Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties include: reacting a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula I: R1(OC2H4)n—O−X+  (I) wherein R1 is H or a lipophilic moiety; n is from 1 to 25; and X+ is a positive ion,  with a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula II: R2(OC2H4)m—OMs  (II) wherein R2 is H or a lipophilic moiety; and m is from 1 to 25, under conditions sufficient to provide a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties and having the structure of Formula III: R2(OC2H4)m+n—OR1  (III).

Abstract: Mixtures of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises a growth hormone drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety wherein the mixtures have a molecular weight distribution with a standard deviation of less than about 22 Daltons are disclosed. Methods of treating growth hormone deficiency in a subject in need of such treatment and methods of accelerating the growth rate of an animal arc also disclosed. Processes for synthesizing substantially monodispersed mixtures of conjugates wherein each conjugate comprises a growth hormone drug coupled to an oligomer that comprises a polyethylene glycol moiety are further provided.

Abstract: A mixture of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises an insulin drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The mixture may exhibit higher in vivo activity than a polydispersed mixture of similar conjugates. The mixture may also be more effective at surviving an in vitro model of intestinal digestion than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates. The mixture may also result in less inter-subject variability than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties include: reacting a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula I: R1(OC2H4)n—O−X+  (I) wherein R1 is H or a lipophilic moiety; n is from 1 to 25; and X+ is a positive ion, with a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula II: R2(OC2H4)m—OMS  (II) wherein R2 is H or a lipophilic moiety; and m is from 1 to 25, under conditions sufficient to provide a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties and having the structure of Formula III: R2(OC2H4)m+n—OR1  (III). Substantially monodispersed mixtures of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing an acylanilide include contacting a compound having the structure of Formula I: with a compound having the structure of Formula II: under conditions sufficient to provide a compound having the structure of Formula III: and treating the compound of Formula III under conditions sufficient to provide an acylanilide.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions useful for the treatment of inflammation in humans, and related methods of treatment for the same. In one embodiment the composition is: In another embodiment, the composition is: In yet another embodiment, the composition is: Additional alternative embodiments are R or R″ are therapeutic moieties.

Abstract: A mixture of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises a calcitonin drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The mixture may lower serum calcium levels in a subject by 10, 15 or even 20 percent or more. Moreover, the mixture may be more effective at surviving an in vitro model of intestinal digestion than non-conjugated calcitonin. Furthermore, the mixture may exhibit a higher bioavailability than non-conjugated calcitonin.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a new gene probe biosensor employing near field surface enhanced Raman scattering (NFSERS) for direct spectroscopic detection of hybridized molecules (such as hybridized DNA) without the need for labels, and the invention also relates to methods for using the biosensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to &bgr;-hCG, particularly &bgr;-hCG proteins having a sequence of amino acids 41-54, 45-54, 47-53, 45-57 and 45-58 and analogs and derivatives thereof. The invention further relates to methods of treatment and prevention of HIV infection by administration of a therapeutic compound of the invention. Such therapeutic compounds include hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides, analogs and derivatives of hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides, and nucleic acids encoding hCG, &bgr;-hCG and &bgr;-hCG peptides. In a preferred embodiment, &bgr;-hCG peptides, particularly &bgr;-hCG peptides of amino acids 47-53, 45-57 or 45-58 are administered to a subject for treatment or prevention of HIV infection in that subject. The invention also provides methods for screening hCG preparations for activity in treating or preventing HIV infection. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration of Therapeutics are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane system for controlled tissue regeneration of the periodontium, comprising a resorbable polymer membrane and anti-adhesion molecules.

Abstract: Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder disease for which the exact etiology is unknown and for which there is no reliably effective treatment. However, it is known that the bladder epithelium is often abnormal in IC. We discovered that human bladder epithelial cells from both normal controls and IC patients are inhibited from proliferating by an anti-proliferative factor (APF) present in IC urine specimens. Inhibited proliferation may cause epithelial abnormalities characteristic of IC such as ulcerations and multiple tears in the bladder epithelium.

