Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic agents useful for the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans. In particular, the present invention relates to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules useful for inhibiting the infection and replication of hSARS virus. Preferably, the RNAi molecules target the replicase region of the hSARS virus, or combinations of different sites of hSARS virus genes. The present invention further encompasses methods of using the RNAi molecules for preventing and/or treating SARS. Vaccines and kits comprising therapeutically effective amounts of the RNAi molecules are also encompassed.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising fragments of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) which can lead to telomere dysfunction in a cell and reduction of growth and tumorigenicity in cancer cells. The invention also relates to uses of the fragments in the treatment of cancer and in drug discovery.

Abstract: Two novel benzofuran glycosides, named psoralenoide and isopsoralenoide, isolated and purified from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. The compounds are useful as therapeutic agents for diseases defined under TCM and as a more accurately means of quality control and assessment for Psoralea corylifolia, an important herbs used in TCM.

Abstract: This invention provides two novel vectors, a vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), and a vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding eGFP. This invention also provides compositions comprising the above vectors. This invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising introducing into the cell the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), or a composition thereof. This invention further provides a method for inhibiting tumor cell growth comprising introducing into the tumor cell the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), or a composition thereof. Finally, this invention provides a method of treating a subject having colon cancer comprising administering to the subject a suitable amount of the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala) in a composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a vector comprising an AAV-shRNA vector. The vector is preferably rAAV-151i/1694i. The invention also provides a method of suppressing or inhibiting HBV replication in liver cells infected therewith, comprising administering an amount of an AAVB-shRNA vector effective to suppress, inhibit or reduce HBV replication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic agents useful for the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans. In particular, the present invention relates to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules useful for inhibiting the infection and replication of hSARS virus. Preferably, the RNAi molecules target the replicase region of the hSARS virus, or combinations of different sites of hSARS virus genes. The present invention further encompasses methods of using the RNAi molecules for preventing and/or treating SARS. Vaccines and kits comprising therapeutically effective amounts of the RNAi molecules are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic agents useful for the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans. In particular, the present invention relates to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules useful for inhibiting the infection and replication of hSARS virus. Preferably, the RNAi molecules target the replicase region of the hSARS virus, or combinations of different sites of hSARS virus genes. The present invention further encompasses methods of using the RNAi molecules for preventing and/or treating SARS. Vaccines and kits comprising therapeutically effective amounts of the RNAi molecules are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of Chinese herbs Buguzhi and Fuling extracts in preparation formulations for the treatment of depression and related symptoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the inhibition of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by RNA molecules of the present invention. Specifically, the RNA molecules of the present invention are double-stranded ribonucleic acid molecules (dsRNA). Specifically, the invention relates to small interfering RNAs (siRNA) which are double-stranded RNAs that direct the sequence-specific degradation of messenger RNA in mammalian cells. The invention relates to development of a new anti-HBV therapy by inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication using stably-expressed short hairpin RNAs (shRNA), which degrade HBV pregenomic RNA and message RNAs. Included are methods of treatment of cancer by the administration of RNA molecules of the present invention in combination with surgery, alone or in further combination with standard and experimental chemotherapies, hormonal therapies, biological therapies/immunotherapies and/or radiation therapies.

