Abstract:
The present invention relates to ''activated'' astrocytes and the methods of utilizing the activated astrocytes as a means for promoting central nervous system nerve growth and regeneration, blood vessel growth and regeneration, and/or reducing secondary necrosis and glial scar formation. The activated astrocytes and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, may be used to treat disorders of the nervous system resulting from trauma or diseases which have in some way damaged the nerve tissue.
Abstract:
A novel method for the synthesis of Group III nitride crystals is disclosed. The method contemplates the reaction of a liquid form of the Group III nitride metal with active nitrogen. The active nitrogen may be generated by a plasma or the thermal decomposition of ammonia and may be neutral, ionic, excited or a mixture thereof. Using the method of the present invention, the crystalline Group III nitride can be grown at pressures of one atmosphere and below. Polycrystalline films grown by this method are of sufficient quality to show luminescence at room temperature.
Abstract:
A small liquid sample to be tested is contained within an annulus (18) on the upper surface (14) of a substrate (12). A reagent diffuses into the sample through a membrane (28) in a junction hole (26), the junction hole connecting upper (14) and lower (16) surfaces of the substrates. Optical measuring equipment (70, 72) detects a measurable change in an optical property of the sample. Alternatively, flow of gas (30) directed at a small liquid sample (24), contained within an annulus on the surface (14) of a substrate (12), causes the sample to flow in a controlled manner over the surface of an electrode (20), disposed on the substrate surface (14). In another alternative, an electrode (20) is disposed in a non-homogeneous sample (24).
Abstract:
A direction method of stably cloning large arrays of repetitive DNA is described. The method is especially useful for the stable cloning of alpha satellite DNA.
Abstract:
A method for screening compounds for antimicrobial activity is described that utilizes bacterial protein-protein binding in vitro. The method may be performed using immobilized elements and the immobilization may be carried out using a variety of immobilization means e.g., columns, beads, adsorbents, nitrocellulose paper, etc.) in order to screen large libraries of compounds.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a multilayer skin equivalent having (i) a scaffold layer incorporated with dermis-forming cells, and (ii) a keratinocyte layer. Also disclosed is a multilayer dermal equivalent having at least one of (i) a first layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermal fibroblasts; and, in laminar relationship therewith, (ii) a second layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermal fibroblasts. Preferred embodiments include those where the scaffold or dermis-forming layer is a multilayer selected from the group consisting of (a) a layer containing isolated papillary dermis-forming cells and a layer containing isolated reticular dermis-forming cells; (b) a layer containing isolated papillary dermis-forming cells and a layer containing isolated, culture expanded mesenchymal stem cells; and (c) a layer containing isolated reticular dermis-forming cells and a layer containing isolated, culture expanded mesenchymal stem cells. Also enclosed is a multilayer skin equivalent having (i) a scaffold layer comprising a first layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing papillary dermal fibroblasts and, in laminar relationship therewith, a second layer of at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component containing reticular dermal fibroblasts; and (ii) a keratinocyte layer. Also disclosed is an injectable composition of dermis-forming cells and at least one skin-associated extracellular matrix component in a pharmaceutically acceptable injectable carrier. The injectable composition can further include keratinocytes.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to methods of treating neoplastic disease whereby gene therapy treatments are employed in combination with a chemotherapy regime. A combinational therapy with anti-neoplastic alkylating agents will optimize host tumor sensitivity to these agents used alone or in combination with O -benzylguanine (BG) or a similar compound or compounds. Hematopoietic cells are infected with a transgene expressing a mutant AGT protein exhibiting DNA repair activity while imparting resistance to BG or a related compound. Introduction of the transduced hematopoietic cell population expressing the mutant AGT protein into the patient in tandem with the chemotherapeutic regime will substantially reduce myelosuppression traditionally associated with the administration of these anti-neoplastic drugs.
Abstract:
The present invention provides new saccharide surfactants. The saccharide surfactants include diblock and triblock saccharide surfactants. The diblock saccharide surfactants have a hydrophobic segment bonded to a hydrophilic head group, that is a saccharide chain. The triblock saccharide surfactants have a hydrophobic segment bonded to two hydrophilic saccharide chains. The hydrophobic segments of the diblick and triblock saccharide surfactants comprise at least one alkyl chain having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms. The saccharide head groups/chains include monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides and have an average weight molecular range of less than 4000. Preferably the saccharide head group/chain comprises 2 to 12 sugar residues. Preferably the saccharide head groups are linked to the alkyl chains by an amide group.
Abstract:
Monoclonal antibodies specific for normal human osteogenic cell subsets and the monoclonal hybridoma cell lines that synthesize and secrete these monospecific antibodies, as well as the uses of the monoclonal antibodies for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.
Abstract:
A capacitive absolute pressure sensor (10) includes a substrate (14) having an electrode (24) deposited thereon and a diaphragm assembly (12) disposed on the substrate (14). As pressure increases, the diaphragm (16) deflects, touches the electrode (24) (in the touch mode), and changes the capacitance of the sensor (10). The changed capacitance is sensed to thus sense pressure changes. A burried feedthrough is used to sense the change in a capacitance in a chamber (34) under the diaphragm (16) and thus determine the pressure sensed. A vacuum in the chamber (34) is maintained by proper selection of a thickness of a sensing electrode and an insulating layer (32), exposition thereof to a thermal cycle, and the hermetic bonding of the diaphragm assembly (12) to the substrate (14).