Abstract: An improved fluorescence monitoring apparatus for measuring fluorescent emission from a sample in response to sample irradiation by an emission beam is disclosed. The apparatus employs a sample tube having surface roughness characteristics which substantially reduce background fluorescence emission due to contamination of the tube holder in the apparatus. Also disclosed is a method of reducing such background, by texturing of a sample tube to produce desired roughness characteristics.

Abstract: Substantially-isolated polynucleotides encoding human RAD50 polypeptides, human RAD50 genomic sequences, and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A polymer-platinum compound for use in tumor treatment is described. The compound is composed of a polymer backbone having platinum-containing side chains spaced along the polymer backbone. The side chains are composed of an oligopeptide attached at one end to the backbone and at the other end to the platinum compound.

Abstract: An apparatus for polishing one or more planar substrates, such as magnetic disks, between rotating polishing plates is described. The apparatus is designed to optimize uniformity and flatness of the substrates by maintaining a substantially constant parallel and coaxial alignment between the rotating polishing plates.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for diagnosis of genetic abnormalities or other genetic conditions which can be readily automated. The method is used to determine the presence or absence of a target sequence in a sample of denatured nucleic acid and entails hybridizing the sample with a probe complementary to a diagnostic portion of the target sequence (the diagnostic probe), and with a probe complementary to a nucleotide sequence contiguous with the diagnostic portion (the contiguous probe), under conditions wherein the diagnostic probe remains bound substantially only to the sample nucleic acid containing the target sequence. The diagnostic probe and contiguous probe are then covalently attached to yield a target probe which is complementary to the target sequence, and the probes which are not attached are removed.

Abstract: A method of treating or preventing post-operative ileus in a mammalian subject is disclosed. The method involves administering to the subject, a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound that is effective in (i) preventing mast cell degranulation, (ii) inhibiting tryptase and chymase, and (iii) antagonizing PAR-2. The treatment is based on the discoveries that proteinase-activated receptor 2 is expressed in colonic muscle cells, and that activation of PAR-2 inhibits colonic motility. The PAR-2 receptor is activated, at least in part, by tryptase and chymase, produced by infiltration and degranulation of mast cells.

Abstract: The invention provides antitumor therapeutic methods employing bovine or ovine interferon-tau (IFN-.tau.) proteins and polypeptides. The IFN-.tau. proteins exhibit the antiviral and antiproliferative properties characteristic of type I interferons. An advantage of the invention is that IFN-.tau. has essentially no cytotoxic effects on treated cells as does, for example, IFN-.alpha..

Abstract: A stent designed to be carried on the balloon of a balloon catheter to a target site is described. The stent is formed of a series of expandable, strip-like segments, each formed of a memory polymer and adapted for movement between a closed, high-curvature condition and an expanded, low-curvature condition upon exposure to a selected stimulus.

Abstract: A liposome composition containing an entrapped cisplatin compound is described. The liposomes have a surface coating of hydrophilic polymer chains on inner and outer surfaces and an entrapped cisplatin compound. The compound is entrapped with substantially greater retention in the liposomes, when compared to liposomes lacking the polymer coating. A method of preparing the composition is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed that thermally cycles samples between at least two temperatures. These apparatus operate by impinging fluid jets onto the outer walls of a sample containing region. Because the impinging fluid jets provide a high heat transfer coefficient between the jet and the sample containing region, the sample containing regions are uniformly cycled between the two temperatures. The heat exchange rate between the jets and the sample regions are substantially uniform.

Abstract: The invention provides antiviral therapeutic methods employing bovine or ovine interferon-tau (IFN-.tau.) proteins and polypeptides. The IFN-.tau. proteins exhibit the antiviral and antiproliferative properties characteristic of type I interferons. An advantage of the invention is that IFN-.tau. has essentially no cytotoxic effects on treated cells as does, for example, IFN-.alpha..

Abstract: A disc-handling apparatus for supporting a magnetic disc during material deposition and for transporting the disc into and out of a deposition station is described. The apparatus has a holder that supports a disc at three contact points by a support and a pair of arms, such that the disc is positively gripped by at least three contact points.

