Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and composition of matter for enhancing the staining of tissue or features of interest therein by applying an effective amount of a bile salt in combination with a special stain to a tissue suspected of harboring a microorganism or other feature of diagnostic interest. The particular invention herein is directed to detecting H. pylori, the microorganism responsible for gastrointestinal ulcers. The composition of matter is a sensitizer for Alcian Yellow stain.

Abstract: An automated rotary microtome blade changing apparatus, comprising an upper stage being adapted to releasably engage a supply cartridge and a waste cartridge, the upper stage having a loading segment adapted to engage and move blades contained within the supply cartridge into a cutting position; clamping means for releasably holding the blades in place for cutting operations; power means for driving the movement of blades and clamping mechanisms; and electronic control means for integrating all of the functions of the apparatus.

Abstract: A stackable non-stick coverslip is disclosed and includes a glass plate in combination with a protuberance on the upper surface thereof and/or an adhesive on the bottom surface thereof. The protuberance provides an elevational alternation that defines a supporting plane for an adjacent coverslip. The supporting plane provides a gap between adjacently stacked coverslips, thereby avoiding adherence and sticking. The adhesive secures the coverslip to a glass slide.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improvement in automated tissue staining system having evaporation inhibitor liquid covering the polynucleotide hybridization buffer-covered tissue on a slide, wherein the improvement comprises a polynucleotide hybridization buffer for in situ hybridization comprising a low molecular weight dextran sulfate having a molecular weight range from about 8,000 to about 16,000.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a DNA probe set, the probe set comprising a first probe set and a second probe set, the first probe set being sufficient in length and substantially complementary to an entire breakpoint region of a first DNA and nucleotides breakpoint region but less than an entire chromosome such that the first probe set will hybridize to both sides of the breakpoint region regardless of whether the first DNA has been broken in the breakpoint region and either end fused to another DNA, and the second probe set being sufficient in length and substantially complementary to an entire breakpoint region of a second DNA and nucleotides on both sides of the breakpoint region but less than an entire chromosome such that the second probe set will hybridize to both sides of the breakpoint region regardless of whether the second DNA has been broken in the breakpoint region and either end fused to another DNA. Diagnostic kits utilizing the probe sets of the invention are also claimed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for sterilizing a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a suspension of a water-insoluble pharmaceutical, comprising the steps of heat-sterilizing an aqueous solution of a viscosity enhancer, to result in a first sterile pre-mix. Next is sterile-filtering an aqueous solution of a mixture of a pharmaceutically-active compound, which results in a second sterile pre-mix. Next is heat-sterilizing a mixture of water, a water-insoluble pharmaceutical, and at least a partial amount of an electrolyte to provide a sub-saturated solution of the electrolyte, and adding under aseptic conditions an aqueous surfactant, to give a third sterile pre-mix. Finally, combining all three pre-mixes in sterile fashion to achieve a sterile suspended pharmaceutical formulation. Thus, for the third pre-mix, use of either Sodium chloride (in varying proportion) or Sodium acetate (in one proportion, but not limited to) is given as an example.

Abstract: This invention is directed to recombinant human IL-4 muteins numbered in accordance with wild-type IL-4 wherein the muteins comprise at least one amino acid substitution selected from the group consisting of substitutions at positions 13, 16, 81 and 89 of the wild-type IL-4, whereby the mutein binds to the IL-4R.alpha. receptor with at least greater affinity than native IL-4. The invention is further directed to recombinant human IL-4 antagonist muteins numbered in accordance with wild-type IL-4 wherein the muteins comprise substitutions R121D and Y124D in the D-helix of said wild-type IL-4; and at least one amino acid substitution selected from the group consisting of substitutions at positions 13, 16, 81 and 89 of said wild-type IL-4, whereby the mutein binds to the IL-4R.alpha. receptor with at least greater affinity than native IL-4. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising individual muteins in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Abstract: The invention is a method of purifying Factor VIII comprising the steps of contacting a solution containing Factor VIII with a Factor VIII-binding substrate under conditions sufficient to bind Factor VIII to the substrate, wherein the Factor VIII-binding substrate comprises one or more peptides bound to the substrate, wherein the peptides are selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, and SEQ ID NO:3, and then eluting the bound Factor VIII.

Abstract: Peptides which bind Factor VIII are disclosed. The peptides have available Factor VIII binding domains having a Trp-His-Tyr-Tyr-His-Gly, His-Ile-Gln-His-Tyr-His, or His-Gln-Tyr-Gly-Tyr-His sequence. Peptides having at least one of these Factor VIII binding domains are immobilized upon a chromatographic substrate in a preferred embodiment of the invention. This preferred embodiment is useful in a chromatography process to purify human Factor VIII.

