Abstract: A technique for determining blood flow in a living body by changing the thermal energy level by a predetermined amount at a site in a blood flow path and detecting temperatures at locations upstream and downstream of the site. The temperature difference at such locations is determined and the blood flow is calculated as a function of the change in energy level and of the temperature differences measured prior to and following the change in energy level.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrophoretic separation system on a planar chip of glass or plastic material with on-chip FIA (flow injection analysis) injection and one or multiple sets of electrodes for on-column, end-column, off-column electrical or electrochemical, suppressed or unsuppressed, conductiometric, high-frequency contactless conductiometric, potentiometric and amperometric detection.

Abstract: The present invention is based upon the immunomodulatory activity of synthetic and semi-synthetic didemnin compounds. It has surprisingly been discovered that certain didemnin compounds possess unexpectedly high immunomodulation activity, and thus will be useful for modulating or regulating immunological functions in warm blooded animals. From the data provided herein it is believed that the physician will be able to determine the appropriate dosage of the immunosuppressant didemnins of the present invention. The actual dosage to be administered depends, inter alia, on the animal species to be treated, the subject animal's size, and the capacity of the subject to utilize the particular didemnin compound administered. Accordingly, the actual amounts of any didemnin compound required to be administered depend on the judgment of the practitioner.

Abstract: Dehydrodidemnin B with useful biological activity has formula (1). It can be isolated from natural sources or synthesized, and it forms active derivatives.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to determine whether a container moving along a conveyor is suitable for storing water. The apparatus includes a sampler that obtains a sample from the interior of the container as the container moves along the conveyor. A PID is connected to the sampler to receive the sample and produce a signal corresponding to contents of the sample. A controller is connected to the PID and receives and analyzes the signal to determine whether the container is suitable for storing water. The apparatus may include a vacuum source connected to the PID that produces a reduced pressure for drawing the sample through the PID. A flow restrictor may be positioned between the sampler and PID. The flow restrictor may provide variable resistance to set a desired clearance time through the PID and sensitivity of the PID.

Abstract: A new type of ion-selective solvent polymeric or liquid membrane electrode is constructed which allows to extend the measuring range at the lower end by at least six (6) orders of magnitudes. The new method can be used with membranes based on a neutral ionophore, a charged ionophore, or an ion-exchanger. Low detection limits are achieved by maintaining a very low and constant concentration of the primary ion and a sufficiently high concentration of an interfering ion in the internal reference solution. The low and constant concentration of the primary ion is either adjusted with the help of a solution of a hydrophilic ion buffer such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid or by adding an excess of a salt of an ion which forms a sparingly soluble salt with the primary ion, such as NaI for the primary ion Ag.sup.+. With the new technique, ion-selective electrodes can be used, for the first time, for environmental monitoring of heavy metal ions such as Pb.sup.2+ and Cd.sup.2+ at the submicromolar level.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the synthesis and characterization of compounds having the formula: wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8 and R.sub.9 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, OR', SH, SR', SOR', SO.sub.2 R', NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, NHR', N(R).sub.2, NHC(O)R', CN, halogen, .dbd.O, C(.dbd.O)H, C(.dbd.O)R', CO.sub.2 H, CO.sub.2 R', C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkynyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaromatic;wherein each of the R' groups is independently selected from the group consisting of H, OH, NH.sub.2, NO.sub.2, SH, CN, halogen, .dbd.O, C(.dbd.O)H, C(.dbd.O)CH.sub.3, CO.sub.2 H, CO.sub.2 CH.sub.3, C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.12 alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, and heteroaromatic;wherein each dotted circle represents one, two or three optional double bonds;wherein R.sub.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to several newly prepared semi-synthetic ecteinascidin (Et) species, designated herein as Et 757, Boc-Et 729, Iso-Et 743, Et 875, and Et 1560. The physical properties of these compounds, their preparation and bioactivities are also reported.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to headbands wearable about the head and ears of a user, and more particularly to an improved headband construction that can, if desired, easily support a pair of sun glasses or eyeglasses, using open slots, buttonholes, or the like, aligned strategically on each side of the headband, thereby providing an entrance for the arm(s) of a pair of sun/eyeglasses that will be positioned behind the headband. In a preferred embodiment, the headband further includes a thin flap of soft material attached behind the open slots that will protect the skin when the arms are slid in and to protect from exposure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the isolation and bioactive characterization of compounds isolated from the clam Spisula polynyma. These compounds include three sphingoid-type bases, spisulosines 285, 299 and 313 (1-3), each of which shows unique cytotoxicity against L1210 murine lymphocytic leukemia cells. In addition, sphingosine (also referred to as 4-sphingenine or octadeca-4-shpingenine, 4) and two related compounds, nonadeca-4-sphingenine (a one carbon longer homolog, 5) and sphinga-4,10-diene (a dehydrosphingosine deravitive, 6) were also obtained, These compounds also contribute to the cytotoxicity of the Spisula polynyma extracts, but did not cause the morphology changes observed with compounds 1-3.

