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 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a superior method of diagnosing Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome in men comprising measuring levels of cytokines in semen or components or fractions of semen. The invention also provides a method of treating a condition associated with elevated levels of a cytokine, such as TNF-&agr;, in semen or a component or fraction thereof, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an ant-cytokine compound or composition, such as an anti-TNF-&agr; compound or composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing acid amides by reacting an acid with an aliphatic amine in molten urea. This invention also concerns a process for metalating compounds which can be bonded to a metal ion by reacting the compound with a metal ion in molten urea. Furthermore, the invention deals with the thus obtained products and their use for the therapy and/or diagnosis of tumors or inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A quartz microbalance detector system for controlling the concentration of a gas component in a gas stream. The quartz microbalance interacts with the gas component, to effect a change in the oscillation frequency of the quartz microbalance detector and produce a signal correlative of concentration of the gas component in the gas stream. A specific embodiment includes a device for sensing concentration of a halogen-containing gas species in a gas stream, comprising a quartz microbalance detector having a quartz crystal with a surface functionalized with --OH functionality that reversibly reacts with the gas component to yield a bound reaction product on the surface that effects a change in the oscillation frequency of the quartz microbalance detector. The quartz microbalance may be utilized to maintain a set-point concentration of a gas compound in a multicomponent stream.

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 normal, adult, human bladder epithelial cells are inhibited from proliferating by an anti-proliferative fact (APF) present in IC urine specimens. Inhibited proliferation may cause epthelial abnormalities characteristic of IC such as ulcerations and multiple tears in the bladder epithelium. We further discovered that levels of heparin binding--epidermal growth factor-like growth fact (HB-EGF), a factor known be important for epithelial cell proliferation and wound healing in other tissues, are abnormally low in the urine of patients suffering from IC as compared to asymptomatic controls or patients with acute bacterial cystitis. The invention herein is directed to the use of urine levels of HB-EGF as a diagnostic marker for IC.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bolt unit and frame arrangement. In particular it relates to a lockable bolt unit having a slidable bolt, typically for securing two moveable panels together or for securing one moveable panel to a fixed frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyether-including chlorins and/or bacteriochlorins, comprising the following steps:(a) bonding a polyether to a porphyrin and(b) reacting the polyether-including porphyrin with a reducing agent.Furthermore, this invention concerns the polyether-including chlorins and bacteriochlorins, obtained by the process, as well as the use thereof for the photodynamic treatment of tumors.

Abstract: A data input glove including a gloved body at least some of whose fingertip portions have conductive fingertip pad elements thereon, operatively connected to an output connector, and at least one conductive palm pad positioned on a palm portion of the gloved body and operatively connected to an output connector, wherein contact between a finger pad and a palm pad generates a signal. The signal may be processed by computer processor to provide a desired output, e.g., synthesized speech or other analogue or digital output in a suitable medium. The data glove is useful for inputting data in a covert manner, as well as communicationally enabling disabled persons with the aid of a computer, such as a handheld, wearable, or desktop computer.

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: 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.