Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting the growth or metastasis of a cancer in a mammal by inhibiting a Ral GTPase in the mammal. The invention also provides small molecule inhibitors of Ral GTPases useful in the methods of the invention and pharmaceutical compositions containing the therapeutically effective compounds of the invention, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel recombinant autonomous parvovirus vectors, novel recombinant virus particles, and novel gene delivery vehicles that can be used to selectively target heterologous nucleic acid sequences to desired cell types and to selectively express such sequences in such desired cell types. Recombinant autonomous parvovirus gene delivery vehicles are particularly advantageous for transient gene therapy, and are especially well-suited to treat diseases in which there is rapid cell growth, such as cancer. Also included is the use of recombinant vectors of the present invention to produce RNA and protein products in cell culture.

Abstract: This invention provides smectic liquid crystal cells with lateral electrodes. The effective change in refractive index with field-induced tilting of the liquid crystal molecules is increased by providing an angle between the direction of propagation of light and the direction of the molecular directors at zero applied field. For homeotropically aligned liquid crystals this is accomplished by inclining the incident light beam at an oblique angle to the device surface. For tilted layer cells the liquid crystal layers are tilted and the light can impinge at normal incidence. This invention further provides Fabry-Perot filters utilizing lateral electrode liquid crystal cells.

Abstract: The her-1 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans has been isolated and sequenced. The her-1 gene encodes an amino acid sequence which induces male differentiation. Methods for recombinantly producing the her-1 protein and for transforming plants, bacteria and fungi with the her-1 gene to express the her-1 protein are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a multipass Solc filter which utilizes liquid crystal variable retarders to provide high resolution and tunability. The Solc polarization-interference effects are used synergistically with the Fabry-Perot cavity resonances. The cavity comprises a central retarder, two quarter wave plates, and an optional isotropic spacer. The central retarder or the isotropic spacer can include liquid crystal cells to provide tuning of the Solc envelope or the cavity resonances respectively. In one embodiment the variable retarder is a three element quarter-half-quarter device with a liquid crystal electro-optically rotatable half-wave plate. Reflection mode configurations are introduced wherein, because of the bilateral symmetry of the Solc filter, it is possible to use only half of the intracavity elements. Criteria for designing filter parameters to meet resolution, out-of-band discrimination, and tuning range requirements are provided.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing cobalamin deficiency in warm-blooded animals is described. In one embodiment, this method comprises the measurement of methylmalonic acid levels in cerebral spinal fluid to determine if such levels exceed normal range. A finding of elevated levels indicates a cobalamin deficiency. In another embodiment, the method comprises the measurement of methylmalonic acid levels in cerebral spinal fluid and serum. A finding that the ratio of methylmalonic acid in cerebral spinal fluid to that in serum is above normal is indicative of a cobalamin deficiency. Additionally, a method for assessing the effectiveness of cobalamin therapy is described. The effectiveness of therapy is assessed by determining whether cerebral spinal fluid levels of methylmalonic acid have returned to normal, or by determining whether the ratio of methylmalonic acid in cerebral spinal fluid to that in serum has returned to normal range.

Abstract: Improved methods for the GC/MS analysis of sulfhydryl amino acids and methylmalonic acids in samples of body fluids are provided. Additionally a method for combined assay of sulfhydryl amino acids particularly total homocysteine and combined creatine/creatinine levels in samples of body fluids provided. The information provided by the methods described is useful in the detection of the presence of cobalamin or folate deficiencies in individuals and in distinguishing between the two deficiencies.

Abstract: A fluid membrane is described, termed the electroconvective liquid crystal membrane (ECLCM), comprised of a sandwich-like configuration in which a fluid layer is contained within a structure. The structure containing the fluid layer separates distinct regions having different concentrations of one or more diffusant species and is capable of being accessed by the diffusant species. The fluid layer is comprised of any fluid in which an electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow can be induced, including liquid crystals and liquid crystal-like fluids. The ECLCM includes means for applying an electric field to the fluid layer such that an EHD flow is induced within the fluid layer. The EHD flow alters the passage of the diffusant species across the ECLCM. The fluid layer may be modified by the addition of other components which act as carriers to the passage of selected diffusants.

Abstract: Derivatized molybdenum-sulfide dimers of the general formula [(C.sub.5 R.sub.5 Mo).sub.2 (.mu.-S).sub.4-x (.mu.-SR).sub.x ].sup.n are utilized in the solid state, incorporated in permselective membranes and in aqueous solution as chemical specific complexing agents in various separation processes.

