Abstract: A novel process for preparing enantiomerically-pure 3-methyl-5-(1-(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 -alkyl)-2-pyrrolidinyl)isoxazole in high yield, wherein a protected pyrrolidine or 2-oxo-pyrrolidine starting material is reacted with a suitable organic anion and a resulting beta-keto oxime intermediate is cyclized and dehydrated, as well as intermediates useful in the preparation thereof.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## useful as regulators of nitric oxide synthase that indirectly modulate cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, for treating disorders of vascular smooth muscles, macrophages, neurons, platelets, bronchial smooth muscles, optic muscles and gastrointestinal smooth muscles, sickle cell anemia and diabetes.

Abstract: 2-Nitroaryl or 2-cyanoaryl compounds of the formula ##STR1## pharmaceutical compositions thereof, intermediates useful in the preparation of these compounds, and methods for treating disorders of vascular smooth muscles or diseases of the cartilage, macrophages, neurons, platelets, bronchial smooth muscles, optic muscles and gastrointestinal smooth muscles, in addition to sickle cell anemia, diabetes, synovitis, chondroarthritis and osteoarthritis by employing these compounds.

Abstract: Selective and potent nicotinic agonists of the formula: ##STR1## including pharmaceutically-acceptable salts or prodrugs thereof, useful in the treatment of dementias, attentional hyperactivity disorder, anxiety associated with cognitive impairment, or substance abuse withdrawal characterized by decreased cholinergic function.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of (+) 2-methylpiperidine and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier or diluent, as well as to a method of treating cognitive, neurological and mental disorders, which are characterized by decreased cholinergic function in humans and lower mammals, by administration of (+)2-methylpiperidine, optionally with a nicotinic agonist.

Abstract: A novel nitritional formulation comprising mixtures of mixed salts formed between branched-chain .alpha.-keto-acids and basic L-amino acid is disclosed which provides optimal nutrition when consumed with a very low protein diet. The composition of this invention contains fewer components than other mixtures utilized heretofore while maintaining like proportions of the essential and semi-essential amino acids. The composition of this invention has improved thermal stability and taste and is useful for the nutritional treatment of chronic renal failure (uremia).

Abstract: An improved system for initially positioning and for continuous or intermittent monitoring of the location of the distal end of a feeding tube in a patient's gastrointestinal tract and for selectively controlling a feeding device associated therewith by detecting and processing myoelectric signals unique to different areas of the gastrointestinal tract, such signals being detected by electrodes carried by the distal end of the feeding tube and transmitted by leads extending through the feeding tube to a monitor.

Abstract: An improved nutritionally complete formula containing a unique fiber-containing carbohydrate blend, at a relatively low concentration; a unique fat blend, at a relatively high concentration; protein; carnitine; myoinositol; vitamins and minerals, including chromium. This formula is for the dietary management of patients with glucose intolerance.

Abstract: A sample processor card for use with a centrifuge in which the direction of centrifugal force can be altered at will, wherein the card includes a supply of chemical reagent and inlet means for supplying a chemical sample to the card. The sample is advanced under centrifugal force through capillary means to sample measuring means, and the measured sample is then mixed with reagent to permit a chemical test to be carried out on the reagent, all under centrifugal force.

Abstract: The present invention includes compounds represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a hydroxy, a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkoxy, benzoxy, or an alkylcarbonyloxymethoxy group, or R.sub.3 together with R.sub.1 forms a group of the formula --Y--NH-- where Y is oxygen or sulfur; or R.sub.3 is hydrogen; A is nitrogen or CR.sub.2, where R.sub.2 is hydrogen, or halogen, or R.sub.2 together with R forms a group of the formula --X--CH.sub.2 --CH(R.sub.6)-- or --X--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, wherein X is CH.sub.2, O, S, NH, or NCH.sub.3, and R.sub.6 is hydrogen, alkyl, or C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 haloalkyl; or R is (1) a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl, (2) lower cycloalkyl, (3) alkylamino, (4) haloalkyl, (5) an aromatic heterocyclic ring or (6) a substituted phenyl group; and Z is a carbocyclic group;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of the present invention are useful as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system for printing and dispensing chemical reagents in precisely controlled volumes onto a medium at a precisely controlled location. A jetting tube, comprising an orifice at one end and a fluid receiving aperture at the other end, is concentrically mounted within a cylindrical piezo-electric transducer. The fluid receiving aperture is connected to a reservoir containing a selected reagent by means of a filter. The reservoir may be pressurized by a regulated air supply. An electrical signal of short duration is applied to the transducer. The pulse causes the transducer and the volume defined by the jetting tube to expand, thereby drawing in a small quantity of reagent fluid. The cessation of the pulse causes the transducer and the volume of the jetting tube to de-expand, thereby causing at least a substantially uniformly sized droplet of reagent fluid to be propelled through the orifice.

