Abstract: Cancerous angiogenesis-related diseases treated, and angiogenesis is reduced by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a composition effective to reduce the effective amount of clusterin in an individual. Preferred therapeutic compositions comprise antisense oligonucleotides which reduce the effective amount of clusterin.

Abstract: Antimitotic terpenoid compounds including sarcodictyin A and as eleutherobin may be obtained from organisms of the order Gorgonacea. Methods of preparing such compounds provided, as are novel antimitotic diterpene compounds having formula (I).

Abstract: Compositions, methods and the like comprising fucans such as fucoidan to treat surgical adhesions, arthritis, and psoriasis.

Abstract: Stable clones of neural stem cells (NSCs) have been isolated from the human fetal telencephalon. In vitro, these self-renewing clones (affirmed by retroviral insertion site) can spontaneously give rise to all 3 fundamental neural cell types (neurons, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes). Following transplantation into germinal zones of the developing newborn mouse brain, they, like their rodent counterparts, can participate in aspects of normal development, including migration along well-established migratory pathways to disseminated CNS regions, differentiation into multiple developmentally- and regionally-appropriate cell types in response to microenvironmental cues, and non-disruptive, non-tumorigenic interspersion with host progenitors and their progeny. Readily genetically engineered prior to transplantation, human NSCs are capable of expressing foreign transgenes in vivo in these disseminated locations.

Abstract: Several cyclic decapeptides having antibiotic activity are disclosed. The decapeptides are active against both gram positive and gram negative bacteria.

Abstract: A reflective display having a plurality of approximately hemispherical high refractive index (&eegr;1) transparent hemi-beads substantially covering and protruding inwardly from a transparent sheet's inward surface. The transparent sheet, which has an outward viewing surface, has a refractive index (&eegr;2) which can be low (i.e. &eegr;1≈1.92 and &eegr;2≈1.59). A member is selectably moved into an intense evanescent wave region at the hemi-beads' inward side to selectably frustrate substantial total internal reflection of light rays. The member can be a plurality of light scattering particles suspended in a low refractive index (&eegr;3≈1.27) electrophoresis medium and electrophoretically moved into or out of the intense evanescent wave region.

Abstract: Nucleic acid constructs are provided comprising transcriptional regulatory regions homologous to plant FAE1 promoters. In some embodiments, these constructs may be used in transgenic cells or plants to promote expression of foreign and endogenous genes in developing seeds, for example to affect seed lipid metabolism, protein or carbohydrate composition and accumulation, or seed development.

Abstract: N- and C-modified linear cationic peptides having antibiotic activity are disclosed, which peptides are particularly active against gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: A single point mutation in the human lipoprotein lipase gene which results in an A→G nucleotide change at codon 291 (nucleotide 1127) of the lipoprotein lipase gene, and a substitution of serine for the normal asparagine in the lipoprotein lipase gene product is seen with increased frequency in patients with coronary artery disease, and is associated with an increased susceptibility to coronary artery disease, including in particular premature atherosclerosis. This is expressed as a diminished catalytic activity of lipoprotein lipase, lower HDL-cholesterol levels and higher triglyceride levels. Thus, susceptibility of a human individual to premature atherosclerosis can be evaluated by: (a) obtaining a sample of DNA from the individual; and (b) evaluating the sample of DNA for the presence of nucleotides encoding a serine residue as amino acid 291 of the lipoprotein lipase gene product. The presence of a serine residue is indicative of increased susceptibility in the patient.

Abstract: An immortalized human cell line is provided which has the characteristics of human embryonic microglia. Such immortalized microglia cells express CD68, CD11c and MHC class I and II antigens as surface markers; have demonstrable phagocytic properties; and produce progeny continuously while maintained in culture. A method of transforming human microglial cells into an immortalized cell line is also provided. The genetically modified human microglia cells can express active substances from a selected group consisting of MIP-1&bgr;, MCP-1, IL-1&bgr;, IL-6, IL-12, and IL-15; and in the stimulated state can overexpress at lest cytokines, chemokines, and other cytotoxic and neurotoxic substances. Such immortalized microglia cells can be used for screening of compounds for diseases. These cells may be utilized for the treatment of at least Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injuries, ataxia, autoimmune diseases and AIDS-dementia.