Abstract: The present invention describes a perfluorinated ionomer membrane having a improved transport characteristics. A surfactant species is added to a polymer mixture prior to film casting. The resulting membranes have a measurably altered membrane microstructure and improved transport characteristics over prior art membranes. The present invention describes the method of producing the improved membranes. The membranes of the present invention are useful in a number of separation processes, including the separation of NH.sub.3 from gaseous and liquid mixtures, in the production of NaOH and Cl.sub.2 gas from the electrolytic dissolution of NaCl, in the separation of toxic and radioactive metals from aqueous streams, and in solid polymer electrolyte H.sub.2 /O.sub.2 fuel cells.

Abstract: A cDNA sequence encoding human .kappa.-casein.

Abstract: Derivatized molybdenum-sulfide dimers of the general formula [(C.sub.5 R.sub.5 Mo).sub.2 (.mu.-S).sub.4-x (.mu.-SR).sub.x ].sup.n are utilized in the solid state, incorporated in permselective membranes and in aqueous solution as chemical specific complexing agents in various separation processes.

Abstract: Polypeptides and mutants and variants associated with programmed cell death in mammalian cells and DNA sequences, and fragments and derivatives thereof, encoding the polypeptides are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for detecting programmed cell death in mammalian cells, a method of activating programmed cell death in unwanted mammalian cells, and methods for preventing unwanted cell death occurring in degenerative disorders of mammals.

Abstract: This invention provides a fiber waveguide with a liquid crystal core. The liquid crystals are aligned in layers with molecular directors approximately parallel to each other. An electric field can be applied to the liquid crystal core to provide linear and nonlinear optical modulation. Alone or in combination with polarizers, reflectors, and birefringent elements, the waveguide of this invention provides phase, polarization and intensity modulation, spectral filtering, and second harmonic generation.

Abstract: Apparatus for time modifying, or expanding, a serial optical signal that comprises a plurality of light pulses located in bit cells. A plurality of light reflectors establish a plurality of optical delay paths, one path for each light pulse. Each path provides a progressively greater delay time. A scanner operates in synchronism with the bit cell frequency of the optical signal, and sequentially switches each light pulse to the input of a corresponding delay path. A serial output is associated with the output of the plurality of delay paths, and operates to assemble the output pulses into an output optical signal having a like plurality of light pulses. The time separation or bit cell frequency of the output optical signal is greater than the bit cell frequency of the input optical signal.

Abstract: Wall coverings for anechoic chambers are disclosed having an array of lossy pyramid cone material mounted on multiple backing layers of absorbing material. The number of backing layers to be used, their physical dimension (thickness) and their material properties (conductivity and permittivity) are selected so as not to modify the high frequency (UHF) behavior of the pyramid structure, while at the same time providing a greatly reduced low frequency (VHF) reflection coefficient for the composite absorbing wall. The physical dimension and the material properties of each of the multiple backing layers are selected by a constrained nonlinear optimization data processing procedure or method. The optimization method utilizes known S parameters of the pyramid array, and either known properties of the backing layers, or constrained backing layer properties that are defined by the wall designer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a culture medium designated COF 1769 useful for establishing, growing and maintaining mammalian cells in culture, in particular for the establishment and culture of human normal and malignant cells. Also provided by the invention is an improved method for obtaining growth of mammalian cells.

Abstract: An improved basal nutrient medium MCDB 120 for the clonal growth of human muscle satellite cells (HMSC) is described. In addition, serum-free supplements for the clonal growth of HMSC containing serum albumin, dexamethasone, fetuin fraction mitogen, epidermal growth factor and insulin are described. Combination of MCDB 120 and the serum-free supplement results in a serum-free medium for growth of HMSC, which can be transplanted to muscles of patients afflicted with muscle degenerative diseases such as muscular dystrophy. The serum-free supplement can also be used with other basal nutrient media such as MCDB 131M for growth of HMSC. Addition of 5% dialyzed fetal bovine serum to the serum-free media described results in semi-defined media which allows significantly improved growth of HMSC.

Abstract: A method for the selective killing of HIV-infected cells, via HIV-regulated expression of a toxin gene, is provided in the present invention. Specifically, the expression of the diphtheria toxin fragment A gene is subject to tight control by cis-acting HIV regulatory sequences and trans-acting regulatory factors. Also provided is a method of protecting a host from HIV infection by the stable transformation of target cells, those cells which can be infected with HIV, with an HIV-regulated toxin gene. When such a stably transformed cell becomes infected with HIV, induction of the toxin gene prevents the replication and spread of the virus.

Abstract: A method of forming thallium, barium, calcium, copper oxide films with smooth surfaces and chemical uniformity by sequentially depositing layers and annealing in the absence of a separate source of Tl.