Abstract: An improved assay for the determination for motile facultative anaerobic pathogens is described which involves the use of a growth-enhancing substance such as oxyrase enzyme in order to increase the growth rate of a target pathogen in a growth medium, to thereby shorten the time required to complete the assay. The assay of the invention is particularly suited for the determination of L. monocytogenes in food products such as meat and dairy goods, and provides and effective screening assay which can be completed in about 24-36 hours. Preferably, a product sample is first incubated in Fraser Broth containing oxyrase enzyme; if a darkened color results, a small portion of the liquid is then placed within a U-shaped culture tube provided with modified Oxford agar; the motility characteristics of the target pathogen are observed in the U-tube, which is indicative of the presence of L. monocytogenes.

Abstract: A method of preparing autologous plasma fibrin perioperatively to induce local hemostasis is disclosed. The autologous plasma fibrin is thereafter simultaneously expelled onto a treatment site along with a physiologically acceptable thrombin solution to effect hemostasis at the site. An apparatus for simultaneously expelling the contents of vessels which separately contain the autologous plasma fibrin and thrombin solutions, respectively, is also disclosed. A kit for obtaining a sample of blood, extracting plasma fibrin therefrom, as well as all necessary syringes, needles, reagents, and the inventive apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An NMR echo signal is produced in a recursive process in which one or more pulse sequences are executed and the NMR echo signal produced by each pulse sequence is employed to shape the RF excitation pulse employed in the subsequent pulse sequence. The series of NMR echo signals produced by this recursive process are progressively modified to enhance the signals produced by prominent features in the subject.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses antigens recognized by the receptor protein, an antigen common to the surface of cells recognized and lysed by natural killer cells, monoclonal and heterologous antibodies which bind to the antigen proteins which are useful in their identification and purification, and methods for altering NK cell-mediated lysis of target cells.The monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of the present invention were prepared by cell fusions between spleen cells from mice immunized with NC-37 human lymphoblastoid B-cells, which are susceptible to lysis by NK cells, and myeloma cells.The target cell antigen, a dimer of approximately 38,000 to 44,000 mw, seems to be evolutionarily conserved across species, from fish to mouse to man, an observation in agreement with the concept of NK cells being a primitive system, in terms of its appearance in evolution. The protein was purified from lysates of NC-37 cells by chromatography with mAbs bound to protein A beads followed by electrophoresis on 11% SDS-PAGE.

Abstract: The insect deterrent azamacrolide ##STR1## and other insect deterrent azamacrolides have been recovered from droplets formed at the ends of pupal hairs of the Mexican bean beetle Epilachna varivestis or synthesized from (I).

Abstract: Starch-based biodegradable packaging fillers are provided which have high volumes, low weights, and excellent compressibility and resiliency properties. The products of the invention are fabricted by extrusion of a starch substrate, most preferably normal wheat starch, in the presence of minor amounts of a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof and/or a particulate bubble-nucleating agent. Effective biodegradable packaging fillers can thus be fabricated without the use of expensive modified starch substrates; however, such substrates can also be employed if desired, and the additives of the invention improve these products as well. In preferred production procedures, the additives are mixed with the starch substrate, and the mixture is preconditioned and then extruded through a twin screw extruder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the pharmaceutical use of 3,4-dihydroxybenzopyranone compounds in the treatment of diseases caused by enveloped viruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for the lysis and killing of microbes in general, and in particular provides oral compositions for the lysis and killing oral bacteria. The compositions of the present invention include a humectant such as glycerol, sorbitol or comparable compounds and provide an in-mouth concentration of such substances from about 20% to about 80% weight/volume in dentifrice preparations, in particular mouthrinses. These compositions further comprises (a) bicarbonate ion at about 0.5% to about 2% wt./vol. and if desired, thiocyanate, chloride or fluoride ion at about 0.5% to about 2% wt./vol. (b) sodium lauroyl sarcosinate or other anionic detergents from about 0.05% to about 1% wt./vol. and (c) Tween 20 or other non-ionic detergents or structurally similar compounds from about 0.01% to about 3% vol./vol. In addition, alcohol may be added up to a level of 15% vol./vol. along with appropriate sweetening and flavoring agents. Water is then added to 100%.

Abstract: A telesciopic bar of drill rig for drilling in general, where the telescopic sections (10, 11, 12) consist of concentric, substantially cylindrical pipes, each of them equipped with longitudinal internal (16,17) and external (13,14) toothed ribs arranged in such a way that the external rib of each pipe and the internal one of the external pipe are engaged when the bar is being rotated to lock the telescopic sections in position, and released when the bar is being rotated in the opposite direction to lift and withdraw the bar sections.

