Abstract: A class of broad spectrum bioactive polypeptides termed "Magainin" have been described. These peptides have a molecular weight of about 2500 or less, are highly water soluble, amphiphilic and non-hemolytic.

Abstract: An optical fiber and lens assembly which comprises a housing, an optical fiber, means for rendering the optical fiber immobile within the housing, a lens, and means for moving the lens within the housing. Such an optical fiber and lens assembly enables one to provide controlled movement of the lens, independently of the optical fiber, in response to changes in the focal length of the lens, the wavelength of light, and intended usages of the light.

Abstract: A process for treating cooking oil or fat which comprises contacting cooking oil or fat with magnesium silicate and at least one alkali material, such as, for example, calcium hydroxide. The magnesium silicate and at least one alkali material are present in amounts effective to reduce the content of free fatty acids in the oil or fat and permit reuse of the oil or fat for cooking. Such method provides for improved extension of the life of the cooking oil employed in restaurant-type and industrial frying operations.

Abstract: A cushion portion has a core comprising a foamed reaction mixture optionally covered at its front side with a cover. A covering device which is stable in respect of shape is provided at the rear side of the core. Provided between the rear side of the core and the covering device is an intermediate structure comprising first and second foils which lie loosely against each other to define at least one inflatable space therebetween. A tube opens into the inflatable space for controllable inflation thereof to be able to alter the external contour of the cushion portion.

Abstract: An assay for detecting an analyte which comprises applying a sample containing analyte to a surface of an absorbent material having at least one binder for the analyte supported on at least a portion of the surface. The absorbent material has a porosity which is capable of retaining non-charged particles having a size of at least 0.1 micron and no greater than 10 microns on the surface thereof. The sample flows past the binder and into the absorbent material. Porous plastics or ceramics are preferred absorbent materials.

Abstract: An improved drafting instrument is provided and consists of a base board and a slide member. The instrument is so constructed that various geometrical figures, such as squares, rectangles, right-angled isosceles triangles and regular triangles, are accurately drafted in the various dimensions between a minimum and maximum dimension without using conventional frame rules. The base board is provided with one or more openings, and guide rails along which the slide member is slid and positioned for drawing. By displacing the slide member along one of the guide rails and positioning against the guide rail, a figure having a desired dimension is formed and drafted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing antimicrobial effect by contacting a subject susceptible to microbial invasion or contamination, with antimicrobial amount of XPF and PGLa polypeptides.

Abstract: A process for introducing an expression vehicle (e.g., plasmids, retroviral vectors, adenoviral vectors) into cells, which comprises contacting the cells with the expression vehicle and a polyol. The polyol may be a polyoxalkylene block copolymer, such as a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. The use of the polyol provides for greater efficiency of transduction of the expression vehicle.

Abstract: An adenovirus wherein the adenovirus fiber protein includes a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type. The adenovirus may have at least a portion of the adenovirus fiber protein removed and replaced with a ligand which is specific for a receptor located on a desired cell type, or the adenovirus may include a fusion protein of the adenovirus fiber protein and the ligand. Such an adenovirus may also include a gene(s) encoding a therapeutic agent(s) and may be "targeted" in order to deliver such gene(s) to a desired cell type.

Abstract: This invention is to provide a radiation plate which prevents a generation of resonance phenomenon and being suitable for automation. A plurality of groove are formed in parallel in a base, and a part of a fin consisting of a material having relatively low hardness such as a pure aluminum formed with an engaging portion with concave or convex portion is fitted to each of the grooves. The pressure is applied in perpendicular direction to the vicinity of the grooves of the base to form a pressure deformed portion, and the part of the fin is fixed to the wall surface of the groove of the base by the bonding force of the pressure deformed portion against the fin. Otherwise the engaging portion of a fin formed as convex portion is fixed in the groove of the base by means of the pressure force.

Abstract: An injectable grade medium for maintaining cells comprising: (a) a sugar; (b) a serum albumin; (c) a calcium salt; (d) a phosphate salt; (e) a source of iron; (f) at least one salt of a Group I element; (g) at least one salt of a Group II element; (h) at least one amino acid; and (i) at least one vitamin. Components (a) through (i) are present in the medium in amounts in order to provide an osmolality of the medium of from about 320 mOsm/kg to about 550 mOsm/kg. Such an injectable grade medium has an increased osmolality as compared with conventional media, and thus such medium may be employed in order to maintain cells over extended periods of time and for injecting such cells into a desired transplantation site of a patient, whereby such cells are transplanted into the patient, and are capable of functioning in the patient.

