Abstract: A labile disulfide-containing compound under physiological conditions containing a labile disulfide bond and a transduction signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of desired compounds (e.g., nucleic acids) into cells using noncovalent delivery systems which include complexing nucleic acids, amphipathic binding agents, and amphiphiles.

Abstract: A labile disulfide-containing compound under physiological conditions, comprising: the disulfide-containing compound having a labile disulfide bond that is either a disulfide bond that is cleaved more rapidly than oxidized glutathione or a disulfide bond constructed from thiols in which one of the constituent thiols has a lower pKa than glutathione or a disulfide bond that is activated by intramolecular attack from a free thiol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a complex for providing nucleic acid expression in a cell. A polynucleotide and a polymer are mixed together to form the complex wherein the zeta potential of the complex is not positive. Then the complex is delivered to the cell wherein the nucleic acid is expressed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for transfecting genetic material into a mammalian cell to alter endogenous properties of the cell. The process comprises designing a polynucleotide for transfection. Then the polynucleotide is inserted into a mammalian vessel such as a tail vein or artery. Prior to insertion, subsequent to insertion, or concurrent with insertion the permeability of the vessel is increased thereby the genetic material is delivered to the parenchymal cell altering endogenous properties of the cell.

Abstract: This invention is directed to acyl piperazine derivatives of formula (Ia): wherein R1a, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are defined herein, which are useful as anti-inflammatory agents. This invention is also directed to other acyl piperazine derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of the invention, and methods of using the compounds to treat inflammatory disorders in humans.

Abstract: Chiral nonracemic molecules which are useful as high tilt, high polarization and/or high birefringence FLC materials or are useful as components of such FLC materials and which have the following general structure are provided:RO--(Ph.sub.1).sub.m --(A).sub.a --(Ph.sub.2).sub.n --(B).sub.b --(Ph.sub.3).sub.p --Twhere Ph.sub.1, Ph.sub.2 and Ph.sub.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystals that are diphenyldiacetylenes of the general formulas: ##STR1## where W, X, Y and Z are, independently of one another, a halogen atom, a hydrogen atom or a trihalomethyl group, T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, independently of one another can be an alkyl, alkene, alkoxy, alkenoxy, ether, thioalkyl, thioalkenyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy or haloalkylether groups having from three to twenty carbon atoms or a silylalkyl, silylalkenyl, silylalkoxy or silylthioalkyl group having from three to twenty-eight carbon atoms and wherein M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 can both be single bonds or one of M.sub.1 or M.sub.2 can be a trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or a --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -trans-1,4-cyclohexylene.

Abstract: The present invention provides liquid crystals that are 3,3'-dihalogenated diphenyldiacetylenes of the general formula: ##STR1## where X and Y are, independently of one another, a halogen atom and T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, independently of one another are alkyl or alkenyl or alkoxy tail groups, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, or OR.sub.3, respectively, wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.3, independently of one another, are straight-chain or branched alkyl groups having three to twenty carbon atoms and R.sub.2 is a mono or diene which may be branched or straight-chain having three to twenty carbon atoms. R.sub.1, R.sub.2, or R.sub.3 may be substituted with one or more halogens, particularly fluorines, except that the C-1 carbon of an OR.sub.3 tail may not be halogenated. One or two non-neighboring CH.sub.2 groups of R.sub.1 or R.sub.3 may be substituted with an O atom, except that the C-1 CH.sub.2 group of an OR.sub.3 tail may not be substituted with an O atom. Liquid crystals in which X=Y=fluorine and T.sub.1 =T.sub.