Abstract: Electrochemical test cells are made with precision and accuracy by adhering an electrically resistive sheet having a bound opening to a first electrically conductive sheet. A notching opening is then punched through the electrically resistive sheet and the first electrically conductive sheet. The notching opening intersects the first bound opening in the electrically resistive sheet, and transforms the first bound opening into a notch in the electrically resistive sheet. A second electrically conductive sheet is punched to have a notching opening corresponding to that of first electrically conductive sheet, and this is adhered to the other side of the electrically resistive sheet such that the notching openings are aligned. This structure is cleaved from surrounding material to form an electrochemical cell that has a sample space for receiving a sample defined by the first and second conductive sheets and the notch in the electrically resistive sheet.

Abstract: A signature for breast cancer tissue derived from a patient is established that is indicative of the virulence and risk of lung metastasis by determining the expression levels to define a sample signature, and comparing this sample signature to a reference signature. The reference signature defines a standard expression level for each gene and a significant change direction, i.e., either overexpressed or underexpressed. A sample signature that differs from the reference signature in the significant change direction for a predetermined number of the genes tested is indicative of a significant risk of lung metastasis. This determination is used to define appropriate treatment and monitoring options for the patient.

Abstract: An easily manufactured electrochemical test strip is made with facing electrode but side by side connectors for insertion into an electrochemical test meter. Current is conducted from the electrode on one layer to a connector on the other by a conductive layer disposed adjacent the end of a spacer layer, or by displacing the layer to bring a conductive surface on it into contact with the connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for assessing the sensitivity of a patient's cancer to treatment with 10-propargyl-10-deazaminopterin and a method for selecting a patient for treatment of cancer with 10-propargyl-10-deazaminopterin, by determining the amount of a selected polypeptide expressed by the cancer and comparing the amount with the amount of the selected polypeptide expressed by a reference cancer, wherein the polypeptide includes a member of folate pathways within cells and may include at least one of reduced folate carrier-1 enzyme (RFC-1), dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), folylpoly-gamma-glutamate synthetase (FPGS), thymidylate synthase (TS), ?-glutamyl hydrolase (GGH), and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase (GARFT). The present invention also relates to the use of 10-propargyl-10-deazaminopterin in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Abstract: CNS malignancy is treated in a subject suffering from a CNS malignancy by administering to the subject an antisense oligonucleotide having a sequence of bases that is complementary to portions of both the gene encoding IGFBP-2 and the gene encoding IGFBP-5, and which is of sufficient length to act as an inhibitor of the effective amount of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5, in an amount effective to reduce effective levels of IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-5 in cells of the CNS malignancy.

Abstract: A lancing device is used with a lancet for lancing body tissue to result in a wound for bleeding. The lancing device has a cantilevered priming arm having a first arm portion that is generally parallel to an internal channel of the device and a second arm portion that is generally perpendicular to the internal channel. The second arm portion is connected to a lancet carrier and movement of the first arm portion toward the internal channel draws the lancet carrier to a primed position and stores energy in a lancet driver.

Abstract: A system for identifying, monitoring, and tracking a plurality of tools includes: a pad for placing the tools, wherein the pad includes a plurality of appropriately-sized cutouts for nesting each of the tools; a sensor in each cutout that detects placement and removal of the tool in the cutout; and a low frequency radio tag placed in the pad and operatively coupled with each sensor for reading each sensor. The low frequency radio tag operates at a low clock frequency and is configured to receive and transmit data signals within a peer-to-peer network with any low frequency radiating transceiver. The low frequency radio tag includes: a tag antenna operable at a low radio frequency not exceeding 450 kilohertz, a transceiver, a data storage device for storing data for identifying the tools, a processor for processing the data; and a connector for a power source.

Abstract: The presence of a select analyte in the sample is evaluated in an electrochemical system using a conduction cell-type apparatus. A potential or current is generated between the two electrodes of the cell sufficient to bring about oxidation or reduction of the analyte or of a mediator in an analyte-detection redox system, thereby forming a chemical potential gradient of the analyte or mediator between the two electrodes After the gradient is established, the applied potential or current is discontinued and an analyte-independent signal is obtained from the relaxation of the chemical potential gradient. The analyte-independent signal is used to correct the analyte-dependent signal obtained during application of the potential or current.

Abstract: A method for providing real-time visibility on a construction project includes steps of: attaching a low-frequency, ultra low-power, two-way transceiver radio tag to each construction material to be used in the construction project; storing data relating to the construction material in the tag; and reading the data from the transceiver of the tag by interrogating the radio tag with radio frequency interrogation signals.