Abstract: A Xenopus laevis (the African clawed frog) embryo model is provided to study the effects of alcohol on fetal development. Exposure of Xenopus embryos in specific developmental stages to alcohol results in tadpoles with microencephaly and growth retardation, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, similar to those observed in human fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). The invention further provides methods for screening an agent to determine its usefulness for preventing or treating FAS. Moreover, the invention provides methods for preventing or treating FAS in an animal by administering an agent, such an agent includes vitamin C and a catalase, which causes or enhances an expression of Pax6 that is a neural and eye marker. In addition, the invention provides methods for preventing or treating FAS by administering an agent, such as vitamin C, which causes suppression of NF-?B activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting hepatic fibrogenesis, especially liver fibrogenesis, which method comprises administering an effective amount of Fibroscutum, a mixture of natural peptides extracted from the liver tissue of suckling pig, containing at least 6 peptides of relative abundance of 10-27% and molecular weight of 7-40 kD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic agents useful for the treatment of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in humans. In particular, the present invention relates to RNA interference (RNAi) molecules useful for inhibiting the infection and replication of hSARS virus. Preferably, the RNAi molecules target the replicase region of the hSARS virus, or combinations of different sites of hSARS virus genes. The present invention further encompasses methods of using the RNAi molecules for preventing and/or treating SARS. Vaccines and kits comprising therapeutically effective amounts of the RNAi molecules are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the inhibition of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by RNA molecules of the present invention. Specifically, the RNA molecules of the present invention are double-stranded ribonucleic acid molecules (dsRNA). Specifically, the invention relates to small interfering RNAs (siRNA) which are double-stranded RNAs that direct the sequence-specific degradation of messenger RNA in mammalian cells. The invention relates to development of a new anti-HBV therapy by inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) replication using stably-expressed short hairpin RNAs (shRNA), which degrade HBV pregenomic RNA and message RNAs. Included are methods of treatment of cancer by the administration of RNA molecules of the present invention in combination with surgery, alone or in further combination with standard and experimental chemotherapies, hormonal therapies, biological therapies/immunotherapies and/or radiation therapies.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient gene delivery system using Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) vector in gene therapy. Furthermore, the invention provides a combined AAV and Adenovirus (Adv) cocktail gene delivery system which is even more efficient in in vivo gene delivery and expression without eliciting any significant immune responses in an immunocompetent subject. In particular, the invention provides a therapeutic agent and methods for preventing, treating, managing, or ameliorating various diseases and disorders including, but not limited to, bone diseases, by delivering Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2) for new bone formation via gene therapy using said system. The invention provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising an AVV vector and a promoter operably linked to a sequence encoding BMP-2; and a nucleic acid molecule comprising an Adv vector and a promoter operably linked to a sequence encoding BMP-2, as well as vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acid molecules, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors encoding an angiostatin protein (“AAV-angiostatin vector”) and/or a costimulatory molecule B7.1 (“AAV-B7.1 vector”). The AAV-angiostatin vector can be administered to a subject, alone or in combination, sequentially or simultaneously, with a AAV-B7.1 vector for treatment, management or prevention of metastatic tumors. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising the AAV-angiostatin vector and/or the AAV-B7.1 vector and methods of manufacturing are also described. Administration of AAV-angiostatin and AAV-B7.1 vectors by intraportal and muscular injections are also provided.

Abstract: The persistence of covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in liver cells is believed to be the major reason for relapse after completion of HBV antiviral therapy. Up to now, there is no sensitive method to quantify cccDNA in infected liver cells. A set of primers were designed to specifically amplify DNA fragments from HBV cccDNA but not from viral genomic DNA. A good linear range was obtained when 100 to 107 copies of HBV cccDNA were used as template in the quantitative real-time PCR. Not only is this method rapid, economical, highly sensitive, it can be used to monitor HBV cccDNA in infected human liver biopsies and to guide patients undergoing long-term anti-HBV therapy.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions comprising fragments of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) which can lead to telomere dysfunction in a cell and reduction of growth and tumorigenicity in cancer cells. The invention also relates to uses of the fragments in the treatment of cancer and in drug discovery.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for inhibiting the infectivity of HIV-1 in human cells. The methods comprise contacting human cells infected with HIV-1, with certain quinolinyl and acridinyl derivatives, including amodiaquin, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, primoquine, quinacrine and compounds having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each hydrogen, or join to form a cyclic structure of the formula: ##STR2## and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, same or different, are hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 lower alkyl or hydroxy substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 lower alkyl, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: An intact human immune interferon protein and a method for the extraction and purification of intact recombinant human immune interferon is disclosed. This method permits the purification to homogeneity of intact recombinant human immune interferon.

Abstract: A new protein, termed TAP 29, obtainable from the root tuber of the plant Trichosanthes kirilowii or produced by recombinant means is useful for treating HIV infections or tumors. In treating HIV infections, the protein is administered alone or in conjunction with conventional AIDS therapies. Also provided are processes for purifying the protein, DNA sequences encoding the protein, hosts expressing the protein, recombinant DNA methods for expressing the protein, and antibodies specific for the protein.