Abstract: Compositions having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and methods for providing such compositions, are disclosed. In one aspect, the compositions are derived by exposing a berry to an acidic solvent composition, adding a cryoprotectant, and recovering a berry extract having a stabilized anthocyanin content. Compositions comprising the stabilized anthocyanin-containing berry extract, formulated for oral and/or topical administration, are provided also.

Abstract: Compositions having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and methods for providing such compositions, are disclosed. In one aspect, the compositions are derived by exposing a berry to an acidic solvent composition, adding a cryoprotectant, and recovering a berry extract having a stabilized anthocyanin content. Compositions comprising the stabilized anthocyanin-containing berry extract, formulated for oral and/or topical administration, are provided also.

Abstract: A composition for removing a radioactive element or compound such as systemic transuranic compounds, from mammals comprises a pharmaceutical carrier and a decorporation agent comprising ester and amide derivatives of DTPA. A method of treating a mammal to remove systemic compounds utilizing the DTPA derivatives is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nanocapsule and nanoemulsion particle compositions having improved physical and pharmacological properties are provided. The nanocapsule or nanoemulsion particle composition can comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid oil phase, a surfactant, and optionally a co-surfactant. The liquid oil phase can comprise a monoglyceride, a diglyceride, a triglyceride, a propylene glycol ester, or a propylene glycol diester. In certain embodiments, the nanocapsule or nanoemulsion particle composition can be lyophilized and subsequently re-hydrated without increasing the mean particle size and/or adversely affecting the potency or efficacy of a therapeutic agent (e.g., paclitaxel) present in the nanocapsules or nanoemulsion particles.

Abstract: A method for deriving compositions having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from berries is provided. The method results in a berry extract compositions having stable anthocyanin content. In one aspect, the method comprises exposing a berry to a solvent composition having a pH of from about 1 to about 4.5, and recovering a berry extract having a stabilized anthocyanin content. The berry may be a blackberry. A cryoprotectant may be added, to further stabilize the anthocyanin content. Compositions comprising the berry extract of the present invention, formulated for oral and/or topical administration, are provided also, including nutritional supplements, capsules, enteric-coated capsules, film-coated capsules, tablets, enteric-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, chewing gums, lotions, creams, mucoadhesive gels, vanishing lotions, vanishing creams, and the like.

Abstract: A composition is provided for chemoprevention of an oral cancer or precancerous condition, including an isolated berry preparation admixed with a bioadhesive carrier. The carrier may be a mucoadhesive gel. The berry preparation may be derived from one or more of strawberry, raspberry, red raspberry, and black raspberry. Methods for producing the compositions are provided also. There are also provided methods for chemoprevention of an oral cancer or precancerous condition, utilizing the compositions of the invention. Still further, methods for enhancing stability of an anthocyanin contained in the berry preparation of the invention are provided, along with methods for enhancing efficacy of the compositions.

Abstract: Non-denatured, recombinant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Tat that is free of bacterial RNA and endotoxin is employed in an anti-HIV vaccine. A process of producing the recombinant Tat protein includes steps for removing bacterial RNA from the recombinant Tat and for removing endotoxin from the recombinant Tat protein. A Tat-adsorbed nanoparticle formulation and method of making the same. A method of vaccinating against and/or treating HIV infection comprises administering to a subject in need of such vaccination or treatment an immune-response inducing effective amount of the recombinant Tat protein.

