Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma or hypoglycemia. The method comprises administering to an animal a compound of the formula: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; wherein n is zero or 1; R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 are independently hydrogen, nitro, amino, halo, haloalkyl, cyano, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, azido, acylamino, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, trialkylsilyl-substituted alkoxy, aryloxy, substituted aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, a heterocyclic group, a heterocyclicoxy group, aralkoxy, or haloalkoxy; and R.sup.c and R.sup.d are defined in the specification. These compounds have high binding to the glycine site of the NMDA receptor.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Down's syndrome, treating or preventing the adverse consequences of the hyperactivity of the excitatory amino acids, as well as treating anxiety, chronic pain, convulsions, inducing anesthesia and treating psychosis are disclosed by administering to an animal in need of such treatment a compound having high affinity for the glycine binding site, lacking PCP side effects and which crosses the blood brain barrier of the animal.Also disclosed are novel 1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-diones, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also disclosed are highly soluble ammonium salts of 1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-diones.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and reagents for inhibiting furin endoprotease activity and specifically for inhibiting furin endoprotease-mediated maturation of bioactive proteins in vivo and in vitro. The invention specifically provides proteins capable of inhibiting furin endoprotease activity. Particularly provided are .alpha..sub.1 -antitrypsin variants that specifically inhibit furin endoprotease activity. Methods for using furin endoprotease inhibition to attenuate or prevent viral protein maturation, and thereby alleviate viral infections, are provided. Also provided are methods for using furin endoprotease inhibition to attenuate or prevent proteolytic processing of bacterial toxins, thereby alleviating bacterial infections. Methods are also provided to inhibit proteolytic processing of biologically active proteins and peptides. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of therapeutically effective amounts of furin endoprotease inhibitors.

Abstract: N,N-disubstituted-guanidines, e.g., of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups. Methods are provided for the treatment of psychosis and hypertension by administering an effective amount of an N,N'-disubstituted guanidine which, preferably, has a high affinity for the sigma receptor.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Down's syndrome, treating or preventing the adverse consequences of the hyperactivity of the excitatory amino acids, as well as treating anxiety, chronic pain, convulsions and inducing anesthesia are disclosed by administering to an animal in need of such treatment a compound which has high binding to the glycine receptor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D.sub.4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor is provided by the invention. The invention also includes a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector capable of expressing the human D.sub.4 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize the human D.sub.4 dopamine receptor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the treatment or prophylaxis of psychosis, depression, hypertension, or anxiety in an animal by administering an effective amount of an N,N'-disubstituted guanidine or 2-iminoimadazolidine having an affinity for the sigma receptor. The invention also relates to the novel guanidines of the invention as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor and alleleic variant thereof are provided by the invention. The invention also includes recombinant eukaryotic expression constructs capable of expressing the human D4 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells. The invention provides cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize the human D4 dopamine receptor, and methods for characterizing novel psychotropic compounds using such cultures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mammalian adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of mammalian adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor, the gene corresponding to this receptor, a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct capable of expressing a mammalian adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells that synthesize mammalian adrenocorticotropic hormone receptor. The invention also provides methods for screening ACTH.sup.R agonists and antagonists in vitro using preparations of receptor from such cultures of eukaryotic cells transformed with a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct comprising the ACTH.sup.R receptor gene. The invention specifically provides human and bovine ACTH.sup.R genes.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods and reagents for specifically delivering biologically active compounds to phagocytic mammalian cells. The invention also relates to specific uptake of such biologically active compounds by phagocytic cells and delivery of such compounds to specific sites intracellularly. The invention specifically relates to methods of facilitating the entry of antimicrobial drugs and other agents into phagocytic cells and for targeting such compounds to specific organelles within the cell. The invention specifically provides compositions of matter and pharmaceutical embodiments of such compositions comprising conjugates of such antimicrobial drugs and agents covalently linked to particulate carriers generally termed microparticles. In particular embodiments, the antimicrobial drug is covalently linked to a microparticle via an organic linker molecule which is the target of a microorganism-specific protein having enzymatic activity.

Abstract: This invention herein describes a method of facilitating the entry of drugs into cells at pharmokinetically useful levels and also a method of targeting drugs to specific organelles within the cell. This lipid/drug conjugate targeting invention embodies an advance over other drug targeting methods because through this method, intracellular drug concentrations may reach levels which are orders of magnitude higher than those achieved otherwise. Furthermore, it refines the drug delivery process by allowing therapeutic agents to be directed to certain intracellular structures. This technology is appropriate for use with antiproliferative drugs, in particular in combination with a multiplicity of other emolients and agents to make up topically-active substances such as salves, for rapid and efficient introduction of antiproliferative agents through the epidermis for treatment of skin diseases such as psoriasis.

