Abstract: In a process of separating a liquid sample having phase portions of different densities by centrifugal separation, a phase separator container is employed. The phase separator container comprises a housing having concentric inner and outer cylindrical walls defining a longitudinal axis and a top wall and further a piston body constituting a bottom wall of the housing. The piston body defines together with the outer cylindrical wall, the inner cylindrical wall and the top wall, an annular chamber for receiving the liquid sample. The piston body is displaceable within the annular chamber for draining a phase portion separated from the liquid sample through a drain conduit means communicating with the annular chamber. The phase separation chamber further comprises a reaction chamber to which the phase portions exposed from the annular chamber is processed.

Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing of senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (Alzheimer's disease) by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in ocular fluids and determining if such AChE activity is elevated over that found in ocular fluids of patients who do not have Alzheimer's disease. A level of AChE activity in the ocular fluid of a patient less than 30% higher than the level of AChE activity in the ocular fluids of a significant number of age-matched controls signifies the absence of Alzheimer's disease. A level of AChE activity in the ocular fluid of a patient at least about 35% higher than the level of AChE activity in the ocular fluids of a significant number of age-matched controls signifies the presence of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: A combination of a liquid-containing bag and a tube 28 is disclosed. The bag may be a urine drainage bag and is made up of a pair of superposed sheets 20, 22, joined by a weld 24 whose configuration is chosen to define in a single welding operation the outline of the bag and the tube integral therewith. A single weld seam 24 defines the bag volume. The tube and portion of the weld seam 24 run adjacent to one another and are separated by a row of perforations 30 or by a line of weakening. In such an arrangement, means are provided for precluding face-to-face contact of selected parts of the inner surfaces of said sheets. This may be done by effecting heat shrinkage of selected parts of one or both sheets. One or preferably both sheets is biaxially oriented.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing or reducing the risk of hypertension in normotensive patients having insulin resistance by administering a cholesterol lowering drug, such as pravastatin, alone or in combination with an ACE inhibitor, especially one containing a mercapto moiety, such as captopril or zofenopril.

Abstract: A novel, overall process for the preparation of a compound of the formula I: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a cycloalkyl group; andR.sup.3 is hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, or salts thereof, useful as intermediates in the preparation of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; novel methods within the overall process; and novel intermediates produced by those methods.

Abstract: Pressure-sensitive adhesives which possess absorptivity and/or permeability properties to remove transepidermal water loss and/or other bodily fluids that come into contact with the adhesive, in combination with a fine balance of cohesion and adhesion properties, can be formulated by controlling the crosslinking of a polyurethane polymer having excess hydroxyl functionality, a glass transition temperature of less than about 0.degree. C., a moisture absorption of at least about 20% of its weight and/or a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least about 300 grams/meter.sup.2 /24 hours measured at 37.degree. C. and a 90% relative humidity gradient. Adhesives of these polymers possess a peel adhesion to human skin of between about 0.3 and 4 newtons/cm width of the polymer or adhesive.

Abstract: Nucleic acid sequences, particularly DNA sequences, coding for all or part of a squalene synthetase, expression vectors containing the DNA sequences, host cells containing the expression vectors, and methods utilizing these materials. The invention also concerns polypeptide molecules comprising all or part of a squalene synthetase, and methods for producing these polypeptide molecules.

Abstract: A polymeric device for the controlled release of active agents contained in the device in which the polymer has a glass transition temperature greater than the normal storage or non use temperature of the device. When heated to or above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, the active agent is released. The release of active agent can be switched on or off by the adjustment of the temperature of the polymeric device above or below the glass transition temperature of the polymer.

