Abstract: This invention relates to bioabsorbable fibers, comprising a semicrystalline fiber-forming core polymer and an amorphous sheath polymer, wherein the core polymer and sheath polymer are separately melt extruded and connected to one another through an adhesive bond. The present invention also relates to reinforced composites of the bioabsorbable fibers, and to devices comprising the reinforced composites. The devices are suitable for in vivo implantation. Some embodiments of the present devices can also support high loads, making then useful for fracture fixation and spinal fusion. The invention also relates to methods of making the various materials of the invention.

Abstract: A roll-formed, guidewire extension system for connecting an extension wire to a guidewire is disclosed. The system comprises a connector or sleeve, such as a turnbuckle, having a tubular outer body, a guidewire retention means, an extension wire retention means, a guidewire and an extension wire. A sleeve or turnbuckle nut is produced by rolling a portion of a formable hollow tubular workpiece upon an elongated projection with the projection being disposed at an angle with respect to the axis of the workpiece. This process is repeated on the remaining part of the workpiece to create external threads in the sleeve of opposite pitch. The roll-formed external beads or dents in the sleeve create threads in the interior of the sleeve, the threads running in opposite directions and meeting at approximately the middle of the sleeve. The guidewire and the extension wire engagement means are preferably helically wound wires which are connected e.g., brazed to reduced diameter portions of the guidewire/extension wire.

Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for use in simultaneously amplifying at least thirteen loci of genomic DNA in a single multiplex reaction, as are methods and materials for use in the analysis of the products of such reactions. Included in the present invention are materials and methods for the simultaneous amplification of at least thirteen short tandem repeat loci, including specific materials and methods for the analysis of thirteen such loci specifically selected by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation as core loci for use in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database.

Abstract: A floor frame structural support assembly having a plurality of substantially parallel, longitudinal support members or beams, each of the support members having an inside-directed and an outside-directed wall surface, the inside-directed wall surfaces of the support members being substantially parallel. Disposed between the support members and affixed to the inside-directed surface thereof so as to prevent the inside surfaces from moving from their substantially parallel relationship during handling, transportation, and deployment, is a plurality of substantially rigid, bend-resistive, compression-resistive cross members. Affixed to the outside surfaces of the respective longitudinal support members so as to be substantially collinear with the axis of a respective cross member is a plurality of outriggers. The floor frame structural support assembly may include additional structure such as floor joists, marriage wall beams, exterior wall beams and wall portions which are affixed thereto.

Abstract: A secondary battery separator comprises a fibrous core coated with a polymer having improved electrode adhesion properties in unitary laminated construction. Vacuum removal of plasticizer without solvent extraction prevents brittleness and results in microporosity in a thin layer of enhanced ion conductivity.

Abstract: A process for recovering a concentrate of chromans from a distillate containing chromans is provided comprising the steps of: (1) forming chroman phosphates in the distillate; (2) subjecting the distillate to shearing forces, in the presence of a gas of flotation to form a froth; and (3) recovering the froth containing the concentrate of chroman phosphates.

Abstract: A method using biological processes in the production of pulp from industrial wood waste is described. The process makes use of various species of white-rot fungi which selectively degrade lignin. The industrial wood waste must be cleaned and hydrated prior to inoculation with the fungus. Paper produced by this process has excellent strength characteristics as compared to both non-treated industrial wood waste and pulp produced from virgin wood chips. Substantial energy savings are also realized when the biopulped industrial wood waste chips are further refined by conventional mechanical pulping procedures. Kraft pulping of wood waste resulted in strength properties comparable to those of virgin wood. Fungal pretreatment subsequently enhanced the resulting kraft pulp properties.

Abstract: Mixed-bed solid phases are provided, with methods for using such solid phases to isolate target nucleic acids, such as plasmid DNA, chromosomal DNA, RNA, or nucleic acids generated by enzymatic amplification from contaminants, including proteins, lipids, cellular debris, or other nucleic acids. The mixed-bed solid phases of this invention are mixtures of at least two different solid phases, each of which has a capacity to bind to the target nucleic acid under different solution conditions, and the capacity to release the nucleic acid under similar elution conditions. By exchanging solution conditions according to the methods of this invention, one can remove contaminants from the target nucleic acid bound to the mixed-bed solid phase, then elute the target nucleic acid in an elution buffer.

