Abstract: The present invention provides both a method and means for regulating I&kgr;B&agr; degradation, NF&kgr;B activity, and NF&kgr;B-dependent gene expression within living cells, tissues, and organs in-situ. The selective regulation is performed using native PR-39 peptide or one of its shorter-length homologs, for interaction with such I&kgr;B&agr; and proteasomes as are present in the cytoplasm of viable cells. The result of PR-39 peptide interaction with I&kgr;B&agr; is a selective alteration in the intracellular proteolytic activity of proteasomes, which in turn, causes a reduction of I&kgr;B&agr;, a decrease of NF&kgr;B activity, and a down-regulation of NF&kgr;B-dependent gene expression.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptides that interacts with thrombospondin 2 and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity. Consequently, the invention provides peptides that inhibit MMP-9 activity and are useful as inhibitors of angiogenesis and metastasis, among other diseases regulated by MMP-9. The peptides of the invention and their methods of use are therapeutic against diseases, such as cancer and arthritis, which are characterized by neovascularization.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) where R1 is phenyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms, naphthyl and naphthyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; R2 is —NH2 and —NHC(═O)Ra; R3 is —NRbRc, —NHC(═O)Ra or hydrogen; R4 is hydrogen, —C1-4 alkyl, —CN, —CH2OH, —CH2ORd, —CH2S(O)xRd and —C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms in which Ra represents C1-4 alkyl or C3-7cycloalkyl, and Rb and Rc, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl, or together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 6-membered nitrogen containing heterocycle, which heterocycle can be further substituted with one or more C1-4 alkyl; Rd is C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; x is an integer zero, one or two; and salts, solvates and prodrugs thereof, provided that R1 does not represent: when R2 is —NH2, and both R3 and R4 are hydrogen.

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) 1

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptides that interacts with thrombospondin 2 and inhibit matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity. Consequently, the invention provides peptides that inhibit MMP-9 activity and are useful as inhibitors of angiogenesis and metastasis, among other diseases regulated by MMP-9. The peptides of the invention and their methods of use are therapeutic against diseases, such as cancer and arthritis, which are characterized by neovascularization.

Abstract: Antisense oligonucleotide gene therapy selective for the 5′ region of PDGFR-&bgr; subunit mRNA was used in attempt to prevent intimal thickening following rat carotid arterial injury. Sustained perivascular application of the antisense oligomers for 14 days reduced PDGFR-&bgr; protein overexpression and prevented neointima formation by 80%. Alternatively, a bolus of antisense oligomers reduced the PDGFR-&bgr; protein expression by at least 90% for at least 28 days. Specificity was verified by the absence of effects on the expression of a non-targeted gene PDGFR-&agr;. These data demonstrated that antisense oligonucleotide sequences can effectively suppress a growth factor receptor, and the reduction of intimal hyperplasia after injury correlates with the extent to which these oligomers inhibited PDGFR-&bgr; protein expression. Advantageously, reduction of intimal hyperplasia was also accomplished with an almost completely restored endothelial function.

Abstract: So as to embody a placard strip in which the assembly of the placard is improved, provision is made for a substantially annular cylindrical main body with a longitudinal slit for the accommodation of the placard that is to be joined to the placard strip; a first marginal area which is formed in a single piece with the main body and disposed contiguous to the slit; and a second marginal area which is formed in a single piece with the main body and disposed contiguous to the slit and opposite the first marginal area. The first marginal area has two clamping walls which are formed in a single piece with each other and rest planely on each other, receiving and clamping a margin of the placard.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I) wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms, naphthyl and naphthyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; R2 is selected from the group consisting of —NH2 and —NHC(═O)Ra; R3 is selected from the group consisting of —NRbRc, —NHC(═O)Ra and hydrogen, R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, -C1-4 alkyl, -C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms, —CN, —CH2OH, —CH2ORd and —CH2S(O)xRd; wherein Ra represents C1-4 alkyl or C3-7cycloalkyl, and Rb and Rc, which may be the same or different, are selected from hydrogen and C1-4 alkyl, or together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a 6-membered nitrogen containing heterocycle, which heterocycle can be further susbtituted with one or more C1-4 alkyl; Rd is selected from C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 alkyl substituted by one or more halogen atoms; x is an integer zero, one or two; and pharmaceuticall

Abstract: The present invention discloses an intraoral semi-custom disclusion device for use on at least one anterior upper incisor, the kit comprises a channel, adapted to removably receive within the channel the at least one upper anterior incisor. The channel has a front wall and a back wall with each generally parallel to a common plane and a floor connecting the front and back walls having a lower outer surface in a plane that is either tiltable, or tilted, to the common plane. The device also includes a curable polymeric resin for filling at least a portion of the channel. The polymeric resin is moldable around the at least one anterior upper incisor when the channel is positioned for use and is curable to a soft resilient molded shape of the at least one anterior upper incisor.

