Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl of 1-8 carbons have been shown to have both neuroprotective and analgesic activities. The compounds of the invention may be used in treatment of conditions that would normally result in neuronal damage, including those arising on account of cerebral ischemia/hypoxia or increase in intracranial pressure such as neoplasms, stroke, meningitis or trauma. Compositions of the invention can also be useful for treatment of toxin-related damage such as drug over-dose or exposure to toxins in the environment.

Abstract: Provided is a flow-through cell culture chamber having an internal chamber or containing cultured cells defined in part by transparent cover slips. Fastening and retainer structures are utilized to urge the cover slips towards one another and seal the internal chamber. The retainer structures are constructed and arranged such that when they are drawn towards one another and contact opposing surfaces of the cell culture chamber body, sufficient pressure is provided against the cover slips to seal the internal chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of purifying cholera toxin using a matrix with at least one ion chosen from among matrix with Ni.sup.+2, Co.sup.+2, Cd.sup.2 or Zn.sup.+2 immobilized thereon. It is possible thereby to selectively elute the B subunit for cholera toxin from the matrix.

Abstract: A process for making a liposome preparation comprised of liposomes that contain an encapsulated material is disclosed. The process comprises (A) providing a plurality of portions of a lipid or liposome formulation; (B) hydrating each of the plurality of portions with a solution comprising a material to be encapsulated; and (C) combining each of the plurality of portions to form a single liposome preparation. The liposome preparations can be used for drug delivery or as vaccines.

Abstract: A method of modifying esterases by substitution with histadine of at least one amino acid within 6 .ANG. of an active site serine provides esterases useful for detoxifying organophasphates.

Abstract: Provided is a breeding container which is adapted to be lethal to container breeding mosquitoes which contains:a walled structure defining an internal volume, the walled structure being constructed and arranged to contain an aqueous liquid within at least a portion of the internal volume;at least one opening in the walled structure disposed so as to allow mosquitoes to enter the walled structure;mosquito egg laying structure in the internal volume constructed and arranged such that female mosquitoes contact a surface of the mosquito egg laying structure; andan insecticide that is lethal to mosquitoes present in an amount sufficient to kill the female mosquitoes in contact with the surface. Also provided is a lethal mosquito breeding container kit and a method for controlling the population of container breeding mosquitoes.

Abstract: A label-based assay is described, through modifications of substrate strure and derivatization of serum albumin, which can be used to determine type A proteolytic activity without separation of products.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections, including particularly infections caused by bacteria, Mycobacteria and gi. A preferred group of compositions of the invention contain as active agents compounds containing pyridyl, quinolyl or benzoquinolyl ring systems substituted on the nitrogen-containing ring at the carbon opposite the nitrogen by a carbon bound to an oxygen which is also bound to a nitrogen through a saturated carbon or carbon chain, or, in the case of the pyridyl ring system, the substituent at the 4 position of the pyridyl ring may be an alkyl which may be substituted with halo, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino or alkylamino.

Abstract: A simple polymerase chain reaction procedure is described for the detection and differentiation of Shigella from other pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates, such as EIEC and EPEC. Serotype specific primers derived from the rfc genes of different Shigella strains are used to identify the most prominents Shigella serotypes, such as S. sonnei, S. flexneria 1 through 5, and S dysenteriae 1. More than 95% of Shigellosis cases reported could be identified by the serotype specific primers described.

Abstract: The vaccines are prepared by isolating the Brucella genes complementing mutations in the purEK genes of Escherichia coli, physically mapping, determining the DNA sequence, constructing a defined deletion mutation by polynucleotide chain reaction (PCR), introducing a selectable marker into the deletion, and then selecting a purE mutant in Brucella arising by allelic exchange. The resulting Brucella require purines for growth because they lack the purE gene product that is required for the carboxylation of 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-aminoimidazole.

Abstract: A fiber optic periodontal endoscope includes a lens and light housing assly attached to a handle end tip containing fiber optic bundles transmitting light from the source to illuminate the probe tip. The returning image traveling back through the handle along the fiber optic bundle is reflected off a mirror toward the magnification lens housed in a portion of the assembly which is at right angles to the light housing portion. The probe has two rotating joints, one between the tip and handle and the other between the assembly and handle to enable rotation of the lens for ease of viewing and additional rotation of the probe tip to allow for illumination and visualization at the side of the tip.

