Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Exemplary peptides of the invention include RLARIVVIRVAR (SEQ ID NO:2) and RLSRIVVIRVCR (SEQ ID NO:3). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention.

Abstract: Methods for measuring the amount of an analyte in a membrane, by applying to the membrane a clearing agent, are disclosed. The clearing agent can be an agent that has approximately the same refractive index as the membrane; alternatively, the clearing agent can be a dissolving agent, that dissolves the membrane. The analyte can be labelled to facilitate detection. Representative labels include fluorescent labels and detectable particles.

Abstract: New compounds useful in photodynamic therapy are of the formula ##STR1## and their 1,4-diene isomers and the metallated and/or labeled and/or conjugated forms thereofwherein each R.sup.1 is independently alkyl (1-6C);each n is independently an integer of 0-6; andR.sup.2 is vinyl or a derivative form thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula I ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.70 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or acyl group; R.sub.2 represents a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or acyl group or is absent when R.sub.6 represents a group --CH.dbd. as hereinafter described; R.sub.73 represents a hydrogen atom or an optional substituent or is absent when R.sub.6 represents a methylene group or a group --CH.dbd. as hereinafter described; Y represents an optional substituent; n represents 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, or an optionally substituted alkyl group; R.sub.74 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group or an optionally substituted alkyl or acyl group; R.sub.7 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R.sub.75 represents an optionally substituted alkyl group; and i) R.sub.6 and R.sub.71 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl or acyl group; and R.sub.72 represents a hydrogen atom; or ii) R.

Abstract: A method of correcting for magnetic field inhomogeneity caused by various factors, such as implanted metal and air/tissue interfaces, in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. Geometric distortion due to inhomogeneity in a static magnetic field B.sub.0 is corrected for by addition of a compensation gradient. The compensation gradient is applied in the slice selection direction Z, has a timing substantially identical to the standard frequency encoding gradient G.sub.x, and has an amplitude identical to the slice selection gradient G.sub.z that is applied during the initial RF excitation. Inhomogeneity in an RF field B.sub.1 is compensated for by utilizing an RF coil that is large enough in size as compared with a metal implant to make the volumetric percentage of the metal in the coil insignificant. Inhomogeneity in a gradient field G=(G.sub.x, G.sub.y, G.sub.z) is corrected for by a treatment of the most significant error factor G.sub.z that causes slice thickness error.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating atherosclerosis. The compositions comprise unilamellar liposomes having an average diameter of 100-150 nanometers. Methods for treating atherosclerosis employing the compositions of the present invention are also provided.

Abstract: Novel polypeptide compositions and methods for their use are provided comprising fusion proteins in which the polysaccharide binding domain or functional portion thereof of a polysaccharidase is fused to a heterologous protein or is conjugated to a chemical moiety. The compositions can be synthesized or prepared by recombinant DNA technology. The compositions find use as removable labels.

Abstract: An isolated and purified Coenzyme A disulfide reductase (CoADR) is provided. Oligonucleotides encoding the CoADR, vectors and host cells containing such oligonucleotides are also provided. In addition, antibodies reactive with the CoADR are provided, as are methods of isolating the CoADR, producing recombinant CoADR, using CoADR for screening compounds for CoADR-modulating activity, and detecting organisms which produce CoADR a test sample. Methods for identifying a gene encoding a CoADR are also provided.

Abstract: Green porphyrins act as antigen-specific immunomodulators in the active phase of an immune response to a particular antigen. This effect occurs at ambient light levels.

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis can be treated effectively using photodynamic therapy. In this protocol, a photoactive compound is administered, allowed to distribute in the effected subject, and the subject is then irradiated to activate the photoactive compound. Alternatively, the blood of a subject to be treated can be subjected to PDT extracorporeally. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, localized treatment at the joints may also be employed.

Abstract: Green porphyrins act as antigen-specific immunomodulators in the active phase of an immune response to a particular antigen, as well as to interfere with intercellular communication. These effects occur in the absence of radiation absorbed by the green porphyrin.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel therapeutic macrocycle compounds useful in photodynamic therapy that are based on the chlorin ring system. The macrocycle compounds have, in many cases, wavelengths of activation at about 670 nm, characteristics of chlorins, and are stabilized against oxidation by the attachment to the chlorin ring of a structure that comprises one or more exocyclic rings that contribute at least one nitrogen atom. Protonation or covalent modification of this nitrogen atom, or other covalent modification of the one or more exocyclic rings permits optimization of pharmacalogically relevant properties including, for example, solubility.

