Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of non-primate mammalian cell lines having substantially no endogenous retroviral sequences as producer and packaging lines for preparation of human serum-resistant retroviral vector particles with improved safety for use in gene therapy applications. In a preferred embodiment, the cell line used in the present invention is the &agr;-galactosyl (&agr;Gal)-positive cell ferret brain cell line designated as Mpf or a cell line having those identifying characteristics of the Mpf cell line suitable for the practice of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for labeling mannose lectins on the surface of mammalian sperm cells are described, and methods of categorizing and quantifying the numbers of cells exhibiting particular labeling patterns are also provided. These methods provide ways of detecting whether or not a mammalian male patient has mannose lectin-correlated infertility, which is determined on the basis of the relative numbers of sperm cells labeled with particular labeling patterns. Methods for detecting capacitation-induced changes in the distribution of mannose lectins on mammalian sperm cells are also provided, and these methods can also be used to detect whether or not a mammalian male patient has mannose lectin-correlated infertility, on the basis of the comparative relative labeling in capacitated and non-capacitated sperm cell samples. In addition, the various methods are shown to be useful for determining whether chemical compounds have effects on mammalian sperm cell surface lectin distribution or acrosomal states.

Abstract: A method is provided for amplifying and detecting specific GC-rich nucleic acid sequences contained in a nucleic acid or in a mixture of nucleic acids, which includes treating a separate nucleic acid containing the specific sequence with a molar excess of primers and a polymerase and extending the primers in the presence of dATP, dCTP, TTP, and an analogue of dGTP. In one application of the present invention, individuals who are carriers for, or afflicted by, the fragile X syndrome are detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of inducing proliferation and migration of endothelial cells in a subject comprising administering an amount of scatter factor effective to induce the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of determining the presence of angiogenesis in a subject comprising detecting the presence of scatter factor in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of inhibiting angiogenesis in a subject by blocking the ability of endogenous scatter factor to promote angiogenesis in the subject. The endogenous scatter factor may be blocked by using an inhibitor to scatter factor, such as an antibody.

Abstract: Methods for labeling mannose lectins on the surface of mammalian sperm cells are described, and methods of categorizing and quantifying the numbers of cells exhibiting particular labeling patterns are also provided. These methods provide ways of detecting whether or not a mammalian male patient has mannose lectin-correlated infertility.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method of enhancing transplanted tissue in a subject comprising administering an amount of scatter factor effective to promote angiogenesis and enhance tissue transplantation in the subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of promoting angiogenesis utilizing scatter factor, either alone or in combination with a growth factor.

Abstract: It has been discovered that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a polymeric carrier implanted into a cartilage and/or bone defect will differentiate to form cartilage and/or bone, as appropriate. Suitable polymeric carriers include porous meshes or sponges formed of synthetic or natural polymers, as well as polymer solutions. A presently preferred material is a polyglycolic acid mesh.

Abstract: The present invention provides Methyl- (or Mutant-) Differential Display (MDD) methods and nucleic acid probes for detecting mutations and the methylation patterns of nucleic acids. The methods of the present invention are particularly useful for detecting and isolating genomic DNA fragments which are near coding and regulatory regions of genes and which are differentially mutated or methylated relative to the corresponding DNA from normal cells. Genes are frequently not methylated in the cells where they are expressed but are methylated in cell types where they are not expressed. Moreover, tumor cell DNA is frequently methylated to a different extent and in different regions than is the DNA of normal cells. The present invention is used for identifying which regions of the genome are methylated or mutated in different cell types, including cancerous cell types.

Abstract: Methods for achieving human male contraception are described in which compounds that substantially inhibit the movement of mannose lectins on the surface of human male sperm cells are administered to human male patients, and the inhibition achieved provides a reversible infertility that can serve as a means of birth control. The use of calcium (Ca.sup.+2) ion channel blocking pharmaceutical compositions is described, particularly the drugs nifedipine, verapamil, and calcium ionophore A23187.

Abstract: The growth of microorganisms on catheters and other medical devices is inhibited by slime-inhibiting compounds. Slime-inhibiting compounds include salicylic acid and other NSAID.

Abstract: Periosteal cells have been grown in cell culture and have been shown to have an osteoblastic phenotype, with production of osteocalcin and glycosaminoglycan. When seeded into polymeric implants, repair of critical size cranial defects was demonstrated and was confirmed by histology, biochemical assays, and radiodensitometry.

Abstract: A method is provided for amplifying and detecting specific GC-rich nucleic acid sequences contained in a nucleic acid or in a mixture of nucleic acids, which includes treating a separate nucleic acid containing the specific sequence with a molar excess of primers and a polymerase and extending the primers in the presence of dATP, dCTP, TTP, and an analogue of dGTP. In one application of the present invention, individuals who are carriers for, or afflicted by, the fragile X syndrome are detected.

Abstract: An RF coil construction for MRI apparatus and comprising, preferably, three butterfly coils extending in a longitudinal direction and overlapping with three single loop coils. Each of the three butterfly coils have flexible wings which can be wrapped over the body of a patient. The signals from two of the butterfly coils and two of the single loop coils are simultaneously processed in a phased array manner. The resultant RF coil construction provides in-depth imaging over a large FOV with a high SNR and good homogeniety, and is well suited for imaging the lower extremities of a patient without moving the patient or the coils. Further, the butterfly coils receive signals in the horizontal direction, and the single loop coils receive signals in the vertical direction. The combining of such signals realizes quadrature operation and improves the SNR. Also described is a mesh coil that can be operated to function as the equivalent of one butterfly coil and one single loop coil.

Abstract: The growth of microorganisms on catheters and other medical devices is inhibited by slime-inhibiting compounds. Slime-inhibiting compounds include salicylic acid and other NSAID.

Abstract: A miniaturized microwave applicator comprises a thin-wall metal dielectric-filled waveguide having a thermocouple preferably disposed in a groove in the surface of the dielectric radiating aperture of the waveguide when the aperture is placed in contact with a spot on the outer surface of the conjunctiva or sclera overlying the type of given internal tissue of the eye, such as the ciliary body or chorioretinal tissue, which has a relatively high water content compared to conjunctival or scleral eye tissue. This permits cyclodestruction of the ciliary body, as a treatment for glaucoma, by heat generated by absorbed microwave energy radiated thereto during a given time. It also permits microwave heating to repair a detached retina by chorioretinal scar formation.

Abstract: A minimally invasive technique for obtaining X-ray images of the anatomical vasculature of a living patient includes intravenously injecting the patient with an X-ray contrast medium, obtaining video X-ray images of the vasculature in a region of the patient's body at a high frame rate to avoid significant blurring of the images caused by tissue and bone movement in the region, converting the video X-ray images to digital image data, transferring the image data in real time to a bulk memory by way of a FASTBUS system, transferring the image data from the bulk memory to a computer via the FASTBUS system at a rate commensurate with the capacity of the computer to receive such data, and utilizing the computer to effect image enhancement processing of the data for subsequent viewing.