Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of Ehrlichia infection, in particular human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of an Ehrlichia antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides or DNA sequences are also provided. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Ehrlichia infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for controlling a fluid flow over a sensing surface within a flow cell. The methods employ laminar flow techniques to position a fluid flow over one or more discrete sensing areas on the sensing surface of the flow cell. Such methods permit selective sensitization of the discrete sensing areas, and provide selective contact of the discrete sensing areas with a sample fluid flow. Immobilization of a ligand upon the discrete sensing area, followed by selective contact with an analyte contained within the sample fluid flow, allows analysis by a wide variety of techniques. Sensitized sensing surfaces, and sensor devices and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating neurotransmitter-mediated pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia. Such methods include topically administering an effective amount of a composition containing an omega fatty acid in combination with a carrier or diluent. The composition may also contain a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor and other optional components, such as vitamins A, E and/or C.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward peptide analogues of insulin B chain that are generally derived from peptides comprising residues 9 to 23 of the native B chain sequence. The analogues are altered from the native sequence at position 12, 13, 15 and/or 16, and may be additionally be altered at position 19 and/or other positions. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these peptide analogues arc provided. The peptide analogues are useful for treating and inhibiting the development of diabetes.

Abstract: The method is based on the use of a silicon carbide mask for removing a sacrificial region. In case of manufacture of integrated semiconductor material structures, the following steps are performed: forming a sacrificial region of silicon oxide on a substrate of semiconductor material; growing a pseudo-epitaxial layer; forming electronic circuit components; depositing a silicon carbide layer; defining photolithographically the silicon carbon layer so as to form an etching mask containing the topography of a microstructure to be formed; with the etching mask, forming trenches in the pseudo-epitaxial layer as far as the sacrificial region so as to laterally define the microstructure; and removing the sacrificial region through the trenches.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel oxamyl dipeptide ICE/ced-3 family inhibitor compounds. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, as well as to the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, for the prevention of ischemic injury, and for the preservation of organs that are to undergo a transplantation procedure.

Abstract: Genes and gene products of Blk, a pro-apoptotic protein in the Bcl-2 gene family, are provided. Effector molecules that either increase or decrease Blk and thus promote or inhibit apoptosis are described. The Blk genes and proteins and effector molecules may be used to treat diseases that have unwanted cell proliferation used to promote cell growth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting a large volume of blood from an umbilical cord in a sterile environment are shown and described. A housing having an inner region adapted to retain an umbilical cord in a desired location is provided, the housing having an opening through which the cord extends from the inner region of the housing to a region external to the housing. The cord is cut by a blade coupled to the housing, either by the motion of the blade from a first position to a second position, or by the movement of two portions of the housing from a first extended position to a second collapsed position. The newly cut end of the umbilical cord falls and hangs freely in the inner region of the housing, blood flowing from the placenta and umbilical cord via gravity into a blood collection region of the housing. The blood collection region may be flexible, and may be coupled to a conventional blood collection bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides for substituted metal chelating compounds in which at least two of the chelating atoms are nitrogen which are directly attached to aromatic rings and one or more of those nitrogen atoms has attached thereto a substituent other than hydrogen, and methods for making and using these compounds.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel tricyclic ICE/ced-3 family inhibitor compounds. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of such tricyclic compounds, plus the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, and for the prevention of ischemic injury.

Abstract: Sialyl-Lewisa and sialyl-Lewisx epitope analogues, in which the natural N-acetyl group of the N-acetylglucosamine monomer is replaced by various hydroxylated aromatic substituents.

Abstract: A door includes a first wood stile and a second wood stile. The door can also include a top rail and a bottom rail. The top rail has a first end attached to the first upper region of the first stile and a second end attached to the second upper region of the second stile. The bottom rail similarly has a first end attached to the first lower region of the first stile and a second end attached to the second lower region of the second stile. The door also includes at least a first moisture-resistant end-cap attached to the first lower end of the first stile and/or the second lower end of the second stile. The first end-cap, for example, can be a single component extending across the lower ends of the stiles and a bottom surface of the bottom rail. The door more preferably includes a first moisture-resistant end-cap attached to the first lower end of the first stile and a separate second moisture-resistant end-cap attached to the second lower end of the second stile.

Abstract: Devices for controlling the reaction rate of a hydrocarbon to an acid or other intermediate oxidation product by pressure drop rate adjustments. The devices incorporate a reaction chamber, different means for monitoring miscellaneous parameters, means for feeding ingredients including gases, means for exiting products and gases, means for stopping the feeding and exiting of gases at predetermined time intervals, means for measuring the pressure drop rate during the period that the feeding and exiting of gases takes effect, and a controller, the function of which is to conduct adjustments in one or more of temperature, feeding rates of hydrocarbon, solvent, catalyst, promoter, and the like until the pressure drop rate and the reaction rate fall within desirable predetermined limits.

Abstract: Compounds and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of B. microti infection are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one antigenic portion of a B. microti antigen and DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides. Antigenic epitopes of such antigens are also provided, together with pharmaceutical compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides, DNA sequences or antigenic epitopes and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of B. microti infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides and antigenic epitopes are also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to novel (N-substituted) indole ICE/ced-3-inhibitor compounds. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions of such indole compounds, plus the use of such compositions in the treatment of patients suffering inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, for the prevention of ischemic injury.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-voltage final output stage for driving an electric load, of the type which comprises a complementary pair of transistors connected between first and second supply voltage references, and at least one PMOS pull-up transistor connected in series with an NMOS pull-down transistor. The stage comprises an additional PMOS transistor connected in parallel with the pull-up transistor and having the body terminal in common therewith. More particularly, the body terminals of both PMOS transistors are formed in the semiconductor within a common well which can withstand high voltages, and the additional transistor is a thick oxide PMOS power transistor.

Abstract: Conformationally constrained compounds which mimic the secondary structure of reverse-turn regions of biologically active peptides and proteins are disclosed. Such reverse-turn mimetics have utility in the treatment of cell adhesion-indicated diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis, asthma and inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed for use in reducing the availability of undesired lipids, such as cholesterol, in the fluid media of the gastrointestinal tract prior to absorption of the lipids across the cells lining the tract. The composition is a nontoxic, substantially nondigestible polymer to which ligands are chemically bonded through biologically stable ether groups. The ligands scavenge the undesired lipids from the fluid media.