Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming slotted wire screens is provided. According to one embodiment, the method involves the steps of (1) providing support ring material; (2) positioning a wire on the support ring material; (3) joining the wire and the support ring material; and (4) bending the support ring material to form a ring of a radius. The steps of joining and bending are performed at substantially the same time. According to another embodiment, the apparatus includes a device for pushing support ring material; a device for providing the support ring material with an adhesive, such as a brazing compound; a device for positioning a wire on the support ring material; a heating zone for heating the support ring material and the wire; and a device for bending the support ring material.

Abstract: Compounds of formula I are useful for treating conditions associated with hyperglycemia, especially Type II diabetes. These compounds are useful in stimulating the kinase activity of the insulin receptor, activating the insulin receptor, and stimulating the uptake of glucose. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antidiabetic compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: Formulations of pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of thienyl-, furyl- and pyrrolyl-sulfonamides and methods for modulating or altering the activity of the endothelin family of peptides using the formulations are provided. In particular, formulations of sodium salts of N-(isoxazolyl)-thienylsulfonamides, N-(isoxazolyl)furylsulfonamides and N-(isoxazolyl)-pyrrolylsulfonamides and methods using these sulfonamide salts for inhibiting the binding of an endothelin peptide to an endothelin receptor by contacting the receptor with the sulfonamide salt are provided. Methods for treating endothelin-mediated disorders by administering effective amounts of one or more of these sulfonamide salts or prodrugs thereof that inhibit or increase the activity of endothelin are also provided.

Abstract: Inorganic multilayered optical systems are produced by applying to a glass substrate a flowable composition containing nanoscale solid inorganic particles containing polymerizable or polycondensable organic surface groups, polymerizing and/or polycondensing those surface groups to form an organically crosslinked layer, applying to the organically crosslinked layer and polymerizing/polycondensing a flowable composition producing a different refractive index from the first layer (optionally repeated one or more times), and one-step thermal densifying and removing the organic components. The systems so produced are suitable as interference filters and antireflection systems.

Abstract: A patient portable photodynamic therapy device securable to a patient includes a lightweight rechargeable battery and a cold cathode fluorescent (CCF) tube powered thereby. The CCF tube is coupled in light channeling relation to a proximal portion of a biocompatible optical fiber, which includes a distal portion with an optional diffuser that uniformly distributes light as it exits the distal portion. The distal end of the optical fiber is optionally provided with an anchoring balloon that can be inflated after the optical fiber is properly positioned at a treatment site within a patient's body. The balloon securely lodges the distal portion within the tissue at the treatment site, and is deflated to facilitate the removal of the optical fiber once the treatment is complete.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for detecting and sequencing of target double-stranded nucleic acid sequences, to nucleic acid probes and arrays of probes useful in these methods, and to kits and systems which contain these probes. Useful methods involve hybridizing the nucleic acids or nucleic acids which represent complementary or homologous sequences of the target to an array of nucleic acid probes. These probe comprise a single-stranded portion, an optional double-stranded portion and a variable sequence within the single-stranded portion. The molecular weights of the hybridized nucleic acids of the set can be determined by mass spectroscopy, and the sequence of the target determined from the molecular weights of the fragments. Nucleic acids whose sequences can be determined include nucleic acids in biological samples such as patient biopsies and environmental samples.

Abstract: A dispenser for volatile material has an enclosure having an opening sealed by a removable first cap member and a stationary barrier at a location opposite the opening; a platform in the enclosure to form a primary cavity between the platform and the opening and an intermediate cavity between the platform and the stationary barrier, the platform being permeable to the volatile material in a molten state for transfer thereof between the primary and intermediate cavities, the platform being movable relative to the stationary barrier to dispense the material through the opening, wherein the platform is operable in a storage position to establish a seal with the stationary barrier to minimize loss of the volatile material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of altering hypothalamic function in an individual. The method comprises nasally administering a human vomeropherin, e.g. a 19-nor cholane steroid, or a pharmaceutical composition containing a vomeropherin, such that the vomeropherin binds to a specific neuroepithelial receptor. The steroid or steroids is/are preferably administered in the form of a pharmaceutical composition containing one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Other embodiments of the invention include pharmaceutical compositions containing the steroids.

Abstract: Thienyl-, furyl- and pyrrolyl-sulfonamides, pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of sulfonamides, formulations of salts and the sulfonamides, and methods for modulating or altering the activity of the endothelin family of peptides using the formulations and sulfonamides are provided. In particular, formulations of sodium salts of N-(isoxazolyl)thienylsulfonamides, N-(isoxazolyl)furylsulfonamides and N-(isoxazolyl)pyrrolylsulfonamides are provided. A process of preparing an alkali metal salt of a hydrophobic sulfonamide is provided. The process includes the step of dissolving a free sulfonamide in an organic solvent in the presence of a saturated alkali metal salt solution and recovering the formed sulfonamide salt from the organic phase.

Abstract: Xanthines of the formula I are useful in producing a superadditive increase in immunosuppressive action when combined with immunosuppressive compounds such as CysA or FK506.

Abstract: The invention provides fast and highly accurate mass spectrometer based processes for detecting a particular nucleic acid sequence in a biological sample. Depending on the sequence to be detected, the processes can be used, for example, to diagnose a genetic disease or chromosomal abnormality; a predisposition to a disease or condition, infection by a pathogenic organism, or for determining identity or heredity.

