Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising liposomes and methods of using such liposomes to prevent, treat, or manage a variety of diseases and/or bodily conditions. The liposomes may comprise large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) alone or in combination with multilamellar vesicles (MLVs), small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs), or other therapeutics. The invention relates to liposomes having certain diameters administered to patients using specific doses and/or dosing regimens.

Abstract: Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), preferably a variant form such as Apolipoprotein A-I Milano (ApoA-IM), alone or more preferably in combination with a lipid carrier such as phospholipids or other drug, can be administered locally before or during bypass surgery on diseased coronary, peripheral, and cerebral arteries, surgery to implant grafts or transplanted organs, or angioplasty, or to stabilize unstable plaques. In an alternative embodiment, the apolipoprotein is not provided directly, but the gene encoding the apolipoprotein is provided. The gene is introduced into the blood vessel in a manner similar to that used for the protein, where the protein is then expressed. The technique can also be used for delivery of genes for treatment or prevention or restenosis or other cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for high information content (HIC) analysis or screening of complex biological systems using Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS). The present methods are useful for analyzing complex biological mixtures containing both high molecular weight molecules (e.g., polynucleotides, proteins, polysaccharides) and low molecular weight molecules (e.g., oligonucleotides, peptides, lipids, oligosaccharides, steroid hormones, catabolic and metabolic intermediates) permit the elucidation of molecular differences between complex biological samples, and permit the identification of biologically active molecules (e.g. therapeutically active drugs, etc.).

Abstract: Blood cholesterol levels are correlated with production of amyloid &bgr; protein (A&bgr;), and are predictors of populations at risk of developing AD. Methods for increasing HDL-cholesterol levels, HDL-apoA-I levels, or HDL function, can be used to decrease production of A&bgr;, thereby decreasing the risk of developing AD. Compounds which function as HDL include synthetic HDL which contains lipid such as phosphotidyl choline, phosphatidyl serine, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and other phospholipids. Compounds which enhance HDL function include HDL associated proteins such as apo A1 or variants thereof including apo AI-Milano and biologically active peptides derived therefrom, reverse lipid transport (RLT) peptides, apoE, enzymes associated with HDL such as paraoxonase, and LCAT, alone or, more preferably, formulated in combination with liposomes or emulsions.