Abstract: The present invention features a seat-lifting device for use with commonly available toilets, which is easily manufactured, easily installed in a household about the toilet. Such a seat-lifting device also would be simple and safe to use by the persons who desire to use the toilet. Such a seat-lifting device also would repeatedly, reliably and safely move the person from and between the upright and seated positions. Also featured are methods related thereto. A seat-lifting device according to the present invention features a toilet seat, a motor, a drive mechanism and seat lift linkage. The seat lift linkage is operably interconnected to the motor by the drive means and also is interconnected to the toilet seat. In this way, motion of the motor in a first direction causes the seat lift linkage to move the toilet seat from a one position, corresponding to a seated position, to a second position, an elevated position.

Abstract: The present invention is a process utilizing heated pressurized water and non-toxic citrus-based solvents for the removal of vinyl decals and graphics. The process is conducted step by step, using a balance of water volume, pressure, temperature, angle and non-toxic chemicals to remove vinyl graphics and glue residue.

Abstract: The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have been found to be inhibitors of MDR, i.e., acquired multidrug resistance, which has become a major problem in the treatment of various cancers. The lamellarin compounds disclosed herein have also been found to be cytotoxic to MDR cells. MDR is believed to be associated with certain alterations in tumor cells, including an over-expression of a certain high molecular weight membrane glycoprotein and a decrease in the ability of the tumor cell to accumulate and retain chemotherapeutic agents. The present invention is thus directed to methods of treating MDR-type tumors with an effective anti-MDR amount (either inhibitory or cytotoxic) of one or more lamellarin compounds, which compounds have been found to be effective antitumoral agents against MDR cells.

Abstract: A toothbrush having an improved cleaning and abrasion efficiency, wherein the bristles are comprised of synthetic thermoplastic polymeric compositions, and contain longitudinal channels extending along the length thereof, having a depth sufficient to entrap a quantity of abrasive particles such that during brushing with a toothpaste, contact between the channel entrapped abrasive particles and the surfaces of the teeth is improved, resulting in a cleaning efficiency coefficient, CEC, above about 1.5 and, an abrasion efficiency coefficient, AEC, above about 1.5, while demonstrating suitable bristle wearability.

Abstract: A pendant-like device which hangs around the neck and holds clip-on sunglasses (or similar eyewear) in a forward-facing position at mid-chest level. All models consist of a pendant that is suspended at mid-chest level by a cord which loops behind the neck of the user.

Abstract: Described is a combination, PVC-membrane, Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) with a replaceable sensing module and a single-junction, sleeve-type reference electrode. pH and ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) in the "Combination" configuration, i.e., single probes containing both the sensing and reference half-cells, are more convenient, more economical, and can be used to analyze smaller samples than an equivalent pair of separate half-cell electrodes.

Abstract: Diagnosing disease in a body by analyzing a sample from the body for the presence of sulfur compounds.