Abstract: A method acquires three complex images, wherein their respective phase differences between water and fat components are .alpha..sub.0, .alpha..sub.0 +.alpha., and .alpha..sub.0 +2.alpha., respectively. The method obtains from these three complex images two possible solution sets for water and fat images. For pixels with both water and fat components, one correct solution set is selected using a binary choice based on the relative Larmor frequencies of water and fat. If a pixel contains only one component, a known statistical bias is applied to identify the component and, thus, the pixel. To correct misidentified pixels, various filters may be applied to all the pixels. The water and fat solutions obtained from the three complex images are used to produce separate images of water and fat. Second pass solutions of water and fat with improved signal-to-noise ratio can be obtained by either averaging or a least square error method.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an image display device having at least one element with a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and a non-reflective state in which the total internal reflection is prevented. A member is positioned adjacent the element for deformation of the member between a first position in which a gap remains between the member and the element and a second position in which the member is in optical contact with the element. The apparatus incorporates a support structure having one or more display chambers. Each display chamber contains one of the elements and members aforesaid. A first aperture is provided in the support structure for air communication between the display chamber and a second chamber provided in the support structure.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for introducing a nucleic acid fragment into the genome of a cell. Suitable compositions comprise an expression vector having first and second inverted repeated sequences from an adeno associated virus, a rep gene from an adeno associated virus and the nucleic acid fragment. The expression vector is complexed with lipids.

Abstract: Image display apparatus incorporating an enclosure having substantially opaque, substantially reflective interior surfaces. A light source emits light rays within the enclosure. An image-bearing surface is mounted in a front portion of the enclosure. The image-bearing surface bears a predefined image having transmissivity and reflectivity characteristics which vary as a function of position on the image-bearing surface, such that a substantial portion of the image is substantially non-transmissive and substantially reflective, and the remaining non-substantial portion of the image is substantially transmissive and substantially non-reflective.

Abstract: A display device and method in which electrophoresis and/or dual prismatic surfaces are used to controllably frustrate total internal reflection at an interface between materials having different refractive indices. In one embodiment, an array of solid dielectric light fibers is surrounded by an electrophoretic medium such as acetonitrile. In the absence of electrophoretic activity, the fibers totally internally reflect light which passes into the fibers, and a reflector returns the light for diffuse emission through the fibers ends. If the fibers are subjected to electrophoretic activity their TIR capability is frustrated. A second embodiment redirects light through two prismatic surfaces in a manner which permits the TIR phenomenon to occur and to be controlled at a flat surface. A third embodiment uses both electrophoresis and dual prismatic surfaces to achieve gapless control of the TIR phenomenon at a flat surface.

Abstract: A method of reducing noise in video signal, by processing the pixels of a process frame of video signal in conjunction with a selected number of previously processed frames to determine values for target pixels in the process frame by applying a temporal motion detector to determine whether a target pixel has a still or motion status and further processing the pixels with motion status by impulse recognition step to further determine whether the pixel should be classified as having a still or a motion status. The pixels are then checked via a spatial motion detecting step to obtain a motion index value to the pixels and the motion index value is used in a motion adaptive temporal filter to define the pixel value of the still pixel. The motion index value of the pixels is used to set a dynamic threshold in a detailed motion active spatial filter to define the pixel value for the motion pixels.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel chelating ligands which incorporate a tripodal backbone. More particularly, the invention pertains to novel tripodal ligands which form coordination compounds with a variety of metal ions, particularly, but not exclusively, trivalent metal ions and lanthanide metal ions, which are useful in nuclear medicine. A novel amine phosphinate tripodal ligand, a chelating ligand and a process therefor involving a metal ion and particularly a trivalent metal ion of the group 13 metals and the rare earths. The process comprises complexing Tc or Re or any one of the group 13 metals, Al, Ga and In, and any one of the rare earths, Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, En, Tm, Yb and Lu, with an amine phosphinate tripodal ligand.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides include NH.sub.2 --KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS--COOH (SEQ ID NO:1) and NH.sub.2 --KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS--COOH (SEQ ID NO:2). Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.