Abstract: An anaerobic sequence batch process carried out in a single vessel. The biological reactions occur under anaerobic conditions and the vessel is operated on a fill-and-draw basis in a sequential manner. When waste is entering the reactor, the vessel is mixed by biogas or liquid recirculation. Waste feeding continues until the reactor is filled to its predetermined full liquid level. The anaerobic reaction proceeds with intermittent or continuous mixing. Mixing is then discontinued, allowing the biomass to settle under quiescent conditions resulting in the formation of a low suspended solids supernatant. After sufficient time in the settling cycle, supernatant is withdrawn from the reactor lowering the reactor contents to the predetermined lower liquid level. Gas or liquid recirculation mixing is then begun again along with waste feeding. Excess biomass is wasted from the reactor on a periodic basis.

Abstract: The sequences of a Rhizobium bacteria responsible for competitiveness with respect to plant nodulation have been isolated and permanently transferred to superior nodulating Rhizobium genome. This has resulted in a stable construct that can form a plant inoculant that yields effective nodulation, while reducing the risk of suppression by other bacteria in the environment.

Abstract: An enhanced quantitative assay for chiro-inositol concentration can be used to determine insulin-resistance, or a predeposition to the development of insulin-resistance, in type I and type II diabetics. Spot urine or serum samples reflecting concentrations of chiro-inositol below about 1.0 micrograms/ml in urine or 0.1 micrograms/ml in serum are indicative of a predisposition to the development of insulin-resistance, while concentrations below about 0.3 micrograms/ml or 0.03 micrograms/ml in serum are associated with actual insulin-resistance symptoms. The assay can be employed for patient diagnosis, insulin therapy monitoring, and family screening.

Abstract: The invention provides the discovery that estrogen receptor is a constitutive transcriptional activator and a repressor. These activities are lacking in the mutant estrogen receptor. The invention provides assays and methods for determining estrogen binding activity of ligands. The invention also provides therapeutic methods and the detection of pathologies associated with a mutated estrogen receptor.

Abstract: New composites useful for infrared transmitting applications comprise a dispersion of small particles of diamonds in a matrix having infrared transmission properties (from about 1 to at least 10 .mu.m wavelength) and refractive index substantially similar to that of diamond. The composites exhibit mechanical toughness and durability 2-4 times that of the similarly treated matrix alone without adverse effect on optical properties.

Abstract: A new bacterial vaccine to protect susceptible equine against S. equi which causes strangles. The vaccine stimulates a nasopharyngeal immune response in a susceptible equine through the presence of antibody activity in the nasopharyngeal mucus. The vaccine is a S. equi strain which contains an M protein fragment of 41,000 mw and is adapted for administration to equine either intranasally or orally as a vaccine. There is described a new strain of S. equi (709-27), a method of making and isolating useful vaccine strain of S. equi bacteria which stimulates an antibody response in the nasopharyngeal mucosa of the susceptible equine.

Abstract: A device for testing soil samples is comprised of a closed container having an interior compartment with upper and lower portions. A valve is provided for introducing into the closed container a liquid having the general properties of butane, and a second valve is provided in the container for allowing gas in the closed container to exit therefrom. A soil sample filter container is suspended within the container above the bottom portion thereof. A condensation element is mounted in the closed container and positioned above the filter container to cause gas evaporating from the liquid in the container to liquefy as condensate on the condensation element, whereupon the condensate drips into the filter container and leaches through a soil sample therein, and then collects as a liquid in the bottom portion of the closed container. This permits a hydrocarbon residue to be left in the bottom portion of the container after the outlet valve has been opened to permit the liquid to evaporate.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for the delivery of an active factor from an implanted co-culture of an active factor-secreting cell obtained from a first source and an augmentary substance-secreting cell obtained from a second source different from the first source, to a target region in a subject. The co-culture is maintained within a biocompatible, semipermeable membrane in which the augmentary substance secreted by the augmentary substance-producing cells stimulates the active factor-producing cells to secrete active factor. The semipermeable membrane permits the diffusion of the active factor therethrough while excluding detrimental agents present in the extenral environment from gaining access to the co-culture.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter has a transformer with a highly coupled primary and secondary, a first switch connected in series between a current source and the primary, a second switch connected across the current source in parallel with the first switch and the primary, a rectifier connected to rectify the output of the secondary, an energy storage device such as a capacitor connected to receive the output from the rectifier, and a load connected to receive output voltage across the capacitor. The current source which provides the substantially constant current can be a superconducting storage magnet. The first and second switches are controlled to alternately open and close to provide current through the primary of the transformer to recharge the energy storage device. When voltage across the energy storage capacitor reaches a minimum level, the one of the first and second switches which was closed is opened and the other is closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for compensating for charging current at a working electrode of an electrochemical cell. And a method for measuring faradaic current at the working electrode. Includes measuring the current at the working electrode while a time-varying potential difference is applied between the working electrode and a reference electrode. And while the applied potential difference is held constant for a short time and the working electrode current is again measured, where this current is the faradaic current. The faradaic current is then filtered from the total current to determine the charging current thereby compensating for double layer charging current in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides an envelope glycoprotein which is encoded by an early structural gene of human cytomegalovirus, and polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the early envelope glycoprotein.