Abstract: The system employs full transceivers, each having peer-to-peer, client/server, and IP networking capabilities, and covering open-area ranges of up to 100 feet. The system uses Low Frequency for data communications so it can achieve both low cost (less costly than many RF-ID tags) and long battery life (10-15 years). Additionally, since these tags have batteries, static RAM maybe be added at very low cost, as well as sensors, LED's displays etc. The system also employs a sidewinder that communicates to said tag regularly, said sidewinder keeps the IP address of said tag. The system also employs an embedded VPN. The VPN includes a suite of diagnostic tools that run on a laptop. The system also includes a visibility data server that communicates to the sidewinder by the VPN. The data server includes a virtual tag data base, said virtual tag data base updated by the sidewinder.

Abstract: Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag.

Abstract: A binding partner for the TSH receptor, which binding partner comprises, or is derived from, a human monoclonal or recombinant antibody, or one or more fragments thereof, reactive with the TSH receptor, uses thereof, methods of diagnosis and therapy employing the same, and anti-idiotypic antibodies thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid fragments encoding amino acid sequences for flavonoid biosynthetic enzymes in plants, and the use thereof for the modification of, for example, flavonoid biosynthesis in plants, and more specifically the modification of the content of condensed tannins. In particularly preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the combinatorial expression of chalcone synthase (CHS) and/or dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (BAN) and/or leucoanthocyanidine reductase (LAR) in plants to modify, for example, flavonoid biosynthesis or more specifically the content of condensed tannins.

Abstract: The invention describes an over-speed governor (21) for a stairlift (10) which not only triggers upon the carriage (12) exceeding a pre-determined speed, but also triggers in the event the chair (11) departs from the horizontal by more than a predetermined angle. The speed determining function is preferably electronic and the governor operates in both directions without adaptation. Other aspects are described including a trip speed check facility.

Abstract: Polymerase chain reaction primers and methods directed to detecting the EGFR mutant C?T at the position corresponding to base 2369 of EGFR cDNA. The invention provides a PCR primer that hybridizes under suitable PCR conditions to a polynucleotide sequence 5? in each respective strand to a mutation of an EGFR gene that encodes a substitution of threonine by methionine at position 790 of the EGFR polypeptide. The invention also provides a PCR primer hybridizes to a sequence that includes a mutant T at the position corresponding to base 2369 of EGFR cDNA but not to a second EGFR polynucleotide containing a wild type C. The invention provides several methods and kits for detecting a mutant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene in a sample comprising probing the sample with a means for selectively detecting a nucleotide sequence comprising a mutant T at the position corresponding to base 2369 of EGFR cDNA, and identifying that the base at said position is T.

Abstract: Determination of an analyte such as glucose in a sample is done making use of a plurality of electron transfer reagents, for example two electron transfer reagents, that work together to transfer electrons between the enzyme and the electrodes. The first electron transfer agent is a mediator that interacts with the enzyme after it has acted on the analyte to regenerate enzyme in its active form. The second electron transfer agent is a shuttle that interacts with the electrodes and optionally the mediator. The oxidation and reduction of the shuttle serves as the major source of current that is measured as an indication of analyte.

Abstract: A method of producing a purified ester-substituted phenol stream is provided. The method includes a first step of obtaining from a melt transesterification reaction a byproduct stream containing a residual ester-substituted diaryl carbonate, an ester-substituted phenol, a residual melt transesterification catalyst, and a catalyst degradation product. A second step includes treating the reaction byproduct stream to separate ester-substituted phenol and catalyst degradation product from residual ester-substituted diaryl carbonate and residual melt transesterification catalyst to create a light recycle stream containing ester-substituted phenol and catalyst degradation product and a heavy recycle stream containing residual ester-substituted diaryl carbonate and residual melt transesterification catalyst. A third step includes treating the light recycle stream to reduce catalyst degradation product concentration thereby producing a purified ester-substituted phenol stream.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell has two terminals. One of the terminals is connected to a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) power supply and to a voltmeter. The other terminal is connected to circuitry capable of switching between amperometric and potentiometric measurement modes. A sequence of successive approximations permits selection of a PWM duty cycle giving rise to a desired voltage at the terminal connected with the power supply. In this way a stable excitation voltage is supplied to the cell even in the face of supply voltage instability or drift or instability in electronics coupled with the cell.

Abstract: Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling, one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag.