Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid material and a method for forming a hybrid material comprising actuator made from a stimuli responsive polymer mounted in a porous framework. The present invention also provides devices employing the actuator of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are simple and unique methods of methods of preparing liposomal compositions of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4HPR) and/or other retinoids. Also disclosed are liposomal 4HPR compositions prepared by such methods, and use of such compositions in the treatment of diseases, such as breast cancer. This invention further provides methods for improving the efficacy of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4HPR) as a chemopreventive agent in the presence of agents that potentiates its ability increase the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS, and NO production in cells.

Abstract: A reduced-toxicity formulation of carotenoids is disclosed which is stable in an aqueous environment. The formulation includes a carotenoid, lipid arrier particles (such as liposomes), and an intercalation promoter agent (such as a triglyceride), which causes the carotenoid to be substantially uniformly distributed with the lipid in the lipid carrier particles. The molar ratio of carotenoid to lipid is greater than about 1:10. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, which comprises administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition as described above.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a mixture of peptides that bind to molecules involved in Bcr-Abl oncoprotein function are disclosed. In addition, expression of functional BCR protein (p160 BCR) or amino terminal fragments thereof (159, 221 and 413 amino terminal residues) by way of retrovirus vectors will oppose the biological function of Bcr-Abl (p160 BCR) or inactivate Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase function or its signal transduction function. Bcr and Abl peptides, either tyrosine phosphorylated or unphosphorylated, that bind to a region near the amino terminus of Bcr to prevent formation of tetramer Bcr-Abl molecules, that bind to the SH2 domain of Grb2, to sites on tyrosine phosphorylated Shc protein, to sites of Crkl, and to an SH2 domain of Ras Gap comprise particular peptide preparations of the invention.

Abstract: An improved delivery system for antisense oligonucleotides involves a liposomal composition, comprising a liposome which consists essentially of neutral phospholipids and an antisense oligonucleotide that is entrapped in the liposome and is selected from the group consisting of phosphodiester oligonucleotides, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, and p-ethoxy oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Complementary DNA and genomic clones for three variants of GST-.pi. are disclosed. It is demonstrated that certain of these variants are overexpressed in gliomas, thereby indicating an involvement with that form of cancer. This permits the detection and treatment of certain classes of tumors using new compositions such as GST-.pi. genes, oligonucleotides, peptides and antibodies.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a stable preliposomal powder which, when reconstituted with water or saline solution, forms a suspension of liposomes containing a polyene drug, such as nystatin. The method involves the steps of combining at least one phospholipid with a first organic solvent to form a first solution, adding a clarifying amount of water to the first solution, combining a polyene with a second organic solvent to form a second solution, combining the first and second solutions to produce a substantially clear combined solution, and then removing the organic solvents, leaving a powder.

Abstract: An improved delivery system for antisense oligonucleotides involves a liposomal composition, comprising a liposome which consists essentially of neutral phospholipids and an antisense oligonucleotide that is entrapped in the liposome and is selected from the group consisting of phosphodiester oligonucleotides, phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, and p-ethoxy oligonucleotides.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a stable preliposomal powder which, when reconstituted with water or saline solution, forms a suspension of liposomes containing a polyene drug, such as nystatin. The method involves the steps of combining at least one phospholipid with a first organic solvent to form a first solution, adding a clarifying amount of water to the first solution, combining a polyene with a second organic solvent to form a second solution, combining the first and second solutions to produce a substantially clear combined solution, and then removing the organic solvents, leaving a powder.

Abstract: A reduced-toxicity formulation of carotenoids is disclosed which is stable in an aqueous environment. The formulation includes a carotenoid, lipid carrier particles (such as liposomes), and an intercalation promoter agent (such as a triglyceride), which causes the carotenoid to be substantially uniformly distributed with the lipid in the lipid carrier particles. The molar ratio of carotenoid to lipid is greater than about 1:10. Also disclosed is a method of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, which comprises administering to a living subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition as described above.

Abstract: A method of simulating a creeper for mechanics servicing a vehicle spaced from a floor and for catching vehicle drippings provides a sheet of cellular material with a lower surface for contacting the floor therealong and with a parallel upper surface. That method and simulated creepers provide for a catching of vehicle drippings and avoid a need for creeper casters by coating the upper surface of that sheet with a dripping-impervious layer facing the vehicle having a lower surface friction than the cellular sheet at its lower surface so that a mechanic may slide along the surface of that layer while the lower surface remains stationary on the floor.

Abstract: A liposomal methyl phosphonate oligonucleotide composition useful in treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia comprises (a) a liposome which comprises at least one phospholipid, and (b) an antisense methyl phosphonate oligonucleotide which is entrapped in the liposome. The molar ratio of phospholipid in the liposome to the methyl phosphonate entrapped in the liposome is between about 100:1 and about 10,000:1. A process for making the composition includes the steps of (a) mixing an antisense methyl phosphonate oligonucleotide in a first organic solvent with at least one phospholipid in a second organic solvent, where the molar ratio of phospholipid to methyl phosphonate is between about 100:1 and about 10,000:1, (b) lyophilizing the mixture formed in step (a), producing a lyophilized powder, (c) hydrating the lyophilized powder, and (d) sonicating the hydrated material.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel antitumor factor, termed Human Monocyte Toxin, obtained by the precise activation of cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage. Monocytes are isolated in the absence of endotoxin by counterflow elutriation. HMT release can be triggered by exposure to low levels of 6-0-stearoyl muramyl dipeptide, lipopolysaccharide, phorbol myristate acetate or other known macrophage activating agents. Triggering results in the rapid release of HMT which requires transcription, translation, and intact secretory apparatus. The requirement for precise control of the triggering agent concentration is disclosed.The government may have certain rights in the present invention pursuant to NIH grant BRSG 5511.

