Abstract: A hand actuated pick-up tool including an elongated hollow shaft having distal and proximal ends; first and second flexible grip members at the distal end of the hollow shaft for grasping an object; a center strap extending from the grip members interiorly within the shaft; and a handle located on the proximal end of the shaft. The handle includes a trigger mechanism for drawing the center strap rearward in order to actuate the grip members, where the trigger device includes a channel for receiving and releasably retaining the center strap. The center strap is detachable from the trigger mechanism, and the handle includes an aperture allowing access to the trigger device channel and the center strap, and enabling the center strap to be inserted and withdrawn through the aperture, permitting replacement of the center strap.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for dewaxing wax-embedded biological specimens prior to histochemical analysis. The compositions and methods provided can effectively remove wax or improved wax-based embedding materials, particularly paraffin-based, from specimens during preparation for histochemical or other diagnostic analyses, while minimizing danger to users, achieving compatibility with automated use, and maintaining compatibility with downstream histochemical analyses, particularly immunostaining. Compositions of the invention comprise a paraffin-solubilizing organic solvent, a polar organic solvent, and a surfactant. Compositions can further comprise water. The method involves contacting a wax-embedded specimen with the dewaxing composition to solubilize the wax impregnating the specimen prior to histochemical analysis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the reproducible, consistent and efficacious delivery of a therapeutic agent to a patient. The invention comprises means for the controlled administration of the therapeutic agent through an orifice to the patient, a plurality of penetrating electrodes arranged with a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the orifice, and means for generating an electrical signal operatively connected to the electrodes.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for dewaxing wax-embedded biological specimens prior to histochemical analysis. The compositions and methods provided can effectively remove wax or improved wax-based embedding materials, particularly paraffin-based, from specimens during preparation for histochemical or other diagnostic analyses, while minimizing danger to users, achieving compatibility with automated use, and maintaining compatibility with downstream histochemical analyses, particularly immunostaining. Compositions of the invention comprise a paraffin-solubilizing organic solvent, a polar organic solvent, and a surfactant. Compositions can further comprise water. The method involves contacting a wax-embedded specimen with the dewaxing composition to solubilize the wax impregnating the specimen prior to histochemical analysis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for synthesizing cDNA in vivo are disclosed, wherein a synthetic polynucleotide molecule which anneals in vivo to an RNA template molecule is utilized as a primer for reverse transcriptase in vivo.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated staining apparatus including an arm (30) moveable in three dimensions, and a hollow tip head (70) located on the arm including integral reagent tip head (40), wash tip (41) and blow tip (42) for selectively dispensing gas and liquid onto microscope slides. Also disclosed are various sub-components of the apparatus that are specifically adapted to the processing of specimens on slides.

Abstract: Releasing the embedding medium from an embedded histochemically reactive tissue specimen is provided by contacting the embedded tissue specimen with a releasing composition under conditions sufficient to release a sufficient portion of the embedding medium associated with the histochemically reactive tissue specimen to permit analysis without substantial adverse effect on the histochemical reactivity of the specimen.

Abstract: Methods and compositions that act as specific inhibitors of ALF activity for the prophylaxis and treatment of anthrax infections.

Abstract: System, method and apparatus for two dimensional gel electrophoresis performed in a unified manner which includes the performance of two fragment separations in a single gel without intermediate physical manipulation.

Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of electroporation protocols as well as methods to enhance the permeabilized state, in order to improve the intracellular delivery of therapeutic substances, involve the use of at least one agent which is capable of prolonging the permeability of the cell membranes in the tissue exposed to an electroporation-inducing electrical field.

Abstract: Electrodes and electrode array apparatus and systems for in vivo delivery of electrical waveforms rendering therapeutic benefit to the patient by utilizing an electrode array having at least three electrodes disposed so as to form an isosceles triangle in a plane intersecting the electrodes and electrical signal generating means operatively connected to the electrodes for delivering electrical waveforms to said electrodes and generating electroporation-inducing electrical fields between the electrodes

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuous, non-invasive determination of cardiac output which processes a sequence of non-invasive cardiography signals which are quantitatively dependent upon cardiac output within a computer system and associated neural network capable of generating a single output signal for the combined input signals, wherein the neural network applies weighting factors determined during a training phase to force the output signal to match the known value of cardiac output determined by invasive means and reports the single output signal as the determined value of cardiac output.

Abstract: A device and apparatus for producing ultra-thin electrophoresis gels formed between spaced-apart plates is provided, where at least one of the plates has a plurality of grooves, the device comprising a spacer comb having extensions formed thereon which are arranged, sized, shaped and located so as to approximately mate with and occupy the grooves on the plate so as to exclude gel material from the grooves during the formation of the electrophoresis gel.

Abstract: Non-nucleotide reagents capable of forming oligomers with nucleotide units are disclosed, together with intermediates for synthesizing such non-nucleotide reagents, oligomers incorporating such reagents, kits containing such reagents and methods for their use in forming oligomers with nucleotide units.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for correlating pupillary response to the cognitive activity of a subject undergoing an evaluation of cognitive activity during a task which involves monitoring and recording the point of gaze and pupillary response of the subject to the task, subjecting the recorded pupillary response to wavelet analysis in order to identify any dilation reflex of the subject's pupil during the task, and assigning a pupillary response value to the result of the wavelet analysis.

Abstract: A system for the culture of eukaryotic cells of marine invertebrates employing a culture medium containing a mixture of sodium, magnesium, chlorine, potassium, calcium, bromine, and sulfate is disclosed, as well as a system for the cryopreservation of such cells in which the medium contains dimethyl sulfoxide.

Abstract: A method for delivering a therapeutic agent to a predetermined location in a host is disclosed, wherein a liposome-encapsulated therapeutic agent is administered to the host, and an electrical field which encompasses a predetermined region within the host is established, such that as the liposome-encapsulated agent is exposed to the electrical field the release of the agent from the liposome to the predetermined region is enhanced.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automated staining apparatus including an arm moveable in three dimensions, and a hollow tip head located on the arm including integral reagent tip head, wash tip and blow tip for selectively dispensing gas and liquid onto microscope slides. Also disclosed are various sub-components of the apparatus that are specifically adapted to the processing of specimens on slides.

Abstract: Reagents capable of forming branched oligomers with monomeric units are disclosed, together with oligomers incorporating such reagents, kits containing such reagents and methods for use of such reagents in forming oligomers with monomeric units. The present reagents can advantageously be used to introduce multiple labels or reporter molecules onto oligomers such as oligonucleotides and oligopeptides. In particular, non-nucleosidic phosphoramidites based on 1,3,5-tris(2-hydroxyethyl)cyanuric acid are disclosed. Multiply-labeled, branched DNA oligomer probes constructed using these phosphoramidite reagents showed increased signal intensity relative to singly-labeled oligomer probes.

Abstract: A method for the extraction of proanthocyanidins from plant material is disclosed. The method involves heating an aqueous mixture of solid plant material, optionally under increased pressure and reduced oxygen; various separation, filtration and adsorption steps, and the elution of adsorbed proanthocyanidins with polar solvent. Optionally, the polar solvent can be reconstituted and recycled into the elution phase of the method, resulting in decreased solvent consumption.