Abstract: Dithiocarbamate, particularly tetraethylthiuram disulfide, and thiocarbamate anions strongly inhibit the growth of cancer cells of a variety of cell types. Such inhibitory effect is enhanced by heavy metal ions such as copper ions, cytokines and ceruloplasmin. A method is presented for using tetraethylthiuram disulfide to reduce tumor growth, and to potentiate the effect of other anticancer agents.

Abstract: A pelvic splint for immobilizing and maintaining the annular integrity of the pelvis in the event of a pelvic ring fracture. The pelvic splint extends from about 5-10 cm above the iliac crest down to about the middle third of the thighs and substantially encircles the pelvis of the victim. The splint is then secured about the pelvis of the victim with two or more adjustable straps. The splint comprises a flexible casing having at least one pliable padding layer disposed therein and a plurality of flexible members individually disposed in pockets spaced apart about the casing. Once tightly secured around the pelvis by the adjustable straps, the splint conforms to the contours of the victim's pelvic area and stabilizes the pelvis by preventing lateral movement and constraining the pelvis in such a manner to preserve the annular integrity thereof. An associated method of stabilizing a pelvis is also disclosed.

Abstract: Heparin reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury to myocardium. This effect has been attributed complement inhibition, but heparin also has other activities that might diminish ischemia-reperfusion. To further probe these mechanisms, we compared heparin and an O-desulfated nonanticoagulant heparin with greatly reduced anti-complement activity. Given at the time of coronary artery reperfusion in a canine model of myocardial infarction, both heparin and O-desulfated heparin equally reduced neutrophil adherence to ischemic-reperfused coronary artery endothelium, influx of neutrophils into ischemic-reperfused myocardium, myocardial necrosis and release of creatine kinase into plasma. Heparin and O-desulfated heparin also prevented dysfunction of endothelial-dependent coronary relaxation following ischemic injury.

Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbable implantable tissue expander device that can be used in surgeries as a gradually diminishing space filler. The absorbable tissue expander has a fluid-tight or semipermeable envelope having a bio-absorbable biocompatible shell defining a chamber. The envelope is inflatable upon infusion of a fluid into the chamber and deflatable upon removal of the fluid from the chamber. The tissue expander also enables the controlled inflation and deflation of the envelope after the device is implanted in a tissue.

Abstract: There is provided novel pharmaceutical compositions containing tyloxapol as the active ingredient. These formulations comprise tyloxapol at concentrations above 0.125%, preferably from about 0.25% to about 5.0%. In addition, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions having reduced hypertonicity which compositions comprise tyloxapol in pharmaceutically acceptable solutions without significant concentrations of hypertonic agents or other active ingredients NaHCO.sub.3, or active phospholipids, such as DPPC. The less hypertonic formulations allow one to derive all the benefits of the active ingredient tyloxapol, such as its reduced toxicity and enhanced half-life, while avoiding or reducing side effects, such as bronchospasms, associated with the various hypertonic agents or other active ingredient agents.

Abstract: A composition for cleaning petroleum contaminated surfaces includes 5 to 60 percent by weight of a dioctyl sulfosuccinate salt, 20 to 50 percent by weight of a carrier composition and 10 to 75 percent by weight of a diluent. The preferred carrier composition is a mixture of polyethylene glycol and glycerol. The preferred diluent is water. The preferred concentration of sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate is about 7% by weight. The preferred dioctyl sulfosuccinate salt is sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate. A method of cleaning petroleum contaminated surfaces is also provided. The steps include providing a solution containing dioctyl sulfosuccinate salt, a carrier composition, and a diluent as described above and treating the petroleum contaminated surface with the solution in a manner and for a time sufficient to decontaminate the surface. The preferred method of treatment comprises contacting the solution with the petroleum contaminated surface for a time sufficient to create an emulsion and then removing the emulsion.

Abstract: There is provided a method for growing human intervertebral cells. Disc tissue is surgically removed from a normal disc of a patient, the cells expanded by feeding with a cell stimulant such as a growth factor, or a cytokine or a bioactive agent to form monolayer primary cell cultures on a plastic mesh such as a nylon mesh. In the case of a growth factor, fetal bovine serum is preferred as it improves cell proliferation and production of appropriate extracellular matrix components. In another aspect of this invention, the monolayer primary cell cultures are seeded in alginate or agarose and fed again with the cell stimulant until three-dimensional cell cultures are formed. The cells are recovered from the alginate or agarose or from monolayer cultures. Re-implantation is carried out using bioresorbable carriers or cell suspensions.

