Abstract: The invention provides for the use of ginsenoside Rh2 in pharmaceutical compositions used in methods of inhibiting the multiplication of cancer cells, and methods of treating cancer in patients, comprising administering to such patients therapeutically and synergistically effective amounts of Rh2 in combination with a chemotherapeutic selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel and mitoxantrone. The cancer cells to be treated may be multidrug resistant. The cancer cells may for example be prostate cancer cells or breast cancer cells.

Abstract: New compounds useful in photodynamic therapy are of the formula and their 1,4-diene isomers and the metallated and/or labeled and/or conjugated forms thereof wherein each R1 is independently alkyl (1-6C); each n is independently an integer of 0-6; and R2 is vinyl or a derivative form thereof.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and verifying three-dimensional dose distributions a film phantom uses a phantom which includes a cavity for receiving film sheets. A three-dimensional radiation dose described by a stereotactic radiosurgery plan can be delivered to the phantom while the cavity is loaded with film. The film can be developed to provide multiple dose images. Thereafter, based on the multiple dose images, a measured three-dimensional dose distribution map is obtained. The phantom may have a pattern of translucent areas which expose fiducial marks on the film. The fiducial marks may be used to determine a position and orientation of the film relative to the phantom.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer having an elongated rod set, and a method of operating same. The rod set has an entrance end, an exit end and a longitudinal axis. Ions are admitted into the entrance end of the rod set. At least some of the ions are trapped in the rod set by producing a barrier field at an exit member adjacent to the exit end of the rod set and by producing an RF field between the rods of the rod set adjacent at least the exit end of the rod set. The RF and barrier fields interact in an extraction region adjacent to the exit end of the rod set to produce a fringing field. Ions in the extraction region are energized to mass selectively eject at least some ions of a selected mass to charge ratio axially from the rod set past the barrier field. The RF field is a two-dimensional substantially quadrupole field having a quadrupole harmonic with amplitude A2, an octopole harmonic with amplitude A4, and a hexadecapole harmonic with amplitude A8. A8 is less than A4, and A4 is greater than 0.1% of A2.

Abstract: A class of cationic, polyphemusin-like peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include FRWCFRVCYKGRCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:3), RRWCFRVCYKGFCRYKCR (SEQ ID NO:4), and RRWCFRVCYRGRFCYRKCR (SEQ ID NO:11). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of microbes such as bacteria, yeast and viruses utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel room-temperature process for obtaining calcium phosphate, in particular hydroxyapatite, coatings and microspheres that encapsulate drugs, proteins, genes, DNA for therapeutical use. The coatings and microspheres are designed to perform a defined biological function related to drug delivery, such as gene therapy through gene delivery. A novel method for encapsulation, and subsequent controlled release of therapeutically active agents from such biofunctional coatings and microspheres is disclosed. Such coatings and microspheres are useful for side-effects free, long-term, targeted, controlled release and delivery of drugs, proteins, DNA, and other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Improved particulate feed additives and methods are provided for enhancing feed utilization efficiency in a ruminant animal by adding to the feed of the animals a particulate feed additive comprising a nonionic surfactant to enhance the utilization of the feed by the animal and a sufficient amount of an antioxidant agent to substantially enhance the shelf life of the feed additive. The methods and compositions result in enhanced weight gain and/or milk production by the animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising an anti-angiogenic factor, and a polymeric carrier. Representative examples of anti-angiogenic factors include Anti-Invasive Factor, Retinoic acids and derivatives thereof, and paclitaxel. Also provided are methods for embolizing blood vessels, and eliminating biliary, urethral, esophageal, and tracheal/bronchial obstructions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying scale invariant features in an image and a further method and apparatus for using such scale invariant features to locate an object in an image are disclosed. The method and apparatus for identifying scale invariant features may involve the use of a processor circuit for producing a plurality of component subregion descriptors for each subregion of a pixel region about pixel amplitude extrema in a plurality of difference images produced from the image. This may involve producing a plurality of difference images by blurring an initial image to produce a blurred image and by subtracting the blurred image from the initial image to produce the difference image. For each difference image, pixel amplitude extrema are located and a corresponding pixel region is defined about each pixel amplitude extremum. Each pixel region is divided into subregions and a plurality of component subregion descriptors are produced for each subregion.

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 invention is generally related to the field of photodynamic therapy by use of photosensitizers and stabilized formulations of the photosensitizers. These formulations may be used to deliver a photosensitizer as a pharmaceutical, agricultural, or industrial agent. The photosensitizer containing formulations and compositions of the invention comprise one or more block copolymers. Furthermore, the invention relates to processes for the production of, and application of, said formulations and compositions as photosensitizer drug delivery systems.

