the interface.

Abstract: We disclose haptotactic peptides having sequences homologous to specific portions of the carboxy terminal sequence of fibrinogen chains. The peptides derived from fibrinogen pre-C? chain possess activities of cell attraction or cell attachment to a surface to which the peptide is covalently bound.

Abstract: An amino acid sequence derived from the N? terminus region of the 50 Kd subunit of heparanase, preferably, the sequence including amino acid residues Lys158-Asn171 of human heparanase and any functional fragments thereof. Compositions for the inhibition of heparanase glycosidase catalytic activity, having as an active ingredient an isolated and purified peptide as the amino acid sequence. An antibody directed to the sequence and compositions and uses thereof as heparanase inhibitor. The use of the amino acid sequence in a screening method for specific heparanase inhibitors. Compositions including the heparanase inhibitors and methods for the treatment of heparanase related disorders.

Abstract: The invention relates to constructs capable of infecting mammalian cells comprising at least one semi-purified or pure SV40 capsid protein and a constituent selected from the group consisting of an exogenous DNA, a vector comprising an exogenous DNA, an exogenous RNA, a vector comprising an exogenous RNA, an exogenous protein or peptide product, and antisense RNA, ribozyme RNA or any RNA or DNA which inhibits or prevents the expression of undesired protein(s) in the mammalian cell and optionally further comprising operatively linked regulatory elements sufficient for the expression and/or replication of the exogenous protein in a mammalian cell. The invention further relates to a method for the in vitro construction of SV40 virus or pseudovirus constructs according to the invention.

Abstract: A breathe-through, pacifier device facilitating breathing during nasal obstruction, comprising: a nipple consisting of a nipple head and a nipple neck provided with a front wall; a shield fixedly attached to, or integral with, the nipple neck; an air duct having a first opening at the end of the nipple head and a second opening in the front wall of the nipple neck, wherein an obturating means rotatably mounted on the nipple neck and having an eccentric opening is adapted to assume a first position in which the eccentric opening registers with the second opening in the front wall, and additional positions in which the eccentric opening is out of register with the second opening in the front wall, thereby obturating the air duct. A method for using the breathe-through pacifier and other embodiments of the breathe-through pacifier device are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for evaluating the metastatic tendency of tumor cells by determining the level of expression (mRNA level) of the gene coding for the thrombin receptor (ThR) or by determining the level of the thrombin receptor present on the membranes or within the tumor cells. A high level of either of the above indicates a high metastatic tendency, a low level indicates a low metastatic tendency and an intermediate level indicates a moderate metastatic tendency. The present invention further concerns a kit for use in the above method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biologically active serum-derived composition of matter (SDF), having a low molecular weight, being electrically charged at acidic pH and having absorption at 280 nm. The molecular weight of said SDF was determined by electron spray mass spectrometry and is of 316 Da. SDF of the present invention or its complex with ceruloplasmin (CP) have several therapeutic properties. For example, SDF or its complex with CP is capable of inducing terminal cell differentiation of leukemic cells, which as a result, may lose their ability to proliferate and their ability for self cell renewal. Further, SDF or the complex with CP is capable of stimulating the proliferation of early, normal progenitor cells and inhibiting enhanced angiogenesis. In addition, SDF or its complex with CP is capable of ex vivo expanding normal stem and progenitor cells.

Abstract: A method for restoration of the circadian rhythm of parathyroid hormone (PTH) serum levels in a subject having osteoporosis, so as to restore a circadian rhythm of PTH levels which is similar to that existing in normal subjects is disclosed by administering a single daily dose of a composition consisting essentially of an effective amount of phosphate in the evening or at night, whereby the composition causes a circadian rhythm of PTH levels which peaks during the night, whereby the circadian rhythm of PTH levels is restored to that which is similar to that existing in normal subjects, thereby treating osteoporosis.

Abstract: A solid ceramic composition comprising &bgr;-TCP, hydroxy apatite and a substantial amount of &agr;-TCP as shown in the x-ray diffraction spectrum, which is useful as a bone graft substitute. A process for preparing the composition by subjecting a mixture of ionic calcium, phosphate, aspartic acid and carbonate to microwave irradiation and quenching the irradiated mixture.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating systemic lupus erythematosus in a mammalian subject, comprising administering to said subject an effective dose of at least one laminin peptide, or an analog or a derivative thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the laminin peptide is selected from the group consisting of R38, and claimed R38 analogs and derivatives thereof including 5200, 5104, 5105, 5106, 5107, 5108, 5109, and 5110. The laminin peptides of the present invention may be prepared by known chemical synthetic methods or by biotechnological methods. Assays useful for the diagnosis of and following pathological activity course of systemic lupus erythematosus in patients suffering therefrom.

Abstract: The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, comprising an amount of a soluble active agent which interacts with at least one of the binding sites between hIL6 and pS1 and between hIL6 and hepatocytes and other HBV-permissive cells, the active agent being present in sufficient amount to competitively bind to at least one of the sites and thereby to prevent hIL6-mediated HBV infection of hepatocytes and other HBV-permissive cells.

Abstract: An effective treatment for skin disorders characterized by abnormal skin cell behavior, including a pharmaceutically effective amount of Halofuginone. Skin disorders which can be treated include keloids, hypertrophic scars, psoriasis, acne, seborrhea and alopecia. Halofuginone can reduce or eliminate clinical symptoms of these disorders, as well as substantially prevent the formation of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynaimic stereotactic radiotreatment and prevention of restenosis. A stent is implanted in a coronary artery, following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Subsequent restenosis is minimized by external irradiation of the stent by ionizing radiation such as gamma rays. The fact that the stent is significantly more opaque to x-rays than the surrounding tissue is exploited to track the stent using fluoroscopy, so that the ionizing radiation can be aimed accurately at the stent. Preferably, the fluoroscopic imaging and the irradiation of the stent are synchronized with the patient's cardiac cycle. The external irradiation may be performed hours or days after implanting the stent, for prevention of restenosis, or weeks or months after implanting the stent, for treatment of restenosis, and may be fractionated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for evaluating the metastatic tendency of tumor cells by determining the level of expression (mRNA level) of the gene coding for the thrombin receptor (ThR) or by determining the level of the thrombin receptor present on the membranes or within the tumor cells. A high level of either of the above indicates a high metastatic tendency, a low level indicates a low metastatic tendency and an intermediate level indicates a moderate metastatic tendency. The present invention further concerns a kit for use in the above method.

Abstract: An effective treatment for skin disorders characterized by abnormal skin cell behavior, including a pharmaceutically effective amount of Halofuginone. Skin disorders which can be treated include keloids, hypertrophic scars, psoriasis, acne, seborrhea and alopecia. Halofuginone can reduce or eliminate clinical symptoms of these disorders, as well as substantially prevent the formation of keloids and hypertrophic scars.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for attenuating neovascularization and treating malignancies, including a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound having a formula: wherein: R1 is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, nitro, benzo, lower alkyl, phenyl and lower alkoxy; R2 is a member of the group consisting of hydroxy, acetoxy, and lower alkoxy, and R3 is a member of the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkenoxy carbonyl; as active ingredient therein, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.