Abstract: A method and medicant for the inhibition of activation of the nuclear transcription NF-.kappa.B comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of the formula: ##STR1## where R=ethylene, R'=C.sub.4 to C.sub.14 straight chain or branched alkyl, x is greater than 1, and y=8 to 18 is provided. The medicant is preferably administered by aerosolization into the mammalian respiratory system. The medicant may also be applied to the mammalian skin. Preferably the medicant includes a physiologically acceptable carrier which may be selected from buffered saline, isotonic saline, normal saline, petroleum-based ointments and U.S.P. cold cream. There is further provided a method wherein the medicant includes an anti-inflammatory steroid. In addition a method and medicant for treating cutaneous inflammatory disorders, inhibiting the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and the growth factor GM-CSF is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement composition that includes the addition of from about 10% by weight to about 30% by weight of calcium hydroxide. The bone cement is used for orthopaedic procedures, injuries, or disease states that have compromised the metabolism of local hard and soft tissues, largely due to an acidic environment. In an aqueous environment, the calcium hydroxide is slowly released from pores in the polymer matrix as calcium and hydroxyl ions to provide a method for stimulating healing by maintaining or elevating local pH in the tissues adjacent to bone cement. It has also been found that the calcium hydroxide ameliorates the toxic effects of antibiotics which are often included in the bone cement.

Abstract: The fiberoptic interferometer includes a broadband light source which is selected to illuminate tissue of predetermined organ with light having a wavelength within a predetermined range of wavelengths. Within the predetermined range of wavelengths, the attenuation characteristics of tissue of the predetermined organ define a region of minimum attenuation upon illumination with light having a first wavelength. As a result, the fiberoptic interferometer can precisely determine the optical properties of the tissue and can therefore identify the tissue by comparing the interferometric signal produced upon illumination of the tissue sample with predetermined interferometric signals corresponding to illumination of different types of tissue of the predetermined organ with light having the first wavelength. The fiberoptic interferometer can also include a light source which includes wavelength selection means for controllably selecting the predetermined wavelength of light emitted by the light source.

Abstract: A neonatal infant care headwall fixture defining an infant care station for concentrating infant care equipment in a neonatal health care facility includes a body formed from a plurality of wall members with at least one vertically extending wall member defining a front surface and at least one horizontally extending wall member defining a top surface with the front surface and top surface cooperating to define a recess for receiving therein at least a portion of an infant support structure to positively locate the infant support structure and to locate infant care equipment associated with the headwall fixture in juxtaposition with an infant support structure at least partially disposed with the recess.

Abstract: There is provided a sensitive multiplex RT-PCR assay for the detection of circulating prostate antigen expressing cells. Multiplex PCR uses multiple sets of primers to concurrently amplify different DNA sequences that can be readily resolved by gel electrophoresis. When applied to blood samples from prostate cancer patients, the nested multiplex RT-PCR can simultaneously detect PSA-expressing cells, PSM-expressing cells, and a ubiquitously expressed internal PCR control gene, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), all within a single reaction.

Abstract: There is provided novel pharmaceutical compositions containing tyloxapol as the active ingredient. These formulations comprise tyloxapol at concentrations above 0.125%, preferably from about 0.25% to about 5.0%. In addition, the invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions having reduced hypertonicity which compositions comprise tyloxapol in pharmaceutically acceptable solutions without significant concentrations of hypertonic agents or other active ingredients NaHCO.sub.3, or active phospholipids, such as DPPC. The less hypertonic formulations allow one to derive all the benefits of the active ingredient tyloxapol, such as its reduced toxicity and enhanced half-life, while avoiding or reducing side effects, such as bronchospasms, associated with the various hypertonic agents or other active ingredient agents.