Abstract: Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7. Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some have specific stereochemistries such as 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to having 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution. Steroids having 3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having C17 pyran and &dgr;-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and DNA constructs are provided for detection and manipulation of a target eukaryotic gene whose expression is restricted to certain tissues or specialized cell types. The methods include transforming a cell with a first indicator component under the control of a promoter selected for its restricted expression in a particular cell or tissue. The cell is also transformed with a gene trap vector encoding a second indicator component. The cell is allowed to differentiate to produce specialized cell or tissue which is monitored for expression of both the first and second indicator components, thereby detecting a gene into which the trap vector has integrated which is expressed in the same cell or tissue type as the selected promoter.

Abstract: Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7. Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some have specific stereochemistries such as 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to having 6&agr; and 7&bgr; oxygen substitution. Steroids having 3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having C17 pyran and &dgr;-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liposomal composition for treating dislipidemias in human subjects, a method of using a liposomal composition, and devices and modes of operation of the devices and of the compositions, and kits related thereto. The invention provides for the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in a warm blood mammal while controlling plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations, including LDL concentrations. A method described above and mode of operation of the devices includes the stop of administering an effective amount of a multiplicity of acceptors comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol. A method described above optionally includes the stop of periodically assaying atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel process of preparing chemically bonded composite hydroxide ceramics by exposing a thermally treated hydroxide ceramic to phosphate reagent and subsequent heat treating the resulting system to initiate a rapid chemical bonding reaction. Such combined hydroxide/chemical bonding process can be used to fabricate ceramics or ceramic coatings for a variety of high and low temperature applications, including corrosion protection, wear resistance, dielectric properties, metal reinforced ceramics, ceramic membranes, non-sticky surfaces, bio-active ceramics, thermal barrier ceramics, non-wetted surfaces, and others.

Abstract: A surfing pipelined logic circuit has a timing system which provides a timing signal sequentially to each of a plurality of logic blocks. The logic blocks are connected in a series and may have a linear configuration or a ring configuration. Each of the logic blocks has a latency which is variable in response to the timing signal. When the timing signal is not present, the latency is longer than a timing delay which occurs between the timing system applying the timing signal to the logic block and the timing signal applying the logic signal to a next one of the logic blocks. When the timing signal is present, the latency is shorter than the timing delay. The timing system may comprise a timing path carrying timing signals. The timing path may have a number of nodes connected to control inputs of corresponding ones of the logic blocks.

Abstract: This invention provides methods, nucleic acids, compounds, and compositions for expressing a product of interest in a cell that involve a secretable RNA Polymerase.

Abstract: An image display has a transparent front sheet with a prismatically microstructured inward surface and a rear sheet substantially parallel to and spaced from the front sheet. An electrophoretic suspension fills the space between the sheets. The suspension is formed by suspending non-light-scattering light absorptive particles in an electrophoresis medium until the particles form a substantially unitary thermodynamically stable agglomeration. Application of a voltage across the suspension establishes an electric field for controllably electrophoretically moving the particle agglomeration as a substantially unitary whole toward the front sheet's inward surface to frustrate total internal reflection at the inward surface of light rays passing through the front sheet.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for treating or preventing diseases associated with body passageways, comprising the step of delivering to an external portion of the body passageway a therapeutic agent. Representative examples of therapeutic agents include anti-angiogenic factors, anti-proliferative agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and antibiotics.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the treatment of inflammatory diseases including the use of liposomes to deliver non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Drugs may be encapsulated in the liposomes during their preparation, or alternatively, are combined with the liposomes following their formation. The composition may include glycolipids such as galactolipids including digalactosyl diglyceride, and the liposomes may be made by a number of procedures. The compositions may be administered to mammals including humans.