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: 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: 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 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: 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.

Abstract: A method of preparing TPN solutions, which is particularly well adaptable to computerized control, has been developed. These methods can assist the pharmacist or physician in the preparation of three-in-one TPN solutions containing lipid, dextrose and amino acids. The method includes a series of criteria for concentrations of lipid, dextrose, amino acids, and ions as well as eliminating the possibility of certain deleterious interactions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of minimizing the effects of a catabolic illness in an individual by administering to the individual a diet which is controlled in the type of fatty acid intake. The diet comprises an oil rich in .omega.9 monounsaturated fatty acids, preferably oleic acid. Oils rich in monounsaturated fatty acids include olive oil, canola oil and high oleic acid safflower or high oleic acid sunflower oil. The diet can also be administered to an individual to minimize infection or to minimize the risk of infection in the individual. A dietary supplement useful in methods of the invention and a structured lipid are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of isolating a protein which binds carcinoembryonic antigen. These methods include the following steps. A biological sample containing carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and a CEA-binding protein (CBP) is provided and contacted with a divalent cation at a concentration and for a time sufficient to allow the binding of the CBP to CEA, thereby forming a CBP-CEA conjugate. The sample is then contacted with an adsorbent that binds CEA for a time sufficient to allow adsorbance to the adsorbent. Portions of the sample not adsorbed are removed. The CBP is then disassociated from the conjugate and is collected.

Abstract: Disclosed is carcinoma orosomucoid-related antigen (CORA), a glycoprotein which has a binding affinity for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This glycoprotein is a marker for carcinoma, and is characterized by having a molecular weight of about 46,000-50,000 daltons on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, an isoelectric point of about 3.0-3.5, a carbohydrate content of about 25-35% by weight, an amino acid sequence defined in the Sequence Listing by SEQ ID NO:1, reactivity with antisera raised thereto, and substantially no reactivity with antisera raised to nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) or to CEA. Also disclosed is a method for detecting and monitoring carcinoma.

Abstract: A blood vessel wall-defining device and method for using the device for repairing an aneurysm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glycoprotein, CORA, which has a binding affinity for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). This glycoprotein is a marker for carcinoma, and can be characterized by having a molecular weight of about 46,000-50,000 daltons, an isoelectric point of about 3.0-3.5, a carbohydrate content of about 25-35% by weight, reactivity with antisera raised thereto, and substantially no reactivity with antisera raised to nonspecific cross-reacting antigen (NCA) or to CEA. Also disclosed are a hybridoma which produces a monoclonal antibody to CORA, the monoclonal antibody to CORA, and a device, kit, and method for detecting and monitoring carcinoma.

Abstract: Method for inhibiting acute rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue by a recipient mammal that includes the steps of administering to the mammal a compound which causes selective sensitization of the alloreactive lymphocytes of the transplant recipient that are involved in the rejection process to a toxin; and exposing the mammal to the toxin to selectively destroy the sensitized alloreactive lymphocytes to a greater extent than non-sensitized cells of the mammal. This method induces donor specific tolerance in the transplant recipient, i.e., acceptance of the new organ or tissue without suppression of the rest of the recipient's normal immune system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting a localized biochemical event in a cell, wherein said event results in a change in the membrane potential of that cell. The method includes treating the cell with a composition containing a lipophilic, cationic dye having a delocalized positive charge and the ability to undergo multiple changes in fluorescence spectra upon aggregation. The cell is treated with the dye for a time sufficient to enable the dye to associate with the cell. Dye which has not associated with the cell is then removed. Fluorescence is observed when the cell is exposed to light having a wavelength suitable for exciting the dye. The spectrum obtained is indicative of the relative membrane potential of said cell, and a change in that membrane potential being indicative of the occurrence of a biochemical event.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biocompatible, thromboresistant substance useful for implantable and extracorpeoreal devices in contact with the vascular system, and methods for producing the same. The biocompatible, thromboresistant substance comprises a synthetic, biocompatible material, at least one biocompatible base coat layer adhered to at least one surface of the material, and a thrombogenesis inhibitor immobilized on the base coat layer via a component capable of binding the inhibitor. The thrombogenesis inhibitor is hirudin, or an active analog or fragment thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biocompatible, thromboresistant substance useful for implantable and extracorporeal devices in contact with the vascular system, and methods for producing the same. The biocompatible, thromboresistant substance comprises a synthetic, biocompatible material, at least one biocompatible base coat layer adhered to at least one surface of the material, and the thrombogenesis inhibitor thrombomodulin immobilized on the base coat layer via a component capable of binding the inhibitor without affecting its thrombogenesis-inhibiting activity.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and methods for initial, or replacement, central venous catherization using a flexible guidewire with markings thereon and a substantially translucent non-thrombogenic catheter. In operation, the guidewire is inserted along a catheter positioned in a vein. The marks on the guidewire are then used to establish, and maintain as constant, the position of the guidewire. Next, the catheter already in the vein is removed by sliding it over the guidewire, and a new catheter is slipped over the guidewire into position. Once the new catheter is positioned, the guidewire is removed.