Abstract: A method for selective mono-N-alkylation of primary amines to produce secondary amines that are substantially free of overalkylated tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium salts, under mild reaction conditions without the necessity of protecting groups. Compounds of the class of secondary amines are produced by reacting an alkyl halide with an alkyl amine in anhydrous solvent, preferably dimethyl sulfoxide or N,N-dimethylformamide, in the presence of 0.1 to 3 molar equivalents of a cesium base. Optionally, the extent and selectivity of mono-N-alkylation is enhanced by addition to the reaction mixture of a powdered molecular sieve material for removal of water produced by the reaction, and/or tetrabutylammonium iodide to promote halide exchange. The invention permits selective and efficient mono-N-alkylation of a wide variety of substrates at 23° C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a zero dead time for flow analyzers, flow cytometers, and other measurement devices. A circular buffer is used to store data from a flow analyzer in a plurality of data storage areas, until it is convenient to implement more time consuming data processing procedures. User specified parameters, including sampling rate and/or sampling period, size and number of data storage areas, size of the circular or other buffer, signal-to-noise threshold, order of processing when a plurality of Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) is used, and fixed trailing distance, are used to provide flexible and convenient operation by a user. The probability of missing a rare event occurring within the laser beam or other light beam of a flow analyzer or other measurement device is reduced to zero.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new color compositions which are especially suitable to be used in oxygen indicators. The compositions comprise iron(II), an agent containing pyrogallol entities and an organic acid.

Abstract: A separation medium having a base matrix and matrix-bound groups which exhibit recombinant Protein A containing a cysteine. The groups are of formula: —B—X—rProtein A-cys where B is a bridge which binds to the base matrix and X includes a heteroatom N or S from rProtein A-cys. In a preferred embodiment X is a thioether sulphur and/or a secondary amine (—NH—). An alternative embodiment features a variant of Protein A in which the C-terminal residue is cysteine.

Abstract: A flexible transparent container for improved storage of oxygen sensitive parenterally administerable agents comprising an inner, primary container enclosed in a substantially oxygen impermeable outer envelope with an oxygen absorber, capable of consuming essentially all residual oxygen after the outer envelope is sealed, and for sufficient period also the oxygen penetrating said envelope. The inner container is made of a polypropylene containing flexible polymeric material compatible with lipophilic agents capable of forming both permanent and peelable seals, while the envelope is made of a substantially water impermeable flexible multilayered polymeric material comprising a first outer substantially water impermeable polymeric film with oxygen barrier forming capacity, assembled with a second, inner polymeric film with a supplementary oxygen barrier forming capacity. The container essentially maintains its characteristics after being subjected to sterilization by steam or radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article of manufacture comprising a partial or complete tubular primary part defining a tube axis and having an at least partially curved circumferential wall at least partially encircling the axis; said wall comprising a joint edge, defining a) a joint line along said edge on said wall, b) a joint plane drawn to contain said joint line, c) a joining direction having at least a direction component perpendicular to said joint line and said joint plane, d) a locking plane at least partially at the surface or within a section through said wall in which both said joint line and said joining direction lies and e) a normal direction being perpendicular to said joint plane; and at least one locking structure, the improvement comprising that the locking structure includes at least one positive or negative hook structure in said locking plane, extending in the joining direction away from the joint line and having an undercut in the locking plane and that the hook structure is exposed from a

Abstract: A chemical sensor includes an enzyme layer, a diffusion layer and an analyte barrier layer positioned over the diffusion layer. Apertures are formed by microfabrication in the analyte barrier layer to allow controlled analyte flux to the diffusion layer.

Abstract: The instant diagnostic system includes a measurement device including a laser diode and communicatable with a computer. The diagnostic system further includes a memory medium readable by the computer and storing computer instructions executable by the computer. The instructions include the following sequential, non-sequential, or independent steps. A template relating to a beam profile of the laser diode along a flow path of the measurement device is built. A fluorescent sample is captured by the measurement device. The sample is time-wise aligned to the template. The sample is normalized relative to the template. The normalized sample is integrated to determine a total amount of fluorescence in the sample.

Abstract: A compression device for exerting pressure on an arm, shoulder, and/or trunk of a patient in need thereof (for example, a patient with hyperalgia or recovering from surgery in which the lymphatic system is affected), including an arm compression hose, a shoulder part for exerting pressure on the shoulder and trunk area, and a band-shaped fastening means for positioning the shoulder part and exerting pressure on the shoulder part. The arm compression hose exerts a pressure that decreases from a maximum pressure at the wrist or hand to a minimum pressure near the shoulder end of the arm, where the minimum pressure is approximately 70% of the maximum pressure. One or more lining pockets can be constructed on the inner lining of the compression device, where each lining pocket can hold one or more compression pads to increase tissue pressure in one or more body areas in need thereof. The compression pads each can have a shape that approximately conforms to the shape of the body part to which it is applied.