Abstract: This invention provides novel methods and reagents for specifically delivering biologically active compounds to phagocytic mammalian cells. The invention also relates to specific uptake of such biologically active compounds by phagocytic cells and delivery of such compounds to specific sites intracellularly. The invention specifically relates to methods of facilitating the entry of antimicrobial drugs and other agents into phagocytic cells and for targeting such compounds to specific organelles within the cell. The invention specifically provides compositions of matter and pharmaceutical embodiments of such compositions comprising conjugates of such antimicrobial drugs and agents covalently linked to particulate carriers generally termed microparticles. In particular embodiments, the antimicrobial drug is covalently linked to a microparticle via an organic linker molecule which is the target of a microorganism-specific protein having enzymatic activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor, the gene corresponding to this receptor, a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct capable of expressing a mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells that synthesize mammalian melanocyte stimulating hormone receptor. The invention also provides methods for screening MSH.sup.R agonists and antagonists in vitro using preparations of receptor from such cultures of eukaryotic cells transformed with a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct comprising the MSH.sup.R receptor gene. The invention specifically provides human and mouse MSH.sup.R genes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the human D4 dopamine receptor. The nucleotide sequence of the gene corresponding to this receptor and alleleic variants thereof are provided by the invention. The invention particularly provides recombinant eukaryotic expression constructs capable of expressing the human D4 dopamine receptor at useful levels in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells. The invention provides cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells which synthesize such useful amounts of human D4 dopamine receptor protein, and methods for characterizing novel psychotropic compounds using such cultures.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Down's syndrome, treating or preventing the adverse consequences of the hyperactivity of the excitatory amino acids, as well as treating anxiety, chronic pain, convulsions, inducing anesthesia and treating psychosis are disclosed by administering to an animal in need of such treatment a compound having high affinity for the glycine binding site, lacking PCP side effects and which crosses the blood brain barrier of the animal.Also disclosed are novel 1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-diones, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also disclosed are highly soluble ammonium salts of 1,4-dihydroquinoxaline-2,3-diones.

Abstract: A method for making tungstate compounds according to the formula XW.sub.2 O.sub.8, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of zirconium, hafnium, and combinations thereof, is described. Also described are compositions that include the tungstate compounds, and a method for reducing the positive thermal expansion of a material using such tungstate compounds. Substantially single phase compounds can be made by practicing the method, which method also reduces the synthesis time relative to known methods, and expands the reactants that can be used for the synthesis over the methods reported previously. The tungstate compounds generally can be made by forming a solution, particularly an aqueous solution, comprising a W.sup.6+ compound and a second metal compound wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of Zr.sup.4+, Hf.sup.4+ and combinations thereof. The solvent is removed from the solution by any known method to leave the solutes as a solid product.

Abstract: N,N-disubstituted-guanidines, e.g., of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups. Methods are provided for the treatment of psychosis and hypertension by administering an effective amount of an N,N'-disubstituted guanidine which, preferably, has a high affinity for the sigma receptor.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of preparing azepines by a multistep synthesis including a Diels-Alder reaction. Also disclosed are methods of treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Down's syndrome, treating or preventing the adverse consequences of the hyperactivity of the excitatory amino acids, as well as treating anxiety, chronic pain, convulsions, inducing anesthesia and treating or preventing opiate tolerance are disclosed by administering to an animal in need of such treatment an azepine which has high binding to the NMDA glycine site.

Abstract: Methods of treating or preventing neuronal loss associated with stroke, ischemia, CNS trauma, hypoglycemia and surgery, as well as treating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Down's syndrome, treating or preventing the adverse consequences of the hyperactivity of the excitatory amino acids, as well as treating anxiety, chronic pain, convulsions and inducing anesthesia are disclosed by administering to an animal in need of such treatment a substituted or unsubstituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-2,3,4-trione-3 or 4-oxime or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which have high binding to the glycine receptor.

Abstract: Novel, modified Taq DNA polymerases and genes encoding for them are disclosed. The modified Taq DNA polymerases of the invention are the same size, have the same heat stability and synthesis rate as the native enzyme, but lack the 5'-3' exonuclease activity. As a result of this modification, the enzymes have improved processivity as compared to the native enzyme.The enzymes of the present invention enable improved methods of conducting PCR, DNA sequencing, and DNA synthesis.