Abstract: Stimulation of one or more neurons of the sympathetic nervous system, including the splenic nerve, to attenuate an immune response, including an inflammatory immune response, is discussed. Devices and systems to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to attenuate an immune response are also discussed. Devices discussed include pulse generators and drug pumps. Systems are described as optionally having one or more sensors and operator instructions. In specific examples, stimulation of the splenic nerve of pigs with a pulse generator is shown to be safe and effective in attenuating a lipopolysaccharide-induced immune response.

Abstract: An open circuit gravity-assisted uroflowmeter has a urine collector having a generally open inlet in fluid communication with a sensing passage located at a lower elevation than the inlet, the sensing passage intersecting a magnetic field and having electrodes for detecting a flow-dependent voltage induced by the passage of urine through the magnetic field. Preferred embodiments of the uroflowmeter may have low pressure drop, rapid response and simple construction.

Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to treatment of fecal incontinence by the implantation of one or more bulking prostheses proximate to an anal sphincter. These bulking prostheses, which may include biocompatible hydrogel, are inserted into the tissue near the anus through a small opening in the mucosa. When inserted, the bulking prostheses are in a miniature state. Upon introduction into the body, the devices enter an enlarged state. In their enlarged state, the bulking prostheses supply extra bulk to the tissues proximate to the anal sphincters. With the extra bulk, the patient can exercise voluntary control over the external sphincter to close the anus and maintain fecal continence.

Abstract: A suite of applications is provided for the administration of implantable medical devices, particularly implantable therapeutic substance infusion devices. The applications may be accessed over a public network, such as the Internet, and may be run using middleware. The applications provide for the administration of medical devices as they pertain to a particular patient, the ordering of therapeutic agents from participating third-party dispensaries, the scheduling of device maintenance and explant events, and the review of literature and educational materials pertaining to a particular medical device or class of devices.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices to treat obesity by ablating tissue from an exterior surface of a stomach of a patient. For example, the invention may involve ablation of exterior stomach tissue to alter gastric myoelectric activity or muscle function from the exterior surface of the stomach to produce abnormal gastric peristalsis without damaging the mucosal lining of the stomach. The invention may further provide methods and devices to monitor the gastric myoelectric activity before and after the ablation procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and devices to reduce stomach acid secretion in a patient with a hyper acid condition. For example, the invention may involve ablation of the stomach lining to destroy acid-producing cells. Destroying acid-producing cells may reduce the amount of stomach acid produced and, therefore the amount of acid refluxed in the esophagus. The invention may further provide methods and devices to monitor the esophageal acid level before and after the ablation procedure.

Abstract: A catheter system is disclosed including an elongated catheter, an elongated balloon carrier and a disposable balloon formed from an expandable and resilent biocompatible material. The balloon has a lumen disposed between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. The proximal end of the carrier and the distal end of the catheter are configured to permit the distal end of the catheter to matingly engage the proximal end of the carrier. The outer diameter of the balloon carrier and the outer diameter of the balloon are configured such that the diameter of the carrier and the diameter of the balloon permit the balloon first to be slideably mounted onto the balloon carrier and second to be slideably moved from the carrier onto the catheter when the proximal end of the carrier is matingly or otherwise suitably engaged with the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A medical catheter comprising a proximal end having an opening for fluid containing a therapeutic drug, a distal end, the distal end defining at least one opening, and a porous portion covering the opening defined by the distal end. In one embodiment, the medical catheter comprises a proximal end having an opening for fluid containing a therapeutic drug, at least two distal ends, the proximal end connected to the two distal ends with a connector, the distal ends each defining at least one opening, a diffuser covering the opening of each distal end, and a separate restrictor downstream of the connector and upstream of each distal end to provide substantially equal flow through each distal end. An additional restrictor can also be placed upstream of the connector. In another embodiment, a combination diffuser and restrictor covers the opening of each distal end.

Abstract: Mammalian Interleukin-7 proteins (IL-7s)g DNAs and expression vectors encoding mammalian IL-7s, end processes for producing mammalian IL-7s as products of cell culture, including recombinant systems, are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of the formula ##STR1## in which: X.sub.1 is a group --NR.sub.1 R.sub.2 or a group --OR.sub.2 ;g.sub.2, g.sub.3, g.sub.4, g.sub.5, g.sub.6 and w.sub.2, w.sub.3, w.sub.4, w.sub.5, w.sub.6 are identical or different and are each independently hydrogen, a halogen atom, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxy, a trifluoromethyl, a nitro or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkylthio, with the proviso that at least one of the substituents g.sub.2, g.sub.3, g.sub.4, g.sub.5, g.sub.6 and at least one of the substituents w.sub.2, w.sub.3, w.sub.4, w.sub.5, w.sub.6 are other than hydrogen;R.sub.1 is hydrogen or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl;R.sub.2 is a non-aromatic (C.sub.3 -C.sub.15)carbocyclic radical which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted by a substituent selected from a halogen atom, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkyl and a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)alkoxy;R.sub.3 is hydrogen or a group --CH.sub.2 R.sub.6 ; andR.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are each independently a hydrogen, a (C.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel bifunctional nucleoside analogs and oligonucleosides of 3-4 bases (trimers and tetramers) and longer containing at least two consecutive internucleoside linkages of two carbon-one nitrogen atom or two carbon-one oxygen atom (3'-NCC-5', 3'-CNC-5', 3'-OCC-5') internucleoside linkages. The bifunctional nucleosides are useful for preparing the trimers and tetramers, which, in turn, are useful, together with the nucleosides, in preparing oligonucleosides as well as chimeric oligonucleotide analogs, preferably antisense oligonucleosides and oligonucleotide analogs, of 6 to about 60 bases having at least two consecutive internucleoside linkages of two carbon atoms and one nitrogen atom or 2 carbon atoms and one oxygen atom in the oligonucleoside backbone.

