Abstract: A sound attenuating material includes a matrix, and a nanofiller, the material effectively reduces the level of low frequency sound incident thereon.

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is capable of inducing apoptosis by interacting with specific TNF receptors on the surface of cancer cells. Because multiple members of TNF ligand and receptor are present within each superfamily, over 300 different ligand-receptor combinations exist. Activated blood leukocytes produce TNF as part of the immune response to cancer, as well as producing chemokines to attract other leukocytes to the site. A method is disclosed of detecting significant induction of a variety of TNF superfamily subtype and chemokine mRNAs in blood leukocytes when whole blood is exposed to heat-aggregated IgG or anti-T cell receptor antibodies as a model of immune system interactions. Substantial individual-to-individual variation is observed in TNF subtypes and chemokines induced. Since peripheral blood leukocytes are the supply of anti-cancer immune cells, the quantitation of ex vivo inducibility of appropriate TNF ligands and chemokines in blood will be useful in individualized cancer immunotherapy.

Abstract: An embodiment provides an ionic polymer device comprising two extended electrode layers comprising a plurality of conductive particles, wherein the plurality of conductive particles form a concentration gradient in each of the two extended electrode layers, an ionic polymer dielectric layer between two extended electrode layers, and at least one conductive layer on outer surfaces of two extended electrode layers. Another embodiment provides an ionic polymer device comprising a polymer composite with a plurality of surface features on two opposite surfaces, and at least one conductive layer on each of said two opposite surfaces. One embodiment provides a method of making an ionic polymer device, comprising forming a partially cured polymer-metallic salt layer, reducing the metallic salt to form a plurality of metal particles, thereby forming a first extended electrode layer and a second extended electrode layer at and near opposite surfaces of the ionic polymer device.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a novel method of detecting mRNA, based on the fact that the newly synthesized mRNA is confined inside the cell nucleus. According to the novel method cells are captured on a membrane and then treated by a cell membrane permeation solution, thereby increasing permeability of cell membranes. After the cytoplasm is washed away, nuclei are dissolved with a cell dissolving solution, and then mRNA can be successfully recovered from the obtained solution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for concentrating dilute biomolecules in samples using electrophoresis are described. The method involves using the charged nature of the biomolecules to localize them to a microspot containing a dialysis membrane. The method and apparatus may also be used for identifying the presence of a biomolecule in a mixture or to quantitate the amount of a specific biomolecule in a mixture. The method and apparatus may also be used to produce a high throughput method for analysis and quantitation of a sample containing biomolecules.

Abstract: The entire process of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is simplified by using oligonucleotide-immobilized microplates made of, e.g., polypropylene, to which oligonucleotides are securely immobilized and which can be subjected to thermal cycles of PCR. RT-PCR is preferably conducted in solid-phase. Capturing of mRNA and RT-PCR can be conducted in the same plates. The cDNA synthesized from the mRNA captured on the microplates can be used more than once. Further, in combination with the microplates, a filter plate is used for the preparation of cell lysates wherein target cells are placed on the filter plate, and a lysis buffer is passed through the cell layer on the filter to transfer cell lysate directly to the microplate via well-to-well communication.

Abstract: A method for the diagnosis and identification of new or residual lung cancer is disclosed which uses newly identified markers for lung cancer including syndecan 1, collagen 1 alpha 2, and two novel proteins, 7013 and 7018. The method involves identification of the lung cancer markers is blood from a patient. It is envisioned that at least one marker may be used or any mixture of the four. The method may also include the identification of cytokeratin-19.

Abstract: The entire process of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is simplified by using oligonucleotide-immobilized microplates made of, e.g., polypropylene, to which oligonucleotides are securely immobilized and which can be subjected to thermal cycles of PCR. RT-PCR is preferably conducted in solid-phase. Capturing of mRNA and RT-PCR can be conducted in the same plates. The cDNA synthesized from the mRNA captured on the microplates can be used more than once. Further, in combination with the microplates, a filter plate is used for the preparation of cell lysates wherein target cells are placed on the filter plate, and a lysis buffer is passed through the cell layer on the filter to transfer cell lysate directly to the microplate via well-to-well communication.

