Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating fibrosis related diseases and disorders, particularly scleroderma by treating a patient in need with a pharmaceutically efficacious amount of a prostacyclin derivative. The most preferred prostacyclin derivatives are cicaprost and iloprost.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for treating fibrosis related diseases and disorders, particularly scleroderma by treating a patient in need with a pharmaceutically efficacious amount of a prostacyclin derivative. The most preferred prostacyclin derivatives are cicaprost and iloprost.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, stabilized dispersions of collagen fibers that have been treated in order to inactivate infectious agents and methods of stabilizing such collagen fibers are provided.

Abstract: A method of performing in vivo angiogenesis assays which involves the use of a matrix material which can be maintained in an injectable solution form at a temperature below that of a host and which forms a gel matrix when injected into a host. The matrix material is an extract of murine basement membrane. Angiogenic factors, including inducers and inhibitors can be added to the matrix material prior to injection into a host. After a period of time within the host, the gel matrix is recovered and angiogenesis of the recovered matrix gel is quantitated. The procedure can be used to induce vascularization or inhibit vascularization at a tissue situs as desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides and derivatives thereof having laminin-like activity. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these peptides, to antibodies effective against these peptides, and to vectors containing a DNA sequence of cDNA coding for the A chain of laminin. The peptides of the invention may be used to treat diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biologically active basement membrane composition. When polymerized under physiogical conditions, the composition forms gel-like structures whose ultrastructure resembles interconnected thin sheets of the lamina densa zone of basement membrane. The major components of the composition include laminin, type IV collagen, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, entactin and nidogen. These components polymerize in constant proportions when redissolved and allowed to reconstitute. Molecular sieve studies on the soluble extract demonstrate that laminin, entactin and nidogen are associated in a large but dissociable complex. The reconstituted matrix is biologically active and stimulates the growth and differentiation of a variety of cells, including epithelial cells, nerve cells, hair follicles and the like. The reconstituted matrix can also be used for determining metastatic potential of tumor cells and for isolating metastatic tumor cells.

Abstract: Peptides with laminin activity are provided as follows:tyrosine-isoleucine-glycine-serine-arginine;proline-aspartine-serine-glycine-arginine; andcysteine -aspartate-proline-glycine-tyrosine-isoleucine-glycine-serine-arginine.These peptides block angiogenesis, alter the formation of capillary structures by endothelial cells, prevent the formation of excess blood vessels in tissues, and inhibit in vivo tumor cell colonization of tissues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting tumor metastasis in an aminal by administering to an animal in need of such treatment an acrylaminoalkylpryridineamides represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different members of the group consisting of halo, phenyl, substituted phenyl and a ##STR2## group wherein n, m and p are independently an integer of from 1 to 8 provided n+m+p is equal to or less than 10; x is thio or sulfinyl; Alk.sub.1 is straight or branched chain lower alkylene of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, Alk.sub.2 is straight or branched chain alkylene of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, lower alkyl and lower alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in an amount effective to inhibit tumor metastasis.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting tumor metastasis in an animal without treating the tumor cells by administering to said animal a metastasis inhibiting effective amount of a heterocyclic amide represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different members of the group consisting of halo, phenyl, substituted phenyl and a ##STR2## group wherein q, r and t are independently an integer of from 1 to 8 provided that q+r+t is equal to or less than 10; Y is thio or sulfinyl; alk is straight or branched chain lower alkylene, and R.sub.3 is a heterocyclic amine represented by the formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzyl, or substituted benzyl; p is 0 to 2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water driven turbine. The turbine has a central drum rotatable on a horizontal shaft, the drum having a series of buckets about its periphery, the outer lips of each bucket being such as to delay discharge of water from each bucket until the bucket has a almost reached bottom dead center. The turbine has an inlet with a relatively narrow upstream opening and a relatively broad downstream opening, the inlet spreading the flow of water along substantially the length of each bucket. The turbine may be coupled to a pump which pumps water from a reservoir of water that has passed through the pump. Delivery of water can be achieved to unexpectedly high levels using the turbine/pump combination.

Abstract: A method for the promotion or acceleration of wound healing by a treatment with minoxidil is disclosed. The minoxidial can be administered by topical application, oral administration, injection or any combination thereof. Treatment with minoxidil is effective for promoting the migration of epithelial cells in a wound or in tissues such as cornea and the like. Methods for identifying binding sites for minoxidil in cells based on their affinity for the compound in attachment or chemotactic assays are described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a biologically active basement membrane composition. When polymerized under physiological conditions, the composition forms gel-like structures whose ultrastructure resembles interconnected thin sheets of the lamina densa zone of basement membrane. The major components of the composition include laminin, type IV collagen, heparin sulfate proteoglycan, entactin and nidogen. These components polymerize in constant proportions when redissolved and allowed to reconstitute. Molecular sieve studies on the soluble extract demonstrate that laminin, entactin and nidogen are associated in a large but dissociable complex. The reconstituted matrix is biologically active and stimulates the growth and differentiation of a variety of cells, including epithelial cells, nerve cells, hair follicles and the like. The reconstituted matrix can also be used for determining metastatic potential of tumor cells and for isolating metastatic tumor cells.