Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed utilizing metabolic derivatives of terfenadine for the treatment of allergic disorders while avoiding the concomitant liability of adverse effects associated with the terfenadine. The metabolic derivatives of terfenadine are also useful for the treatment of retinopathy and other small vessel disorders associated with diabetes mellitus and such other conditions as may be related to the antihistamine activity of terfenadine. For example, the metabolic derivatives of terfenadine are useful for the treatment of asthma, motion sickness, and vertigo, without the concomitant liability of adverse effects associated with terfenadine.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for promoting cellular proliferation in a mammal, which comprises:a) an amount of an active ingredient effective to promote said cellular proliferation, andb) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, said active ingredient comprising, at least, sphingosylphosphorylcholine.

Abstract: A fiber optic handpiece has portions formed with special contours that facilitate consistent placement of the probe in an axial rather than radial orientation, thus decreasing the likelihood of incidental laser exposure to unintended structures while maintaining the intrinsically higher laser-tissue coupling efficiency of a contact technique. One particular embodiment incorporates features that permit rapid and consistent positioning relative to visible landmark structures such as the limbus, thereby reducing treatment variability.

Abstract: Anions of the formula (I):[DA.sub.5 M.sub.30-x O.sub.110-x (M'L).sub.x ].sup.m- (I)in which D is Na.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+; A is P, As, Sb, Si, Ge, or combinations thereof M is W.sup.5+, W.sup.6.alpha., or mixtures thereof; M' is a metallic element from groups 2 to 15 of the periodic table; other than W; L is O.sup.2-, OH.sup.-, H.sub.2 O; x is 0-10; and m is 10-20; selectively react with cations Z.sup.n+ to afford anions of the formula (II):[ZA.sub.5 M.sub.30-x O.sub.110-x (M'L).sub.x ].sup.(m+1-n)- (II)wherein n is 3 or 4; Z=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y, or Bi, when n=3, and Z=Ce, U, Np, Pu, or Am, when n=4. This reaction may be used for the selective encapsultion of lanthanide or actinide cations, and salts containing anions of formula (II) may be vitrified to form glasses or reduced to form tungsten "bronze" materials suitable for the long-germ storage of radioactive lanthanides or actinides.

Abstract: A method is described for the detection of anti-streptokinase antibodies in a sample which comprises detection of a complex between lactate dehydrogenase, streptokinase, and antistreptokinase antibodies. The method is useful for the detection of antistreptokinase antibodies in the serum of patients prior to clinical streptokinase administration.

Abstract: A dosimetry method, dosimeter and system characterized by the steps of storing information in a three dimensional optical memory element, then exposing the optical memory element to neutron or other high LET radiation to alter the information stored in the optical memory element as a function of the radiation to which the optical memory element is exposed, and then retrieving the altered information from the optical memory element for subsequent analysis. The altered information is used to provide a measure of both the radiation dose and energy. In a preferred embodiment, the optical memory device is a 3-D ORAM comprising a volume of a transparent polymer doped with a light sensitive chemical and, in particular, spirobenzopyran.

Abstract: An organ preservative solution containing a low molecular weight dextran in a pharmacologically acceptable storage solution is suitable for storage and preservative of organs for transplantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of a DNA polymorphism associated with predisposition for certain cancers in a human. This method involves analyzing the human chromosome 13 using a hybridization probe which will hybridize to the gene for human poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase wherein the probe is capable of identifying the DNA polymorphism.

Abstract: A method for placing various types of catheters into the pericardial space takes advantage of the fact that the right auricle is a thin-walled, low-pressure structure which can be readily penetrated without damaging the pericardium or the epicardium. The method avoids surgical trauma and the risks of general anesthesia and infection. A catheter is guided downstream through one of the venae cavae to the right atrium. Once inside the right atrium, the catheter is passed into the right auricle. The wall at the apex of the right auricle is then pierced to gain access to the pericardial space. The method can be used, for example, to provide electrical stimuli to the heart (e.g., for pacing, cardioversion, and defibrillation), to pick-up an ECG signal, to deliver pharmacologic agents to the heart, to improve vascularization, to remove pericardial fluid for analysis or pericardiocentesis, or to inject a radio-labelled or echo-sensitive dye into the pericardial space for precision fluid imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the non-invasive, dynamic tracking and diagnosing of cardiac vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation are disclosed. T-wave alternans and heart rate variability are simultaneously evaluated. T-wave alternation is an absolute predictor of cardiac electrical instability. Heart rate variability is a measure of autonomic influence, a major factor in triggering cardiac arrythmias. By simultaneously analyzing both phenomena, the extent and cause of cardiac vulnerability can be assessed. The method includes the following steps. An ECG signal is sensed from a heart. The T-wave portions of the ECG signal are analyzed to estimate an amplitude of beat-to-beat alternation. The amplitude of beat-to-beat alternation represents cardiac electrical instability. The R-R intervals are analyzed to estimate a magnitude of a high frequency component of heart rate variability and to estimate a magnitude of a low frequency component of heart rate variability.