Abstract: The present planar photonic bandgap structures achieve improved control over radiation losses by employing layered dielectric structures. These structures control radiation losses incurred in connection with planar photonic bandgap structures and waveguides, waveguide bends, waveguide crossings, filters, switches and fiber-coupling structures in which such planar photonic bandgap structures are used.

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: A method for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from injured tissue, which method comprises the steps of: a. bringing the injured tissue, or pre-injured tissue, into contact with a photosensitizing agent capable of penetrating into the tissue, resulting in the desired degree of biodistribution in less than one hour; and b. exposing the tissue thus contacted to light having a wavelength absorbed by the photosensitizing agent for a time sufficient to reduce or prevent inflammation in the exposed tissue, but not so long as to cause necrosis or erythema of the exposed tissue, or a pharmaceutical composition or an article for reducing or preventing the effects of inflammation arising from injured tissue. The composition comprises: a. from about 1 &mgr;g/mL to about 2 mg/mL of a photosensitizing agent capable of penetrating into the injured tissue, or pre-injured tissue, resulting in the desired degree of biodistribution less than one hour; and b. a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusogenic liposome comprising a lipid capable of adopting a non-lamellar phase, yet capable of assuming a bilayer structure in the presence of a bilayer stabilizing component; and a bilayer stabilizing component reversibly associated with the lipid to stabilize the lipid in a bilayer structure. Such fusogenic liposomes are extremely advantageous because the rate at which they become fusogenic can be not only predetermined, but varied as required over a time scale ranging from minutes to days. Control of liposome fusion can be achieved by modulating the chemical stability and/or exchangeability of the bilayer stabilizing component(s). The fusogenic liposomes of the present invention can be used to deliver drugs, peptide, proteins, RNA, DNA or other bioactive molecules to the target cells of interest.

Abstract: An enhanced fish feed and a method of feeding fish with the enhanced feed are described for particular use in fish farms. The fish feed comprises pellets which are coated with a material intended to contrast highly with conditions within cages of the fish farm and thereby become visible to fish below the surface and humans near the surface. A coating of white material, preferably a mica/titanium dioxide compound, is appropriate. The enhanced visibility of the feed increases the water feeding volume within the enclosure. This reduces fish congestion and stress upon the fish during the feeding period and increases feeding rate.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and verifying three-dimensional dose distributions administered during stereotactic radiosurgery using an anthropomorphic film phantom are provided. The method provides a phantom (11) including a head-shaped hollow shell (12), which mounts a cassettebox therein (14), which in turn may contain a simulated lesion (16) similar to the lesion to be treated. An image is taken of the head-shaped shell including the cassettebox and the simulated lesion using, for example, a CT or MRI scanner. The image is used to develop a stereotactic radiosurgery plan, which includes creating an intended three-dimensional dose distribution map to “treat” the simulated lesion. Thereafter, the simulated lesion is removed from the cassettebox and the cassettebox is loaded with multiple layers of film (42) separated by spacers (44) having tissue-equivalent characteristics.

Abstract: Methods for modulating amyloid deposition in a subject are described. An effective amount of at least one ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter blocker is administered to a subject, such that modulation of amyloid deposition occurs. Methods also include administering and effective amount of at least one ABC transporter blocker, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a subject such that a disease state associated with amyloidosis is treated. Packaged pharmaceutical compositions for treating amyloidosis are described. The package includes a container for holding an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition and instructions for using the pharmaceutical composition for treatment of amyloidosis. The pharmaceutical composition includes at least one ABC blocker for modulating amyloid deposition in a subject. Methods for identifying agents which modulate amyloid deposition in a subject are also described.

Abstract: Donor material from a xenogeneic source is modified to enhance its survival time in a recipient by treating the donor material using low-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT). The donor material, such as an organ or cell suspension, is treated with a photosensitizer and irradiated in a low-dose protocol before transplantation into a xenogeneic recipient.

Abstract: Processes for recovering gold from copper-gold ores thiosulfate leaching or gold ores copper catalyzed thiosulfate leaching using ion exchange technology are disclosed. The processes include subjecting the gold-bearing and copper-bearing thiosulfate solution to a pH and/or temperature adjustment to reduce tetrathionate concentration in the thiosulfate solution prior to contacting with an ion exchange resin. The ion exchange resin once loaded with gold and optionally copper is eluted with a mixture of sodium tetrathionate, ammonium thiosulfate and sodium sulfite. Gold and optionally copper are recovered from the eluate by electrowinning or precipitation.