Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for development of resistance-proof siRNA therapeutics for prevention and treatment of influenza viral infections. The compositions include a pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA molecules that target conserved regions of an influenza virus gene and a pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric carrier. In one embodiment, the polymeric carrier condenses the molecules to form a nanoparticle.

Abstract: The invention provides siRNA compositions that (1) interfere with viral replication of human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in mucosal tissues, such as genital tissues, and (2) treat fungal infections. The compositions include siRNA molecules that target HPV, complexed with a dendrimer that treats and prevents genital herpes (HSV) and HIV. The compositions also include siRNA molecules that target HPV, complexed with a histidine-lysine (HK) polymer that treats and prevent fungus infection. The combined formulations of siRNA and dendrimer provide treatment of the infections from HPVs, HSVs, and HIVs. The combined formulations of siRNA and HK polymer provide treatment of HPVs and fungus infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for development of resistance-proof siRNA therapeutics for prevention and treatment of influenza viral infections. The compositions include a pharmaceutical composition comprising siRNA molecules that target conserved regions of an influenza virus gene and a pharmaceutically acceptable polymeric carrier. In one embodiment, the polymeric carrier condenses the molecules to form a nanoparticle.

Abstract: The invention provides siRNA compositions that (1) interfere with viral replication of human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in mucosal tissues, such as genital tissues, and (2) treat fungal infections. The compositions include siRNA molecules that target HPV, complexed with a dendrimer that treats and prevents genital herpes (HSV) and HIV. The compositions also include siRNA molecules that target HPV, complexed with a histidine-lysine (HK) polymer that treats and prevent fungus infection. The combined formulations of siRNA and dendrimer provide treatment of the infections from HPVs, HSVs, and HIVs. The combined formulations of siRNA and HK polymer provide treatment of HPVs and fungus infections.

Abstract: Novel compounds that are inhibitors of one or most post-proline cleaving proteases, e.g. dipeptidyl peptidase IV, according to general formula (1). R1 is H or CN, X1 is O, S, CH2, CHF, CF2, CH(CH3), C(CH3)2 or CH(CN), and b is 1 or 2. G1 is H or a group according to the formula —CH2—X2—(CH2)a-G3 and G2 is H or a group according to the formula —CH2—(CH29a-G3, provided that one of G1 and G2 is H and the other is not H. X2 is O, S, or CH2, and a is 0, 1 or 2, provided that when a is 1 then X2 is CH2. G3 is a group according to one of general formulae 2-4, where the variables have meaning given in the description. The compounds are useful in the treatment of i.a. type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance.

Abstract: Novel compounds that are inhibitors of one or most post-proline cleaving proteases, e.g. dipeptidyl peptidase IV, according to general formula (1). R1 is H or CN, X1 is O, S, CH2, CHF, CF2, CH(CH3), C(CH3)2 or CH(CN), and b is 1 or 2. G1 is H or a group according to the formula —CH2—X2—(CH2)a-G3 and G2 is H or a group according to the formula —CH2—(CH29a-G3, provided that one of G1 and G2 is H and the other is not H. X2 is O, S, or CH2, and a is 0, 1 or 2, provided that when a is 1 then X2 is CH2. G3 is a group according to one of general formulae 2-4, where the variables have meaning given in the description. The compounds are useful in the treatment of i.a.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of prodrugs of inhibitors of DP-IV with improved properties. The compounds can be used for the treatment of a number of human diseases, including impaired glucose tolerance and type II diabetes.

Abstract: A rotary throttle valve having a first cylindrical bore for flow of air between an inlet and an outlet and a second cylindrical bore orthogonal to the first bore and being substantially the same diameter as the first bore. A flow modulator rotatably disposed in the second bore has first and second cylindrical portions disposed respectively on opposite sides of the first bore and separated by a central plate such that when the modulator is rotated to place the plate transverse to the first bore, the edges of the plate are fully engaged with the wall of the second bore and the valve is closed. As the modulator is rotated from the closed position to open the valve, the edges of the plate become progressively less engaged with the wall of the second bore, the edge of the open area following the juncture lines of the first and second bores.

Abstract: A rotary throttle valve having a first cylindrical bore for flow of air between an inlet and an outlet and a second cylindrical bore orthogonal to the first bore and being substantially the same diameter as the first bore. A flow modulator rotatably disposed in the second bore has first and second cylindrical portions disposed respectively on opposite sides of the first bore and separated by a central plate such that when the modulator is rotated to place the plate transverse to the first bore, the edges of the plate are fully engaged with the wall of the second bore and the valve is closed. As the modulator is rotated from the closed position to open the valve, the edges of the plate become progressively less engaged with the wall of the second bore, the edge of the open area following the juncture lines of the first and second bores, and the open area of the first bore increases accordingly.

Abstract: A multiple-bore throttle valve wherein the valve shaft is restrained from end play at a point between two of the flow bores. A passageway in the valve body between the flow bores intersects the valve shaft bore non-diametrically. The valve shaft has a circumferential groove at the point of intersection. A pin pressed into both the passageway and the groove axially restrains the shaft at that location. Since thermal expansion or contraction of the shaft in its axial direction can proceed only from the point of restraint, a dual-bore valve in accordance with the invention exhibits length changes in each bore equivalent to that of a single bore valve, which is less than half the shaft length change exhibited in at least one bore of a prior art dual-bore throttle valve. Similarly, a triple-bore valve exhibits expansion comparable to individual prior art single-bore and dual-bore valves, and a quadruple-bore valve exhibits expansion comparable to a prior art dual-bore valve.

