Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for quantifying the amount of polynucleotide in a sample. In some embodiments, methods can include obtaining a plurality of PCR assay quantification results of viral polynucleotide found in a given sample and then converting the results at or below the assay's lower detection limit into estimated polynucleotide copies per millimeter of sample based at least on the fraction of replicate outcomes that are positive results, the fraction of replicates that have a quantified value, and a nominal continuous viremia estimate.

Abstract: Described herein are improved methods for detecting one or more alleles of a target nucleic acid molecule in a biological sample. The methods can be used, for example, for detecting low-frequency drug resistance mutations of a target nucleic acid molecule in a biological sample from a subject receiving the drug. In several embodiments, the subject is a subject with an HIV-1 infection, and the method is a method of detecting one or more drug-resistance mutations in an HIV-1 reverse transcriptase gene. Oligonucleotide primers for use in the disclosed methods, and compositions comprising same, are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbonated alkaline earth metal carboxylates that are neutral, meaning they have a base value of less than 10 mg KOH/g, and that are derived from a mixture of, preferably branched, optionally cyclic, C4-C40 alk(en)yl carboxylic acids and C6-C30 alkaryl or aralkyl carboxylic acids. Also a process to make such products is claimed, as well as the use of the products to stabilize PVC.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of determining the presence of a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-resistant Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) virus particle in a biological sample, comprising identifying the presence in the sample of a point mutation at codon Q509 of an HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, for example and without limitation Q509L. That point mutation increases resistance to AZT about 3- to 10-fold by itself and about 50-fold in combination with the connection domain mutation A371V.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for treating HIV that includes administering ?-D-D4FC or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug to a human in need of therapy in combination or alternation with a drug that induces a mutation in HIV-1 at a location other than the 70(K to N), 90 or the 172 codons of the reverse transcriptase region. Also disclosed is a method for using ?-D-D4FC as “salvage therapy” to patients which exhibit drug resistance to other anti-HIV agents. ?-D-D4FC can be used generally as salvage therapy for any patient which exhibits resistance to a drug that induces a mutation at other than the 70(K to N), 90 or the 172 codons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compositions comprising an excision-inhibiting bisphosphonate and a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The present invention also relates to methods for preventing or treating retrovirus-related diseases using a composition comprising a bisphosphonate and a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. In a specific embodiment, the invention provides methods for preventing or treating AIDS by administering a bisphosphonate-based compound in combination with 3?-azido-3?-deoxythymidine (AZT) to patients infected with AZT-resistant HIV to improve the effectiveness of AZT therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbonated alkaline earth metal carboxylates that are neutral, meaning they have a base value of less than 10 mg KOH/g, and that are derived from a mixture of, preferably branched, optionally cyclic, C4-C40 alk(en)yl carboxylic acids and C6-C30 alkaryl or aralkyl carboxylic acids. Also a process to make such products is claimed, as well as the use of the products to stabilize PVC.

Abstract: Power limiting apparatus for use in a sensitive receiving system includes a gas-filled coaxial hermetically sealed line. The inner conductor includes a central region of reduced diameter connected to a metallisation layer between the inner and outer conductors. An annular gap electrically isolates the outer regions of the metallisation. When excess energy enters the device, gas breakdown occurs across the gap to produce a plasma which reflects the excess energy and prevents it travelling onward to sensitive receiver stages.

Abstract: A fuel cell comprises two electrodes separated by an electrolyte for conversion of a fuel and an oxidant to a reaction product. The electrode or electrodes include a catalyst comprising an oxide support preferably being a mixture of zirconium oxide and cerium oxide, having gold captured thereon in catalytically effective form. The fuel is methanol or methane.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in catalysing the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons which comprises an oxide support having captured thereon a noble metal in catalytically effective form. The catalyst is characterised by the presence of an oxide of titanium, molybdenum of a mixture thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a organo-tin-containing complex stabilizer for synthetic resin compositions of the formula I:M.sup.2+.sub.1-a-b(2+x) Al.sup.3+.sub.a [Sn(R).sub.(2-x) ].sub.b.sup.(2+x)+ (OH).sup.-.sub.2-b(2+x) A.sup.n-.sub.a/n *mH.sub.2 O (I)wherein M.sup.2+ stands for at least one divalent metal cation, R stands for a C.sub.1-12 linear or branched alkyl group, A.sup.n- stands for an n-valent anion or mixtures of anions, and the following conditions apply:0<a<0.5; 0<b<0.1; 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1; 0<a+b(2+x)<0.5; 0.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.2.The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of these stabilizers and their use in synthetic resin compositions, preferably halogen-containing synthetic resin compositions, or (co)polymers obtained by Ziegler Natta polymerization processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition based on polymer and/or co-polymers of vinyl chloride including organotin salts and/or one or more divalent metal salts of a carboxylic acid or phenol, and one or more metal salts of the organic compounds of general formula A: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 represents a linear or branched alkylene or alkenylene radical having up to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkylene radical having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms or an arylene or cycloalkylene radical having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, the cycloalkylene radicals optionally containing carbon--carbon double bonds; these radicals optionally being unsubstituted or substituted for example by one or more or halogen atoms or hydroxyl groups or, for aryl or cycloalkylene radicals, by one or more methyl, ethyl or methoxy radicals, the above-mentioned radicals optionally modified by the presence in an aliphatic chain of one or more --O--, --CO-- or CO.sub.2 -chain members or N; R.sub.2 represents O,S,NR.sub.5 or NNHR.sub.5 wherein R.sub.

Abstract: A catalyst is provided with is suitable for catalysing the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons and reducing hazardous nitrous oxides. The catalyst comprises an oxide support selected from zirconium oxide, cerium oxide and mixtures thereof having captured thereon a noble metal in catalytically effective form and preferably also a transition metal oxide. The preferred catalyst has gold as the noble metal and cobalt oxide, having a spinel structure, as the transition metal oxide. The gold in such catalyst is associated with the cobalt oxide.

Abstract: A catalyst for use in an oxidation reaction comprises a porous alumina support having captured thereon a complex comprising gold, a transition metal selected from cobalt and manganese, and the alumina, the concentration of gold on the support being less than 2 percent by mass of the catalyst, and the atomic ratio of gold to transition metal being in the range 1:30 to 1:200. The oxidation reaction may be the oxidation of carbon monoxide or a hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method of preparing a catalyst containing at least two metals captured on a porous support, at least one of the metals being capable of forming a reducible oxide, includes the steps of providing solutions of the two metals, impregnating the support with the solution of the metal which is capable of forming a reducible oxide, exposing the impregnated support to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature exceeding 300.degree. C. and impregnating the thus treated support with the other solution.