Abstract: Fast and highly accurate mass spectrometry-based processes for detecting particular nucleic acid molecules and sequences in the molecules are provided. Depending upon the sequence to be detected, the processes, for example, can be used to diagnose a genetic disease or a chromosomal abnormality, a predisposition to a disease or condition, or infection by a pathogen, or for determining identity or heredity. One aspect provides a process for determining whether a target nucleotide is present in a nucleic acid molecule including hybridizing a nucleic acid molecule with a primer oligonucleotide; contacting the hybridized primer with deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, chain terminating nucleotides and a DNA polymerase, whereby the hybridized primer is extended until a chain terminating nucleotide is incorporated, producing an extended primer, and determining the molecular mass of the extended primer, thereby determining whether the target nucleotide is present in a nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a promoter, to DNA fragments containing said promoter and to the use thereof, in particular in methods for identifying substances exhibiting an activating or inhibiting action on G protein-coupled receptors.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to methods and compounds for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of a target tissue or compositions in a mammalian subject, using a light source that preferably transmits light to a treatment site transcutaneously. The method provides for administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a targeted substance, which is either a targeted photosensitizing agent, or a photosensitizing agent delivery system, or a targeted prodrug. This targeted substance preferably selectively binds to the target tissue. Light at a wavelength or waveband corresponding to that which is absorbed by the targeted substance is then administered. The light intensity is relatively low, but a high total fluence is employed to ensure the activation of the targeted photosensitizing agent or targeted prodrug product.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cytoplasmic expression of antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody fragment fusion molecules in E. coli. In particular, antibody fragment fusion molecules having an antibody moiety which is directed against tumors and an enzyme moiety which cleaves a nontoxic prodrug to give the toxic drug can be advantageously prepared in this way while retaining their respective functional properties.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, activate the insulin receptor kinase, which leads to an increased sensitivity to insulin and an increase in glucose uptake, and are therefore useful for the treatment of animals, especially humans, with hyperglycemia, especially for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Processes for preparation of the compounds, and their use in assays, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a distal frame portion that accepts a needle cam. The needle cam has helical slots for accepting a collar, whereby the collar rides up and down the needle cam, to thereby cause the needle cam to rotate. Spin movement of the needle is caused by movement of the collar, to thereby achieve a proper seed implantation during a medical procedure by having the needle spin between seed implant locations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ceramic fiber insulation and related products and methods. A coating that is capable of being brushed and/or sprayed lightly as a liquid onto vacuum-formed ceramic fiber insulation for use at high temperatures is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of treatment of cyanide-containing waste are provided. In particular, methods for treatment of spent potliner prior to landfill disposal are provided. These methods, which involve treatment of the waste with a mixture containing an aqueous oxidizing solution and an agent, such as magnesium chloride, that increases the oxidation potential of the solution, can be performed at ambient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implanting seeds in or about a target area, such as a tumor, within a patient. The implantation device includes an implantation needle having a bore extending a longitudinally therethrough from a proximal end to a distal end of the needle, the needle bore being adapted to permit at least one seed to pass therethrough. An elongated plunger extends longitudinally through the implantation device in aligned relation to the needle bore and is selectively movable in the longitudinal direction relative the needle from a retracted position spaced apart from the needle to an extended position wherein the plunger is advanced through the needle bore to eject at least one of the seeds through the bore, out of the distal end of needle and into the target area. An optical device is carried by and operatively connected to the plunger to provide visual assistance to an operator of the implantation device to guide and verify implantation of the ejected seed into the target area.

Abstract: A wound dressing having anti-infective activity. The wound dressing provides stable and improved formulations of precursors required in generating anti-infective iodine specifically within a wound site where the oxygen tension may be very low. Furthermore, the design of the invention precludes interference by catalase (and other heme proteins.) in competing for hydrogen peroxide where hydrogen peroxide is used as a component of the iodine generating formulation, ensuring more efficient and sustained production of free iodine as a potent anti-infective agent. The invention takes advantage of the physical design of the wound dressing, and the permeation of body fluid into the dressing, which together serve to initiate formation of nascent iodine concomitant with placement of the dressing into, or over, a wound site.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, and devices are provided for inducing or enhancing the growth, proliferation, regeneration, or survival of inner ear tissue, particularly inner ear hair cells. In addition, provided are compositions and methods for prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of a mammal afflicted with an inner ear disorder or condition, particularly for hearing impairments involving hair cell damage, loss, or degeneration, by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of IGF-1 or FGF-2, or their agonists, alone or in combination.

Abstract: In order to reduce discomfort induced by menstruation, a panty girdle or the like type of foundation garment is provided with an extensible bladder or a non-extensible element which is arranged to apply pressure to one or both of the sacral or parasacral areas of a female body. In the case of the extensible bladder, the pressure can be varied through the manual manipulation of a squeeze pump that may be built into the waistband of the garment. The garment is additionally provided with an elastic foundation panel that is shaped and designed to reduce bloating and create a trimmer appearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for identifying nucleic acid molecules encoding (poly)peptides that interact with target molecules. The method of the present invention is particularly characterized by an in vitro translation step under conditions that allow formation of polysomes in the presence of antisense oligonucleotides complementary to the tag-coding sequence of ssrA-RNA. The present invention further relates to kits that are useful for carrying out the method of the invention.

Abstract: Bioerodible polyorthoesters useful as orthopedic implants or vehicles for the sustained delivery of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural agents contain hydrogen bonding groups and &agr;-hydroxy acid-containing groups.

Abstract: Fast and highly accurate mass spectrometry-based processes for detecting particular nucleic acid molecules and sequences in the molecules are provided. Arrays of oligonucleotides for performing mass spectrometric analyses are provided. In one aspect, a solid support is provided that includes a plurality of single-stranded oligonucleotides immobilized thereon by a linker cleavable under conditions of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry; and matrix for performing MALDI mass spectrometry, wherein the support comprises a flat surface.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a drive train assembly that causes precise index movement of the medical instrument, based on an operator-selected indexing amount resulting from actuation of a pitch adjustment knob on the medical instrument. The drive train assembly also causes a stylet to move distally within the outer housing of the medical instrument, to thereby push a seed from an extended shuttle of a seed cartridge located within the medical instrument, to a distal end of a needle cannula that is coupled to a distal end of the medical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention concerns isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the novel TIE ligands NL1, NL5 and NL8, the proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, as well as methods and means for making and using such nucleic acid and protein molecules.

Abstract: A method for the quantification of tumor cells in a body fluid is disclosed and entails first carrying out a reaction with the sample to be investigated, in which the RNA component of telomerase is specifically amplified, and then the amount of amplified nucleic acid is determined quantitatively, as are test kits suitable therefor.

Abstract: A medical instrument provides for precise indexing in order to implant seeds into seed implant locations within a patient. The medical instrument is affixed to a targeting fixture, and upon operator actuation of a trigger, is automatically indexed from one seed implant location to a next seed implant location.