Abstract: A dodecapeptide for regulating weight gain in mammals, as defined in the sequence:CHHRKKGYADLYwherein C is cysteine, H is histidine, R is arginine, K is lysine, G is glycine, Y is tyrosine, A is alanine, D is aspartic acid and L is leucine; and the remaining amino acids are each independently glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, cysteine, cystine, methionine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine, lysine hydroxylysine, histidine, arginine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, proline or hydroxyproline.

Abstract: A novel 170 kD membrane protease is isolated from malignant human melanoma cell line LOX and RPMI7951. The protease is useful in a method of diagnosing cellular transformation.

Abstract: Site-specific heterobifunctional crosslinkers of the formula:X--COCH(NH.sub.2)--Y--Zwhere X is a carbonyl reactive group, Y is a variable length spacer, and Z is a thiol reactive group, are useful for the specific labelling of biomolecules or bioaffecting molecules.

Abstract: The known compound 1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl]4H-carbaz ol-4-one, which is available commercially as the dihydrate of its hydrochloride acid addition salt, is useful for the treatment of chest pain not associated with a cardial or esophageal structural abnormality, e.g., esophagael immobility.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for dynamic tracking of cardiac vulnerability to ventricular fibrillation is disclosed. A heart is monitored to sense an ECG signal. The sensed ECG signal is then amplified and low-pass filtered before it is digitally sampled and stored. The location of the T-wave in each R-R interval (pulse) of the ECG is estimated and each T-wave is partitioned into a plurality of time divisions. The sampled ECG signal in each of the time divisions is summed together and a time series is formed for each of the time divisions such that each time series includes corresponding sums from corresponding time divisions from successive T-waves. Each time series is detrended in order to eliminate the effects of drift and DC bias, and then a method of dynamic estimation is performed on each time series to estimate the amplitude of alternation for each time division.

Abstract: Ligand-label conjugates which are an oligopeptide of 5 to 100 amino acid residues, bonded to a ligand or receptor, which contain a plurality of chemiluminescent or fluorescent labels and a plurality of polyoxoanions of sulfur or phosphorus are useful for immunoassays. Such conjugates are hydrophilic and exhibit very low nonspecific binding, thereby significantly increasing the signal to background ratio in immunoassays.

Abstract: The invention relates to certain derivatives of mitomycins A and C and the use thereof to treat bacterial infections and to supress the growth of cancer cells. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of the mitomycin derivatives of the invention.

Abstract: A method of evaluating tissue changes in a mammal occurring as a result of applying a therapeutic hyperthermia treatment to a volume of tissue of the mammal, which entails:a) placing electrodes on, near or into the volume of tissue to be monitored;b) applying therapeutic hyperthermia to the volume of tissue desired to be heated;c) measuring the electrical impedance of the volume of tissue to be monintored at least twice by means of the electrodes and by impedance measurement means in order to measure frequency dependent changes in the measured electrical impedance;d) employing the frequency dependent changes in the measured electrical impedance to evaluate physiological and histological changes in the tissue cells, thereby measuring the nature and extent of the tissue changes; ande) employing the measurements obtained from the tissue changes as a predictive assay of the progress of the hyperthermia treatment, thereby employing the same as an aid in adjusting the administration of the treatment, or determining

Abstract: The polynucleotide sequence fragment conferring immunologic specificity to papillomavirus (PV) has been located and isolated. From this information, assays for type-specific PV, including DNA probes, RNA probes, immunoassays and the like are produced. The vaccines against specific PVs may be produced also.Further, the genus-specific amino acid sequence of the L1 capsid protein has been identified.

Abstract: A continuous hybridoma cell line, designated 7H8, which secretes a monoclonal antibody (MAb 7H8) of the IgM class and which binds to a protein present in species of the genus Plasmodium. MAb 7H8 also recognizes an antigen (antigen Pf93) unique to P. falciparum. Methods of isolating the substantially pure antigen using the antibody of the present invention are disclosed. MAb 7H8 is well suited for use in immunometric assays. Preferred is a two-sited assay developed with MAb 7H8. Anti-idiotypic and anti anti-idiotypic antibodies to MAb 7H8 are disclosed. The antibodies and antigens of the present invention are useful for immunodiagnostic and immunotherapeutic treatment of malarial diseases of man and animals.