Abstract: A closing element intended for closing off an end of a capillary gas chromatography column comprises a closing body provided with a blind hole, which tapers over at least a portion of the length thereof, and the walls of the tapering portion of the hole include an angle with the centerline of the hole, this angle being so small that upon placement of the closing element on the end of the capillary gas chromatography column, a self-locking engagement between the end of the column and the closing element occurs. The closing element is manufactured from a form-retaining, inert, gastight material.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed to assist a user of a display device to more quickly recover from a distraction causing the user to look away from the display device. The user is also assisted when navigating hypertext documents by the invention indicating where the user last looked in a restored, previously viewed hypertext document.

Abstract: Combinatorial libraries of different-sequence peptide members is disclosed. The libraries are comprised of stabilized, alpha-helical polypeptides having a similar tertiary structure but different amino acid residues at specific, "variable" positions in the sequence. The polypeptides are stabilized through coiled-coil interactions with other .alpha.-helical polypeptides and/or via intrahelical lactam bridges. Also disclosed are methods for using such libraries to screen for selected macromolecular ligands.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of synthesizing oligonucleotide N3'.fwdarw.P5' phosphoramidates using an amine-exchange reaction of phosphoramidites in which a deprotected 3'-amino group of a solid phase supported oligonucleotide chain is exhanged for the amino portion of a 5'-phosphoramidite of an incoming monomer which has a protected 3'-amino group. The resulting internucleotide phosphoramidite linkage is then oxidized to form a stable protected phosphoramidate linkage. The method of the invention greatly improves product yields and reduces reagent usage over currently available methods for synthesizing the above class of compound.

Abstract: An microparticle composition and its method of use in drug delivery and diagnostic applications are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of storing and administering drug compounds at high concentration in condensed-phase microparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed are a kit, composition and method for cell separation. The kit includes a centrifugable container and an organosilanized silica particle-based cell separation suspension suitable for density gradient separation, containing a polylactam and sterilized by treatment with ionizing radiation. The composition includes a silanized silica particle-based suspension for cell separation which contains at least 0.05% of a polylactam, and preferably treated by ionizing radiation. Also disclosed is a method of isolating rare blood cells from a blood cell mixture.

Abstract: Novel HTLV-I and HTLV-II peptide antigens are disclosed for use in diagnostics assays for screening and confirming HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are derived from analogous regions of HTLV-I and HTLV-II gp46 envelope proteins, and are differentiated by their immunoreactivity with an HTLV-II specific monoclonal antibody and by HTLV-I and HTLV-II antisera. The peptides are also useful in vaccine compositions.

Abstract: A method of analyzing the sequence of a polynucleotide analyte. The method includes contacting the analyte with a position-addressable array of oligonucleotides, each anchored to a solid support and having a 5'proximal and 3'-distal orientation. The hybridized oligonucleotides are then extended by strand-directed polymerase, to produce labeled, extended oligonucleotides at positions of the array corresponding to sequence matches between the array oligonucleotides and analyte regions. The pattern of label in the array is used to analyze analyte sequence.

Abstract: A method of screening for the presence of a periodontal disease condition is disclosed. The method involves obtaining an oral fluid sample from a human subject being tested, and determining the level of native free pyridinium crosslinks (free pyridinoline and/or free deoxypyridinoline) from the subject. An above-normal level of crosslinks, when compared with a predetermined level characteristic of normal subjects, is an indication of the presence of a periodontal disease condition.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for analyzing nucleic acid sequences based on repeated cycles of duplex extension along a single stranded template. Preferably, such extension starts from a duplex formed between an initializing oligonucleotide and the template. The initializing oligonucleotide is extended in an initial extension cycle by ligating an oligonucleotide probe to its end to form an extended duplex. The extended duplex is then repeatedly extended by subsequent cycles of ligation. During each cycle, the identity of one or more nucleotides in the template is determined by a label on, or associated with, a successfully ligated oligonucleotide probe. Preferably, the oligonucleotide probe has a blocking moiety, e.g. a chain-terminating nucleotide, in a terminal position so that only a single extension of the extended duplex takes place in a single cycle. The duplex is further extended in subsequent cycles by removing the blocking moiety and regenerating an extendable terminus.

Abstract: An identification and characterization of a calcineurin interacting protein effective to enhance immunosuppressive effects of calcineurin-targeted immunosuppressants by potentiating an interaction of an immunophilin with calcineurin is described herein. One embodiment of the invention is the CNI polypeptide encoded by the CNI gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Polynucleotides encoding a CNI protein are also described. Also described are yeast cells carrying mutations in the CNI gene. Further, a method of identifying a small molecule immunosuppressant compound is described. The methods include the use of a cell-based two hybrid protein-protein interaction assay, wherein one of two fusion hybrid proteins in a cell contains a subunit of calcineurin, and the other of two fusion hybrid proteins contains an immunophilin.

Abstract: A method for producing an improved solid phase antigenic reagent useful in an immunoassay for detecting antibodies specific for a virus, such as the human immunodeficiency virus, is disclosed which comprising the addition to a natural viral lysate a synthetic or recombinant viral protein or peptide. Also provided is an improved immunoassay utilizing the solid phase antigenic reagent.

Abstract: This invention relates to the identification of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus group II (BVDV-II) nucleic acid sequences (e.g., gp53 sequences), to methods of using the nucleic acid sequences for detecting BVD-II virus in animal sera, to polypeptide vital antigens derived from the sequences and immunoreactive with sera from animals infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea group II (BVD-II) virus, to polynucleotide sequences which encode these polypeptide antigens, to an expression system capable of producing the polypeptide antigens, to vaccines containing the polypeptide antigens, to methods of using the polypeptide antigens for detecting BVD-II virus antibodies in animal sera, and to antibodies directed against these polypeptide antigens.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synthesizing biopolymers, such as polypeptides and polynucleotides. The apparatus includes plural reaction vessels in which subunit coupling to biopolymers in a particle suspension is carried out. The vessels are connected to common valving structure for use in mixing the suspension and removing suspension liquid. In one embodiment, a robotic arm in the apparatus is operable to transfer reaction solution to the reaction vessels, and to transfer particle suspensions from the reaction vessels to a mixing vessel and back to the reaction vessels. The method can be used to produce preferably equi-molar amounts of different-sequence biopolymers, such as polypeptides and polynucleotides.

Abstract: A method of screening for the presence of a bone resorption abnormality is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a sweat sample from the subject, and determining the level of native free pyridinoline (Pyd) and/or deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) in the sample. The determined level is compared with a predetermined level characteristic of normal subjects, and an above-normal level is an indication that the subject has a bone resorption abnormality.

Abstract: An microparticle composition and its method of use in drug delivery and diagnostic applications are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of storing and administering drug compounds at high concentration in condensed-phase microparticles.

Abstract: A luminometer is described comprising a tray for receiving an array of sample wells, a photodetector assembly, and means for relatively moving the tray and photodetector assembly in one direction to align the sample wells received by the tray in a predetermined sequence with the photodetector assembly. The photodetector assembly of the luminometer includes a stage, a photodetection head having a detection aperture permitting passage of light therethrough, a means for mounting the photodetection head to the stage that permits movement of the head in a direction substantially normal to the direction of relative tray and photodetector assembly movement, and a means for biasing the photodetection head toward a selected sample well so that the detection aperture is substantially isolated from light emitted from adjacent wells. Internal and external photodetector calibration systems and a sample heater are also contemplated.

Abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is treated with dehydroepiandrosterone or its metabolite, sulfate ester, by itself or in combination with other therapies. Substantial improvement in SLE patients is observed during the course of treatment.