Abstract: Novel 2-substituted saccharins which inhibit the enzymatic activity of proteolytic enzymes, are useful in the treatment of degenerative diseases and have the formula ##STR1## wherein: L is --O--, --S--, --SO-- or --SO.sub.2 --;m and n are each independently 0 or 1;R.sub.1 is halo, lower-alkanoyl, 1-oxophenalenyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, heterocyclyl or substitued heterocyclyl or, when L is --O-- and n is 1, cycloheptatrienon-2-yl or, when L is --S-- and n is 1, cyano or lower-alkoxythiocarbonyl or, when L is --SO.sub.2 -- and n is 1, lower-alkyl or trifluoromethyl;R.sub.2 is hydrogen, lower-alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl or phenylthio; andR.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each hydrogen or various substituents and processes for preparation and pharmaceutical compositions and method of use thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Peptides or peptides having an amino acid-like moiety in place of an amino acid moiety thereof immobilized on glass beads, especially controlled-pore glass beads, by a C-terminal .alpha.-carboxyl-.omega.-amino linker and .alpha.-silyl-.omega.-amino anchor, especially wherein the anchor has the structural formula--NH(CH.sub.2).sub.n Si(OR).sub.2 O--wherein n is 3 and R is hydrogen or the glass bead and the linker has the structural formula--?NH(CH.sub.2).sub.r CO!.sub.

Abstract: 4-R.sup.4 -R.sup.5 -2-Saccharinylmethyl heterocyclic carboxylates, useful in the treatment of degenerative diseases, are prepared by reacting a 4-R.sup.4 -R.sup.5 -2-halomethylsaccharin with either a heterocyclic carboxylic acid in the presence of an acid-acceptor or the alkali metal salt of a heterocyclic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A method of using 1,2,4-benzotriazine oxides, some of which are novel compounds, as radiosensitizers and selective cytotoxic agents is disclosed. These compounds are shown to specifically radiosensitize hypoxic tumor cells. Some are additionally disclosed to be useful as specific cytotoxic agents for these cells. They also show an unexpected ability to radiosensitize aerobic cells following or preceding a hypoxic incubation of the cells with the drug. This provides a basis for selective radiosensitization of tumors compared to normal cells. A novel method for preparing the 1,2,4-benzotriazine oxides is also disclosed.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Azo is alkyltetrazolyl or is chosen from the group consisting of oxadiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, triazinyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl or any of these substituted with a member of the group consisting of alkyl, alkylthio, alkoxy, hydroxy, halo, cyano, nitro, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkanoyl, fluoroalkyl or the N-oxide of any of the preceding;Y is an alkylene bridge of 3-9 carbon atoms;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each individually chosen from hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, amino, alkylthio, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfinylalkyl, alkylsulfonylalkyl, alkoxy, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, aminoalkyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl or cyano;R.sub.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel propenone oxime ethers, methods of preparing them and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds have the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, or glucuronide;R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently H or methyl;R.sup.4 is 0, or glucuronide, andn is 0 or 1, provided that when R.sup.1 is H, n is 1.

Abstract: Substituted N-arylmethyl and heterocyclylmethyl-1H-pyrazolo?3,4-b!quinolin-4-amines, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods for a) effecting c-GMP-phosphodiesterase inhibition, b) treating heart failure and/or hypertension, c) reversing or reducing nitrate-induced tolerance and d) treating angina pectoris, congestive heart disease and myocardial infarction utilizing them.

Abstract: Disclosed are: aqueous parenteral formulations for the treatment of cancer tumors comprising 1,2,4-benzotriazine 1,4-dioxides in a citrate buffer; and method of cancer tumor treatment.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula; ##STR1## wherein: Thi is thiadiazolyl or substituted thiadiazolyl alkoxy, fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, halo, alkyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, orY is alkylene bridge of 3-9 carbon atoms;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently chosen from hydrogen, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, amino, alkylthio, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkylthioalkyl, alkylsulfinyl alkyl, alkylsulfonylalkyl, alkoxy, nitro, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, aminoalkyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, or cyano;R.sub.3 is a heterocyclyl chosen from benzoxazolyl, benzathiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, or substituted heterocyclyl wherein the substitution is with alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, cycloalkyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, furyl, thienyl, or fluoroalkyl;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are effective antipicornaviral agents.