Abstract: A culturing system and method particularly useful for producing cellular products such as viral pathogens of cells. It includes a mass transfer culture segment, stacked filter plates to adjust the medium composition, and a product removal and concentration segment. The mass transfer culture segment utilizes changed directional flow of the medium to maximize cell growth and production of product. The stacked filter plates allow addition of sterile fresh medium and removal of growth inhibitory substances.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying one or more target substances from a source liquid, employing one or more cross-flow filter elements, and one or more types of chromatography resins, in combination, to provide purification with advantageous yield, product purity, and cost- and time-efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic compositions and methods for treating and preventing infection by an immunodeficiency virus, particularly HIV infection, using chemokine proteins, nucleic acids and/or derivatives or analogues thereof.

Abstract: An indium precursor composition having utility for incorporation of indium in a microelectronic device structure, e.g., as an indium-containing film on a device substrate by bubbler or liquid delivery MOCVD techniques, or as a dopant species incorporated in a device substrate by ion implantation techniques. The precursor composition includes a precursor of the formula R1R2InL wherein: R1 and R2 may be same or different and are independently selected from C6-C10 aryl, C6-C10 fluoroaryl, C6-C10 perfluoroaryl, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 fluoroalkyl, or C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl; and L is &bgr;-diketonato or carboxylate. Indium-containing metal films may be formed on a substrate, such as indium-copper metallization, and shallow junction indium ion-implanted structures may be formed in integrated circuitry, using the precursors of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a latch unit which includes a bolt, a housing for the bolt, guides for the bolt in the housing, a first spring for the bolt in the housing, the first spring urging the bolt in a forwards direction towards a holding position in which an end part of the bolt is outside the housing, and a slot arrangement for the bolt, the slot arrangement comprising a first part and a second part, the slot arrangement having an active condition in which the first part is engaged with the second part whereby to retain the bolt against movement in the said forwards direction, characterized by a second spring to hold the first and second parts in the active condition.

Abstract: A circuit driving an electroluminescent lamp at a frequency at or in the vicinity of the lower threshold of human hearing, thus reducing objectionable noise otherwise generated by such lamps when operated at high frequencies. In an electroluminescent lamp assembly including such driving circuit is described, the electroluminescent lamp is driven at low frequency, but nonetheless provides a high level of illumination output.

Abstract: A contour collimator has a plurality of plate-shaped diaphragm elements movably arranged with respect to each other in a guiding block to form a contour diaphragm for a radiation beam emitted by a radiation source towards the collimator, and at least one drive for moving the diaphragm elements. A drive is associated with each diaphragm element with the drives of a group of diaphragm elements being substantially adjacent, and a driving transmission arranged between each drive and the associated diaphragm element.

Abstract: A baseball chest protector comprises a pad body, a strap assembly, a neck-protecting cushion, a plurality of shock-absorbent pad blocks and a plurality of air vents, in which the pad blocks provide on the chest portion of the pad body are formed with inclined planes in such a shape that the thickness of the upper portion of each pad block is greater than that of the lower portion while the pad blocks provide on the stomach portion of the pad body are formed with curved surfaces; the neck-protecting cushion is a piece of curved plate body which flares out upwardly from the bottom and forms an inverted cone-shaped space. Further, the above-mentioned shock-absorbent pad blocks on the chest portion are formed as a laminate structure of materials with different characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a chamber is disclosed. Scraping blades are rotatably mounted within a chamber and parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chamber. The scraping blades are rotated circumferentially within the chamber, scraping the inner surface of the chamber to prevent the buildup of particulate matter. An annular gear assembly provides mounting support for the scraping blades. A pneumatically operated pushrod assembly rotates the scraping blades circumferentially within the chamber. The annular gear assembly and pushrod assembly do not obstruct a direct path through the chamber.