Abstract: Authentication systems for products employing populations containing particles of diamonds that have fluorescent emissions of various wavelengths, intensities and durations are described. By varying the populations of diamond particles in products to be labeled, multiple different identification systems can be obtained permitting authentication taggants for large numbers of different products.

Abstract: Authentication systems for products employing populations containing particles of diamonds that have fluorescent emissions of various wavelengths, intensities and durations are described. By varying the populations of diamond particles in products to be labeled, multiple different identification systems can be obtained permitting authentication taggants for large numbers of different products.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to prepare liposome-encapsulated bioactive agents such as nucleic acids, comprising complexation of the bioactive agents in reverse micelles prior to forming liposomes, as well as methods of using the liposomes so formed and formulations to deliver nucleic acids to cells.

Abstract: Provided herein is a taxane having a hydrocarbon attached at the 2′ and/or 7 positions, the hydrocarbon's alpha position being occupied by a “hydrolysis-promoting group” (“HPG”). In one embodiment, the hydrolysis promoting group is stereospecifically attached to the &agr;-carbon of the hydrophobic taxane. The Substitution of an HPG for the methylene unit ordinarily occupying the alpha position allows for enhanced in vivo hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon-taxane bond, and hence, for enhanced taxane therapeutic activity. Also provided herein are taxane-containing compositions, and methods of administering taxanes to animals, including those afflicted with cancers or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for nonliposomal lipid complexes in association with toxic hydrophobic drugs such as the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B. Lipid compositions are preferably a combination of the phospholipids dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) in about a 7:3 mole ratio. The lipid complexes contain a bioactive agent, and may be made by a number of procedures, at high drug:lipid ratios. These compositions of high drug:lipid complexes (HDLCs) may be administered to mammals such as humans for the treatment of infections, with substantially equivalent or greater efficacy and reduced drug toxicities as compared to the drugs in their free form. Also disclosed is a novel liposome-loading procedure, which may also be used in the formation of the HDLCs.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for nonliposomal lipid complexes in association with toxic hydrophobic drugs such as the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B. Lipid compositions are preferably a combination of the phospholipids dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) in about a 7:3 mole ratio. The lipid complexes contain a bioactive agent, and may be made by a number of procedures, at high drug:lipid ratios. These compositions of high drug:lipid complexes (HDLCs) may be administered to mammals such as humans for the treatment of infections, with substantially equivalent or greater efficacy and reduced drug toxicities as compared to the drugs in their free form. Also disclosed is a novel liposome-loading procedure, which may also be used in the formation of the HDLCs.

Abstract: Provided herein is a taxane having a hydrocarbon attached at the 2′ and/or 7 positions, the hydrocarbon's alpha position being occupied by a “hydrolysis-promoting group” (“HPG”). In one embodiment, the hydrolysis promoting group is stereospecifically attached to the a-carbon of the hydrophobic taxane. The Substitution of an HPG for the methylene unit ordinarily occupying the alpha position allows for enhanced in vivo hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon-taxane bond, and hence, for enhanced taxane therapeutic activity. Also provided herein are taxane-containing compositions, and methods of administering taxanes to animals, including those afflicted with cancers or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein is a taxane having a hydrocarbon attached at the 2′ and/or 7 positions, the hydrocarbon's alpha position being occupied by a “hydrolysis-promoting group” (“HPG”). In one embodiment, the hydrolysis promoting group is stereospecifically attached to the &agr;-carbon of the hydrophobic taxane. The Substitution of an HPG for the methylene unit ordinarily occupying the alpha position allows for enhanced in vivo hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon-taxane bond, and hence, for enhanced taxane therapeutic activity. Also provided herein are taxane-containing compositions, and methods of administering taxanes to animals, including those afflicted with cancers or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are described for the preparation of bioactive agents entrapped in lipid vesicles the bilayers of which comprise a salt form of an organic acid derivative of a sterol, such as the tris-salt form of a sterol hemisuccinate, and to bompositions comprising a mixtue of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane salt of cholesteryl hemisuccinate with either an antifungal compound or a peptide. These compositions have various applications in vivo.

Abstract: This invention provides a taxane derivative of the formula: wherein a hydrophobic organic moiety is attached to a taxane. R and R1 is each indepently H or a hydrophobic organic moiety, as long as at least one of R and R1 is not H. Attachment of a hydrophobic organic moiety to the taxane so as to obtain a taxane derivative generally stabilizes the association of the derivative with a lipid, including a liposomal lipid, carrier in the plasma of animals to which the derivative-carrier association is administered. Also provided herein is a composition containing the taxane derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable medium; desirably, the medium also contains a lipid carrier, and the derivative is associated with the carrier. Further provided herein is a method of administering taxane derivatives to animals, for example, animals afflicted with cancers.