Abstract: A composition for removing a radioactive element or compound such as systemic transuranic compounds, from mammals comprises a pharmaceutical carrier and a decorporation agent comprising ester and amide derivatives of DTPA. A method of treating a mammal to remove systemic compounds utilizing the DTPA derivatives is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides prodrugs comprising a polymer conjugated to a metal chelator via a disulfide bond. For example, D-penicillamine may be conjugated to a polymer (e.g., gelatin, chitosan, polyglutamic acid) via a linker, such as SPDP. Thus, the cellular delivery and pharmacokinetics of D-penicillamine can be substantially improved. Methods for the treatment of cancer using compositions of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for deriving compositions having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity from berries is provided. The method results in a berry extract compositions having stable anthocyanin content. In one aspect, the method comprises exposing a berry to a solvent composition having a pH of from about 1 to about 4.5, and recovering a berry extract having a stabilized anthocyanin content. The berry may be a blackberry. A cryoprotectant may be added, to further stabilize the anthocyanin content. Compositions comprising the berry extract of the present invention, formulated for oral and/or topical administration, are provided also, including nutritional supplements, capsules, enteric-coated capsules, film-coated capsules, tablets, enteric-coated tablets, film-coated tablets, chewing gums, lotions, creams, mucoadhesive gels, vanishing lotions, vanishing creams, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nanoscintillation systems, or nanoparticles containing fluor molecules, that can be used to detect an electron-emitting or alpha-particle-emitting radioisotope in the absence of organic-solvents commonly used in organic-based liquid scintillation cocktails. The invention also relates to compositions and use of three oil-in-water microemulsion precursors that can be engineered rapidly, reproducibly, and cost-effectively to produce useful nanoparticles less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of nanoscintillation systems, or nanoparticles containing fluor molecules, that can be used to detect an electron-emitting or alpha-particle-emitting radioisotope in the absence of organic-solvents commonly used in organic-based liquid scintillation cocktails. The invention also relates to compositions and use of three oil-in-water microemulsion precursors that can be engineered rapidly, reproducibly, and cost-effectively to produce useful nanoparticles less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for administering nucleic acid compositions in vitro to cells in culture or in vivo to an organism whereby the uptake of nucleic acids is enhanced are provided. Various compositions, including those incorporating protective, interactive, non-condensing compounds, are utilized to protect and administered nucleic acid formulation, thereby prolonging the localized bioavailability of the administered nucleic acid and enhancing expression from the nucleic acid.

Abstract: Bioadhesive formulations to deliver, for both local and systemic effects, a wide variety of drugs of varying degrees of solubility are described. These formulations can be gels or aerosols and comprise a water-insoluble, pharmaceutically acceptable alkyl cellulose, a solvent system comprising a volatile solvent and water, a solubilizing agent or a dispersing agent, or a mixture thereof, and a pharmaceutical. These formulations can be made bioerodible and release the pharmaceutical in a controlled manner. Formulations further comprising a propellant such as 1,1-difluoroethane are also provided. The delivery can be made to a skin surface or to a mucosal surface. Methods for preparing and administering these formulations are also provided. Several specific examples using the anti-ulcer medication 2-amino-7-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-5H-[1]benzopyrano-[2,3-b]-pyridine-3-carboxylic acid are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for administering nucleic acid compositions in vitro to cells in culture or in vivo to an organism whereby the uptake of nucleic acids is enhanced are provided. Various compositions, including those incorporating protective, interactive, non-condensing compounds, are utilized to protect and administered nucleic acid formulation, thereby prolonging the localized bioavailability of the administered nucleic acid and enhancing expression from the nucleic acid.

Abstract: Compositions of chitosan-based compounds and nucleic acid or oligonucleotide which are capable of delivery to a cell. Methods of preparation of the compositions. Methods of administering the compositions in vitro to cells in culture or in vivo to an organism.

Abstract: Compositions of chitosan-based compounds and nucleic acid or oligonucleotide which are capable of delivery to a cell. Methods of preparation of the compositions. Methods of administering the compositions in vitro to cells in culture or in vivo to an organism.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for administering nucleic acid compositions in vitro to cells in culture or in vivo to an organism whereby the uptake of nucleic acids is enhanced are provided. Various compositions, including thermo-reversible gels, are utilized to increase the viscosity of an administered nucleic acid formulation, thereby prolonging the localized bioavailability of the administered nucleic acid.

Abstract: Alginate beads are employed as a site specific oral delivery system for cationic therapeutic agents, such as TGF-.beta..sub.1, designed to target the agents to the luminal side of the small intestine. Improved delivery of bioactive material is obtained by: 1) incorporating selected polyanions in the alginate beads to shield the cationic therapeutic agent from interaction with alginate and/or 2) acid treating alginate beads containing the therapeutic agents to reduce the molecular weight of alginate and its interaction with the agents. Enhanced bioactivity of therapeutic agents released from the alginate is attributed to the ability of polyacrylic acid to shield the agents from interaction with lower molecular fragments of acid treated alginate.