Abstract: A panel of biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer was examined in the saliva of a cohort of 1) healthy women, 2) women with benign lesions of the breast and 3) women with diagnosed breast cancer. Recognized tumor markers c-erbB-2 (erb), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), and tumor suppresser oncogene protein 53 (p53) were found in the saliva of all three groups of women. The levels of erb and CA 15-3 in the cancer patients evaluated, however, were significantly higher than the salivary levels of healthy controls and benign tumor patients. Conversely, pantropic p53 levels were higher in controls as compared to those women with breast cancer and those with benign tumors.

Abstract: A panel of biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer was examined in the saliva of a cohort of 1) healthy women, 2) women with benign lesions of the breast and 3) women with diagnosed breast cancer. Recognized tumor markers c-erbB-2 (erb), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), and tumor suppresser oncogene protein 53 (p53) were found in the saliva of all three groups of women. The levels of erb and CA 15-3 in the cancer patients evaluated, however, were significantly higher than the salivary levels of healthy controls and benign tumor patients. Conversely, pantropic p53 levels were higher in controls as compared to those women with breast cancer and those with benign tumors.

Abstract: This invention provides new thiazolindinedione derivatives and new arylacetic acid derivatives. These compounds are useful for the treatment of certain cardiovascular certain diseases, certain endocrine diseases, certain inflammatory diseases, certain neoplastic (malignant) and non-malignant proliferative diseases, certain neuro-psychiatric disorders, certain viral diseases, and diseases associated with these viral infections as discussed herein.

Abstract: Cells are transfected with a construct containing transcriptional promoter element(s) that have been implicated in carcinogenesis or inflammation ligated to a reporter gene. Determination of inhibition of activation of said promoter element(s) by putative agent indicates the agent is a candidate as a drug or source of a drug for prophylaxis or treatment of cancer or inflammation. The method has particular application to screening agents as candidates for drugs or sources of drugs for prophylaxis or treatment of human disorders caused or mediated by cyclooxygenase-2 and/or matrix metalloproteinases.

Abstract: Enhanced recovery of podophyllotoxin from biological sources is achieved through disruption or permeabilization of the physical integrity of cells and tissues in the presence of sufficient moisture so as to allow endogenous enzymes to convert podophyllotoxin glucosides to podophyllotoxin. Extraction of the podophyllotoxin from the plant material is then achieved by use of an organic solvent. Podophyllotoxin is used as an intermediate in the production of the antitumor agent etoposide and its analogues.

Abstract: This invention provides new thiazolindinedione derivatives and new arylacetic acid derivatives. These compounds are useful for the treatment of certain cardiovascular certain diseases, certain endocrine diseases, certain inflammatory diseases, certain neoplastic (malignant) and non-malignant proliferative diseases, certain neuro-psychiatric disorders, certain viral diseases, and diseases associated with these viral infections as discussed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides thiazolidinediones which are useful as antiproliferative, antiinflammatory and antiinfective agents. These compounds are useful for the treatment of certain endocrine diseases including diabetes, certain malignant and non-malignant proliferative diseases including prostate cancer, breast cancer, psoriasis, and acne, certain cardiovascular disorders including hypertension and occlusive vascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention provides thiazolidinediones which are useful as antiproliferative, antiinflammatory and antiinfective agents. These compounds are useful for the treatment of certain endocrine diseases including diabetes, certain malignant and non-malignant proliferative diseases including prostate cancer, breast cancer, psoriasis, and acne, certain cardiovascular disorders including hypertension and occlusive vascular diseases.

Abstract: A cDNA encoding a human imidazoline receptor is described. The amino acid sequence of the entire imidazoline receptor protein is identified, as well as a C-terminal fragment believed to contain the imidazoline binding site of the receptor. The protein is highly unique in its sequence and may represent the first in a novel family of receptor proteins. Methods of cloning the cDNA and pressing the imidazoline receptor in a host cell are described. Also, a screening method for identifying drugs that interact with the imidazoline receptor is described.

Abstract: The present invention provides an economical and efficient process for converting delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol to a variety of ester analogs. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is esterified by reaction with a carboxylic acid, an acid halide or an acid anhydride in the presence of a 4-aminopyridine either alone or in admixture with an organic amine such as a mono-, di-, or tri-alkyl amine.

