Abstract: Disclosed are cultured mouse cells with amplified adenosine deaminase genes which greatly overproduce adenosine deaminase. The cells were isolated by growth in media containing alanosine, uridine, and a cytotoxic concentration of adenosine. Maximum enhancement of adenosine deaminase activity was achieved by also adding deoxycoformycin to the media and then serially increasing the deoxycoformycin concentration at 4 to 6 week intervals. Also disclosed is a cDNA homologous to mouse adenosine deaminase mRNA. The cDNA was produced by synthesis against RNA extracted from the cells containing amplified adenosine deaminase genes and then inserted into a bacterial plasmid. Multiple copies of the cDNA were produced by replication of the bacteria into which the plasmids were inserted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a prosthesis for implantation into human soft tissue which is constructed of a suitable implantable envelope and contents to form a breast shape when implanted, such as silicone gel, saline, or a combination of silicone gel and saline contained within a silicone elastomer envelope, which has been labeled with radioopaque markers. The envelope is labeled with a marker that absorbs electromagnetic energy to an extent different from that of the envelope, its contents and the human soft tissue in the breast cavity into which the prosthesis is implanted which makes possible the use of roentgenographic imaging to determine whether the envelope has ruptured or whether the envelope is folded persistently in a particular location increasing the probability that the envelope may rupture along the fold line.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved and simplified apparatus for simultaneously monitoring the pressure and volume of liquid in the balloon catheter as the balloon is being dilated, such as in performing angioplasty procedures and other parts of the body susceptible to balloon dilation, such as dilation of the esophagus, the uretha, and the like.

Abstract: A composition for eliciting production of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and method of neutralizing the infectivity of hepatitis type B virus. A cyclic polypeptide is prepared having a disulfide bond in a hydrophilic region, namely residues 117-137 or 122-137 and an amino acid sequence unique from that associated with the native 25,000 molecular weight polypeptide derived from hepatitis B surface antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pseudorabies virus mutants containing deletion and/or insertion mutations in a major viral glycoprotein gene, such that no antigenic polypeptides encoded by the viral gene are produced. As a result, animals vaccinated with such do not develop antibodies to the viral glycoprotein and can be distinguished from animals infected with pseudorabies virus field strains and known pseudorabies virus vaccine strains. The present invention also relates to vaccines for pseudorabies disease containing the same, methods for production of the same and methods for use of the same.

Abstract: A totally or partially implantable fluid delivery system actuated by a valveless piezoelectric drive system. The drive system may actuate an artificial heart by a hydraulic bladder or directly actuate a human heart. The drive system has an output with a frequency and displacement sufficient to directly drive a human or artificial heart and includes a control circuit for recapturing and reusing the power driving the piezoelectric drive system. An artificial heart which includes two check valves having a flexible valve element and supporting tabs on opposite sides.

Abstract: An electronic system for maintaining atrio-ventricular synchrony that distinguishes between sinus and nonsinus atrial depolarizations and that stimulates ventricular contraction only when the immediately preceding atrial contraction was a pacemaker stimulated or spontaneous sinus depolarization. Incorporated into the electronic system is a method of determining the sequence of atrial activation to distinguish sinus from nonsinus atrial activations. The atrial activation sequence is determined by comparing the time at which electrical activity is detected at one point in the atrium to the time at which electrical activity is detected at a point in the atrium closer to the ventricle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pseudorabies virus mutants containing deletion and/or insertion mutations in a major viral glycoprotein gene, such that no antigenic polypeptides encoded by the viral gene are produced. As a result, animals vaccinated with such do not develop antibodies to the viral glycoprotein and can be distinguished from animals infected with pseudorabies virus field strains and known pseudorabies virus vaccine strains. The present invention also relates to vaccines for pseudorabies disease containing the same, methods for production of the same and methods for use of the same.

