Abstract: The present invention relates to a DNA molecule conferring on Mycobacterium tuberculosis an ability to enter mammalian cells and to survive within macrophages. The protein encoded by this gene fragment is useful in vaccines to prevent infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while the antibodies raised against this protein can be employed in passively immunizing those already infected by the organism. Both these proteins and antibodies may be utilized in diagnostic assays to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tissue or bodily fluids. The protein of the present invention can be associated with various other therapeutic materials, for administration to mammals, particularly humans, to achieve uptake of those materials by such cells.

Abstract: A computer 10 has an input device 12 keyboard with two sets of input keys 14, 16 separated by a touch pad 20. The touch pad 20 is accessed by an operator's index finger from the home row of keys, typically the next to last row.

Abstract: A vacuum-tight cable feedthrough device includes a metallic first flange that is penetrated by a slot. Passing through the slot is a flat stripline cable that includes a plurality of conductive signal channels encompassed by a dielectric material on whose upper and lower surfaces is disposed a conductive material including a ground. The stripline cable is sealed within the slot to provide a substantially vacuum-tight seal between the cable and the first flange. In a preferred embodiment, the cable feedthrough device includes a plurality, at least 16, of stripline cables. In a further preferred embodiment, the device includes a second flange and a bellows sealably connecting the first and second flanges, thereby providing a substantially vacuum-tight, flexible housing for the plurality of cables.

Abstract: A direct image-recording material has a layer of a thermosensitive layer formed on a thin substrate. The substrate comprises an organic polymeric material that is substantially transparent and colorless and has a thickness no greater than about 10 .mu.m. Preferred embodiments of the invention further include a support sheet with an interposed first adhesive layer on the thermosensitive composition layer. Other preferred embodiments further include a second adhesive layer and a backing sheet, which may be releasable, on the support sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a patient with a fibrotic or fibroproliferative disorder and a method of suppressing formation of collagen and collagen-like substances or biosynthesis of procollagen in living systems by administering to a patient or living system, respectively, an effective amount of a compound of Formulae (I) or (II) and derivatives thereof: ##STR1## R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 each individually represent a hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkoxy group containing 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, an aryl, aralkyl, or cycloalkyl group containing about 5 to 12 carbon atoms, or a carboalkoxy or carbamyl group containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or a peptide or peptidomimetic moiety containing 10 to about 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the detection of nucleic acid sequence differences using coupled ligase detection reaction and polymerase chain reaction. One aspect of the present invention involves use of a ligase detection reaction coupled to a polymerase chain reaction. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a primary polymerase chain reaction coupled to a secondary polymerase chain reaction coupled to a ligase detection reaction. A third aspect of the present invention involves a primary polymerase chain reaction coupled to a secondary polymerase chain reaction. Such coupling of the ligase detection reaction and the polymerase chain reaction permits multiplex detection of nucleic acid sequence differences.

Abstract: Two chitinases from Trichoderma harzianum P1 (ATCC 74058) show chitin-containing-fungus-inhibiting activity. One is an endochitinase and the other is a chitobiase. Both have molecular weights of 40 kDa and isoelectric points of 3.9. Endochitinases and chitobiases including the two purified from Trichoderma harzianum strain P1 demonstrate synergy with each other in antifungal effect. Isolated gene encoding for the endochitinase has the sequence set forth in the Sequence Listing as SEQ ID NO:1.

Abstract: A compound comprises a target cell-specific portion, such as an antibody specific to tumor cell antigens, and an inactivating portion, such as an enzyme, capable of converting a substance which in its native state is able to inhibit the effect of a cytotoxic agent into a substance which has less effect against said cytotoxic agent. The prolonged action of a cytotoxic agent at tumor sites is therefore possible while protecting normal tissues from the effects of the cytotoxic agent.

Abstract: A light-curing composite material is described which is characterized by a content of anaerobic stabilizer and/or stable organic radicals and which has a reduced light sensitivity and an improved vacuum stability and is therefore suitable in particular as a dental filling material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling insects on plants. This involves applying a hypersensitive response elicitor polypeptide or protein in a non-infectious form to a plant or plant seed under conditions effective to control insects on the plant or plants produced from the plant seed. Alternatively, transgenic plants or transgenic plant seeds transformed with a DNA molecule encoding a hypersensitive response elicitor polypeptide or protein can be provided and the transgenic plants or plants resulting from the transgenic plant seeds are grown under conditions effective to control insects.