Abstract: The invention is directed to human IL-4 muteins numbered in accordance with wild-type IL-4 having T cell activating activity, but having reduced endothelial cell activating activity. In particular, the invention is related to human IL-4 muteins wherein the surface-exposed residues of the D helix of the wild-type IL-4 are mutated whereby the resulting mutein causes T cell proliferation, and causes reduced IL-6 secretion from HUVECs, relative to wild-type IL-4. This invention realizes a less toxic IL-4 mutant that allows greater therapeutic use of this interleukin. Further, the invention is directed to IL-4 muteins having single, double and triple mutations represented by the designators R121A, R121D, R121E, R121F, R121H, R1211, R121K, R121N, R121P, R121T, R121W; Y124A, Y124Q, Y124R, Y124S, Y124T; Y124A/S125A, T13D/R121E; and R121T/E122F/Y124Q, when numbered in accordance with wild type IL-4 (His=1).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an aqueous non-ototoxic, topical, otic pharmaceutical composition of matter for treating a mammal consisting essentially of: ciprofloxacin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in aqueous solution in an amount effective for antibacterial action; hydrocortisone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount effective as an anti-inflammatory agent; polyvinyl alcohol at least about 85% hydrolyzed in an amount effective to suspend the hydrocortisone in solution; water sufficient to produce an aqueous composition; benzyl alcohol in an amount effective for antibacterial action; lecithin in an amount effective for enhancing suspension of other constituents in the composition; and polysorbate ranging from polysorbate 20 to 80 in an amount effective for spreading the preparation on a hydrophobic skin surface to the site of infection or inflammation.

Abstract: A pumping system for continuously delivering fluid at a selected flow rate to a receiving system. The system includes at least a first and a second pumping unit, each of the individual units comprises a syringe and a valve. The syringe comprises a piston and a piston actuator, cylinder, and pressure sensor. The valve comprises a positively-actuated zero switching volume valve and valve actuator. The first and second pumping units are in fluid communication with one another and are capable of independent actuation. The individual valves are arranged to isolate either the first syringe or the second syringe, respectively, from the receiving system while at least one of the syringes remains in fluid communication with the receiving system whereby system pressure can be continuously monitored and the selected system flow rate maintained.

Abstract: A system and process for analyzing a liquid sample is disclosed which includes an ultrasonic nebulizer capable of vibrating at a frequency between about 50 Khz and 760 Khz for converting the liquid sample to a liquid aerosol. The liquid aerosol is heated at a pressure of at least atmospheric pressure to evaporate solvent in the aerosol and to form a solid aerosol. The solid aerosol is separated from the evaporate solvent and the solid aerosol is directed into an electron impact ionizer and a mass spectrometer where it is analyzed.

Abstract: A system for forming a time modulated electrospray from a sample solution is provided. Further systems for analyzing this time modulated electrospray also are provided. An element connected to a time modulated voltage source is positioned substantially opposite an electrospray apparatus and an analytical apparatus so that the initial direction of travel of the electrospray is reversed and the electrospray is diverted into the analytical apparatus. A second time modulated voltage can be provided which causes the periodic deflection of an ion beam, resulting from a time modulated electrospray, into a mass analyzer in a vacuum system. The modulation of this second voltage source is coordinated with the time modulation of the first voltage source which causes the formation of an electrospray in such a manner that efficiency of sample introduction into the mass analyzer is improved.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the analysis of ions generated by matrix-assisted laser desorption is disclosed. This apparatus and method enhances the mass spectral resolution compared to previous devices and methods by producing electrical modulation of the kinetic energy imparted to the generated ions in a matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometer. This modulation causes parent ions of interest to be substantially reflected (and detected) or substantially not reflected (and not detected) within the spectrometer, while fragment ions produced from the parent ion of interest are substantially reflected (and detected) independent of said modulation. A difference signal is generated between electrical signals sensed when the parent ions are reflected and electrical signals sensed when the parent ions are not reflected thereby mitigating the effects on the mass spectrum of the undesired fragment ions.

Abstract: Novel carbamate compounds, novel silylcarbamate compounds and novel reversed phase materials comprising a silica substrate modified with a modified novel silylcarbamate compound are disclosed which may, for example, be used as stationary phases for liquid chromatography applications. Attached to the carbamate group are several reversed or normal phase producing groups such as cyanoalkyl, tertiary butyl, dibutyl, octyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, octadecyl or benzyl. The new stationary phases may be endcapped with a short chain alkyl silane. One particular advantage of these stationary phases is decreased interaction with basic samples due to shielding of the unreacted silanol groups on the silica surface. The new phases are particularly useful in the chromatographic analysis of basic samples or more generally for samples having an undesirable interaction with the unmodified silanols.

Abstract: An improved method for determining a viable microbial cell count in a sample wherein the method comprises the steps of filtering a microbe-containing sample solution through a hydrophilic membrane, thereby trapping viable microbes thereon, then spraying an extracting reagent onto the viable microbes trapped on the membrane, thereby lysing the microbial cells. The lysed cells are then sprayed with a solution of luciferin-luciferase reagent, thereby inducing a luminesent signal. The signal is then quantified using a CCD-based device. The improvement comprises the use of a volatile alcohol extracting reagent for lysing the viable microbes, then evaporating the alcohol prior to spraying the luciferin-luciferase solution, leaving a concentrated ATP,containing solution for enhanced luminescent detection.

Abstract: A sterility testing device includes a container made up of upper and lower plastic parts between which is welded a hydrophilic microporous membrane filter. The device also includes a removable plastic lid with vent holes. The lid is adapted to be secured to the container in two different positions such that, during in-situ incubation of a culture medium after the filtration of the sample and rinsing, the lid is deformed to allow a passageway for excess pressurized air to be removed from the interior of the container while at the same time preventing ambient air from entering the container. The device thus operates with a single membrane filter and is more economical to manufacture than prior art devices.