Abstract: Angiogenesis in cardiac and other tissues is promoted by the transmural delivery of angiogenic factors such as VEGF, FGF, EGF, and PDGF, through blood vessels and other body lumens into the surrounding tissue. Usually, the angiogenic factor is delivered using a catheter having infusion parts at its distal end. Optionally, the distal end of the catheter is radially expanded to engage the infusion parts directly against the blood vessel wall.

Abstract: A method of playing a gambling game-device on a standard, conventional personal computer utilizing at least one floppy disk or smart card that is purchased from a licensed vendor or provider. When the disk or smart card is purchased, a predetermined, gambling credit-balance is credited to the "credit balance" field of the "wage-related control information" section of the disk or card. From that credit-balance, the purchaser may bet any desired amount, up to the maximum credited, during the playing of the gambling game. Before the start of play of the game, the player is asked the amount of his wager, whereupon, that amount is deducted from the "credit-balance" field and debited to the "debit-field". After having played the gambling game, the winnings, if any, are then credited to the "credit-field", or the losses, if any, are debit to the "debit-field" of the disk or card.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the fabrication of a stent of a filiform material resorbable by the body, which stent is coated with heparin to avoid thromboses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for localized application of antisense oligonucleotides, which has been found to be effective in inhibiting expression and translation of a variety of genes. The method utilizes antisense oligonucleotides which are specific for the mRNA transcribed from the gene of interest. The antisense oligonucleotides are applied directly to the desired locus of the cells to be treated, where they hybridize with the mRNA and inhibit expression of the gene. Devices for localized antisense application and methods for making them also are described.

Abstract: A computer-controlled LED display system including an N.times.M rectangular array of light units. Each light unit includes one or more LED's that are driven so as to emit a train of light pulses separated by intervals of substantially zero light intensity. The temperature of the LED cathodes will decrease during each interval of zero emitted light intensity, so that the average temperature of each LED over its operating period will be less thaN it would be with zero intensity intervals of shorter duration. In a preferred embodiment, the drive circuit has a nonzero, finite RC constant and a capacitor connected in series with the LED's, so as to produce sufficiently long duration, substantially zero intensity intervals between the emitted light pulses. Each LED driving circuit includes a switch (preferably of the opto-coupler or triac type) for switching the circuit between "on" and "off" modes. Each switch is controlled by serial digital signals supplied via an interface unit.

Abstract: A method of producing a rolling bearing race provided with a continuous rupture seam along at least one area of its periphery and having a seating surface and a race for rolling elements, the rolling bearing race surface being exposed before rupture along at least a portion of the intended course of the rupture seam to high-energy radiation with the local confines transerve to the intended course of the rupture seam and during rupture the surface area exposed to radiation is subjected to tensile stress by an external force, characterized in that the seating surface (2,8) of the bearing race (1,7) is exposed to the radiation and the external force is exerted as a pressure force onto the raceway surface (3,9) along an area directly opposed to the area (6,10) of the seating surface (2,8) exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A radiation receiver which includes a hollow body having an opening for the inlet of radiation, and a ceramic absorber arranged within the hollow body adapted to absorb the radiation energy received through the opening and to deliver it to a heat carrier medium in the form of thermal radiation.

Abstract: Lateral magnetic guidance apparatus for laterally guiding a wheel set of a rail vehicle with respect to a support rail. The apparatus includes electromagnets carried with the wheel sets and positioned and controlled so as to effect return of the wheel set to a central position along the rail whenever the wheel set deviates from the central position. At least one electromagnet is provided which has a multi-piece pole shoe with a plurality of pole faces disposed longitudinally spaced from one another along the support rail.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, especially Otto engine, which utilizes fuel gas supplied in a low-temperature liquefied state for the combustion process. Heat exchange means are provided for effecting a heat exchange between the intake combustion air and the fuel gas such that the combustion air is cooled down prior to combustion by its use as a heat-emitting heat-exchanging medium for preheating the low-temperature liquefied fuel gas. In one preferred embodiment, the heat exchange means is a mixing carburetor arranged upstream of the engine combustion chamber and in another preferred embodiment of the invention, the heat exchanger means is a non-contact heat exchanger for effecting heat transfer without mixing of the combustion air and fuel gas.

Abstract: Bending beam arrangement for use in supporting elevated trains and the like, and method of making same. The profile member beam is formed as a composite structure having steel profilemember and a concrete profile member connected thereto. The concrete profile member is disposed and configured so as to maximally absorb the compression forces experienced by the bending beam while minimizing the total cross sectional area of the concrete so that the overall weight of the bending beam is maintained at a minimal level. By absorbing the compressive forces on the composite beam and thereby preventing buckling of the steel beam, a thin walled steel beam construction can be utilized hence substantially only significant tensile forces need be accommodated thereby. Various preferred geometrical embodiments are included with means being provided in each embodiment to accommodate supporting and guiding of an elevational or suspended train vehicle for movement therealong.

Abstract: A roadway for rapid transit railways comprises concrete or reinforced concrete piers supporting an all steel support or suspension structure for the support and/or suspension as well as guiding of the vehicles.