Abstract: A method for isolating tissue repair promoting substances from human or animal blood, which method comprises collecting the human or animal blood from a single human or animal individual in a first container of a container system comprising at least first and second interconnected containers; centrifuging the container system containing the blood so as to separate the blood in various fractions including a plasma fraction; transferring at least part of the plasma fraction to the second container of the container system; subjecting the plasma fraction in the second container to a low temperature so as to obtain a precipitate comprising tissue repair promoting substances; concentrating the precipitate in the second container so as to obtain a first fraction comprising a major part of the non-precipitated material, and a second fraction comprising at least the major part of the precipitate and a minor part of the non-precipitated material; and separating the second fraction comprising the tissue repair promoting

Abstract: Methods for the enzymatic resolution of mixtures of enantiomers, such as .beta.-lactam compounds, which may be employed as intermediates in the preparation of taxanes such as taxol, the latter useful in the pharmaceutical field.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed having the formula ##STR1## and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7 are as defined herein. These compounds are useful, for example, as cardiovascular agents and especially as anti-ischemic agents.

Abstract: Novel aminediol compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and methods of using these compounds in inhibiting retroviral protease, particularly useful in the treatment and/or prevention of HIV infection (AIDS).

Abstract: A novel process comprises reducing a benzazepine or benzothiazepine at the 3-position in d-cis configuration by treatment with reductase-supplying microorganisms or enzymes derived therefrom. The process can be catalyzed in a single stage by growing microbial cultures or in a two-stage fermentation/transformation by resting cell-suspensions. The enzymes derived from the microorganisms can be used in free state or immobilized form. The microorganisms and enzymes catalyzes the specific reduction with 90 to 99% conversion efficiency to 99% or greater optical purity of the desired enantiomer.

Abstract: A method for site-directed mutagenesis using a third mutagenic primer in a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based methodology.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## are disclosed as possessing inhibitory activity against angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and thus being useful as cardiovascular agents. Processes for preparing these compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: The coupling device for an ostomy pouch includes a flexible, deflectable, annular force transmitter member joined to an abdominal mounting plate that has a coupling member. The force transmitter member can be pulled in a direction away from the mounting plate during coupling of an ostomy pouch. The force transmitter member can thus oppose and neutralize a coupling force that is directed to the mounting plate and protect the abdomen from receiving the pressure due to the coupling force.

Abstract: Prostaglandin analogs useful in treating thrombotic and vasospastic disease having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein: C.sub.m H.sub.p is an alkylene chain wherein m is 0, 1, 2, or 3 and p=(2.times.m)-1, except that when m is 0, p is also 0;n is 0, 1, 2 or 3;R is CO.sub.2 R', CH.sub.2 OH, CONHSO.sub.2 R.sup.3, CONHR.sup.4, or --CH.sub.2 --5--tetrazolyl;R' is hydrogen, alkyl, or alkali metal;X is O or NH;Y is --O--, a single bond or vinylene, except that Y cannot be --O-- when n is 0;and the remaining symbols are as defined in the specification.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Z is SO or SO.sub.2 possess renin inhibition activity and are useful in treating hypertension and other diseases where the reduction of the levels of circulating angiotensin II are beneficial.

Abstract: The hydrocolloid disk includes a polyethylene/PVDC film backing. The disk adheres to the acrylic adhesive layer of the collar over a large portion of the surface area of the disk. The collar is formed of a EVA/polyethylene perforated film on a polyethylene non-woven. In the one piece embodiment, the collar is secured directly to the pouch. In the two piece embodiment, the collar is secured directly to the coupling ring. Increased strength, better odor protection and improved breathability are achieved.

Abstract: A process for preparing compounds of the formula ##STR1## where a, b, c, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are as defined herein including the step of alkylating a phenol of formula ##STR2## with an acetylene of formula ##STR3## where X is chlorine; bromine; --OC(O)--R.sub.5, where R.sub.5 is alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl; or --OCO.sub.2 R.sub.6, where R.sub.6 is alkyl or ##STR4## in the presence of a catalytic amount of a cuprous or cupric salt. The compounds of formula I are intermediates useful in the preparation of pyranyl cyanoguanidine derivatives.