Abstract: A catheter capable of both sensing myocardial electrical activity and delivering ablating energy within myocardial tissue is disclosed. The catheter comprises electrodes on the outer sheath and contains a movable fiber optic cable that can be percutaneously advanced beyond the catheter body and into the myocardium for myocardial heating and coagulation, or modification of tissues responsible for cardiac arrhythmias. The fiber optic tip is designed to diffuse ablating energy radially to ablate a larger volume of tissue than is possible with a bare fiber optic tip. In addition, the tip is treated so that energy is not propagated in a forward direction, thus helping to prevent unwanted perforation of the heart tissue. Also disclosed is a method of cardioprotection from ischemia comprising inducing local hyperthermia in heart tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing lipoxin compounds and therapeutic uses for the compounds in treating or preventing a disease or condition associated with columnar epithelial inflammation. The invention also discloses methods for screening for compounds useful in preventing columnar epithelial inflammation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for providing vapor-phase epitaxial growth on a substrate using a Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) process. The process is performed in a reactive chamber pressurized to greater than one atmosphere. The reactant gases to be deposited on the substrate are also pressurized to the equivalent pressure, and then introduced into the reactor chamber. By performing the MOCVD process at a pressure greater than one atmosphere, a reduced amount of reactant gas is required to complete the deposition process.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to presqualene diphosphate (PSDP) analogs having an active region of natural PSDP and a metabolic transformation region resistant to rapid intracellular inactivation in vivo. For example, PSDP and its stable analogs can inhibit neutrophil signal transduction events in cellular activation that result in the generation of active oxygen species, regulation of leukocyte adherence, both homotypic (leukocyte-leukocyte) or heterotypic adherence with leukocytes and epithelial cells of mucosal origin or endothelial cells of vascular origin. These analogs can also be used to regulate leukocyte-dependent tissue injury.

Abstract: A synovial prosthetic member includes a body having an articulating surface and an anchor surface, the articulating surface being configured for articulation with another articulating surface of a synovial joint, the anchor surface being configured for cementing to bone, the body being composed of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), the anchor surface having been subjected to treatment by either ion implantation, ion beam assisted deposition, or sputter deposition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming polarizing images on an oriented substrate with specially formulated inks are disclosed. The inks can contain a dichroic dye, water, and a humectant. The dichroic inks are particularly advantageous when printed on specially coated molecularly oriented sheets through the technology of ink jet printing. The ink molecules align themselves parallel to the oriented molecules of the oriented sheet thereby forming a light-polarizing image.