Abstract: It has been discovered that the stimulation of &bgr;-adrenergic receptors, which activate cAMP formation, give rise to increased APP and GFAP synthesis in astrocytes. Hence, the in vitro or in vivo exposure of neuronal cells to certain compositions comprising &bgr;-adrenergic receptor ligands or agonists, including, e.g., norepinephrine, isoproterenol and the like, increases APP mRNA transcription and consequent APP overproduction. These increases are blocked by &bgr;-adrenergic receptor antagonists, such as propranolol. The in vitro or in vivo treatment of these cells with 8Br-cAMP, prostaglandin E2 (PG E2), forskolin, and nicotine ditartrate also increased APP synthesis, including an increase in mRNA and holoprotein levels, as well as an increase in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Compositions and methods are disclosed of regulating APP overexpression and mediating reactive astrogliosis through cAMP signaling or the activation of &bgr;-adrenergic receptors.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition including tannic acid and tannin complexes, a method of treating cancer with tannic acid and tannin complexes, and a method of making a medicament for treating cancer is disclosed.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the stimulation of &bgr;adrenergic receptors, which activate cAMP formation, give rise to increased APP and GFAP synthesis in astrocytes. Hence, the in vitro or in vivo exposure of neuronal cells to certain compositions comprising &bgr;-adrenergic receptor ligands or agonists, including, e.g., norepinephrine, isoproterenol and the like, increases APP mRNA transcription and consequent APP overproduction. These increases are blocked by &bgr;-adrenergic receptor antagonists, such as propranolol. The in vitro or in vivo treatment of these cells with 8Br-cAMP, prostaglandin E2 (PG E2), forskolin, and nicotine ditartrate also increased APP synthesis, including an increase in mRNA and holoprotein levels, as well as an increase in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Compositions and methods are disclosed of regulating APP overexpression and mediating reactive astrogliosis through cAMP signaling or the activation of &bgr;-adrenergic receptors.

Abstract: Compounds having kappa opioid agonist activity, compositions containing them and methods of using them as analgesics and anti-pruritic agents are provided. The compounds of formula IV have the structure: wherein X9; R1, R2, R3, R4; and n are as described in the specification.

Abstract: An adhesive caulking material comprising granular solid colored particles dispersed in a base formulation is disclosed. The adhesive caulking material exhibits a cosmetic capacity to take on the appearance of a natural or synthetic solid substrate. A method is provided for producing the adhesive caulking material comprising the steps of: (a) providing a base formulation exhibiting a desired background color; and (b) adding to the base formulation an amount of granular solid colored particles effective to achieve a desired appearance. The invention also relates to colored solid chips comprising a coagulated or aggregated mixture comprising a polymeric resin and an amount of one or more pigments sufficient to obtain a desired single- or multi-colored appearance. The chips have a granular shape and have a size in the range from about 0.25 mm to about 20 mm in diameter.

Abstract: A composition which comprises an animal cell population which contains immature animal cells. The immature animal cells are characterized by expression of alpha-fetoprotein or lack of essential expression of alpha-fetoprotein and albumin, and at least a portion of said immature animal cells or at least a portion of the progeny of said immature animal cells is capable of differentiating into cells which express albumin. The cell population is cultured under conditions which result in expansion of the cells. Expansion of the cells may be achieved by culturing the cells in the presence of an extracellular matrix and liver stromal cells; and preferably in the presence of growth factors. Such cells may be used for liver transplantation, artificial livers, and for toxicology and pharmacology studies. Such cells may also be genetically engineered to express proteins or polypepetides of interest.

Abstract: A method of reconstituting a mammalian embryo involves transferring the nucleus from a quiescent donor cell into a suitable recipient cell. The donor cell is quiescent, in that it is caused to exit from the growth and division cycle at G1 and to arrest in the G0 state. Nuclear transfer may take place by cell fusion. The reconstituted embryo may then give rise to one or more mammals. The invention is useful in the production of transgenic mammals as well as non-transgenics of high genetic merit.

Abstract: Skis are manufactured so as to have a convex longitudinal curvature in the unloaded state. This ensures that the ski has good contact with the snow, keeps to the track and does not chatter during skiing, but impedes turning the skis and skiing through narrow curves. However, by securing two Z-shaped rigid levers (10) with a power arm (11) and a load arm (12) to a ski (1) such that the power arms (11) are positioned under the heel or toe of a ski boot and by variously distributing the weight (Gh, Gv) on the power arms (11), the tail (3) and/or tip (2) of the ski are/is lifted and the ski (1) obtains a concave longitudinal curvature.

