Abstract: Synthetic peptides immunoreactive with hepatitis A virus (HAV) antibodies are provided. The peptides are useful as laboratory reagents to detect or quantify HAV antibodies in biological samples in clinical or research-based assays and for inducing an immune response to HAV when administered to a human or animal. The peptides contain antigenic epitopes, modified antigenic epitopes or combinations of epitopes of the major structural capsid polypeptides or non-structural polypeptides of HAV and contain one or more molecules of the amino acid glutamine (Q) at the carboxyl end of the peptide, which enhances immunoreactivity and immunogenicity, particularly IgM antibody reactivity.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between source and destination transmission and presentation of streaming digital information signals can be uses to optimize performance in the context of the contentions among different dimensions of performance including goodput, throughput, delay, receiver buffer requirements and tolerance to loss and jitter. The system provides ordering segments of information based on a priority associated with each of the segments of the information; managing of flow of the segments into and out of a buffer based on the priority of the segments of information; adjusting a rate at which information is provided to a communication medium; and transmitting the information.

Abstract: An electrosurgical control system includes a selector by which a user can select any of a number of electrosurgical devices or similar devices for use, and a processor system responsive to user actuation of a foot control or other central control by controlling the selected device. Each device has an associated intelligent adapter that communicates information relating to device with which the adapter is associated. The processor system uses the information communicated by the adapter to properly interface the associated device with the control system and its central control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of peracylated N-acyl-mannosamine derivatives for the preparation of a medicament for stimulating neurite growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pneumatic tool drive system, comprising a portable pressure source, a valve assembly, a regulating assembly, and a pneumatic assembly. The pneumatic assembly can be any conventional pneumatic device. The pneumatic assembly may be a pneumatic tool, such as, but not limited to, a nail gun, a power sprayer, a torque wrench, and the like. The pneumatic tool drive system gives the operator the freedom to move about his work space free of cumbersome hoses and compressors.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for reducing the formation of artifacts during nucleic acid amplification reactions. The method uses special oligonucleotides, referred to herein as template-deficient oligonucleotides, that cannot serve as a template for nucleic acid synthesis over part of their length. This prevents the oligonucleotides from serving as effective templates in the formation of artifacts. The disclosed method involves using a template-deficient oligonucleotide as at least one of the oligonucleotides (preferably a primer) in a nucleic acid amplification reaction, where the template-deficient oligonucleotide comprises one or more template-deficient nucleotides, preferably at or near the 5? end of the template-deficient oligonucleotide. The disclosed method is useful for reducing artifacts in any nucleic acid amplification reaction involving oligonucleotides. In a preferred form of the method the nucleic acid amplification reaction does not involve thermal cycling.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of treosulfan as a conditioning agent before allogenic transplantation of bone marrow or haematopoietic stem cells, whereby treosulfan is administered, either as single effective agent, or in combination with other chemotherapetic agents or immunosuppressant agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to certain bicyclic heterocycles havng the structure shown below which are useful in the treatment of diseases related to lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, such as type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis.

Abstract: A composition comprising particulate carbonaceous material and a conducting polymer containing hetero atoms. The composition can further comprise a metal. Devices comprising the composition can be constructed including supported electrocatalysts, membrane electrode assemblies, and fuel cells. A method for preparing the composition comprises oxidatively polymerizing a monomer of a conducting polymer containing hetero atoms in the presence of a carbonaceous material wherein the oxidative polymerization takes place in the presence of a metal-containing oxidizing agent. The method grafts the conducting polymer to the carbonaceous material while essentially simultaneously metallizing the composition.

Abstract: A gait assistive system designed to assist with the therapeutic treatment of subjects who have difficulty in walking, specifically those with a lack of sensation due to nerve damage or amputation, who are unable to tell when the foot makes contact with the floor. The system includes a removable insole placed inside the shoe which proportionally senses touchdown of the limb. The sensed touchdown is communicated to a transmitter and subsequently to a remotely positioned receiver to provide a desired bio-feedback of the sensed touchdown. The system can also include a second remotely located receiver that can be used to facilitate set up and/or adjustments of the system.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for screening large numbers of individual cells or colonies of cells using scanning microscopy coupled with fluorescence lifetime measurement and analysis, using time-correlated single photon counting. This invention further provides an automated method for selecting cells that exhibit desired characteristics. The method uses the scanning microscope system to focus a laser beam onto a surface upon which cells are immobilized on the timescale of the procedure. The cells that are illuminated in this way are killed or their growth is inhibited. The focused laser beam is scanned across the surface and turned on and off during the scanning process such that only non-irradiated cells survive, resulting in a patterned cell growth This invention further provides a computer-controlled projection device, such as a micro-mirror array or a liquid crystal display system, which is sued to project an image onto the cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one aspect, a substantially pure ethyl ester of N-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]carbonyl]glycine. In another aspect, disclosed is a method for producing substantially pure ethyl ester of N-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]carbonyl]glycine. In still another aspect, disclosed are various consumer products comprising the substantially pure ethyl ester of N-[[5-methyl-2-(1-methylethyl)cyclohexyl]carbonyl]glycine disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention provides immunogenic peptides from the HPV-18E6 protein that comprise class I restricted T cell epitopes and discloses methods of administering these peptides to individuals, and a method for monitoring or evaluating an immune response to HPV with these peptides.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of increasing the volume of distribution of a nucleic acid encoding a therapeutic agent in a tissue in a subject during localized delivery, comprising administering to the tissue in the subject a nucleic acid encoding a therapeutic agent and a facilitating agent, whereby the inclusion of the facilitating agent increases the volume of distribution of the nucleic acid encoding a therapeutic agent in the tissue.