Abstract: This invention relates to fiber-forming bioabsorbable poly(ester-amide)s made by the polymerization of diamidediols with 3,6-dioxaoctanedioic acid, also known as “triglycolic acid”. More specifically it relates to diol terminated poly(ester-amide)s of triglycolic acid that are optionally further reacted with glycolide, lactide, trimethylene carbonate, epsilon-caprolactone, or p-dioxanone, or mixtures of said cyclic monomers to produce the corresponding block copolymers. Said polymers are useful in the production of surgical sutures having superior performance characteristics including low bending stiffness and in the production of other fiber-based bioabsorbable implants and molded devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are antibodies that specifically recognize the new amino terminus of a protein cleaved by a protease during apoptosis. Methods of using and making the antibodies are also provided. The antibodies are particularly useful in methods of detecting apoptosis and testing candidate compounds for enhancing or inhibiting apoptosis.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel amide-based cationic lipids of the general structure: or a salt, or solvate, or enantiomers thereof wherein; (a) Y is a direct link or an alkylene of 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; (b) R1 is H or a lipophilic moiety; (c) R2, R3, and R4 are positively charged moieties, or at least one but not all of R2,R3, or R4 is a positive moiety and the remaining are independently selected from H, an alkyl moiety of 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, or a heterocyclic moiety of about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms; (d) n and p are independently selected integers from 0 to 8, such that the sum of n and o is from 1 to 16; (e) X− is an anion or polyanion and (f) m is an integer from 0 to a number equivalent to the positive charge(s) present on the lipid; provided that if Y is a direct link and the sum of n and p is 1 then one of either R3 or R4 must have an alkyl moiety of at least 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Application of synthetic or naturally occurring lung surfactant to the posterior pharyngeal region prior to a period of sleep significantly reduces episodes of sleep disturbance resulting in apnea or hypopnea. The present invention provides lung surfactant in a convenient applicator container for easy use and storage. Incidents of oxygen desaturation are reduced, thereby lowering the risks of apnea-associated pathologies.

Abstract: pH dependent ion exchange matrices are provided, with methods for making such matrices, and methods for using such matrices to isolate a target nucleic acid, such as plasmid DNA, chromosomal DNA, or RNA from contaminants, including proteins, lipids, cellular debris, or other nucleic acids. Each pH dependent ion exchange matrix of this invention comprises at least two different ion exchange functional groups, one of which is capable of acting as an anion exchanger at a first pH, and the other of which is capable of acting as a cation exchanger at a second, higher pH. The matrix has an overall neutral charge in a pH range between the first and second pH. The pH dependent ion exchange matrices of the present invention are designed to bind to the target nucleic acid at a pH wherein the overall charge of the matrix is positive, and to release the target nucleic acid as the pH of the surrounding solution is increased.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for using paramagnetic particles to concentrate or harvest cells. Methods are also disclosed for clearing a solution of disrupted biological material, such as a lysate of cells or a homogenate of mammalian tissue. Methods are also disclosed for using paramagnetic particles to isolate target nucleic acids, such as RNA or DNA, from a solution cleared of disrupted biological material using the same type or a different type of paramagnetic particle. Kits are also disclosed for use with the various methods of the present invention. Nucleic acids isolated according to the present methods and using the present kits are suitable for immediate use in downstream processing, without further purification.

Abstract: A high refractive index, foldable polymer suitable for use in ophthalmic devices, such as intraocular lenses, is provided. The polymer may be produced from a polymerization reaction of first, second and third monomeric components and a crosslinking agent. The first monomeric component includes an aryl acrylate or an aryl methacrylate. The second monomeric component, which is not an acrylate, includes a monomer having an aromatic ring with a substituent having at least one site of ethylenic unsaturation. The third monomeric component includes a high water content hydrogel-forming monomer. The resulting high refractive index copolymer is durable enough to be cut and polished when dry, and becomes soft and foldable when hydrated.

Abstract: Mixed-bed solid phases are provided, with methods for using such solid phases to isolate target nucleic acids, such as plasmid DNA, chromosomal DNA, RNA, or nucleic acids generated by enzymatic amplification from contaminants, including proteins, lipids, cellular debris, or other nucleic acids. The mixed-bed solid phases of this invention are mixtures of at least two different solid phases, each of which has a capacity to bind to the target nucleic acid under different solution conditions, and the capacity to release the nucleic acid under similar elution conditions. By exchanging solution conditions according to the methods of this invention, one can remove contaminants from the target nucleic acid bound to the mixed-bed solid phase, then elute the target nucleic acid in an elution buffer.

Abstract: A roman shade fold forming batten including retaining means (1) to receive and releasably retain a fold of material (8) formed tansversely in a length of material; and suspension mounting means (7) located at one or more predetermined locations on the retaining means to receive suspension means (9).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel carbamate-based cationic lipids of the general structure: or a salt, or solvate, or enantiomers thereof, wherein (a) R1 is a lipophilic moiety; (b) R2 is a positively charged moiety; (c) n is an integer from 1 to 8; (d) X is an anion or polyanion; and (e) m is an integer from 0 to a number equivalent to the positive charge(s) present on the lipid. The present invention further provides compositions of these lipids with polyanionic macromolecules, methods for interfering with protein expression in a cell utilizing these compositions, and a kit for preparing the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to materials and methods for the identification and analysis of intermediate tandem repeat sequences in DNA, wherein an intermediate tandem repeat (ITR) sequence is a region of a DNA sequence containing at least one five to seven base repeat unit appearing in tandem at least two times. DNA markers to highly polymorphic ITR loci in the human genome are identified and analyzed, using particularly preferred embodiments of the materials and methods of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the simultaneous amplification of multiple distinct genetic loci using PCR or other amplification systems to determine in one reaction the alleles of each locus contained within the multiplex.