Abstract: A method of sequencing a nucleic acid is provided, comprising: a) labeling the nucleic acid with biotin; b) subjecting the nucleic acid of step a) to base specific chemical modifications; c) cleaving the nucleic acid of step b) at the modified bases with hot piperidine; d) contacting the nucleic acid of step c) with immobilized streptavidin, whereby biotin-containing fragments are bound to immobilized streptavidin and unbound fragments are washed off; e) extracting the streptavidin bound fragments of step d); f) resolving the fragments of step e) on a denaturing polyacrylamide gel; and g) staining the fragments in the gel of step f) by silver staining.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting nucleotide variation within a first nucleic acid, comprising generating a set of single-stranded extension products from a first nucleic acid in the presence of modified nucleotide bases, wherein the extension products incorporate modified nucleotides and thereby limit exonuclease activity to the 3'-terminal nucleotide base, and wherein the extension products have variable lengths, hybridizing the variable length extension products to a reference nucleic acid, contacting the hybridizing nucleic acids with an enzyme which can remove and replace the 3'-terminal nucleotide of the extension products in the presence of selected labeled nucleotides, wherein extension products that terminate with a 3'-nucleotide that does not hybridize with the corresponding position on the reference nucleic acid are replaced with one or more nucleotides that hybridize with the corresponding nucleotides on the reference nucleic acid and wherein those extension products that had a

Abstract: In the present invention, an iterative process is provided for computed tomographic fluoroscopy (CTF) based upon an ordered-subset based algorithm or an adaptation of the row-action expectation maximization (RAEM) formula. This process is applied to reduce metal artifacts in CTF imaging, reduce image noise and provide rapid-image updating suitable for real-time applications. In one embodiment, generation of a projection mask and computation of a relaxation matrix are used to compensate for beam divergence and data incompleteness, and a priori knowledge such as a known image support is used to reduce image reconstruction errors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a lenticular plastic sheet from a plastic sheet having a first surface and an opposite second surface employs a first chill roller having an outer surface, a patterned chill roller having an outer surface defining a first lenticular pattern thereon, disposed adjacent and parallel to the first chill roller so as to define a first nip therebetween and a second chill roller, having an outer surface and being spaced apart from the first chill roller and disposed adjacent and parallel to the patterned chill roller so as to form a second nip therebetween. A plastic sheet is extruded into the first nip so that the plastic sheet is molten as it passes into the first nip and so that the first surface of the plastic sheet is in contact with the first lenticular pattern, thereby facilitating the formation of a second lenticular pattern on the first surface. The second lenticular pattern is complimentary in shape to the first lenticular pattern.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of enhancing lean tissue mass in a subject by administering calcium to the subject, thereby enhancing the lean tissue mass in the subject. The invention is also directed to a method of enhancing bone mineral content in a physically active subject comprising administering calcium to the subject, thereby enhancing the bone mineral content in the subject. The invention is also directed to a method of enhancing bone mineral content and of enhancing lean tissue mass in a subject comprising administering calcium to the subject, thereby enhancing the bone mineral content and enhancing the lean tissue mass in the subject. The invention is further directed to a milk-free composition for enhancing bone mineral content and/or for enhancing lean tissue mass in a physically active subject, comprising an effective amount of calcium.

Abstract: An improved rib retractor that is adapted to contact adjacent ribs in a person through a thoracotomy incision. The apparatus of the invention comprises a longitudinally-extending rack with two support members, each having a longitudinal edge. The longitudinal edge of each of the support members is attached to the rack wherein at least one of the support members is movable along a portion of the length of the rack so that the support members are longitudinally movable relative to each other. A pair of blunt blades is provided, that are each adapted to contact a selected one of the ribs in the subject person. A hinge rotatingly connects a portion of each of the support members to a portion of each of the blades.

Abstract: An abutment-mount for a dental implant has a longitudinally extending axis with a first end, an opposite second end and a peripheral surface. The abutment-mount is used for delivering the dental implant to a prepared site of a jawbone with an implant drive tool and is also used as a device for securing a dental prosthesis to the dental implant. The abutment-mount includes a screw, or other fastener for securing the abutment-mount to the implant. A surface is provided for attaching the dental prosthesis to the abutment-mount adjacent the first end. A structure is provided for transferring rotational force from the implant drive tool to the implant through the abutment-mount. An implant kit includes an abutment-mount, an implant and an abutment screw.

Abstract: A protective undergarment for use by athletes, which includes a body portion, a pouch for retaining a protective cup in position over the wearer's groin, and a slit through the body portion alongside the pouch, for allowing the wearer to urinate without removing or lowering the garment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel internal standard for amino acid sequencing which contains a peptide consisting of unnatural amino acid residues, such as ornithine, norvaline, norleucine and .alpha.-aminobutyric acid, that is capable of being sequenced simultaneously with an unknown peptide or protein without interfering with the analysis. The internal standard peptide has an amino acid sequence containing at least two different unnatural amino acid residues having retention times distinct from the corresponding retention times for natural amino acid residues. Information derived from the sequencing of the internal standard allows determination of repetitive yield, lag, N-terminal blockage and discrimination between blank cycles caused by missed injection and blank cycles caused by faulty delivery of chemicals during the sequencer reactions.