Abstract: A method and system for polynucleotide synthesis are provided which employ solid phase synthesis on a nonswellable porous polystyrene support by phosphoramidite or hydrogen phosphonate chemistries. The polystyrene support gives rise to fewer tritylated failure sequences caused by chain growth from extraneous support sites, and allows lower amounts of monomer reactants to be used to achieve equal or better coupling efficiencies as those achieveable with CPG. The method and system also employ nucleoside intermediates whose exocyclic amines are protected by base-labile groups which permit simultaneous cleavage and deprotection of the completed polynucleotide chain in the presence of the solid phase support. This latter feature allows practical automation of both the synthesis and purification of polynucleotides.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for sequencing multiple target polynucleotide segments in parallel, and to compositions and kits therefor. In the method, a plurality of sample polynucleotide fragments are used to form a mixture of different-length sequencing fragments. The sequencing fragments are complementary to at least two different sample fragments, wherein (1) each sequencing fragment terminates at a predefined end with a known base or bases, and (2) each sequencing fragment contains an identifier tag sequence that identifies the sample fragment to which the sequencing fragment corresponds. The sequencing fragments are then separated on the basis of size to produce a plurality of resolved, size-separated bands. Resolved bands are collected in separate aliquots, which, in a preferred embodiment, are then subjected to an amplification step to amplify the complements of the tag sequences in each aliquot, and preferably, the tag sequences too. Amplification is preferably by PCR.

Abstract: Chimeric polypeptides containing the N-terminal amino acid sequence of a glycoprotein hormone receptor polypeptide and a membrane anchor polypeptide, with a protease recognition site between the two, are disclosed. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, expression vectors containing such nucleic acids and methods of producing such recombinant chimeric polypeptides, as well as uses thereof. The chimeric polypeptides are particularly useful for the production of soluble glycoprotein hormone receptor polypeptides.

Abstract: An improvement in a magnetic recording medium having an underlayer and a magnetic layer is described. The improvement, effective to increase the coercivity of the medium, includes deposition of an interlayer between the underlayer and the magnetic recording layer. The interlayer is deposited to a thickness of between 10-60 .ANG. and is composed of an CoCr-based alloy having a defined saturation magnetization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for measuring or detecting inorganic phosphate ion in a sample. In the method, a sample is reacted with a phosphate-binding protein containing (i) an inorganic phosphate ion binding site and (ii) a detectable label that produces a signal whose amplitude changes detectably upon the binding of inorganic phosphate ion to the binding site, under conditions effective to allow binding of phosphate in the sample to the binding site. From a change in signal, the level of inorganic phosphate ion is measured or detected. Also disclosed are phosphate binding proteins for use in the method.

Abstract: An ink chamber doctor blade for a printing machine, comprising a doctor blade box (10) forming an ink chamber, at least two doctor blade knives (11, 12) attached to the doctor blade box (10) and bounding an opening (13) which, during operation, points to the outer circumference of a printing cylinder or an ink transfer roller and extends over the length of the doctor blade box (10), two front end covers (2) detachably fitted to the respective front end of the doctor blade box (10) and sealing the ink chamber, and means for supplying and discharging ink, each front end cover (2) comprising a rigid cover basic body (25) and a sealing element held by it and coming to abut against the doctor blade knives (11, 12) and against the section of the outer circumference of the printing cylinder or the ink transfer roller located between these doctor blade knives, wherein the sealing element is formed by a flat two-layer sealing plate (20), the first layer (21) of which facing the doctor blade box (10) is made of a soft-

Abstract: A biphasic multilamellar lipid vesicle comprising a plurality of spaced apart lipid bilayers that include a liposome-forming component and optionally a biologically active agent entrapped within the lipid bilayers. The lipid vesicle also comprises peripheral aqueous solution compartments formed between the lipid bilayers and a central lipophilic core compartment substantially at the center of the multilamellar lipid vesicle.

Abstract: Peptide antigens which are immunoreactive with sera from individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are disclosed. Several of the antigens are immunologically reactive with antibodies present in individuals identified as having chronic and acute HCV infection. The antigens are useful in diagnostic methods for detecting HCV infection in humans. Also disclosed are corresponding genomic-fragment clones containing polynucleotides encoding the open reading frame sequences for the antigenic peptides.