Abstract: A stereotactic device for use with an imager is disclosed, which permits an imaging scan to be taken with reference to a personal coordinate system (or PCS) that is independent of a machine coordinate system (or MCS). Methods using the device to obtain imaging scans are described such that the imaging scans are superimposable even if taken at different time periods using the same or a different imager. The device comprises a frame that can be reproducibly positioned on a subject and which is equipped with non-invasive affixing means and localizing means that provide the PCS. The device and methods of the invention are particularly well suited for routine initial or follow-up examinations, pre-surgical planning and post-surgical evaluation.

Abstract: The rear axle suspension system is retrofittably attachable to spaced-apart suspension mountings of an ambulance type of vehicle. The suspension system has an axle bearing arm having a first end that pivotally connects with one of the suspension mountings, and an opposite second end. A complementary arm has a first end that pivotally connects with the other one of the suspension mountings, and an opposite second end pivotally connected to the second end of the axle bearing arm. An axle bracket is secured to the axle bearing arm at or near the second end thereof, to receive the rear axle. A pair of spaced-apart absorber bearing arms downwardly project respectively from the axle bearing and complementary arms and face each other. A shock absorber is mounted between the absorber bearing arms.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition including tannic acid and tannin complexes from a plant of the Musaceas family (banana, plantain, etc.), and a method of treating cancer with tannic acid and tannin complexes.

Abstract: The composite steel/concrete column comprises a longitudinally extending H-shaped steel assembly having a pair parallel flange plates and a web plate interconnecting the flange plates and defining two opposite channel-shaped spaces. A plurality of spaced-apart transversal tie bars are disposed along the steel assembly on each side of the web plate for interconnecting the flange plates. A mass of concrete is filling the channel-shaped spaces. The column steel concrete column is characterized in that the ratio of the cross-sectional surface area of the steel assembly with respect to the total surface area of the composite steel/concrete column is less than 9%, preferably 2% to 5%. The column is principally to be utilized in structural steel high-rise buildings which have the advantage of shop prefabrication resulting in rapid on site construction.

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: It has been discovered that the stimulation of .beta.-adrenergic receptors, which activate cAMP formation, give rise to increased APP and GFAP synthesis in astrocytes. Hence, the in vitro or in vivo exposure of neuronal cells to certain compositions comprising .beta.-adrenergic receptor ligands or agonists, including, e.g., norepinephrine, isoproterenol and the like, increases APP mRNA transcription and consequent APP overproduction. These increases are blocked by .beta.-adrenergic receptor antagonists, such as propranolol. The in vitro or in vivo treatment of these cells with 8Br-cAMP, prostaglandin E.sub.2 (PG E.sub.2), forskolin, and nicotine ditartrate also increased APP synthesis, including an increase in mRNA and holoprotein levels, as well as an increase in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Compositions and methods are disclosed of regulating APP overexpression and mediating reactive astrogliosis through cAMP signaling or the activation of .beta.-adrenergic receptors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a detachable connecting terminal which connects an electric conductor in the form of a wire or strand with an electroconductive contact bar, wherein a pivotedly positioned terminal disk in the housing forces the conductor against the contact bar when swivelled. According to the invention, the terminal disk has a knife which, together with a counter knife at the contact bar, separates the insulation from the conductor upon rotation of the terminal disk and forces the stripped portion of the conductor against the clamping region upon further rotation of the terminal disk. This joint can be separated with a suitable tool by pressing against a locking nose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing and distributing a powder is disclosed which uses a rotary dispenser to dispense the powder by gravity onto a movable platen, the platen being movable to a position adjacent to a build bed, where the powder can be distributed across the build bed using a spreader. The method and apparatus are also suited to dispensing of a plurality of powders used in build beds for solid free-form fabrication and three dimensional printing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds which are useful as sunscreens. The compounds persist on the skin for much longer than conventional sunscreens because they comprise a Michael acceptor linked directly or indirectly to a chromophore. The Michael acceptor is capable of undergoing a conjugate addition reaction with thiol groups present in cysteine residues of keratin and thus the compound is chemically bound to the skin and will not be removed by immersion in water.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of reducing the extent of infarction, particularly cerebral infarction subsequent to cerebral ischemia, by the administration of citicoline shortly after an ischemic episode and continuing daily treatment for up to about 30 days, preferably for at least about 6 weeks. The method is useful in the treatment of stroke and severe head trauma patients and maximizes the chances for a full or substantially full recovery of the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation and manufacture of 3-amino-substituted glycosylated bile acid derivatives. Intermediates and related compounds are also disclosed. In particular, the present invention permits the conversion of cholic acid esters to the 3-amino-7,12-bis(glucosyl)cholic acid esters via an azide intermediate. Conditions for the purification and isolation of the desired product is also disclosed to provide an overall manufacturing process suitable for large-scale production.