Abstract: There is provided preservation solutions for perfusing and storing an organ while awaiting transplantation. The preservation solutions include, per liter of solution, a balanced isotonic solution of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions and bicarbonate in a physiologically acceptable amount, from about 1.0 .mu.m to about 5.0 .mu.m of an amiloride-containing compound; and water sufficient to make a liter of solution. The amiloride-containing compound may be amiloride, hexamethylene amiloride, dimethyl amiloride, ethyl isopropyl amiloride or methyl isobutyl amiloride. The preserving solutions may also include other components such as EDTA, a small amount of adenosine, and at least one antioxidant. There is also provided a method for arresting an organ, storing an organ and transplanting an organ all at room temperature for up to at least 24 hours.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the strength of and for performing physical therapy exercises to strengthen a patient's limb. The device includes a pair of pivot clamps each having a end for connecting the pivot clamps to a solid object such as a physical therapy table or hospital bed. A second end of each pivot clamp adjustably receives a first frame member of a conventional traction or load frame. This arrangement enables rotational and translational movement of the first frame member retained by the pivot clamp relative to each pivot clamp to allow the frame to be positioned in a desired location and orientation relative to the patient's limb to be tested. A second frame member is adjustably connected to the pair of first frame members by a pair of adjustable brackets. A limb engaging member having a force transducer located therein is used to both engage the patient's limb to be tested and to detect a force transmitted between the limb of a patient and the limb engaging member.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes a substrate, and an inorganic film on the substrate and having a relatively smooth surface for cell growth thereon. Moreover, the relatively smooth surface has a relatively low predetermined surface roughness so that cells grown thereon adhere by chemical adhesion rather than by mechanical interlocking. In other words, the predetermined surface roughness defines surface indentations smaller than a size of corresponding cells to be grown thereon. Accordingly, the interaction between various inorganic materials and cells may be studied based upon chemical adhesion rather than mechanical interlocking. The predetermined surface roughness is preferably less about 10 .mu.m root-mean-square, and more preferably less than about 1 .mu.m root-mean-square. The relatively smooth growth surface is preferably obtained by thermal vacuum evaporation and deposition, followed by annealing of the as-deposited film.

Abstract: There is provided cardioplegic solutions for arresting an organ intended for transplantation and preservation solutions for perfusing and storing an organ while awaiting transplantation. The cardioplegic solutions include, per liter of solution, a balanced isotonic solution of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions and bicarbonate in a physiologically acceptable amount, from about 0.5 .mu.M to about 2.0 .mu.M of an amiloride-containing compound; and water sufficient to make a liter of solution. The amiloride-containing compound may be amiloride, hexamethylene amiloride, dimethyl amiloride, ethyl isopropyl amiloride or methyl isobutyl amiloride. The preserving solutions are based on the isotonic solutions described and include other components such as EDTA, a small amount of adenosine, and at least one antioxidant. There is also provided a method for arresting an organ, storing an organ and transplanting an organ all at room temperature for up to at least 24 hours.

Abstract: A cell culture apparatus includes a substrate, and an inorganic film on the substrate and having a relatively smooth surface for cell growth thereon. Moreover, the relatively smooth surface has a relatively low predetermined surface roughness so that cells grown thereon adhere by chemical adhesion rather than by mechanical interlocking. In other words, the predetermined surface roughness defines surface indentations smaller than a size of corresponding cells to be grown thereon. Accordingly, the interaction between various inorganic materials and cells may be studied based upon chemical adhesion rather than mechanical interlocking. The predetermined surface roughness is preferably less about 10 .mu.m root-mean-square, and more preferably less than about 1 .mu.m root-mean-square. The relatively smooth growth surface is preferably obtained by thermal vacuum evaporation and deposition, followed by annealing of the as-deposited film.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring abduction strength of a patient's thumb. The apparatus includes a frame for receiving the patient's hand thereupon in a longitudinal direction, enabling the thumb of the patient to move freely upwardly and downwardly about the joint at the base of the thumb. A thumb engaging means is pivotally mounted to the frame for engaging the patient's thumb assuring the upward and downward movement thereof. The thumb engaging means is pivotal about a transverse axis. A force transducer means is mounted to the thumb engaging means for detecting the force transmitted between the thumb engaging means and the patient's thumb. The force transducer means produces an output representative of the detected force. A display means is provided for displaying the received output.