Abstract: Detection of abnormal signal traces in electrochemical measurements generated using an electrochemical test strip to which a potential is applied allows for an indication of an erroneous analyte determination. The current trace has an expected shape in which a peak current is observed a time tpeak after which there is a decrease in current. To detect abnormal signal traces, the time tpeak is determined experimentally and compared with an expected value, t?peak, and if the difference between the two values to over a predetermined threshold, an error message is provided to the user instead of a test result. The value of t?peak is determined as a function of a mobility term that is determined during a potentiometry phase following the amperometric measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stairlift rail of non-circular cross-section. The wall surfaces of the rail define a single internal cavity and the outer surface of the rail is free of additional members added to the rail in order to prevent rotation of a stairlift carriage about the rail axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an interfacial method of preparing ester-substituted diaryl carbonates. The method includes the steps of: forming a reaction mixture comprising phosgene, an ester-substituted phenol, an organic solvent, and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a tertiary amine catalyst and a phase transfer catalyst, said reaction mixture having an organic phase and an aqueous phase, wherein said aqueous phase has a brine strength; allowing the reaction mixture to react wherein during the reaction, (i) the aqueous phase has a pH, and the pH is adjusted, if necessary, by the addition of an alkali metal hydroxide solution in amounts such that the pH is greater than or equal to 9.

Abstract: A composition formed from (a) a polyester and polycarbonate blend; (b) an organopolysiloxane-polycarbonate block copolymer; (c) an acrylic core shell impact modifier; (d) titanium dioxide and (e) a flame retarding amount of a halogenated flame retardant has properties useful as a weatherable molding composition. It can suitably be used in articles such as encloses for electronic equipment such as communication devices.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating hormone-regulated tumors (for example, breast and prostatic tumors) in mammals, including humans, by administration of an antisense ODN which is complementary to a portion of the gene encoding IGFBP-5. Using the Shionogi tumor model in vitro and in vivo, the administration of such an ODN was shown to reduce proliferation of tumor cells, and also to delay the progression to androgen independence. Thus, treatment of prostate cancer in mammals, including humans, and delay of the progression of prostate tumors to androgen independence is accomplished by administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide which is complementary to a portion of the nucleic acid sequence encoding IGFBP-5 and which hybridizes with such a sequence to inhibit expression of IGFBP-5. Specific antisense ODN's which are suitable for use in the method are GACCACGCTGATCACCAT (Seq. ID. No.

Abstract: A weatherable composition comprising an upper layer that comprises a polymer system consisting essentially of a cycloaliphatic polyester resin, and an additive composition comprising an hindered amine light stabilizer and a low volatility, hydroxyphenyl triazine or pyrimidine UV absorber; an intermediate layer that comprises a polymer system consisting essentially of a cycloaliphatic polyester, and optionally, an additive composition comprising TiO2, dyes, pigments, and special effects additives; and a polymeric substrate, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between and in intimate contact with the upper layer and the substrate. The composition finds utility in articles such as automotive parts.

Abstract: Treatment of melanoma is achieved through reduction in the effective amount of clusterin in melanoma cells of in a mammalian subject, preferably a human. A therapeutic agent effective to reduce the effective amount of clusterin in the melanoma cells is administered to the subject. The therapeutic agent may be, for example, an antisense ODN or small inhibitory RNA (siRNA) compound targeted to clusterin. bcl-xL in a subject or cell line can also be regulated by administering to the subject or cell line an agent effective to modulate the amount of clusterin expression. In particular, in clusterin expressing cells, the expression of bcl-xL is down-regulated when the effective amount of clusterin is reduced. Such inhibition is significant because bcl-xL is known to act as an inhibitor of apoptosis.

Abstract: Lenses for lamps can improve the quality of the light emitted through lens by interacting with the light bulb. Photoluminescent dyes as well as non-photoluminescent dyes may be incorporated into a polycarbonate lens in order to shift the chromaticity of the light source. Further, design features such as grooves or protrusions may be incorporated into the lens to allow light produced by the photoluminescent material to escape the lens and be added to the emitted beam to further shift the chromaticity. The emitted beam is of a legal color and intensity as defined per the SAEJ578 and SAEJ1383 standards. The lighting performance may also be improved in such manner as reducing discomfort glare, increasing brightness or producing a beam that enhances road visibility at night to the human eye.

Abstract: Bifunctional molecules comprising two hsp-binding moieties which bind to hsp90 in the pocket to which ansamycin antibiotics bind connected via a linker are effective for inducing the degradation and/or inhibition of HER-family tyrosine kinases. For example, a compound of two geldanamycin moities joined by a four-carbon linker provides selective degradation of HER-family tyrosine kinases, without substantially affecting other kinases. These compounds can be used for treatment of HER-positive cancers with reduced toxicity, since these compounds potently kill cancer cells but affect fewer proteins than geldanamycin.

