Abstract: A method of preparing a modified granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) protein having reduced immunogenicity relative to human G-CSF comprises the steps of (i) identifying one or more potential T-cell epitopes within the amino acid sequence of human G-CSF (SEQ ID NO: 1); (ii) designing at least one sequence variant of at least one potential T-cell epitope identified in step (i), wherein the sequence variant eliminates or substantially reduces the MHC class II binding activity of the potential T-cell epitope; (iii) preparing, by recombinant DNA techniques, at least one modified G-CSF protein including a sequence variant designed in step (ii); (iv) evaluating at least one modified G-CSF protein prepared in step (iii) for G-CSF activity and immunogenicity; and (v) selecting a modified G-CSF protein evaluated in step (iv) that has substantially the same therapeutic G-CSF biological activity as, but substantially less immunogenicity than, human G-CSF.

Abstract: A device and method of making same. The device or hydrogen detector has a non-conducting substrate with a metal film capable of absorbing hydrogen to form a stable metal hydride. The metal film is on the threshold of percolation and is connected to mechanism for sensing a change in electrical resistance in response to the presence of hydrogen in contact with the metal film which causes an increase in conductivity.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining information about the spatial distribution of photoreceptor activity and neural activity in the retina using simultaneously recorded multiple biopotential signals. The information thus gathered is used to assess retinal dysfunction due to trauma or disease. The biopotential signals are recorded from the surface of the eye and head using a plurality of electrodes, including those integral to a contact lens. The biopotential signals are recorded before, during and after the presentation of an optical stimulus to the subject eye. The recorded biopotential signals are then analyzed and interpreted to reveal the distribution of photoreceptor activity and neural activity across the retina. The analysis and interpretation of the biopotential signals is quantitative, and makes use of an electromagnetic model of the subject eye. The subject may be animal or human.

Abstract: A modified interferon beta (INF?) is provided, which is less immunogenic than human INF? (SEQ ID NO: 1) when administered to a human in vivo. The modified INF? comprises an amino acid residue sequence that differs from SEQ ID NO: 1 by a substitution at one or more residues of SEQ ID NO: 1. Preferred substitutions are at residues selected from the group consisting of residue 50, 59, 60, 62, 63, 66, 67, 69, 70, 125, 126, 129, 130, 132, 133, and 138. Examples of suitable substitutions include F50A, L57A, I59A, Y60N, M62A, L63A, I66T, F67H, I69A, F70A, Y125A, Y126A, I129A, L130A, Y132S, L133A, Y138H, and Y138A.

Abstract: Angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) interaction with integrin-?v?3 are inhibited by an inhibitor compound of formula: wherein G1 and G2 are each independently —NH—C(O)—O—(CH2)v—(C6H4)—X3 ; Y1 and Y2 are each independently —OH or C1-C4 alkoxy; X1 and X2 are each independently halo or C1-C4 alkoxy; X3 is fluoro, nitro, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxy, or C1-C4 perfluoroalkyl; Z is —C?C—, —C6H4—, cis-CH?CH—, trans-CH?CH—, cis-CH2—CH?CH—CH2—, trans-CH2—CH?CH—CH2—, 1,4-naphthyl, cis-1,3-cyclohexyl, trans-1,3-cyclohexyl, cis-1,4-cyclohexyl, or trans-1,4-cyclohexyl; A is H or a covalent bond; m and n are each 1; t is an integer having a value of 0 or 1; p and r are each 2, and v is 1; with the proviso that when A is H, t is 0, and when A is a covalent bond, t is 1.

Abstract: An Image sensing apparatus employing a multi-chip system and having a super-parallel circuit structure capable of performing processes such as image processing in real time. A first chip of a first of a first stage has first pixel circuits each having an optical sensor and first processing circuits and arranged in a matrix. A second chip of a second stage has second pixel circuits each having an analog memory for storing analog information from the preceding stage and second processing circuits and arranged in a matrix so as to correspond to the first pixel circuits. In each of the first and the second chip, each of the first and the second processing circuits receives an analog signal from another first and second processing circuit in the vicinity so as to perform first and second analog processing and performs circuit noise compensation by parallel calculation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating tumors and tumor metastases in a mammal comprising administering, to a mammal in need of treatment, a therapeutic amount of an antagonist sufficient to inhibit angiogenesis in combination with a therapeutic amount of anti-tumor immunotherapeutic agent, such as a anti-tumor antigen antibody/cytokine fusion protein having a cytokine and a recombinant immunoglobulin polypeptide chain sufficient to elicit a cytokine-specific biological response.

Abstract: Cellular panels may be suspended from head rails through the use of a rigid strip of material positioned with the cellular panel. In order to securely position the rigid strip and cellular panel with respect to the head rail, a securement insert is provided. The securement insert includes a cap securable with the head rail by an interference fit and a slot member including a restricting member extending from the cap.

Abstract: A laser energy delivery device is provided that is suitable for irradiating a body tissue with relatively long wavelength laser energy in the presence of an aqueous liquid without significant absorption of the laser energy by the liquid. The device includes an elongate hollow sheath that has an open aperture at its distal end portion and closed at its proximal end, a laser energy conduit such as an optical fiber or hollow wave guide, within the sheath, the distal end of the conduit being disposed near the open aperture at the distal end portion of the sheath, and the proximal end of the conduit being adapted for connection to a source of long wavelength laser energy. The sheath also includes an inlet port, spaced from the proximal end of the sheath, and adapted to receive and deliver a biologically compatible gas through the sheath to a body tissue site in contact with the open distal end of the sheath.

Abstract: A method of controlling the size and morphology of powder made by the subsurface injection of a halide vapor into a liquid metal is disclosed. A reaction zone is established and the temperature thereof or the time the powder remains therein is controlled to change powder characteristics.

Abstract: A method of generating data for identifying a video storage media comprising the steps of (1) generating from the contents of the media a data sequence representing the picture and/or the audio and/or data content of the video medium, (2) combining said data sequence with position information and/or picture and/or text and/or data or other information. It also provides a system for controlling a video recorder or other media device for selective enabling and disabling of associated functions. A graphical user interface is adapted to display information relating to television program content and/or data content from other sources such as the Internet and video recorder or other media device content and to display information relating to one or more video tapes or other media contents.

Abstract: A method of converting C2 and/or higher alkanes to olefins by contacting a feedstock containing C2 and/or higher alkanes with a first surface of a metal composite membrane of a sintered homogenous mixture of an Al oxide or stabilized or partially stabilized Zr oxide ceramic powder and a metal powder of one or more of Pd, Nb, V, Zr, Ta and/or alloys or mixtures thereof. The alkanes dehydrogenate to olefins by contact with the first surface with substantially only atomic hydrogen from the dehydrogenation of the alkanes passing through the metal composite membrane. Apparatus for effecting the conversion and separation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A heartbeat detection device includes a pair of electrode units, a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is electrically connected to the paired electrode units each by respective wires. The paired electrode units each include an electrode body and a hook sandwiching a bottom part of a garment for example on a body for holding the electrode units on respective predetermined parts of the body. The hook is formed on the front side of the electrode unit. The transmitting unit includes a transmitting-unit body and a hook sandwiching an upper part of the garment for holding the transmitting unit on the garment. The hook is formed on the rear side of the transmitting unit. The lightweight heartbeat detection device is thus achieved that can ensure electrical contact between the electrode units and respective predetermined parts of the chest without causing a feeling of tightness.