Abstract: This invention provides a cytotoxin composition that inhibits mitochondrial respiration and causes cytostasis in cells, independent of nitric oxide. The invention comprises a conditioned supernatant derived from macrophage cell line (EA13.5) that inhibits mitochondrial respiration and causes cytostasis in cells. More particularly, the invention comprises a macrophage cytotoxin obtained from conditioned supernatant collected from cultured EA13.5 cell. This macrophage cytotoxin (1) inhibits mitochondrial respiration, (2) causes cytostasis independent of L-arginine derived nitric oxide, (3) is a weakly acidic (pI of about 7.5 to 8.0) glycoprotein (as determined by binding to lentil lectin sepharose). The invention also discloses a method for producing an L-arginine-derived nitric oxide-independent macrophage cytotoxin by culturing EA13.5 cells, adding IFN-.gamma.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis and use of new platinum compounds. These new platinum compounds are easy to encapsulate in liposomes at high efficiencies. They are further characterized as platinum (II) four coordinate complex having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are carboxylato monoanions bearing a hydrophobic radical function or a single carboxylato dianion bearing a hydrophobic radical function and R.sub.3 is a vicinal diaminoalkane or vicinal diaminocycloalkane. The complex is substantially soluble in methanol or chloroform and substantially insoluble in water. Said complex may be incorporated into phospholipid liposomes. Such platinum complexes encapsulated in phospholipid liposomes are useful for chemotherapy of platinum complex-sensitive tumors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a stable preliposomal powder which, when reconstituted with water or saline solution, forms a suspension of liposomes containing a polyene drug, such as nystatin. The method involves the steps of combining at least one phospholipid with a first organic solvent to form a first solution, adding a clarifying amount of water to the first solution, combining a polyene with a second organic solvent to form a second solution, combining the first and second solutions to produce a substantially clear combined solution, and then removing the organic solvents, leaving a powder.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis and use of new platinum compounds. These new platinum compounds are easy to encapsulate in liposomes at high efficiencies. They are further characterized as platinum (II) four coordinate complex having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are carboxylato monoanions bearing a hydrophobic radical function or a single carboxylato dianion bearing a hydrophobic radical function and R.sub.3 is a vicinal diaminoalkane or vicinal diaminocycloalkane. The complex is substantially soluble in methanol or chloroform and substantially insoluble in water. Said complex may be incorporated into phospholipid liposomes. Such platinum complexes encapsulated in phospholipid liposomes are useful for chemotherapy of platinum complex-sensitive tumors.

Abstract: A forcible entry tool includes a hollow housing having a blind-ended bore defined therein with a stop shoulder located on a fore end of the housing and extending into the bore. A rod is slidably mounted in the housing bore and includes an abutment on a rear end thereof that is impacted by the shoulder when the housing is moved on the rod. The shoulder and the rod abutment are located inside the housing. A work element is attached to the distal end of the rod, and is engaged with a building security device, such as window bars, to pull that security device off of the building when the housing impacts the rod abutment. Various weights and weight distributions can be provided to adjust and customize the tool for the particular job or the particular user. One or more handles can be attached to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a platinum (II) four-coordinant complex having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl diamine or cycloalkyl diamine and R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are an alkylcarboxylato containing from five to ten carbon atoms. The R.sub.1 is preferably trans-D,L-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-R,R-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, trans-S,S-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane ethylene diamine or 1,1-bis(aminomethyl)cyclohexane. The R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are preferably neohexanoato, neoheptanoato, neononanoato, neodecanoato, neooctanoato, neopentanoato, 2-ethylhexanoato, 2-ehtylbutyrato, 2-propylpropanoato, 2-methyl-2-ethylheptanoato, 2,2-diethylhexanoato, 2,2-dimethyl-4-ethylhexanoato, 2,2-diethyl-4-methylpentanoato, 2,2-dimethyloctanoato, 2-methyl-2-ethylheptanoato, 2,2-diethylhexanoato, 2,2-diethyl-4-methylpentanoato or 2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentanoato.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis and use of new platinum compounds. These new platinum compounds are easy to encapsulate in liposomes at high efficiencies. They are further characterized as platinum (II) four coordinate complex having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are carboxylato monoanions bearing a hydrophobic radical function or a single carboxylato dianion bearing a hydrophobic radical function and R.sub.3 is a vicinal diaminoalkane or vicinal diaminocycloalkane. The complex is substantially soluble in methanol or chloroform and substantially insoluble in water. Said complex may be incorporated into phospholipid liposomes. Such platinum complexes encapsulated in phospholipid liposomes are useful for chemotherapy of platinum complex-sensitive tumors.