Abstract: The instant invention provides a means for quantitatively determining the vel of tumor suppressor gene p53 by determination of level of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of the gene in a sample when compared with a prepared standard. The assay is quantitative in that the specific number of copies of the p53 mRNA in a sample may be derived from a curve from a standard of p53 RNA. The RNA used in preparation of a standard curve to quantitate RNA is generated using a plasmid which is part of the invention. In the assay, the RNA is produced by a protein (RNA polymerase) that reads the DNA message and manufactures an RNA copy. The RNA content of the transcribed sample is determined spectrophotometrically to measure the molar concentration.

Abstract: A water based rubber resin pressure-sensitive adhesive produced by mixing a high solids resin solution with an isoprene containing latex together with a small amount of carboxylation at a pH of at least about 8. The tackifier resin is added to the rubber latex in a high solids resin solution in an organic solvent. Preferably this solution contains a small amount of a polar solvent such as isopropyl alcohol. The carboxylation may be derived either from using acarboxylated latex or from using a carboxylated resin in the resin solution, or a combination of both of these. The resin solution is dispersed in the water system of the latex in a finely divided state. This preferably is accomplished by adding the resin solution to the latex system slowly with high shear agitation.

Abstract: A single screw extrusion process for extruding a mixture of relatively high molecular weight thermoplastic elastomer particles and relatively low molecular weight resin particles, wherein the particulate mixture is supercooled and maintained at temperatures below that which would cause the mixture to agglomerate and stick to the screw until the axial driving forces on the mixture have increased to the extent they will overcome any tendency of the mixture to stick to the screw, thereby assuring steady state extrusion conditions.

Abstract: An edible collagen casing for sausages and the like comprising at least two layers of hardened ropes of collagen wherein the ropes of one layer are helically directed in one direction and the ropes of the other layer are helically directed in the opposite direction and wherein the collagen fibrils and/or fibers in said ropes are, at least on the surface, substantially aligned in the direction of the rope.A method of making an edible collagen casing for sausages and the like which includes providing at least two collagen gel sources having fibrils and/or fibers therein, dividing each source into a plurality of ropes by subjecting the ropes to mechanical force to thereby orient, at least on the outside surface, the fibrils and/or fibers in the direction of movement of said ropes, directing said ropes into two layers in a tubular form with the ropes of one layer helically directed in one direction and the ropes of the other layer being helically directed in the opposite direction.