Abstract: A microtome (2) with a sample holder (51) for a sample (22) to be thinly sectioned and with a knife holder (12) for a cutting knife (10) is described, wherein the sample holder (51), for performing a cutting movement (arrow 54) relative to the knife holder (12), can be driven in a first spatial direction (arrows 54, 56) by means of a first drive device (53), and for performing a coarse adjustment and a section thickness adjusting movement in a second spatial direction (arrow 24) perpendicular to the first spatial direction (54, 56) by means of an electrical second drive device (50). In the vicinity of the cutting knife (10), for defined delimitation of the coarse adjustment movement of the sample holder (51) in the second spatial direction, a delimiting device (20) is provided, which is connected over control means (44), preferably an electronic control, with the electrical second drive device (50).

Abstract: A sprung vehicle seat comprises a scissor support assembly formed by scissor members pivotable about a common pivot axis, and a gas spring for adjustment of the support assembly. A first valve device can be connected to the gas spring for adjustment of the height of the seat and a second valve device can be connected to the gas spring by way of a coupling for adjusting the height of the seat in dependence on weight. The coupling comprises a segment member which is pivotable about the support assembly pivot axis and which has an arcuate toothed portion, and a pivot arm with a tooth arrangement which can be brought into meshing engagement with the toothed portion. The pivot arm is connected to one of the scissor members of the support assembly and is actuable by a drive means connected to the first valve device. Also arranged pivotably at the support assembly pivot axis is a rocker member operable to actuate the second valve device and movable limitedly relative to the segment member.

Abstract: Water soluble polymers or polymeric hydrogels are used to encapsulate antigen to form vaccines. The antigen is mixed with a polymer solution, microparticles are formed of the polymer and antigen, and, optionally, the polymer is crosslinked to form a stable microparticle. Preferred polymers are alginate and polyphosphazenes, and mixtures thereof. Microparticles can be adminstered parenterally or mucosally. For oral delivery, the microparticles are preferably fifteen microns or less in diameter, and adhere to the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract, increasing uptake by the reticuloendothelium.

Abstract: A method of preparing bone for transplantation in which the internal matrix of the bone is contacted with an atmosphere at less than ambient pressure. The method may additionally, include a further step in which the bone is maintained in contact with a decontaminating agent or a detergent during the period of contact with the atmosphere.

Abstract: Catalytic dehydrogenation wherein feed is passed in one direction through the bed in a first cycle and heating gas is passed in an opposite direction in a second cycle to provide the endothermic heat of reaction and regenerate catalyst. The operation is controlled to balance properly heat absorbed during dehydrogenation and heat input during regeneration; e.g., by having catalyst of different activities over the length of the bed.

Abstract: A device for preventing adhesions or binding of tissue to tissue or of tissue to bone which comprises a composite of a first layer and a second layer, each of which comprises a biodegradable polymer. The first layer is selected from the group consisting of a non-porous layer and a porous layer having a pore size no greater than 3.mu.. The second layer has pores which have a pore size of from about 30.mu. to about 250.mu.. Such a composite device provides for tissue growth into the second layer, while the first layer acts as an adhesion-preventing barrier, and enables attachment of the device to tissue without suturing. Alternatively, the device comprises the first layer hereinabove mentioned and a second layer which is an adherence layer and which adheres to tissue and/or bone.

Abstract: A sprung seat frame comprises a base element, a top element and a spring arrangement between the base and top elements. The spring arrangement has at least two leaf springs which are arranged one above the other at a spacing from each other and at least approximately parallel to each other. One end portion of each leaf spring is connected to the base element and the second end portion of each leaf spring is connected to the top element. The leaf springs are disposed obliquely inclinedly between the base and top elements. At least one corrector leaf spring which is oriented at least approximately parallel to the leaf springs and which is shorter than same is additionally operatively disposed between the base and top elements for optimizing the springing characteristic of the seat frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hot runner probe having a shell-shaped probe body having a molten resin flowing surface which is combined to form a single unit with a ceramic heater wherein the ceramic heater is covered by the heater pattern that consists of high electric-resistance metal and has made the temperature gradient at the tip part higher than that at the center part, and then is insulation-baked. The present invention also relates to high-accuracy injection molding using the hot runner probe under the proper and ideal temperature distribution, by applying the ceramic heater, which is provided with temperature gradients, to the increase and decrease of resistance values due to temperature changes by the one circuit control means.

Abstract: A process for treating a wound in a host which comprises administering to the host having a wound at least one biologically active amphiphilic peptide. The peptide is an ion channel-forming peptide and is administered in an amount effective for treating a wound in a host.