Abstract: Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization is performed,in a manner to thermalize large analyte ions in a plume of desorbed material for spectroscopic analysis. The thermalized ions have a low or zero mean velocity and are presented at a well-defined instant in time, reducing artifacts and sharpening the spectral peaks. In one embodiment the light is delivered to a matrix or sample holder having a cover, baffle or compartment. The baffle or compartment impedes or contains a plume of desorbed material and the analyte undergoes collisions to lower its mean velocity and directionality. Thus “thermalized” the analyte ions are passed to a mass analysis instrument. In a preferred embodiment an optical fiber butts up against a thin transparent plate on which the specimen resides, with the matrix side in a vacuum acceleration chamber. A mechanical stage moves the specimen in both the x- and y-directions to select a point on the specimen which is to receive the radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to imidazolidine compounds of the formula I, The compounds of the formula I are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds, which are suitable, for example, for the therapy and prophylaxis of inflammatory disorders, for example of rheumatoid arthritis, or of allergic disorders. The compounds of the formula I are inhibitors of the adhesion and migration of leucocytes and/or antagonists of the adhesion receptor VLA-4 belonging to the integrins group. They are generally suitable for the therapy or prophylaxis of illnesses which are caused by an undesired extent of leucocyte adhesion and/or leucocyte migration or are associated therewith, or in which cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions which are based on interactions of VLA-4 receptors with their ligands play a part.

Abstract: Thienyl-, furyl- and pyrrolyl-sulfonamides, formulations of pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof and methods for modulating or altering the activity of the endothelin family of peptides are provided. In particular, N-(isoxazolyl)thienylsulfonamides, N-(isoxazolyl)furylsulfonamides and N-(isoxazolyl)pyrrolylsulfonamides, formulations thereof and methods using these sulfonamides for inhibiting the binding of an endothelin peptide to an endothelin receptor by contacting the receptor with the sulfonamide are provided. Methods for treating endothelin-mediated disorders by administering effective amounts of one or more of these sulfonamides or prodrugs thereof that inhibit the activity of endothelin are also provided.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for oral administration contains naloxone-, N-methylnaloxone- and/or N-methylnaltrexone-containing particles which release the active substance depending on the ambient pH. This ensures the liberation of the active substance over the whole gastrointestinal tract. The side effects caused by the use of analgesic opioids, such as constipation, are thus eliminated without reducing the analgesic effect.

Abstract: Diagnostic systems that rely on bioluminescence for visualizing tissues in situ are provided. The systems are particularly useful for visualizing and detecting neoplastic tissue and specialty tissue during surgical procedures. Kits that provide the components of the systems and methods using the systems for visualizing the tissue are also provided. The systems include compositions containing conjugates that include a tissue specific, particularly a tumor-specific, targeting agent linked to a targeted agent, a luciferase or luciferin. The systems also include a second composition that contains the remaining components of a bioluminescence generating reaction. Administration of the compositions results production of light by targeted tissues that permits the detection and localization of neoplastic tissue for surgical removal. Therapeutic methods in which photosensitizing compounds are administered are also provided.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an arrangement of an electrolysis plant for the production of aluminium using the Hall-Heroult process, with which it is possible to limit the pathway length of heavy flows, such as flows of liquid aluminium. According to the invention, the plant comprises: at least one liquid aluminium production zone (H) comprising electrolysis pots arranged in lines, specific operational support zones, including a zone (C) grouping together the supply and recycling installations for anode assemblies, a zone (B) grouping together the supply and recycling installations for electrolysis baths, and a zone (A) grouping together the liquid aluminium processing installations, transport means to convey so-called heavy intermediate products (such as liquid aluminium) between said operational zones, at least one transit zone (101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 110, 111, 112, 113) reserved for all or part of said transport means for the heavy intermediate products.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for treating wastewater sludge cake with acid and calcium carbonate under acidic, low heat conditions to produce a stable, soil-like or granular, finished product containing calcium carbonate, useful as a nitrogen fertilizer, synthetic soil component or soil conditioner for pH control.

Abstract: Described is a process for protecting a metallic substrate against corrosion resulting in the formation of a species X, derived from the metal, wherein a coating composition based on (hetero)polysiloxanes prepared by hydrolysis and condensation processes is applied to the substrate and cured, and which is characterized in that the coating composition comprises at least one species Z which reacts or interacts with the metal to form a species Y having a more negative formation enthalpy than the species X.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for a small scale NMR spectroscopy apparatus suitable for laboratory or home use, generally comprising two permanent magnets facing one another so that the facing surfaces have opposite polarities, a pole cap on each of the two facing surfaces of the permanent magnets, and a plurality of radially polarized canceling magnets disposed about the permanent magnets and pole caps. The design and position of the radially polarized canceling magnets about the tapered pole caps reduces leakage of the magnetic field, to maintain the magnetic field strength and homogeneity within the test region, without a disadvantageous increase in the size, weight and cost of the NMR apparatus. A curved edge ring shim may be used to increase magnetic field homogeneity in the test region. Also provided is a method for measurement of glucose concentration in a fluid using NMR spectroscopy.