Abstract: An adjustable spark plug boot in accordance with the present invention includes an assembly, a first groove, a first terminal locator chamber, and a second terminal locator chamber. The assembly has first and second ends with a bore extending from the first end to the second end. The assembly includes an elongated section which extends from the first end along a first axis. The first groove extends at least partially around an outer surface of the elongated section and is in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The first terminal locator chamber is located in the bore in the elongated section. The second terminal locator chamber is also located in the bore in the elongated section and adjacent to the first chamber. The first chamber may have a first side which is opposite from the first end and is spaced a first distance from the first end and the second chamber may have a second side which is opposite from the first end and is spaced the first distance from the first groove.

Abstract: High-strength sinterable lithium disilicate glass ceramics are described which can be further processed in particular by pressing in the viscous state to shaped dental products.

Abstract: A molded container top 140 has engravings 145 formed by an embossing 108. The core 120 withdrawn from the cavity 102 and a retaining ring 110 holds the hot molded part 140 in the cavity 102. The molded part 140 shrinks away from the cavity 102 and is pushed out of the cavity 102 by an ejector 105. The part 140 has no witness lines on its circumferential skirt 142.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing polymer composites. The method includes providing a mixture of concentrated emulsions and polymerizing the mixture of concentrated emulsions under conditions effective to form a polymer composite. The mixture of concentrated emulsions includes either a divinyl-terminated macromonomer and a first partially polymerized concentrated emulsion of a first monomer or a first partially copolymerized concentrated emulsion of a divinyl-terminated macromonomer and a first monomer. The mixture of concentrated emulsions further includes either a second partially polymerized concentrated emulsion of a second monomer or a second partially copolymerized concentrated emulsion of a divinyl-terminated macromonomer and a second monomer. Using the methods of the present invention, polymer blends and/or polymer networks containing compatibilizers can be produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a patient with a fibrotic or fibroproliferative disorder and a method of suppressing formation of collagen and collagen-like substances or biosynthesis of procollagen in living systems by administering to a patient or living system, respectively, an effective amount of a compound of Formulae (I) or (II) and derivatives thereof: ##STR1## R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 each individually represent a hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl, or alkoxy group containing 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, an aryl, aralkyl, or cycloalkyl group containing about 5 to 12 carbon atoms, or a carboalkoxy or carbamyl group containing up to 8 carbon atoms, or a peptide or peptidomimetic moiety containing 10 to about 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for treating nicotine addiction. The method involves administering to the patient an effective amount of a compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl;R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, and ethyl;R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl, C1 to C6 alkanoyl, C3 to C6 cycloalkanoyl, and pyridinecarbonyl;Q is a bivalent alkylene moiety; andY is selected from the group consisting of a halo-(C2 to C6)-alkenyl moiety having 1 or 2 chlorine or bromine atoms attached to the ethylenic carbon, a cycloalkyl moiety, a cyano moiety, and a cyano-(C3 to C6)-alkenyl moietyor a pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition salt thereof.

Abstract: A test device for detecting or determining an analyte in a test solution includes an absorbent material having contact, liposome lysing and electrochemical measurement portions. The contact portion is positioned for contact with and uptake of the test solution. The liposome lysing portion is segregated from the contact portion and has a liposome lysing agent bound thereto. The liposome lysing portion is further either positioned between the contact portion and the electrochemical measurement portion, or partially or completely coincides with the electrochemical measurement portion. The electrochemical measurement portion comprises a first conductor comprising a plurality of fingers disposed on the absorbent material, and a second conductor similarly comprising a plurality of fingers disposed on the absorbent material, where the fingers of the first and second conductors are interdigitated to form an array.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for the induction of resistance in a plant host to a RNA or DNA virus pathogenic to the plant which comprises isolating a fragment of viral RNA or DNA associated with the replicase portion of the virus genome, specifically a portion that does not involve a read-through portion of the gene, and integrating a DNA copy of the isolated fragment or a portion thereof into the genome of a recipient plant in such a manner that the plant becomes transformed with the inserted fragment.

Abstract: A single celled organism, vector, and method are provided for continuous production of excreted proteins in the absence of substantial host cell replication and without the necessity for the addition of antibiotics to control cell replication. The vector has (1) an inducible promoter capable of activating a gene for a protein to be produced under conditions that substantially inhibit host cell replication, and (2) a hybrid gene containing a signal sequence fused to a gene for the protein to be produced. Large quantities of the transformed single celled organisms containing the vector can be grown in the absence of inducing conditions, thereby reducing the problem of plasmid loss. Further, the protein is produced under conditions that substantially inhibit host cell replication, thereby allowing immobilization of the single celled organism by entrapment or attachment within or onto a solid support surface. The single celled organism can be immobilized after, before or simultaneously with induction.

Abstract: A dental light-curing opaquer is described which is characterized by a content of cross-linked bead polymerizate with incorporated colored pigment and of polymerizable polyfunctional monomer and which is highly suitable for covering metallic surfaces of dental restorations.