Abstract: Described is an improved process for fragmenting a biomaterial and isolating and recovering a component thereof. The preferred improved process includes the step of performing the fragmentation by nebulizing a liquid medium containing the biomaterial. A preferred process for fragmenting isolated DNA includes the step of nebulizing a fluid containing the DNA. This preferred process provides randomness superior to prior known DNA fragmentation methods, as well as other important advantages. An improved nebulization device is also described.

Abstract: Described are preferred myocardial grafts of skeletal myoblasts or cardiomyocytes, and cellular compositions and methods useful in obtaining the grafts. The myocardial grafts are stable and can be used, for example, to deliver recombinant proteins directly to the heart.

Abstract: A percutaneous stent-graft is disclosed for restoring blood flow between vessels. The stent-graft has a body implantable device and first and second peel-away retaining elements. Also disclosed are methods for deploying a stent-graft.

Abstract: A computer-based remote visual monitoring system is provided for in-home patient health care from a remote location via ordinary telephone lines. The system includes a supervisory control center having access to patient and health care professional databases for assigning patients to appropriate health care professionals and for performing task planning. A number of master monitoring computers are linked to the control center and are accessible by a corresponding number of health care professionals. A slave monitoring computer is located within the homes of a plurality of patients and may be linked via telephone modems to any of the master monitoring computers. Audio/visual equipment at both locations permits real-time two-way communications during an "in-home" visit to a patient by a health care professional from a remote location.

Abstract: Described are improved processes for the enantioselective synthesis of .alpha.-amino acids which involve combinations of solvents, highly-mixed and low-temperature reaction conditions, and novel catalysts. Also described are novel catalysts and precursors to .alpha.-amino acid derivatives.

Abstract: A process for introducing an expression vehicle (e.g., plasmids, retroviral vectors, adenoviral vectors) into cells, which comprises contacting the cells with the expression vehicle and a polyol. The polyol may be a polyoxalkylene block copolymer, such as a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer. The use of the polyol provides for greater efficiency of transduction of the expression vehicle.

Abstract: Analogues of RNA and DNA compounds contain a neutral, stereoregular linking group based on replacement of the phosphoryl with a sulfonyl group. Precursors to the analogues are also described, as are methods for preparing the precursors and analogues.

Abstract: Polymer-bound mixed carboxylic anhydrides can be prepared under mild conditions by the condensation of carboxylic acids (including N-protected amino acids) with polymer-bound acid chlorides. These mixed anhydrides function as polymeric reagents in the sense that they will react readily with monomeric nucleophiles such as amines to form amide or peptide products, depending on the identities of the mixed anhydride and amine reactants. However, in spite of their reactivity, these polymeric mixed anhydrides exhibit a significant degree of stability under conditions of prolonged storage, which suggests that such compounds have commercial utility as a relatively stable form of highly activated carboxylic acids. The polymeric support can be reactivated and recycled for repeated use in the derivatization process.

Abstract: Novel O.sub.10eq -derivatives of ryanodine and dehydroryanodine characterized as binding strongly to ryanodine receptor, useful in affecting Ca.sup.++ efflux in tissue and also in isolating ryanodine receptor from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Also described are novel radio-iodinated alanine derivatives useful to radio label ryanodine and dehydroryanodine derivatives.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing ion peak width measurements in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to thereby minimize the effects of initial ion position distributions and initial ion velocity distributions on the mass resolution of the spectrometer are provided. Where the ion source and ion generation geometries indicate a functional relationship between the initial ion position and initial ion velocity, this relationship is substituted into the time-of-flight equation and the instrument parameters are thereafter optimized to achieve minimization of ion peak width broadening. Experimental results using MALDI indicate reductions in ion peak widths of up to 96% over those observed with traditional MALDI techniques.