Abstract: A consensus poptide of 36 amino acids has been designed which acts as an immunogen raising antibodies against the proteins of all members of the E. coli family CS4-CFA/1. While the N-terminus of members of this family of organisms shows a high degree of identity, the remainder of the sequence of the proteins shows much less homology across the strains. The region of the protein represented in the subunit encompasses known linear B- and T-cell epitopes of CFA/I. The consensus peptide has a high level of homology to strains bearing six different colonization factors.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the production of antibodies against lipid A by using encapsulating slow-releasing delivery materials or devices containing concentrations of lipid A that are greater than could be given safely to humans in the absence of said materials or devices. The antibodies to lipid A can be used for binding the antibodies to the lipid A that are present in the lipopolysaccharide that coats the surface of the Gram-negative bacteria.

Abstract: We describe a bacterial delivery system for the delivery of DNA and antigens into cells. We constructed an attenuated bacterial vector which enters mammalian cells and ruptures delivering functional plasmid DNA, such as a mammalian expression plasmid, and antigens into the cell cytoplasm. This Shigella vector was designed to deliver DNA to colonic surfaces, thus opening the possibility of oral and other mucosal DNA immunization and gene therapy strategies. The attenuated Shigella is also useful as a vaccine for reducing disease symptoms caused by Shigella.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing images in which phase variation introduced by reflections from a transparent phase object are represented in interference generated phase contrast, and in which gradients in phase introduced by transmission through the phase modulating object or plate are represented in phase gradient contrast. Combination interference generated phase contrast-phase gradient contrast images are also produced. A laser beam is directed by a beam splitter through the transparent phase and falls onto a photorefractive crystal where a temporary hologram forms. The hologram generates the phase conjugate of the transmitted beam which moves back through the plate, so the phase distortions introduced by the transparent phase object are removed in the back propagating beam. This beam interferes with a specularly reflected beam from the transparent phase object.

Abstract: A movement monitor and stimulator may prevent death in human infants from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Recent medical studies indicate a SIDS victim's breathing may be resuscitated by immediate stimulation. The sound and/or movement monitor and stimulator may have a base member configured as a fluid-filled sensing pad for supporting an infant and a transducer for detecting movement or acoustic activity (e.g., heart beat, breathing, voice and motion sounds). A stimulator may move the base member to stimulate movement in the object when output from the transducer corresponds to no sound and/or movement from the object, or indicates a dangerous change in monitored condition, such as the decrease in metabolic rate indicative of the onset of sleep. The stimulator may also be applied in a more gentle fashion to soothe and quiet an infant that has been awakened unexpectedly. The transducer may be a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid interior of the sensing pad.

Abstract: A method is provided for dispersing and/or disrupting an aligned jet from a haped charge round. A fluted shaped charge liner, typically used to compensate for spin effects on a coherent jet in a spin stabilized round is applied to a non-spinning round to produce a dispersed and/or disrupted jet pattern. The effect of disruption may also be altered by altering the subcalibration ratio (ratio of liner diameter to charge diameter). For a given liner diameter, an increase in charge diameter may result in increased dispersion of the jet. In addition, other types of spin compensated liners such as those using so-called metallurgical spin compensation, may be applied to a non-spinning round to produce dispersion and/or disruption of the jet. Moreover, the rate of spinning of the round (or the direction of spin) may be altered such that the spin compensated liner produces a dispersed jet pattern.

Abstract: A wideband (DC to GHz) PC-board Balun that is disclosed. The balun mainta low insertion loss and good balance for ultra wide band (UWB) applications such as impulse radar. The balun structure is formed by microstrip transmission lines on a dielectric substrate, having at least one inverting and one non-inverting transmission lines. The transmission lines are connected to form balanced transmission lines stacked about a ground plane. N transmission lines can be connected to form a N.sup.2 :1 impedance ratio balun. Ferrite cores placed about the transmission lines and resistor-capacitor circuits improve the low frequency operation of the balun.

Abstract: A movement and sound monitor and stimulator which is particularly useful for preventing death in human infants from sudden infant death syndrome is disclosed. The movement and sound monitor and stimulator has a base member which may be a fluid-filled sensing pad for supporting the infant or other animate object which is being monitored and a transducer positioned for detecting movement or acoustic activity (e.g., heartbeat, breathing) of the object on the base member to provide an output signal in response to forces applied thereto which are generated by such movement. A circuit is connected to monitor the output signal from the transducer and activates a stimulator which is operable to provide movement to the base member to stimulate movement in the object when output from the transducer to the circuit corresponds to no movement from the object. The transducer may be a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the fluid interior of the sensing pad.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring the intensity of high amplitude strain waves caused by the impact of a projectile or the detonation of an explosive on armor plate are disclosed. The sensor may be configured as a shock wave sensor. The shock wave sensor may include a solid, cylindrical bar having a pair of strain gages located at opposite positions on an exterior surface of the bar. The strain gages may be located along one end of the bar proximal to a test specimen such as armor plate.