Abstract: Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus) mutants which fail to produce any functional thymidine kinase as a result of a deletion in the thymidine kinase gene. The deletion in the thymidine kinase gene attenuates the viruses so that they can be used as an active agent in a modified live-virus vaccine against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis. This invention also relates to methods for the production and use of the same.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease are due to lack of a disorder-specific neurotrophic hormone. Diagnosis is accomplished by assaying hormones specific for a particular neuronal network or system: the motor neurotrophic hormones from muscle in the motor neural system are used to diagnose and treat ALS, dopamine neurotrophic hormones from striatum in the nigrostriatal neural system are used to diagnose and treat parkinsonism, and cholinergic neurotrophic hormones released from the cortex and hippocampus which are specific for cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis and septal nucleus are used to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease. With tissue culture, the presence or absence of specific neurotrophic hormones can be assessed in ALS, parkinsonism, and Alzheimer disease.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease are due to lack of a disorder-specific neurotrophic hormone. Diagnosis is accomplished by assaying hormones specific for a particular neuronal network or system: the motor neurotrophic hormones from muscle in the motor neural system are used to diagnose and treat ALS, dopamine neurotrophic hormones from striatum in the migrostriatal neural system are used to diagnose and treat parkinsonism, and cholinergic neurotrophic hormones released from the cortex and hippocampus which are specific for cholinergic neorons of the nucleus basalis and septal nucleus are used to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease. With tissue culture, the presence or absence of specific neurotrophic hormones can be assessed in ALS, parkinsonism, and Alzheimer disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are mitotic inhibitors effective for and methods of preventing posterior lens capsule opacification after extracapsular extraction. The mitotic inhibitors comprise osmotically balanced solutions containing either methotrexate or retinoic acid, or both, in at least the minimal effective dosage at the end of one lens epithelial cell cycle. The mitotic inhibitors are instilled in the anterior chamber of the eye preferably immediately after the lens has been removed.

Abstract: A novel method and device for performing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty to treat occlusive artery disease is disclosed. The method involves simultaneous measurement and display of the fluid pressure and volume existing within the balloon catheter as the procedure is performed. Information is produced which is useful in determining the efficacy of the procedure as it is performed which obviates the need for arbitrary repeated inflations. The information is also useful in the subsequent management of the patient's disease.

Abstract: Disclosed is a small particle aerosol or nebulizer apparatus effective for providing small particles of aerosol containing drug; that is, particles having a maximum diameter of 10 microns but predominantly 1-2 microns, effective for treating the respiratory tract and lungs and providing respiratory retention of most drugs of at least 50 milligrams up to about 100 milligrams per hour. It has features which result in more efficient output of aerosol containing drugs, provides very small aerosol particles which are readily deposited in the lower respiratory tract and lungs, and provides even flow of drug containing aerosol to a patient when exhaling and inhaling.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for measuring the volume of an object such as an infant using the principle of the Helmholtz resonator. A container having a cavity therein containing gas and having an opening is subjected to a variable frequency loud speaker. The resonance frequency of the cavity is proportional to the volume of the cavity. By placing an object to be measured in the cavity, the change in the resonance frequency of the cavity before and after the object is placed is an indication of the volume of the object. The loudspeaker is mechanically uncoupled from the opening, the volume of the cavity is large enough compared to the object to be measured so the object will not change the shape of the cavity, and the temperature inside the cavity is maintained substantially constant during the measurements. Various lung measurements may be taken by determining the volume of air inhaled or exhaled from the lungs of an animal.

Abstract: Temperature-resistant pseudorabies viruses which fail to produce any functional TK as a result of mutagen-induced mutation and temperature-resistant pseudorabies viruses which fail to produce any functional TK as a result of a deletion in the tk gene, vaccines containing same, methods for production of same and methods for use of same.

Abstract: A hemocompatible flexible diaphragm and flexible wall pumping chamber positioned in a rigid body and actuated by alternating positive and negative fluid pulses. An inlet valve and an outlet valve are integrally molded in the pumping chamber. The diaphragm and pumping chamber are preferably molded of an elastomer. The pump is atraumatic, inexpensive and the pumping chamber and diaphragm are disposable.

Abstract: Described are thymidine kinase negative temperature resistant mutants of bovine herpesvirus effective in inducing resistance to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, methods for their production, methods for maintaining them in viable form, and methods for administering them to animals in immunologically effective doses to induce resistance to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for intra-aortic balloon monitoring and leak detection in which the balloon is inserted into the aorta of a body and the balloon is inflated and deflated with gas by a control system and in which the balloon includes an electrical conductor therein extending out of the body. An alternating current source is applied between the electrical conductor and an electrode connected to the exterior surface of the body thereby transmitting an alternating current through the body and across the balloon. The impedance between the electrical conductor and the electrode is measured which is an indication of the inflation and deflation of the balloon and the occurrence of any leak in the balloon. The control system of the balloon is automatically shut down in the event the impedance falls below a predetermined level. The frequency of the alternating current is above the range of cardiac susceptibility and the magnitude of the electrical current passing through the body is small and limited.

Abstract: Disclosed are mitotic inhibitors effective for and methods of preventing posterior lens capsule opacification after extracapsular extraction. The mitotic inhibitors comprise osmotically balanced solutions containing either methotrexate or retinoic acid, or both, in at least the minimal effective dosage at the end of one lens epithelial cell cycle. The mitotic inhibitors are instilled in the anterior chamber of the eye preferably immediately after the lens has been removed.