Abstract: Short term control of ammonia volatilization from animal manures is provided by surface treatment with aluminum sulfate. The aluminum sulfate may be applied to manure or manure receiving surfaces in an animal rearing facility in solid or liquid form. The control of atmospheric ammonia levels in animal rearing facilities to preferably less than about 25 ppm ammonia can be achieved by surface treatment employing amounts of alum as low as 0.5% by weight alum based on manure present.

Abstract: The invention provides a nucleic acid encoding a human cytochrome P450 2E1 comprising a 5' terminal deletion of 63 nucleotides, thereby encoding methionine at the first codon position of the 5' terminus, the codon ATG in the second codon position of the 5' terminus, and silent adenine and thymine nucleotide substitutions in the 5' region. The invention also provides a nucleic acid encoding a human cytochrome P450 2C10 comprising a 5' terminal deletion of nucleotides 7 through 60, thereby encoding methionine at the first codon position and alanine at the second position of the 5' terminus, and silent adenine and thymine nucleotide substitutions in the 5' region. The present invention also provides a method of purifying a recombinant cytochrome P450 protein from a host cell culture comprising the steps of: a. fractionating the host cells to prepare their membranes; b. adding a non-ionic detergent in a concentration of between 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a purified Helicobacter pylori vacuolating toxin and methods to use this toxin to produce protective antibodies against H. pylori infection. Antiserum to this antigen can be used to detect the toxin. Methods to detect anti-toxin antibodies determine the susceptibility of a patient to develop peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma, or other clinical consequences of H. pylori infection.

Abstract: A burner/injector for providing a localized impingement flame or multiple flames for scrap heating and melting through use of a fluid fuel and at least one oxygen rich oxidizing gas. The burner/injector includes a liquid-cooled combustor for generating an impinging flame directed toward a scrap pile and a structure for injecting a controllable amount of a solid carbonaceous fuel and a controllable flow of high velocity oxidizing gas into space that has been previously occupied by the impinging flame. The burner/injector may be equipped to inject a solid slag forming materials and/or slag deoxidizing materials and/or to inject an additional oxidizing gas for burning a small portion of preheated scrap, post-combustion of CO and iron-carbon melt refining. The burner/injector may be arranged as a simple liquid-cooled combustor permanently mounted through the furnace wall or roof, and may be equipped with single or multiple channels for injection of solid material and high velocity oxidizing gas.

Abstract: A hand-held surgical instrument with an improved handle, the instrument being of the type generally including a handle and a tool with a body member having at least one articulated member thereon. The handle has an elongated base, an elongated lever with a downwardly projecting actuator arm and a mechanism for connecting the lever and base at a rearward pivot point, which mimics the natural pivot point of the surgeon's hand. An actuator of the surgical tool moves an actuator rod distally by closing the handle lever, and the lever is biased in an open position by a spring longitudinally positioned around the actuator rod within the base.

Abstract: The invention provides tissue-specific and target RNA-specific ribozymes. These ribozymes can be used to destroy target-specific neoplasms and to treat viral infections, among other uses. The ribozymes of the present invention comprise a 5' autocatalytically cleaving ribozyme sequence, a catalytic ribozyme comprising a target RNA-specific binding site and a 3' autocatalytically cleaving ribozyme. The invention also provides nucleic acids which encode the ribozymes of the invention. These nucleic acids can be used to express the ribozymes of the invention at the selected site. Methods of treating disease by administering the ribozymes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lipopolysaccharides from Brucella abortus and their use as carriers in vaccines for humans and animals. In particular, the present invention relates to conjugate molecules having a carrier molecule of purified lipopolysaccharide from B. abortus coupled to an antigenic component of an infectious organism.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid characteristic of human amyloid precursor protein 770 including the nucleotides encoding codon 670 and 671, wherein the nucleic acid encodes an amino acid other than lysine at codon 670 and/or an amino acid other than methionine at codon 671. Also provided is a method of diagnosing or predicting a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, comprising detecting in a sample from a subject the presence of a mutation at a nucleotide position corresponding to codons 670 and/or 671 of amyloid precursor protein or fragment thereof, the presence of the mutation indicating the presence of or a predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A blade guide for a dual-frame wood chip sorter comprising a plurality of fingers having a slot therethrough to receive therein a blade, first and second mounting plates on each frame mounting thereon the bottom of a respective number of the fingers. At least one blade on the first frame is disposed intermediate adjacent fingers attached to a first mounting plate with each finger holding an intermediate blade being on another first mounting plate that is longitudinally separated from the other first plate on the frame. The pattern repeats for the second mounting plates with blades from the second frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vector comprising an enhancer element and a nuclear matrix association region inserted between an inverted terminal repeat of adeno-associated virus. The vector can further comprise a heterologous nucleic acid inserted into the vector. The present invention further provides a method for integration of a nucleic acid into the genome of a cell, comprising administering to the cell a vector comprising an enhancer element, a heterologous nucleic acid and a nuclear matrix association region, each inserted between an inverted terminal repeat of adeno-associated virus, thereby integrating the nucleic acid into the genome of the cell.