Abstract: Complementary DNA and genomic clones for three variants of GST-.pi. are disclosed. It is demonstrated that certain of these variants are overexpressed in gliomas, thereby indicating an involvement with that form of cancer. This permits the detection and treatment of certain classes of tumors using new compositions such as GST-.pi. genes, oligonucleotides, peptides and antibodies.

Abstract: A system to detect and control steady and unsteady boundary layer separation is provided. The system uses an array of transducers under a flexible wall over which the flow occurs. The system operates in two modes: a sensor mode and an actuator mode. In the sensor mode, transducers in the array are used as sensors to obtain a flow-induced wall pressure fluctuation signal characteristic to the incipient separation process. A controller uses the spatial location and frequency content of the sensed signals to determine the location and frequency of excitation needed to delay or defer the flow separation. In the actuator mode, transducers selected by the controller are excited at the aforementioned frequencies, typically immediately upstream of the separation point. This reattaches a separated flow or arrests the progression of separation from its incipient stages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds which suppress immune responses and/or selectively inhibit complement. These compounds contain an aromatic ring and are substituted dihydrobenzofurans, spirobenzofuran-2(3H)-cycloalkanes, and their open chain intermediates. The compounds of the present invention, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, interrupt the proteolytic processing of C5 to bioactive components, exhibit immunosuppressive activities, and have therapeutic utility in the amelioration of disease and disorders mediated by complement and/or immune activity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds which suppress immune responses and/or selectivly inhibit complement. These compounds contain an aromatic ring and are substituted dihydrobenzofurans, spirobenzofuran-2(3H)-cycloalkanes, and their open chain intermediates. The compounds of the present invention, and the phamaceutically acceptable salts thereof, interrupt the proteolytic processing of C5 to bioactive components, exhibit immunosuppressive activites, and have therapeutic utility in the amelioration of disease and disorders mediated by complement and/or immune activity.

Abstract: Methods of obtaining renewable sources of taxanes including taxol are provided. Compositions comprising taxanes which are useful as source materials for the further purification of taxanes are also disclosed. Specifically, a method of drying plant matter to preserve their taxane content and facilitate their extraction is disclosed. In addition, methods of extracting and purifying taxol and other taxanes from ornamental cultivars using a series of organic and aqueous solvents and normal phase chromatography columns are also disclosed.

Abstract: An active noise control stethoscope enables a physician or paramedic to check vital signs in the presence of high background noise levels. A digital processing technique is used to remove noise from the output of a main detection sensor, the detector being impedance mismatched with air and therefore less sensitive to external airborne noise. Instead of a microphone, the detector uses a piezoceramic transflexural actuator mounted in a cylindrical piece of brass, with a polyurethane coating placed over the active side of the sensor to keep the sensor waterproof and broaden the response of the sensor. An identical sensor is placed above the device to detect background noise adjacent the device, the signals being combined to obtain a signal free of background noise. A third sensor is also used to electronically remove noise detected by the main sensor, the third sensor being positioned to pick-up noise coupled through the patient's body.

Abstract: An active noise control stethoscope enables a physician or paramedic to check vital signs in the presence of high background noise levels. A digital processing technique is used to remove noise from the output of a main detection sensor, the detector being impedance mismatched with air and therefore less sensitive to external airborne noise. Instead of a microphone, the detector uses a piezoceramic transflexural actuator mounted in a cylindrical piece of brass, with a polyurethane coating placed over the active side of the sensor to keep the sensor waterproof and broaden the response of the sensor. An identical sensor is placed above the device to detect background noise adjacent the device, the signals being combined to obtain a signal free of background noise. A third sensor is also used to electronically remove noise detected by the main sensor, the third sensor being positioned to pick-up noise coupled through the patient's body.

Abstract: New analogs of sampangine and cleistopholine, compositions and methods of preparation thereof, method of treating fungal and mycobacterial infections.

Abstract: Suppository formulations having long-term stability and containing readily bioavailable .DELTA..sup.9 -THC derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compounds which suppress immune responses and/or selectively inhibit complement. These compounds contain an aromatic ring and are substituted dihydrobenzofurans, spirobenzofuran-2(3H)-cycloalkanes, and their open chain intermediates. The compounds of the present invention, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, interrupt the proteolytic processing of C5 to bioactive components, exhibit immunosuppressive activities, and have therapeutic utility in the amelioration of disease and disorders mediated by complement and/or immune activity.