Abstract: The present invention features methods of diagnosing and prognosticating ovarian tumors by detecting increased expression of an ovarian tumor marker gene in a subject or in a sample from a subject. Also featured are kits for the aforementioned diagnostic and prognostic methods. In addition, the invention features methods of treating and preventing ovarian tumors, and methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of ovarian tumors, by modulating the production or activity of an ovarian tumor marker polypeptide. Further featured are methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of an ovarian tumor by contacting an ovarian tumor cell with an antibody that specifically binds an ovarian tumor marker polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides of human p53 that contain mutations. These mutations can be toxic mutations, supertransactivating mutations or tox-suppressor mutations. Further provided by the invention are methods of identifying toxic, supertransactivating, weak transactivating and tox-suppressor mutations as well as methods of identifying compounds that mimic the toxic, supertransactivating and tox-suppressor mutations in human p53. Also provided are methods of inducing toxicity in a cell by administering a polypeptide comprising a supertransactivating or a toxic mutation.

Abstract: Discoveries are disclosed that show particular aspects of recombinant DNA technology can be used successfully to produce a hitherto unknown type of human Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) receptor protein free of other PDGF receptors. These proteins can be produced from DNA segments in cells in various functional forms. These forms variously enable biochemical and functional studies of these novel receptors as well as production of antibodies. Means are described for determining the level of expression of genes for specific types of PDGF receptor proteins, for example, by measuring mRNA in cells with PDGF receptor type-specific DNA probes or by measuring antigen in biological samples with type-specific antibodies.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and compositions for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine lung cancers. In particular, the invention concerns the use of cDNA microarrays to facilitate the differential diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumor types.

Abstract: Nucleic acids containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response and to redirect a Th2 response to a Th1 response in a subject are disclosed. Methods for treating atopic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, are disclosed.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences containing unmethylated CpG dinucleotides that modulate an immune response including stimulating a Th1 pattern of immune activation, cytokine production, NK lytic activity, and B cell proliferation are disclosed. The sequences are also useful as a synthetic adjuvant.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides containing unthylated CpG dinucleotides and therapeutic utilities based on their ability to stimulate an immune response in a subject are disclosed. Also disclosed are therapies for treating diseases associated with immune system activation that are initiated by unthylated CpG dinucleotides in a subject comprising administering to the subject oligonucleotides that do not contain unmethylated CpG sequences (i.e. methylated CpG sequences or no CpG sequence) to outcompete unmethylated CpG nucleic acids for binding. Further disclosed are methylated CpG containing dinucleotides for use antisense therapies or as in vivo hybridization probes, and immunoinhibitory oligonucleotides for use as antiviral therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the field of receptor molecules and complexes. More particularly, the present invention is related to a new polypeptide receptor for interleukin-2 having a molecular weight of about 70-75,000, which is a component of the high affinity IL-2 receptor, antibodies against this new polypeptide, and recombinant interleukins capable of binding to the new receptor. Various applications of the p70-75 receptor, the anti-p70-75 antibodies and IL-2W.sub.1 and IL2W.sub.2 have also been described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses substantially pure, functional, human, clinical grade, activated killer monocytes (AKM) produced in suspension in polypropylene ware in a serum-free medium and a pharmaceutical composition for immunotherapy of humans, comprising an immonotherapeutic amount of the AKM of the present invention and a sterile pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Substituted carbamates of tricyclic compounds which have a cyclic sulfer atom, provide highly potent and selective cholinergic agonist and blocking activity are useful as pharmaceutical agents. Cholinergic disease are treated with these compounds such as glaucoma, Myasthenia Gravis, Alzheimer's disease. Methods for inhibiting esterases, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cell medium developed to support long term multiplication and permanent establishment of a cell line of human liver epithelial cells. The medium may contain an effective cell growth promoting amount of calcium ions; an effective cell growth promoting amount of glucose; an effective amount of insulin to aid cells in glucose uptake; an effective cell growth promoting amount of hydrocortisone; an effective amount of epidermal growth factor to bind epidermal growth factor receptors on cells; an effective amount of transferrin to increase DNA synthesis in cells; an effective amount of cholera toxin to increase DNA synthesis in cells; an effective amount of triiodothyronine to increase DNA synthesis in cells; and an effective growth promoting amount of mammalian hormones and mitogenic factors, including lipoprotein, cholesterol, phospholipids and fatty acids.

Abstract: A hyperthermia applicator/MRI probe assembly for hyperthermia treatment of a subject. The assembly includes a hyperthermia applicator for heating target regions of a subject and a MRI probe which is utilized to monitor temperatures within the heating region. The hyperthermia applicator and MRI probe are coupled to a control system which receives information from the MRI probe and utilizes the information to control the hyperthermia applicator so as to maintain constant, desired temperatures within the heating region. The hyperthermia applicator/MRI probe assembly of the present invention allows for temperature control within about 0.5.degree. C.

Abstract: A microtome for cutting thin sample sections utilizes an electrical contact or sole plate for guiding the section cutting knife during sectioning. The sole plate floats across the surface of the sample thereby ensuring that uniformly thin sections are cut regardless of movement of the sample or expansion or contraction thereof. An electrical contact may be used to detect and reference contact between the sample surface and the section cutting knife. After contact between the sample surface and section cutting knife is referenced, the relative position between the sample surface and section cutting knife may be adjusted to achieve a desired section thinness.

Abstract: The present invention discloses anti-bombesin monoclonal antibody and a method of detecting autocrine growth factor. A method and kit for screening and controlling growth of human SCLC has also been disclosed.

Abstract: Cytotoxic effects associated with ground fractured silica-containing minerals and silicates, including asbestos, are prevented by coating the silica-containing minerals and silicates with an aqueous solution containing an aqueously compatible silane coupling agent so that a monomolecular film is formed on the surface of the silica-containing minerals and silicates.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the construction of synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences of 55-, 59-, 60-, 67-kilodalton keratin proteins. These synthetic peptides make possible the development of monospecific antisera for individual keratin proteins. The process involves preparing cDNA libraries and reducing the amino sequences of cDNA clones.

Abstract: The administration of sex hormones, particularly testosteorne, progesterone and estradiol in the form of their complexes or inclusions with specific derivatives of cyclodextrins by the sublingual or buccal route results in effective transfer of these hormones into the systemic circulation, followed by only gradual elimination. To be effective in the above mode of administration, the derivatives of cyclodextrins must carry one or several substituents, each containing one or several hydroxy groups. Specially preferred are the following complexes: hydroxypropylbeta-cyclodextrin and poly-beta-cyclodextrin.

Abstract: A method of modifying Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE) with methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate is disclosed so that after conjugating the exotoxin to a monoclonal antibody (ab) such as the antibody to the transferrin receptor, the PE-ab conjugate becomes a highly potent immunotoxin suitable for use against human tumor cells. This same method has been used to conjugate PE to epidermal growth factor (EGF) to create a highly potent growth factor-toxin conjugate for use against cells having large numbers of EGF receptors. Also disclosed are the immunotoxin conjugates for Pseudomonas exotoxin coupled to anti-TFR (antibody to the transferrin receptor) and anti-TAC (antibody to the human T-cell growth factor receptor) and to EGF.