Abstract: The present invention provides a method for predicting whether a patient having varicocele-associated infertility will have an increase in sperm in the ejaculate after varicocele repair surgery. In the method of the present invention, the present or absence of undelete forms of exons 6, 7, 8 and 9 the patient's L-VDCC ?1c transcript is detected. The presence of undeleted forms of the exons indicates that varicocele repair surgery will result in increased ejaculate, and the absence of undeleted forms of the exons indicates that varicocele repair surgery will not result in increased ejaculate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound suitable for inhibiting the influx of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) into a tissue involved in a chronic inflammatory disease. The compound according to the invention is capable of forming a complex with N-acetyl-Pro-Gly-Pro. The invention also relates to a method of selecting such a compound, a pharmaceutical composition and an application of the compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to window treatments such as vertical blinds manufactured from a knitted textile material. Each of a plurality of louvers is knitted into a single panel and attached together by a frangible hinge which permits the louvers to pivot relative to each other, or may be torn to separate the louvers from each other without damage to the louvers. In installations requiring multiple panels to be attached together, a terminus may be provided to permit attachment of one panel directly to the other. Alternately, a connection strip may be employed between two panels. In the event that the knitted textile louvers are not sufficiently opaque, auxiliary louvers may be provided and attached in alignment over the louvers.

Abstract: A process of preparing a compound of the formula (I) wherein B is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H or halogen; D is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H halogen or SCH3; R is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; and Z is selected from OH, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, SQ or OQ, Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; or a tautomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or an ester thereof; or a prodrug thereof, which comprises reacting a compound of the formula (II) with an anion produced by abstraction of the bromine or iodine atom from a compound of formula (XIX), to form a compound of formula (XX) The compound of formula (XX) is N- and O-deprotected to obtain the compound of formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in vitro method for differentiation and maturation of isolated monocytes into IL3-R+CD11c+ myeloid dendritic cells consisting of incubating the monocytes with a combination of a type I interferon and IL-3.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for imaging and/or treating a tumor in a subject which comprise administering to the subject an amount of a radiolabeled antibody effective to image and/or treat the tumor, where the radiolabeled antibody binds to a cellular component released by dying tumor cells. This invention also provides methods for imaging and/or treating melanin-containing melanomas in a subject which comprise administering to the subject an amount of a radiolabeled anti-melanin antibody effective to image and/or treat the melanoma. The invention also provides compositions and methods of making compositions comprising radiolabeled antibodies for imaging and treating tumors, including melanin-containing melanomas.

Abstract: A reticle includes at least two duplicate mask patterns each having a different bias. A reticle according to at least one embodiment of the invention includes a first mask pattern, a second mask pattern and a third mask pattern, each of the first mask pattern, second mask pattern and third mask pattern being duplicates of one another and having a different bias.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds having the formula: wherein A is CH or N; B is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H or halogen; D is chosen from OH, NH2, NHR, H, halogen or SCH3; R is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; and X and Y are independently selected from H, OH or halogen except that when one of X and Y is hydroxy or halogen, the other is hydrogen; and Z is OH or, when X is hydroxy, Z is selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, SQ or OQ, Q is an optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl or aryl group; or a tautomer thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; or an ester thereof; or a prodrug thereof; and compounds having the formula: wherein A, X, Y, Z and R are defined for compounds of formula (I) where first shown above; E is chosen from CO2H or a corresponding salt form, CO2R, CN, CONH2, CONHR or CONR2; and G is chosen from NH2, NHCOR, NHCONHR or NHCSNHR; or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or an ester thereof, or a prodrug the

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital motion picture camera including at least one optoelectronic sensor device for the recording of motion pictures. The sensor device has, in an areal arrangement, a plurality of sensor elements for the generation of a respective received signal in dependence on a light exposure. The camera further has a control device for the controlling of the read-out of the received signals of the sensor elements as well as a digitizing device for the digitizing of the received signals. The camera moreover has an optical viewfinder for the visual observation of the motion pictures to be recorded and a beam deflection device which is interposed in front of the sensor device and by which the reception beam path can be split at least into one recording beam path for the sensor device and one viewfinder beam path for the optical viewfinder.