Abstract: It has been discovered that lipophilic hormones that interact with cytosolic or nuclear receptors regulate APP expression and synthesis, through modification of APP mRNA stability and/or regulation of APP gene transcription and translation activities. These studies demonstrate that the treatment of brain cells with estrone or 17&bgr;-estradiol results in a reduction in the level of APP holoprotein expression, without a concomitant change in the total level of cell protein. The reduction in the level of APP holoprotein caused by estrone or 17&bgr;-estradiol is also expected to reduce the production of neurotoxic APP fragments. In as much as estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women is associated with a higher incidence of Alzheimer's disease, this discovery opens the possibility that estrogen therapy may prevent some of the neurodegenerative and cognitive changes associated with Alzheimer's disease, aging and other disease conditions associated with such neurodegenerative and cognitive decline.

Abstract: Amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing which is activated by cell-surface neurotransmitter receptors, is described. An assay for testing an agent for the capacity to regulate, and particularly to stimulate, secretion of amyloid precursor protein (APP), a description of the characteristics of agents identified by the assay, and a method of altering APP processing in an individual are also disclosed. The assay, agents, and method of altering APP processing are particularly useful for the treatment and prevention of diseases involving APP processing, such as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of preparing pharmaceutical closures for containers made of flexible polymeric materials which are suitable to be filled with parenterally administerable fluids prior to their sealing and sterilization. The process involves a specific relaxation period for the elastomer material of the closure which thereby can settle and develop resealing characteristics. The closures will have an excellent resealing capacity after being penetrated by a piercing device for establishing fluid communication with the container, even after multiple entries into the container.

Abstract: A device and method for administering one or more injections from an injection cartridge ensures that administration may be performed only if the device is oriented in a predetermined direction. The device features a holding device for the injection cartridge, the holding device having a piston, piston rod, and an electronic control unit that includes a position sensor. The control unit activates the piston and piston rod for administration only if the position sensor determines that the cartridge is oriented in a predetermined direction. The injectable composition may be stored in a multi-chamber injection cartridge, and the device may also reconstitute and remove gases from the composition only if the cartridge is oriented in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A cosmetic container includes a container body and a cover assembly. The container body has a chamber unit to receive cosmetic substances therein. The cover assembly is mounted removably on the container body so as to close the chamber unit. The cover assembly has a cover body unit and a magnifying glass unit that is attached to the cover body unit and that forms enlarged images of the cosmetic substances thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cannula, attachable to an injection device comprising a needle entirely surrounded by an essentially cylindrical collapsible needle cover in order to visually hide the entire needle during the whole procedure of administration by injection. The collapsible needle cover comprises a resilient, cylindrical or vaguely conical sleeve made of a foamed polymer and is provided with an axially extended hole for the needle, alternatively the needle cover can have a bellows-like structure. Also disclosed is a method of administering a medicament by injection with needle hidden from visual impression during the whole administration process.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and means for facilitating injection which enable a correct penetration depth of the needle.

Abstract: The present invention is in the area of administration forms and delivery systems for drugs, vaccines and other biologically active agents. More specifically the invention is related to the preparation of suspensions of colloidal solid lipid particles (SLPs) of predominantly anisometrical shape with the lipid matrix being in a stable polymorphic modification and of suspensions of micron and submicron particles of bioactive agents (PBAs); as well as to the use of such suspensions or the lyophilizates thereof as delivery systems primarily for the parenteral administration of preferably poorly water-soluble bioactive substances, particularly drugs, and to their use in cosmetic, food and agricultural products. SLPs and PBAs are prepared by the following emulsification process: (1) A solid lipid or bioactive agent or a mixture of solid lipids or bioactive agents is melted.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a new vaccine composition for Herpes Simplex comprising a whole live HSV-2 virus having the oncogene deleted. Methods of using the vaccine composition are also included.

Abstract: A combinatorial chemical library of compounds structurally related to the moenomycin class of antibiotics has the formula wherein D is a donor mono- or disaccharide, A is an acceptor monosaccharide, and P—R is a lipophosphoglycerate mimetic group. Members of the library have a glycosidic linkage between the anomeric carbon of D and the C2 carbon of A, and the D—A moiety is in turn covalently linked through the anomeric carbon of A to the P—R group. Members of the library exhibit their greatest structural diversity in terms of substitutions occurring at the C3 position of the A residue, substitutions at the C2 position of the D residue, and different P—R groups used in assembling the compounds.