Abstract: A flexible platform or plate holder for use with liquid handling robots. More specifically a flexible platform for use with a variety of plate holders which allows for complete removal of a sample from a well without the need for liquid sensors.

Abstract: Formation of bubbles is prevented during filtration operation by placing an oil on top of a solution-to-be filtered, where the oil is not admixable with the solution and has a lower specific gravity than the solution. The oil seals the solution from air so that no bubbles are formed. The oil does not pass through the filter even after all collectable filtrate of the solution has passed therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus for temperature control of biological/chemical samples employing liquid metal is described. A gallium-indium alloy may be used to provide excellent temperature control. Methods of using liquid metal to provide temperature control for biological/chemical samples are also described. A preferred use for the described liquid metal-heating apparatus is to provide precise temperature control for polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting and quantifying mRNA in a sample. The mRNA that can be detected has a unique sequence. The method includes immobilizing a first polynucleotide to an insoluble support. The first polynucleotide has a first sequence that hybridizes to the unique sequence on the mRNA. After immobilization of the first polynucleotide, the sample is applied to the insoluble support under conditions that allow the unique sequence on the mRNA to hybridize with the first polynucleotide. Thereafter, a second polynucleotide is applied to the insoluble support. This second polynucleotide has a second sequence thereon that hybridizes to a portion of the mRNA other than the unique sequence. The application of the second polynucleotide is performed under conditions that allow the second polynucleotide to hybridize with mRNA immobilized on said support, if present.

Abstract: Degradation of RNA present in a sample is detected by using, as an indicator, rRNA included in the RNA. The steps include: (a) introducing the sample onto a microchannel, at an introducing point, filled with an electrophoresis separation gel; (b) conducting electrophoresis of rRNA fragments present in the sample to force rRNA fragments to migrate through the electrophoresis separation gel; (c) detecting rRNA fragments passing through a detection point located downstream of the introducing point, to obtain detection patterns; and (d) determining degradation of RNA present in the sample based on the detection patterns of rRNA. A sample containing degraded mRNA can also be screened by detecting rRNA degradation in the above microchannel electrophoresis.

Abstract: A method for inducing cell death in neoplastic cells, includes the step of administering a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as a primary chemotherapeutic agent or substantially contemporaneously with chemotherapy, to a patient having multidrug-resistant neoplastic cells, in an amount sufficient to induce cell death in the neoplastic cells: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydroxyl, C1-4 alkoxyl, C1-4 alkylcarboxyloxymethoxyl, phenyl C1-2 alkylamino group, 2,5-pyrrolidinedione-1-alkoxyl (C1-4), or ##STR2## wherein X.sup.1 is a chemical bond or C1-2 alkylene, X.sup.2 is hydrogen or carboxyl forming a 5-membered ring with X.sup.1 when X.sup.1 is methylene, X.sup.3 is hydrogen or C1-2 alkyl, X.sup.4 is hydrogen or C1-2 alkyl, or X.sup.3 and X.sup.4 together form a 5-membered ring, in which at least one of X.sup.2, X.sup.3, and X.sup.4 is hydrogen,R.sup.2 is C3-4 alkyl, R.sup.3 is C1-4 alkyl, ##STR3## in which n is an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: A method for quantifying total mRNA in a biological sample containing RNA such as crude cell lysates containing cytosolic mRNA, which method comprises the steps of: (a) incubating the sample with an oligo-(dT)- or poly-U-immobilized microtiter plate; (b) washing non-hybridized components from the microtiter plate; (c) labeling the hybridized mRNA with a photometric nucleic-acid dye; (d) measuring the amount of label captured on the microtiter plate; (e) heat-denaturing the labeled mRNA; (f) washing the denatured mRNA from the microtiter plate; and (g) measuring the amount of label remaining on the microtiter plate; and (h) correlating the amount of the measured label (captured label minus remaining label) with the quantity of total mRNA present in the sample, thereby easily measuring the total mRNA without the influence of rRNA or tRNA and without radioactive dyes, which method can be adapted to chemosensitivity tests.

