Abstract: This invention relates to new heterocyclic compounds which are selective inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). The new heterocyclic compounds are useful in inhibiting 5-LO per se and in the treatment or alleviation of inflammatory disease or condition, allergy or cardiovascular diseases in mammals wherein the inflammatory disease or condition includes but is not limited to asthma, arthritis, bronchi chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, psoriasis, allergic rhinitis, dermatitis, shock, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoa This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions useful therefor.

Abstract: Polypeptides isolated from the venom of the Heteropoda venanoria spider block calcium channels in cells of various organisms and are useful in blocking said calcium channels in cells, per se, in the treatment of calcium channel-mediated diseases and conditions and in the control of invertebrate pests.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and X are as defined in the application. These compounds are CCK-B receptor antagonists and are useful in the treatment and prevention of central nervous system and gastrointestinal disorders.

Abstract: A polypeptide isolated from the venom of the Agelenopsis aperta spider blocks calcium channels in cells of various organisms and is useful in blocking such calcium channels in cells per se, in the treatment of calcium channel-mediated diseases and conditions, and in the control of invertebrate pests.

Abstract: This invention relates to catechol diether compounds which are inhibitors of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). The catechol diether compounds are useful as inhibitors of TNF per se and in the treatment or alleviation of inflammatory conditions or disease, including but not limited to rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive airways disease, psoriasis, allergic rhinitis, dermatitis and inflammatory bowel disease, sepsis, septic shock, tuberculosis, graft versus host disease and cachexia associated with AIDS or cancer. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions useful therefor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to derivatives of 16-membered ring macrolide antibiotics rosaramicin, repromicin, 5-mycaminosyltylonide, desmycosin, lactenocin, O-demethyllactenocin, cirramycin A1, and 23-deoxymycaminosyltylonide, which are useful against bacterial and mycoplasmic pathogens in animals. Also claimed are a pharmaceutical composition of such derivatives and their use in treating bacterial and mycoplasmic infections in animals.

Abstract: Immunoregulatory N-(S-3-alkyl-4-heptenoyl)- and N-(S-3-alkylheptanoyl)-D-gamma-glutamyl-glycyl-D-alanine and esters thereof are synthesized via R-trans-2-hexen-4-ols, R-3-alkyl-4-heptenoic acid and S-3-alkylheptanoic acid.

Abstract: An acidic polycyclic ether antibiotic, having structure established by X-ray crystallography, is formed by fermentation of a novel microorganism, Streptomyces hygroscopicus ATCC 53626. This novel antibiotic is useful as an anticoccidial in chickens and as a growth promotant in cattle and swine.

Abstract: The invention provides antifungal agents of the formula: ##STR1## and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein R is phenyl optionally substituted by 1 to 3 substituents each independently selected from halo and CF.sub.3 ;R.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl;R.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; and"Het", which is attached to the adjacent carbon atom by a ring carbon atom, is selected from pyridinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl and triazinyl, "Het" being optionally substituted by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy, halo, CF.sub.3, CN, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, --NH(C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkanoyl) or --NHCO.sub.2 (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl).

Abstract: A blood container comprises a generally cylindrically shaped outer housing (11) having an upper portion, a lower portion and a bottom portion which declines downwardly to an outlet 3. A generally cylindrically shaped filter 2 is enclosed concentrically within the upper portion of outer housing for receiving blood at the top thereof and discharging filtered blood at the wall and base of the filter. A generally cylindrically shaped inner housing (4) extending from the base of the filter to the bottom portion of the outer housing. The container particularly includes means (5, 9, 9a, 9b, 11) for directing and restricting the flow of blood from the base of the filter for a gradual and smooth descent to the outlet which avoids the creation of bubbles and avoids any blood cell damage.

Abstract: The invention discloses a device for closing the inlet of a containment well of a blood centrifugation cell in the body of a centrifugation machine. A plate is supported at one end of the inlet of the containment well and is rotatable about the horizontal axis. The plate has a pair of parallel pins extending perpendicularly from the surface. A pair of half-lids are each pivotably supported at one end thereof by one of the pins, and have matable inner edges. The closing device includes apparatus for locking the half-lids into a closure position, whereby the half-lids are rotated downwardly against the inlet with the half-lids pivoted together, thereby closing the inlet of the containment well.

