Abstract: A process for selective thermal oxidation or photooxidation of hydrocarbons adsorbed onto zeolite matrices. A highly selective thermal oxidation and photooxidation of unsubstituted or alkyl substituted alkanes, alkenes, aromatics and cycloalkyls in solvent free zeolites under dark thermal conditions or under irradiation with visible light. The process oxidizes hydrocarbons almost completely selectively without substantial production of byproducts.

Abstract: A biological tissue transplant coated with a stabilized multilayer alginate coating and a method for preparation of the stabilized multilayer coating. Coating has three primary layers of the alginate with a polyamino acid barrier emplaced between a primary and a secondary layer. The secondary "halo" layer of soft gel is formed by a gel gradient created between weakly bound cross-linking gelling divalent cations of an alginate used for the primary layer of the coating and non-gelling counter ions of a non-ionic alginate of the secondary layer of the coating.

Abstract: A method for selective targeted degradation of intracellular proteins in situ by inducing in cells a production of an agent comprising N-terminal domain as well as a C-terminal domain. The N-terminal domain destabilizes the target protein and directs its degradation when attached to it through the C-terminal domain acting as a linker between the target protein and between the protein agent of the invention. The protein degradation directing N-terminal domain is a subregion within 97 amino acids corresponding to the N-terminus of protein antizyme.

Abstract: A method for simplified hybrid seed production by latent diploid parthenogenesis and parthenote cleavage. Latent diploid parthenogenesis and subsequent parthenote cleavage is induced by controlled artificial conditions that activate latent apomictic behavior and result in a transition from sexual seed production to diploid asexual parthenogenesis. The method is useful for production of apomictic hybrid seeds.

Abstract: A method for formation of subsurface barriers using viscous liquids where a viscous liquid solidifies at a controlled rate after injection into soil and forms impermeable isolation of the material enclosed within the subsurface barriers. The viscous liquid is selected from the group consisting of polybutenes, polysilotanes, colloidal silica and modified colloidal silica of which solidification is controlled by gelling, cooling or cross-linking. Solidification timing is controlled by dilution, addition of brines, coating with alumina, stabilization with various agents and by temperature.

Abstract: A therapeutic and prophylactic method for protection of heart or heart tissue by limiting metabolic and ionic abnormalities developed during, following or associated with ischemia by administering to a subject in need either a compound which reduces NADH/NAD.sup.+ ratio and stimulates glycolysis to produce ATP or a compound which inhibits cotransporter of sodium-potassium-chloride.

Abstract: A method and agents for endogenous control, treatment, management and prevention of preterm labor by inducement of endogenous nitric oxide synthase. The method for endogenous production of nitric oxide in myometrium involves administering to a pregnant mammal a cytokine, hormone or growth factor agent able to induce production of nitric oxide or nitric oxide synthase. A non-invasive diagnostic procedure for detecting the presence and/or impending onset of premature labor.

Abstract: A selective photooxidation process for the conversion of hydrocarbon molecules to partially oxygenated derivatives, which comprises the steps of adsorbing a hydrocarbon and oxygen onto a dehydrated zeolite support matrix to form a hydrocarbon-oxygen contact pair, and subsequently exposing the hydrocarbon-oxygen contact pair to visible light, thereby forming a partially oxygenated derivative.

Abstract: A method for clonal propagation by somatic polyembryogenesis. The method allows for clonal propagation of embryonal suspensor mass resulting in true-to-type suspensor development of the conifer embryo leading to development of plantlets and plants.

Abstract: A method and an allele-specific in situ reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification assay for detection and differentiation between expression of unmutated wild-type DNA sequences and between endogenous mutated DNA sequences in vitro or in vivo. The method is useful for verification, diagnostic assessment and monitoring of therapeutic small fragment homologous replacement gene therapy, for diagnostic assessment and monitoring of cDNA-based gene therapies, for analysis of gene expression of specific alleles during fetal development and for diagnostic assessment of the expression of alleles involved in cancer mutations.

Abstract: A purified polypeptide having an amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1, which is a human retinal cancer-associated retinopathy antigen capable of selectively binding to antibodies present in a body fluid of a human patient afflicted with cancer associated retinopathy. A recombinant 23 kDa polypeptide which is recombinantly synthesized human retinal cancer-associated retinopathy antigen having an amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1.

Abstract: Autologous fibrinogen and chitosan containing hemostatic adhesive agents having strong hemostatic properties when applied to a bleeding wound or vessel. Fibrinogen is isolated and purified using ammonium sulphate precipitation in slow incremental portions.