Abstract: For use in a lipid-dependent diagnostic assay, a stable aqueous suspension of a phospholipid which normally has a hexagonal (HII) organization when dispersed in an aqueous medium without detergent, the suspension containing the phospholipid, a detergent, and an aqueous phase. In the stable suspension, the phospholipid remains in suspension at a temperature of 25° C. for at least one hour. The suspension is suitable for providing the phospholipid to an assay for lupus anticoagulants which includes the step of pre-incubating a test sample with the phospholipid.

Abstract: Described herein are liposomes containing etherlipids of the formula: as well as a phosphatidylcholine, a sterol, and a headgroup-derivatized lipid. These liposomes are useful in a variety of therapeutic regimens, including the treatment of cancers and inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: This invention provides a taxane derivative of the formula: ##STR1## wherein a hydrophobic organic moiety is attached to a taxane. R and R.sup.1 is each indepently H or a hydrophobic organic moiety, as long as at least one of R and R.sup.1 is not H. Attachment of a hydrophobic organic moiety to the taxane so as to obtain a taxane derivative generally stabilizes the association of the derivative with a lipid, including a liposomal lipid, carrier in the plasma of animals to which the derivative-carrier association is administered. Also provided herein is a composition containing the taxane derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable medium; desirably, the medium also contains a lipid carrier, and the derivative is associated with the carrier. Further provided herein is a method of administering taxane derivatives to animals, for example, animals afflicted with cancers.

Abstract: Provided herein is a taxane having a hydrocarbon attached at the 2' and/or 7 positions, the hydrocarbon's alpha position being occupied by a "hydrolysis-promoting group" ("HPG"). In one embodiment, the hydrolysis promoting group is stereospecifically attached to the .alpha.-carbon of the hydrophobic taxane. The Substitution of an HPG for the methylene unit ordinarily occupying the alpha position allows for enhanced in vivo hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon-taxane bond, and hence, for enhanced taxane therapeutic activity. Also provided herein are taxane-containing compositions, and methods of administering taxanes to animals, including those afflicted with cancers or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A high integrity liposome comprising at least one stabile lipid and at least one peptide-like therapeutic agent associated with said liposome, adapted for parenteral administration to an animal, including a human, and method according to manufacture and use. Immunizing dosage forms comprising a liposome and an immunogen, wherein said liposome and immunogen are present in an immunization dose. Additionally, a dosage form, including such form particularly adapted to producing an immune response, comprising a salt according to an organic acid derivative of a sterol and an immunogen wherein said organic acid derivative of a sterol and immunogen are present in an immunization dose, and method according to use is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition containing a sized liposome comprising a lipid and an inducer; the sized liposome has a diameter of at most about 1 micron and the inducer is present in an amount effective to induce interdigitation-fusion of the sized liposome. Also provided herein are interdigitation-fusion liposomes and gels, and methods of making the same.

Abstract: Provided herein is a taxane having a hydrocarbon attached at the 2' and/or 7 positions, the hydrocarbon's alpha position being occupied by a "hydrolysis-promoting group" ("HPG"). Substitution of an HPG for the methylene unit ordinarily occupying the alpha position allows for enhanced in vivo hydrolysis of the hydrocarbon-taxane bond, and hence, for enhanced taxane therapeutic activity. Also provided herein are taxane-containing compositions, and methods of administering taxanes to animals, including those afflicted with cancers.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of administering a free arachidonic acid metabolite to an animal, the method involving administration of the free metabolite and an endocytosable particle. This method can be used to treat animals afflicted with disorders characterized by cell activation and adhesion, inflammation or toxemia. Also provided is a method of treating a animal for such disorders by administration to the animals of a composition containing an anti-disorder effective amount of an endocytosable particle.

Abstract: Endotoxin incorporated into liposomes, lipid bilayers or lipid complexes can be detected by combining an aqueous suspension of the liposomes, lipid complexes or lipid bilayers with a suitable detergent. Preferable detergents, e.g., Lubrol-PX.TM. or a polyoxyethylene ether, solubilize the lipid bilayers, liposomes or lipid complexes at acceptable lipid concentrations, forming micelles therefrom which contain lipid bilayer, liposome or lipid complex lipid, detergent and endotoxin, should it be present. The micelles are then assayed for the presence of endotoxin.

Abstract: Described herein are liposomes containing etherlipids of the formula: as well as a phosphatidylcholine, a sterol, and a headgroup-derivatized lipid. These liposomes are useful in a variety of therapeutic regimens, including the treatment of cancers and inflammatory disorders.