Abstract: A method of preventing the fracture of coated drug granules during the compression of the granules into a commercially acceptable tablet matrix is disclosed. The method involves incorporating into the matrix, along with the granules, from about 10% to about 50% by weight microcrystalline cellulose.

Abstract: A tablet providing enhanced delivery of an acid-sensitive drug in conjunction with an acid-stable drug is disclosed. The tablet is made up of a matrix containing a major proportion of an acid-stable drug, and a minor proportion of microcrystalline cellulose. Embedded in the matrix are coated granules containing at least about 90% of an acid-sensitive drug by weight, exclusive of the coating, and having a particle size of from about 10 to about 40 mesh. The granules of acid-sensitive drug have an acid resistant and/or enteric coating selected to dissolve in less than sixty minutes at a pH of 5.5 or greater.

Abstract: A heating system for heating a rapidly rotating article, including a strobe capable of emitting radiant energy and positioned to radiate energy onto the article, a light source positioned to illuminate a temperature-sensing means on the article, a light detector to measure changes in the light reflected by the temperature-sensor and a control device to energize the strobe in response to reflected light from the detector.

Abstract: An enteral feeding catheter is characterized by being adapted for introduction through the mouth via a guidewire that extends from the mouth through the esophagus, stomach and abdominal puncture. The catheter has a relatively stiff leading portion of length sufficient to extend along the guidewire from the mouth through the abdominal puncture and of stiffness sufficient to permit it to be pushed along the guidewire, at least an initial length of the catheter being tapered to a narrow leading tip to enable the puncture to be dilated as its drawn therethrough. The catheter also has a relatively soft, large diameter trailing portion connected to the leading portion adapted to be drawn along said guidewire by grasping and pulling the stiff leading portion until the leading end of the soft portion extends outside the body through the widened puncture, while the trailing end remains in the stomach, whereby the relatively soft trailing portion can serve as a conduit for enteric feeding.

Abstract: Compositions which comprise a complex of carbomer (acrylic acid polymers) and erythromycin or a derivative thereof such as 6-O-methylerythromycin, are disclosed. The compositions provide nontoxic, palatable dry and liquid dosage forms for oral administration.

Abstract: New and improved connector is provided for the zero dead volume connection of separate, like diameter flexible tubing lengths by direct tubing length end abutment and connection under controlled conditions. The connector is particularly adapted for use with tubing lengths of fluorocarbon or like materials in contemporary biomedical sample liquid analysis systems which utilize an immiscible isolation liquid or "oil" to minimize sample liquid carryover and maximize the accuracy of sample liquid analysis results.

Abstract: A specific binding enzyme-resistant ligand assay test material, which material comprises (a) a solid phase incorporated with one partner of a specific binding pair comprising said ligand or a binding analog thereof and a specific binding protein therefor; (b) a conjugate comprising the other partner of said specific binding pair incorporated with a substance which protects the specific binding protein of said pair from enzyme inactivation when bound with its partner; and (c) an active protein-inactivating enzyme. Also a specific binding method of assaying for an enzyme-resistant ligand in a sample, which method uses the above test material and which results in a reduction in interference caused by non-specific protein.

Abstract: New and improved, mechanically self-resonant apparatus and method for the non-invasive mixing of materials are disclosed, and comprise vibrator means including container means for the materials to be mixed, and drive means to drivingly vibrate the vibrator means. Sensor means are operatively associated with the vibrator means and the drive means, and are operable to sense the frequency of vibration of the vibrator means and maintain that frequency at or near the resonant frequency of the vibrator means. This promotes thorough mixing of the materials, and minimizes the energy input required for vibrational mixing of the materials. Control means are provided to control the amplitude of vibration of the vibrator means at or near the resonant frequency to avoid damage to the materials attendant mixing. The container means may take the form of a conduit through which the materials to be mixed are flowing attendant vibrational mixing.

Abstract: New and improved, liquid level adjusting and filtering device is provided, and is operable upon insertion into a container to automatically adjust the level of a liquid as contained in the container to a predetermined, precisely repeatable location, and to filter the thusly level-adjusted liquid. The device is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with test tube-like devices, in the nature of those marketed under the Trademark "Vacutainer" by the Becton-Dickinson Company of East Rutherford, NJ, containing whole blood samples which have been separated as by centrifugation into respective blood cell, buffy and blood serum layers; and is operable in that context to present blood serum samples to automated sample analysis systems at the same predetermined and precisely repeatable location relative to the aspirating probe means of such systems.