Abstract: A method for inducing cell death in neoplastic cells, includes the step of administering a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as a primary chemotherapeutic agent or substantially contemporaneously with chemotherapy, to a patient having multidrug-resistant neoplastic cells, in an amount sufficient to induce cell death in the neoplastic cells: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydroxyl, C1-4 alkoxyl, C1-4 alkylcarboxyloxymethoxyl, phenyl C1-2 alkylamino group, 2,5-pyrrolidinedione-1-alkoxyl (C1-4), or ##STR2## wherein X.sup.1 is a chemical bond or C1-2 alkylene, X.sup.2 is hydrogen or carboxyl forming a 5-membered ring with X.sup.1 when X.sup.1 is methylene, X.sup.3 is hydrogen or C1-2 alkyl, X.sup.4 is hydrogen or C1-2 alkyl, or X.sup.3 and X.sup.4 together form a 5-membered ring, in which at least one of X.sup.2, X.sup.3, and X.sup.4 is hydrogen,R.sup.2 is C3-4 alkyl, R.sup.3 is C1-4 alkyl, ##STR3## in which n is an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: A method for inducing cell death in neoplastic cells, includes the step of administering a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as a primary chemotherapeutic agent or substantially contemporaneously with chemotherapy, to a patient having multidrug-resistant neoplastic cells, in an amount sufficient to induce cell death in the neoplastic cells: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydroxyl, C1-4 alkoxyl, C1-4 alkylcarboxyloxymethoxyl, phenyl C1-2 alkylamino group, 2,5-pyrrolidinedione-1-alkoxyl (C1-4), or ##STR2## wherein X.sup.1 is a chemical bond or C1-2 alkylene, X.sup.2 is hydrogen or carboxyl forming a 5-membered ring with X.sup.1 when X.sup.2 is methylene, X.sup.3 is hydrogen or C1-2 alkyl, X.sup.4 is hydrogen or C1-2 alkyl, or X.sup.3 and X.sup.4 together form a 5-membered ring, in which at least one of X.sup.2, X.sup.3, and X.sup.4 is hydrogen,R.sup.2 is C3-4 alkyl, R.sup.3 is C1-4 alkyl, ##STR3## in which n is an integer of 0 to 3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleotide-immobilized support which includes an insoluble support and a polynucleotide bound to the support. This polynucleotide includes at least one sequence complementary to a polyadenylic acid tail of a mRNA. The nucleotide-immobilized support is useful for a variety of methods, including the synthesis of both sense and antisense cDNA, as well as double stranded cDNA. The nucleotide-immobilized support is also useful for synthesis of both sense and antisense mRNA. Additionally, the nucleotide-immobilized support also provides an improved method of placing a cDNA sequence into a vector in a particular orientation. The present invention also includes a new method for binding polynucleotides to insoluble supports.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for the detection of a particular genus or species of fungus in a biological sample. Some of these methods make use of a solid support-polynucleotide structure. This structure includes a solid support having immobilized thereto a polynucleotide probe that is complementary to a sequence of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) specific to the particular species of fungus. An rRNA sequence from the particular species of fungus is hybridized to the first probe, and a second polynucleotide probe is also hybridized to the rRNA.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an invention which relates to the fields of genetic engineering, microbiology, and computer science, that allows a user, whether they be a molecular biologist or a clinical diagnostician, to calculate and design extremely specific oligonucleotide probes for DNA and mRNA hybridization procedures. The probes designed with this invention may be used for medical diagnostic kits, DNA identification, and potentially continuous monitoring of metabolic processes in human beings. The key features design oligonucleotide probes based on the GenBank database of DNA and mRNA sequences and examine candidate probes for specificity or commonality with respect to a user-selected experimental preparation. Two models are available: a Mismatch Model, that employs hashing and continuous seed filtration, and an H-Site Model, that analyzes candidate probes for their binding specificity relative to some known set of mRNA or DNA sequences.