Abstract: The present invention provides a purified expressed ? tryptase polypeptide or fragment or analogue thereof, in particular, the human ? tryptase polypeptide or fragment or analogue thereof. The present invention also provides variants of such polypeptides. The invention further relates to methods of diagnosing disease states based on expression of these polypeptides and methods of screening for compounds that interact, bind and/or modulate the activity of the polypeptides.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade composition having low friction coefficient and capable of inhibiting UV light-induced degradation of the wiper blade, comprising a substantially homogeneous mixture of carbon-based nanoparticles dispersed in an elastomer base material.

Abstract: Improved performance of two-cycle and four-cycle engines is achieved by adding to the oil or fuel of such engines a composition that contains a copolymer of an alpha-olefin and a dialkyl fumarate or maleate and/or a synthetic diester compound that has about 30 carbon atoms. For two-cycle engines, the composition preferably contains both chemicals, in addition to an octane booster such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl. For four-cycle engines, the composition contains at least one of the copolymer and diester, in addition to a molybdenum or bismuth salt, dimercapto 1,3,4-thiadiazole and sulfur-phosphorous EP and/or chlorinated paraffin. The composition can also act to improve gear and grease lubrication and provide improved lubricity to fuels.

Abstract: Improved performance of two-cycle and four-cycle engines is achieved by adding to the oil or fuel of such engines a composition that contains a copolymer of an alpha-olefin and a dialkyl fumarate or maleate and/or a synthetic diester compound that has about 30 carbon atoms. For two-cycle engines, the composition preferably contains both chemicals, in addition to an octane booster such as methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl. For four-cycle engines, the composition contains at least one of the copolymer and diester, in addition to a molybdenum or bismuth salt, dimercapto 1,3,4-thiadiazole and sulfur-phosphorous EP and/or chlorinated paraffin. The composition can also act to improve gear and grease lubrication and provide improved lubricity to fuels.

Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid, maltol and ethyl maltol.

Abstract: There are provided vanadium compositions for use in the treatment of hypertension, obesity and diabetes, in particular improved oral compositions comprising oxovanadium (IV) chelates of monoprotic, bidentate oxygen, oxygen and oxygen, nitrogen coordinating ligands especially kojic acid, maltol and ethyl maltol.