Abstract: A shielded access door for a nuclear steam generator manway port having a beam of radiation streaming therethrough, the port being surrounded by a manway flange. The door comprises a bracket adapted to be removably connected to the flange. A plurality of swing arms have the first end portion thereof pivotally connected to the bracket. A first shield member is connected to the second end portions of the arms and is disposed parallel and adjacent to the port for shielding against the beam of radiation. The first shield member and the port define a gap therebetween for allowing access to the steam generator interiorly of the port while simultaneously shielding against the beam of radiation. The first shield member has a ventilation hole therethrough in communication with the port for ventilating the port, so that air-borne radioactive particles present interiorly of the steam generator are exhausted from the steam generator.

Abstract: Cooling air delivery systems for gas turbine engines are used to increase component life and increase power and efficiencies. The present system increases the component life and increases efficiencies by better utilizing the cooling air bled from the compressor section of the gas turbine engine. For example, a first flow of cooling air is directed to the nozzle and shroud assembly and another portion of the first flow is exited from the nozzle plenum into an annular reservoir to improve cooling of a rotor assembly and to at least reduce ingestion of hot power gases into the internal portion of the engine. The system further includes a second flow of cooling air which is directed through internal passages of the engine and into the annular reservoir and is used to cool the rotor assembly and to at least reduce ingestion of hot power gases into the internal portion of the gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A synthetic peptide, suitable for use in vaccination against or diagnosis of a disease caused by an enterovirus and especially by a poliovirus, is the peptide coded for by codons 286-290 in the RNA sequence coding for the structural capsid protein VP1 of poliovirus type 3 Sabin strain or by equivalent codons of another enterovirus or is an antigenic equivalent thereof, the numbers of the codons being counted from the 5'-terminus of the nucleotide sequence coding for the VP1 capsid protein.

Abstract: A synthetic polypeptide, suitable for use in vaccination against or diagnosis of a disease caused by an enterovirus, is an octapeptide coded for by codons 93-100 in the RNA sequence coded for the structural capsid protein VP1 for poliovirus type 3 Sabin strain or by equivalent codons of another enterovirus or is an antigenic equivalent of such an octapeptide, the numbers of the codons being counted from the 5'-terminus of the nucleotide sequence for the VP1 capsid protein.

Abstract: An improved tube cutting apparatus and method for cutting through the inside of a metallic tube is disclosed herein. The apparatus generally comprises a support assembly which is slidably insertable within a tube, a flail tube cutting head connected to a short flexible shaft, and a linking shaft rotatably mounted within the support assembly for connecting the short flexible shaft of the cutting head to a longer flexible drive shaft. The center portion of the housing includes a mandrel circumscribed by a selectively expandable resilient bladder for temporarily affixing the support assembly to the inner wall of the tube in order to position the circular blade of the cutting head adjacent to a desired point along the longitudinal axis of the tube. The proximal and distal portions of the linking shaft include coupling assemblies for facilitating blade changes.

Abstract: A synthetic polypeptide, suitable for use in vaccination against or diagnosis of a disease caused by an enterovirus, is an octapeptide coded for by codons 93-100 in the RNA sequence coded for the structural capsid protein VP1 for poliovirus type 3 Sabin strain or by equivalent codons of another enterovirus or is an antigenic equivalent of such an octapeptide, the numbers of the codons being counted from the 5'-terminus of the nucleotide sequence for the VP1 capsid protein.

Abstract: Cooling air delivery systems for gas turbine engines are used to increase component life and increase efficiencies. To change the flow rate of cooling air in past engines, major disassembly of engine components was required resulting in the loss of the engine's service and excessive costs. With the changeable cooling air delivery system of the present invention, major engine disassembly is eliminated. An elongate member extends into a fluid control passage to establish a preselected flow area which can be changed. The time and expense required to change the cooling flow rate is drastically reduced because the elongate members are accessible external of the engine. The elongate member is removed from the engine and replaced by different elongate member having a different outer diameter of the stem or sleeve. The different diameter results in a new clearance or preselected flow area for cooling air to pass therethrough.

Abstract: An intramedullary orthopaedic device for interconnecting bone fragments for union comprises an elongate member of plastics material having a relieved structure extending over its length but only partially therearound, each upstanding element being of transverse sizing to afford an interference fit by translation alone into a slightly undersized bone recess, such fit resulting from flexure of the elements without stripping bone material, and the unrelieved area of the member being of non-circular cross-section to inhibit rotation. The member is suitably of rectangular cross-section with sequences of fins having their longitudinal directions across the major side faces, and with the inter-sequence spacing and fin height each exceeding fin thickness.

Abstract: An orthopaedic splint is provided for treatment of injury to the extensor tendon distal to the DIP joint in the finger, the splint serving to hold the DIP joint in hyperextension and the PIP joint in flexion, while allowing restrained extension of the PIP joint. The splint suitably involves first and second portions each including at least one plate curved to seat transversely over or under a finger, the first portion also being longitudinally inclined and provided with strapping to hold the DIP joint in hyperextension, and the portions being resiliently and hingedly interconnected to hold the PIP joint as required. This interconnection conveniently involves like springs on respectively opposite sides of the PIP joint, the springs preferably being of mutually parallel flat spiral form.