Abstract: A package for storage of at least one recording medium has a paperboard component formed from a blank folded along a horizontal midline to define a double thickness, with an exposed outer face thereof being coated and printed and a concealed inner face thereof being unprinted. The concealed inner face defines at least one pair of parallel grooves, preferable formed by laser ablation.

Abstract: A needle and catheter system, including components, is provided such that the position of an stimulating needle may be identified after insertion into the body of a patient by electrically stimulating and thus locating a specific nerve. Positioning of the stimulating needle while simultaneously controlling and monitoring the electrical impulses applied therethrough is made possible by a control device and monitor integral with the stimulating needle. When a specific nerve is located, the catheter is inserted through the needle to a point slightly beyond the distal tip of the needle. The catheter tip may then be manipulated and the optimum position for the catheter tip determined by applying an electrical impulse through the helical wire and/or the ribbon support wire to the proximal tip catheter, this electrical stimulation being utilized in determining the specific location of the catheter tip within the nerve.

Abstract: A method of inserting a multi-lumen catheter assembly. First, an incision is made near the area to be catheterized. The proximal portion of the multi-lumen catheter tube is then inserted into the area to be catheterized. A subcutaneous tunnel is created, and the first end of the tunnel is near the incision. The catheter tube is then routed through the subcutaneous tunnel and pulled tube through a second end of the subcutaneous tunnel. The hub body is then securely attached to the catheter tube by connecting the connection cover to the hub body by threaded engagement. In a preferred embodiment the hub body is attached to the catheter tube by backfitting the connection cover over the catheter tube. A compression sleeve is also backfit over the catheter tube. The cannulae of the hub body are inserted into the lumens of the catheter tube to create fluid communication therebetween.

Abstract: A purse including an article storage assembly and at least two handles. Each of the at least two handles includes a first handle portion having a first end attached to the article storage assembly and a second end, and a second handle portion having a first end attached to the article storage assembly and a second end removeably attached to the second end of the first handle portion. The first and second handle portions are shapeable into various substantially rigid configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for electronically determining whether a tax or duty has been paid for the contents of that container. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is placed on the container which includes information indicative of whether the tax has been paid. The RFID tag includes a substrate, a radio frequency transceiver circuit mounted upon the substrate and connected to an antenna having a fixed length that is also mounted upon the substrate, and, preferably, a protrusion affixed to or a slot in the substrate. Preferably, the RFID tag is placed within the container's cap, such that, when mounted on the container, the cap mates with a ratchet wheel connected to the container that engages the protrusion or slot such that removing the cap from the container will cause the substrate to fracture and thereby cause the RFID tag to become permanently disabled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying analyte nucleic acids present in a sample comprising nucleic acid molecules, said method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a porous substrate, said substrate comprising a plurality of micro-channels, wherein said micro-channels have immobilized thereon a target molecule capable of binding to an analyte present in said sample; wherein said channels are further provided with analyte amplification components, a reporter system; and said sample; (b) amplifying analyte nucleic acid molecules present within said sample; and (c) allowing binding to take place between an amplified analyte nucleic acid obtained in step (b), said target molecule immobilized onto the channels of said substrate and said reporter system, wherein said reporter system allows detecting whether binding has occurred between said target molecule and said analyte nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a comprehensive front-end method and system for automatically generating and processing photomask orders. This method and system includes two separate, but related software components. The first software component of the present invention is used to generate a photomask order in a specified format. The second software component of the present invention processes at least a portion of the photomask order (which was generated using the first software component) into a substantially ready-to-write jobdeck file and/or a substantially ready-to-write inspection file, which in turn is transferred to a remote photomask manufacturer's system to manufacture a photomask. These software components can be installed as separate programs on a computer system or operate as a single software package performing multiple functions.