Abstract: An anti-Pseudomonas aeruginosa agent which is substantially pure biologically active colistin, its component, a mixture thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof delivered as an aerosol or dry powder formulation. A formulation and method for preparation of substantially pure biologically active colistin, its components, mixtures thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. A method for treatment and prophylaxis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia or other susceptible pulmonary bacterial infections.

Abstract: A quantitative organic vapor-particle sampler for sampling semi-volatile organic gases and particulate components. A semi-volatile organic reversible gas sorbent macroreticular resin agglomerates of randomly packed microspheres with the continuous porous structure of particles ranging in size between 0.05-10 .mu.m for use in an integrated diffusion vapor-particle sampler.

Abstract: A preparation suitable for sustained and extended corneal analgesia and for repeated administration consisting of ultralow nontoxic subanaesthetic concentrations of local anesthetic agents. A method for corneal analgesia has a fast onset of pain relief and extended duration of the corneal analgesia for several months without accompanying toxic symptoms by administering to a patient an ophthalmic analgesic solution containing a local anesthetic agent in subanesthetic concentration.

Abstract: A lancet or finger-stick device operable to make a small incision into the vascular tissue of the skin to induce a controllable blood flow is particularly suited for incisions of the finger-tip of a patient. The device and method provide multiple use by a single-user in that the device provides an autologous re-use feature, such that an individual can reset and reuse the device on the same patient in case of an accidental misfire prior to actual use or if the first incision does not provide a sufficient blood sample. A disabling mechanism which the individual performs immediately prior to disposal of the used device is incorporated into the invention. These features permit the user of a consumer self-test or professional-use test to re-stick an individual's fingertip in the event that the first try is unsuccessful or the blood flow is inadequate.

Abstract: Compounds and a method useful for protection of tissue cells in a mammalian body from irreversible damages due to lactic acidosis caused by oxygen deficiency. The protection is achieved by administering a compound having a cell membrane permeability and/or ability to cross the blood brain barrier, said compound being able to provide a buffering action to prevent an increase in a hydrogen ion concentration over the physiologically acceptable levels or able to shift the intracellular pH to a more desired alkaline level.

Abstract: A transplant with a core of a viable, physiologically active, cell(s) and a non-fibrogenic coating of alkaline earth metal alginate having a high mannuronate to guluronate molar ratio and free from fibrogenic amounts of fucose, sulfate, phloroglucinol and protein moieties. The coating has a permeability sufficiently low and a thickness sufficiently large to protect the tissue cells from host immunological agents after transplantation, the coating also being sufficiently permeable and thin to permit the diffusion of cell sufficient nutrients and cell products through the coating required for cell viability. The alginate coating can be reacted with polylysine to form a polylysine-alginate complex on the outer surface thereof. The complex can then be reacted with polyaspartic acid to provide a physiologically acceptable negative surface charge.

Abstract: An electrostatic process is used for coating a biological material with a uniform, continuous polymer layer by discharging a suspension of the biological material in a gelable coating polymer solution in a continuous stream through an orifice into an electrostatic field. The stream is attenuated to form droplets by maintaining an electrostatic voltage between the needle and the gelling solution which is sufficient to maintain an attraction of at least 1.times.10.sup.-6 newtons on the stream of liquid leaving the needle, and the droplets are collected in a gelling solution. A preferred product is pancreatic islets having a continuous, smooth coating of high polymannuronate non-fibrogenic alginate having a thickness less than 200 .mu.m such as about 20-200 .mu.m. The alginate preferably contains less than 1 wt. % fucose, less than 0.5 wt. % sulfate and less than 0.01 wt. % phloroglucinol, is free of fibrinoogenic concentration of protein, and has a mannuronate to guluronate ratio of from 1.2 to 6.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a rotary cup for forming beads and projecting them radially outwardly, and one or more collection basins surrounding the bead forming cup. The cup is adjustably rotatable about its central axis, and the collection basins are independently rotatable and positioned to collect the beads projected from the cup. The coating apparatus further includes an elevation adjustment system for axially adjusting the alignment of the cup with respect to the selected collection basins. The rotational speeds of the cup and the collection basins are selected so as to minimize the impact of the beads against a gelling solution in the collection basins. In use, a supply mixture is introduced into a mixing chamber of the cup. As the cup spins, the coated particles are propelled upwardly by the centrifugal force from the mixing chamber along the inner surface of the cup, and are projected radially outwardly, as beads, into the gelling solution in one of the selected basins.