Abstract: A tissue or biopsy sample is evaluated to determine if the sample is early-stage melanoma by determining the level of inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 1 (Id1) expression in cells of the sample; and comparing the determined amount of Id1 to a reference level. The presence of levels of Id1 in cells of the sample in excess of the reference level indicates that the sample is early-stage melanoma.

Abstract: A process for the production of polycarbonate having increased end-cap levels, the process comprising adding a terminal blocking agent of the formula: wherein R1 is a propoxy or butoxy and R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C30 alkyl, C1-C30 alkoxy, C6-C30 aryl, C7-C30 aralkyl, and C6-C30 aryloxy.

Abstract: A stabilized thermoplastic resin composition is disclosed which comprises structural units derived at least one substituted or unsubstituted polycarbonate, at least one substituted or unsubstituted polyester and a combination of at least two quenchers, wherein said quencher is selected from a group consisting of phosphorus compound, carboxylic acid, derivates of carboxylic acids, epoxy functional polymers and boron compound. Also disclosed is a stabilized thermoplastic resin composition comprising: structural units derived at least one substituted or unsubstituted polycarbonate, at least one substituted or unsubstituted polyester, an epoxy functional polymers and a combination of at least one quenchers, wherein said quencher is selected from a group consisting of phosphorus compounds, carboxylic acid compounds, polyols, and boron compounds. In addition the composition disclosed possess good optical properties, thermal properties and stability.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprises a resin composition having 50 to about 90 weight percent of a polyester, about 8 to about 48 weight percent of a polyetherimide, about 2 to about 25 weight percent of a high rubber graft impact modifier, each based on the total resin composition, and up to about 15 weight percent of a particulate filler. A method of making the composition comprises pre-melt compounding a polyester, a polyetherimide, and a high rubber graft impact modifier to form a pre-compounded blend, wherein the pre-compounded blend has a Tg of greater than or equal to about 110° C.; and dry-blending a crystallized polyester with the pre-compounded blend to form the molding composition. Such molding compositions are particularly useful in blow-molding containers for liquids such as beer.

Abstract: Oligonucleotide primers and polynucleotide probes provide selective amplification and detection of Id genetic sequences and are selected both (1) to provide the desired specificity so that they amplify only the specific Id type to which they are targeted; and (2) to introduce terminal restriction endonuclease cleavage sites into the amplicon that facilitate the incorporation of the amplicon into plasmid-based vectors. Detection of Id genetic sequences can be carried out using the labeled-amplicon by reamplifying the amplicon with the primers in the presence of labeled, for example radiolabeled, deoxynucleotide triphosphates. The probes of the invention correspond in sequence to the amplicons produced using the primers of the invention, after cleavage at the restriction endonuclease sites.

Abstract: Bifunctional molecules comprising two hsp-binding moieties which bind to hsp90 in the pocket to which ansamycin antibiotics bind connected via a linker are effective for inducing the degradation and/or inhibition of HER-family tyrosine kinases. For example, a compound of two geldanamycin moities joined by a four-carbon linker provides selective degradation of HER-family tyrosine kinases, without substantially affecting other kinases. These compounds can be used for treatment of HER-positive cancers with reduced toxicity, since these compounds potently kill cancer cells but affect fewer proteins than geldanamycin.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions containing a specific combination of additives achieve desirable flame retardance characteristics when used in thin wall polycarbonate articles. These compositions contain a polycarbonate/siloxane component, containing a polycarbonate siloxane copolymer, or a mixture of a polycarbonate siloxane copolymer and polycarbonate resin; a mineral filler; and a flame retardant. The composition contains at least 50% by weight of polycarbonate when the polycarbonate of the polycarbonate siloxane copolymer and any polycarbonate resin (linear or branched) are considered together; and the polycarbonate siloxane copolymer and the mineral filler are present in amounts effective to achieve a flex modulus of 29,000 kg/cm3 or greater, for example 30,000 kg/cm3 or greater, good flex-fold strength and good impact strength, for example a room temperature Notched Izod Impact Strength of 25 kgf-cm/cm or greater.

Abstract: A method is provided for making siloxane polycarbonate copolymers and blends of other polycarbonates with such copolymers wherein the copolymers and blends have excellent transparency and physical characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel block copolycarbonates comprising residues from a hydroxy terminated polyetherimide or polyimide, residues from a dihydroxy compound, and residues from an activated carbonate. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the polyetherimide or polyimide blocks exhibit high Mw while the resulting block copolycarbonate exhibits a single Tg. The novel block copolycarbonates of the present invention are produced under melt polymerization conditions in the presence an activated carbonate source.

Abstract: To present a thermoplastic resin composition that gives a molded product with a surface to which dust is less likely to adhere. This patent presents a method of improving the appearance of the surface of a thermoplastic molded product.