Abstract: Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Abstract: Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Abstract: The invention contemplates the novel neural cell protein marker RR/B, cDNA encoding RR/B, nucleic acid probes for detection of mRNA encoding RR/B, synthetic polypeptides whose sequences correspond to a portion of RR/B and have a molecular weight equal to less than that of RR/B, and methods for detection of RR/B.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a recombinant human monoclonal antibody which binds to a discontinuous epitope on the HIV gp120 envelope glycoprotien, blocks the binding of gp120 to the CD4 receptor, and neutralizes a broad range of HIV isolates. The present invention also provides the primary nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the rearranged heavy and light chains of the recombinant monoclonal antibody of the present invention, and a method of screening for antibodies which block binding of envelope glycoprotein to the CD4 receptor.

Abstract: A fusion drug including an isolated portion of the A-chain of a urokinase-type plasminogen activator linked to a drug, wherein the A-chain portion binds stably to an outer membrane of a platelet. The T.sub.1/2 of the fusion drug in plasma is thereby increased to about 4 to 5 days, and the fusion drug is automatically targeted to forming thrombi and sites of vascular injury. The fusion drug can thus be used to treat cardiovascular diseases, e.g., as adjunctive therapy to inhibit reocclusions in a patient after thrombolytic therapy or angioplasty.

Abstract: Vascular disease including asymptomatic atherosclerosis can be diagnosed by administering a synthetic peptide or peptide analog having an affinity for, and propensity to accumulate at, a site of vascular injury to a patient, and then detecting the location of the peptide or peptide analog within the patient's vascular system. The synthetic peptide or peptide analog may include an amino acid sequence sufficiently duplicative of the amino acid sequence of a region of either the apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, or elastin proteins such that the peptide or peptide analog accumulates at a site of vascular injury.

Abstract: Differentiated megakaryocytes produced by introducing an activated oncogene into blast-megakaryocytes is disclosed. Also disclosed are novel megakaryocyte differentiation factors and platelets obtained from the differentiated megakaryocytes.

Abstract: The invention describes an herbal formulation and its use for reducing/alleviating symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and reactive arthritis and for reducing the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Foods and beverages containing the herbal formulation are also described.

Abstract: There is disclosed structured lipid containing either a gamma-linolenic acid or a dihomogamma-linolenic acid residue, together with an n-3 fatty acid residue and a medium chain fatty acid residue on the same glycerol backbone. This structured lipid is particularly well adapted to the treatment of disease or stress states. The gamma-linolenic or dihomogamma-linolenic acid residues modify the prostanoid synthesis pathway, reducing the level of series "2" prostanoids and elevating the levels of series "1" and "3" prostanoids. The n-3 fatty acid residue enhances the level of series "1" prostanoids as well as increases the production of series "3" prostanoids. The medium chain fatty acid residues enhances the absorption of the structured lipid. There is also disclosed enteral and parenteral diets as well as nutritional supplements containing the structured lipids of the invention.

Abstract: An enteral diet containing fat in an amount to provide from 20 to 50% of total calories, said fat containing less than 15% polyunsaturated fat (e.g., palm oil or medium chain triglycerides) is administered to mediate amelioration of the inflammation associated with the inflammatory liver, pancreatic and intestinal disorders, e.g., to promote healing of the liver in alcoholic hepatitis.

Abstract: DNA encoding modified, secretable erythropoietin proteins whose ability to regulate the growth and differentiation of red blood cell progenitors are different from the wildtype recombinant erythropoietin and to methods of modifying or altering the regulating activity of a secretable erythropoietin and using modified secretable erythropoietin proteins.

Abstract: Modified polypeptides with increased biological activity exhibited as either increased potency or prolonged circulating half-life are disclosed with methods of preparing the modified polypeptides and methods of use.

Abstract: The invention relates to thrombolytically active pro-urokinase (pro-UK) mutants comprising the amino acid sequence of native pro-UK, but including a mutation which causes the pro-UK mutants to induce less fibrinogenolysis and non-specific plasminogen activation than native pro-UK, to have at least a 10-fold lower intrinsic activity than native pro-UK, and to have substantially the same fibrin promotion and thrombolytic activity after plasmin activation compared to native pro-UK when administered to a patient.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the quantity of endotoxin circulating in the blood plasma of a living subject affected by an endotoxin-mediated clinical state. The method employs a formulated preparation comprising at least one persistent, acid-resistant, and colonizing Lactobacillus species in combination with a biocompatible carrier. The user then introduces the formulated preparation to the gastrointestinal tract of the subject on one or on multiple occasions.

Abstract: A method of pulsatile infusion of a drug or other therapeutic agent is described. The pulsatile infusion method minimizes tachyphylaxis, while enabling the target cell, tissue, or organ to benefit from the administered drug or other therapeutic agent. The drug or other therapeutic agent, an agonist or antagonist for a molecule of the receptor system, is administered in a succession of at least two pulses. The pulses have a selected amplitude and duration so that the binding affinity of the receptor system molecule is decreased by a predetermined amount in response to each pulse. This predetermined amount is less than the difference between the maximum binding affinity of the receptor system molecule, when it is not exposed to either the agonist or antagonist, and its minimum binding affinity for the agonist or antagonist, when it is continuously exposed to the agonist or antagonist.

Abstract: The present invention features saponin containing enteral formulations for treatment of infection and inflammation. These saponin containing formulations are particularly useful in conjunction with oils rich in .omega.3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as fish oils and flax oil but also show benefits with .omega.6 rich oils such as borage oil, black currant seed oil, canola oil and rapeseed oil. These formulations may also contain a lignan from the sesamin family.

Abstract: A test for determining hepatic function has been developed. This test uses oral administration of isotope labeled phenylalanine or tyrosine, particularly .sup.13 C-phenylalanine, in a rapid breath test. In the preferred mode, the breath sample is analyzed using a mass spectrometer and compared with a standard. The breath test provides a dynamic rather than static determination of hepatic function and can be used for both early and late stage liver problems.

Abstract: A method of treating patients with clinical disorder involving splanchnic disorders such as liver or gut dysfunction, the dysfunction being characterized by depletion of metabolic energy sources. The treatment involves the step of administering an effective amount of adenosine, or related nucleosides, to achieve and/or maintain normal metabolic levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and/or its precursors in the patient's liver or other splanchnic organs. Administration may be as a total enteral nutritional diet, or as a dietary supplement. The invention includes a total enteral nutrition diet having nutritionally acceptable amounts of a lipid source, a protein source, a carbohydrate source, a vitamin source, and a mineral source, and an effective amount of adenosine to achieve normal metabolic levels of ATP and/or its precursors in ATP deficient organs of a recipient host.

Abstract: A new class of synthetic triglycerides, those having at least one short-chain (C.sub.2 -C.sub.5) fatty acid on a glycerol backbone, has been developed. These synthetic triglycerides (or structured lipids) are particularly useful in treating patients with intestinal problems.

Abstract: Disclosed is a treated material including a base material such as an extrudate, a woven fabric, or unwoven fibers, a disperse dye-type molecule such as a dye or antibiotic dispersed within and non-covalently adhered to the base material, and a molecule-of-interest immobilized on the base material by way of a reactive group on the disperse dye-type molecule. Also disclosed are methods of producing the treated material.