Abstract: The specification discloses a tracheostomy tube which includes an outer cannula which has a tubular wall, a distal end for placement within the trachea of a patient and a proximal end for placement outside of the trachea. The outer cannula has an inflatable cuff attached near the distal end thereof for forming a seal with the tracheal wall. A flexible inflation tube extends from within the cuff and has a portion fixedly secured along the wall of the outer cannula to a point that is near, but not at, the proximal end of the outer cannula and further extends unsecured. An annular retaining collar, has a flange with an aperture in longitudinal alignment with the secured portion and which is adapted to receive the inflation tube, and is attached to the proximal end of the outer cannula.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump is described for operating simultaneously on two fluid lines having different wall thicknesses comprising a rotatable head having rollers and enclosed within a hollow body. The hollow body has a central axis with an internal first cylindrical surface portion at a first radius R from the axis, and a second cylindrical surface portion at a second radius r from the axis. The interspace between the periphery of the respective roller and the respective cylindrical surface portion is arranged to perfectly occlude the respective different sized fluid line.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for locking the base of a blood centrifugation cell on a rotatable generally disc shaped chuck plate. The chuck plate encloses a plurality of elastic locators which extend radially a slight distance from the periphery of the plate. The plate further encloses a plurality of locking means which are biased to remain within the dimensions of the plate at rest and which are radially extendable by centrifugal force to extend beyond the periphery of the plate. An annular locking ring engages the base of the cell and extends around the periphery of the chuck plate. The locking ring has a plurality of internal recesses for initially receiving the elastic locators, and the locking means during centrifugation to secure the cell to the chuck plate.

Abstract: The specification discloses a tracheostomy tube which is specifically designed for percutaneous insertion into a patient's trachea through a stoma in the neck between adjacent cartilages. The tracheostomy tube is inserted with an inner obturator as an assembly in conjunction with the Seldinger technique utilizing a guide wire, a guiding catheter, and dilators. The tracheostomy tube includes a soft, flexible tubular cannula which has a distal portion for insertion within the trachea and a proximal end remaining outside the trachea. The assembly includes a tubular obturator adapted to fit over the guiding catheter and adapted to closely fit within the cannula, and has a tapered distal end which extend beyond the distal end of the cannula. The distal end of the cannula is gradually tapered to form a smooth transition between the cannula and the obturator.

Abstract: A chuck device comprises clamp elements having, at one end, an underlying tooth and a conical surface conjugated with the surface of a centrifugation cell. The clamp elements are uniformly distributed on the circumference of a plate including a surface upon which the bottom of the cell rests. The clamp elements are pivoted on the plate so as to be rotatable in radial planes, and can be locked in the closed position.

Abstract: A vascular catheter for cannulating arterial or venous vessels, for example in the fermoral region, or the vena cava and/or the right auricle of the heart, comprises a flexible tube having blood passage orifices in the nature of holes at its anterior and insertion end to be inserted in the vessel or the auricle, which tube is directly or indirectly connectable at its other open end to a conduit or appliance. A piston-like closure member is movable to and fro in the tube in lengthwise direction thereof, such that it covers and thereby closes at least same of the blood passsage orifices in one position in the tube and clears these orifices in other positions. Preferably, the closure member is so fashioned that in its closure position, it covers all blood passage orifices in the insertion end of the cathether tube.

Abstract: A device for releasably holding an object, particularly a prosthetic heart valve, comprising a handle member integral with a key member which releasably engages a holder member having an interacting engaging screw which controls and limits the movement of integral cooperating fingers for holding and releasing said object; and a package assembly for storing under sterile conditions a holder member of said device attached to a prosthetic heart valve comprising a clam shell mechanism for releasably holding said holder member and valve.

Abstract: A unitary device for the treatment and collection of blood from two different sources during a surgical procedure comprises a hollow housing made of a rigid, preferably transparent, material, first and second blood inlets in the housing, a first blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and a layer of non-woven depth filter material, and a second blood treatment element inside the housing comprising a layer of porous defoaming material and free of any depth filter material. The novel device also includes internal walls for providing two blood flow paths therein, one through the first inlet, the first blood treatment element, a blood collection reservoir defined within the device and a treated blood outlet in the bottom wall of the housing, and the other through the second inlet, the second blood treatment element, the blood collection reservoir and the blood outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus for directing laser energy to a vascular occlusion comprises a catheter and a plurality of optical fibers disposed in an annular array about a central axis at the outer wall of the catheter. The distal end of each fiber is beveled at an angle and is oriented away from the central axis and perpendicular to a plane formed by the central axis and the center of the distal end of the respective fiber, whereby the output of the fibers are directed toward the central axis and converge at a common focal point.