Abstract: Described is an improved process for fragmenting a biomaterial and isolating and recovering a component thereof. The preferred improved process includes the step of performing the fragmentation by nebulizing a liquid medium containing the biomaterial. A preferred process for fragmenting isolated DNA includes the step of nebulizing a fluid containing the DNA. This preferred process provides randomness superior to prior known DNA fragmentation methods, as well as other important advantages. Improved nebulization devices are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimizing ion peak width measurements in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer to thereby minimize the effects of initial ion position distributions and initial ion velocity distributions on the mass resolution of the spectrometer are provided. Where the ion source and ion generation geometries indicate a functional relationship between the initial ion position and initial ion velocity, this relationship is substituted into the time-of-flight equation and the instrument parameters are thereafter optimized to achieve minimization of ion peak width broadening. Experimental results using MALDI indicate reductions in ion peak widths of up to 96% over those observed with traditional MALDI techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides a device having two components: a needle advancing apparatus slidable longitudinally along a catheter to advance needles into a tissue membrane, such as a blood vessel wall, around an opening in the membrane; and, a suture retrieval assembly insertable through the catheter beyond a distal side of the tissue membrane. The needle advancing apparatus advances suture through the tissue wall. The suture retrieval assembly grabs the suture on the distal side of the tissue membrane for extraction thereof through the opening in the tissue membrane. A method for suturing a membrane beneath the patient's skin is also disclosed.

Abstract: Solutions of analytes in concentrations too low for certain analytical techniques such as various capillary electrophoresis techniques are concentrated in a solid-phase adsorption medium by a technique which involves a pressure-gradient-driven adsorption of the analyte followed by a desorption of the analyte and its removal using electroosmotic bulk flow.

Abstract: Bis-substituted methanes and undissociated methylene salts of the formula (Am).sub.2 Z wherein Am is bis-(1,4 dimethylaminophenyl) and Z is CH.sub.2 or CH.sup.+ X.sup.- wherein X.sup.- is a suitable anion, all useful in the production of deeply colored cations of the formula (Am).sub.2 CH.sup.+. These deeply colored cations are in turn useful in making and using carbonless copy papers, as well as thermal copying papers for use with fax machines.

Abstract: Described are preferred processes for hydrolyzing activated esters using, as catalysts, siloxanes having 4-dialkylaminopyridyl groups incorporated into their polymer backbones. The preferred siloxane catalyst materials demonstrate unexpected catalytic efficacy in the hydrolysis as well as enzyme-like selectivity for ester substrates.

Abstract: Novel O.sub.10eq -derivatives of ryanodine and dehydroryanodine characterized as binding strongly to ryanodine receptor, useful in affecting Ca.sup.++ efflux in tissue and also in isolating ryanodine receptor from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Also described are novel radio-iodinated alanine derivatives useful to radio label ryanodine and dehydroryanodine derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of neoplastic disease in warm blooded animals using the sequential administration of tiazofurin and ribavirin. Tiazofurin is administered first in a high dose in order to facilitate a sharp decrease in IMP DH activity. These gains are consolidated by the continual administration of tiazofurin until the hematological levels have stabilized and remission is achieved. Once the patient is in remission, ribavirin is administered in steadily tapering dosages until the minimum dosage that will retain the beneficial effect of the tiazofurin is achieved. The IMP DH activity, GTP concentration, and hematological data is continually monitored throughout the treatment and dosages adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention involves an apparatus and method for detecting and treating fibrillation in the heart. Electrodes sense electrical activity in two distinct locations of the heart. The electrocardiac activations are monitored and the interval between activations at the two locations is measured and checked for variation. Upon detection of significant variation in the length of the intervals, the fibrillation condition is determined and a defibrillator is activated, so that a defibrillating shock may be delivered to the heart. For atrial fibrillation, the first defibrillating shock is relatively low and is increased until the fibrillation is no longer detected.

Abstract: Described is a preferred rotary spray chamber device for conditioning an aerosol. The device has chamber walls defining an internal chamber and an inlet opening into the internal chamber. The inlet opening is located such that an aerosol directed into the chamber through the inlet opening tangentially contacts chamber wall areas adapted to impart a rotary motion to the aerosol within the chamber. An impact member extends inwardly into the chamber from a chamber wall location such that the member is impacted by the aerosol in its rotary motion so as to remove large droplets and thus form a conditioned aerosol. An exit opening is defined by the chamber walls through which the conditioned aerosol can exit the chamber, and a drain opening is also defined by the chamber walls through which liquid removed from the aerosol and collected in the chamber can exit the chamber.