Abstract: Provided is a polynucleotide, including a cis-regulatory element and a nucleotide sequence encoding a vestigial like 4 protein, wherein the cis-regulatory element includes an uncoupling protein 1 enhancer and an uncoupling protein 1 promoter. Also provided is a viral vector including said polynucleotide. Also provided is a method of transfecting a cell or a subject with said polynucleotide or said viral vector.

Abstract: Provided is a polynucleotide, including a cis-regulatory element and a nucleotide sequence encoding a vestigial like 4 protein, wherein the cis-regulatory element includes an uncoupling protein 1 enhancer and an uncoupling protein 1 promoter. Also provided is a viral vector including said polynucleotide. Also provided is a method of transfecting a cell or a subject with said polynucleotide or said viral vector.

Abstract: Previously unknown mutations of the CACNA1C and CACNB2b genes are disclosed which are involved in ion channel disruptions associated with shorter than normal QT interval and ST segment elevation syndrome. These mutations are utilized to diagnose and screen for shorter than normal QT interval and ST segment elevation syndrome, thus providing modalities for diagnosing syncope and/or sudden cardiac death and/or predicting susceptibility to syncope and/or sudden cardiac death. Nucleic acid probes are provided which selectively hybridize to the mutant nucleic acids described herein. Antibodies are provided which selectively bind to the mutant polypeptides described herein. The mutations described herein are also utilized to screen for compounds useful in treating the symptoms manifest by such mutations.

Abstract: Previously unknown mutations of the CACNA1C and CACNB2b genes are disclosed which are involved in ion channel disruptions associated with shorter than normal QT interval and ST segment elevation syndrome. These mutations are utilized to diagnose and screen for shorter than normal QT interval and ST segment elevation syndrome, thus providing modalities for diagnosing syncope and/or sudden cardiac death and/or predicting susceptibility to syncope and/or sudden cardiac death. Nucleic acid probes are provided which selectively hybridize to the mutant nucleic acids described herein. Antibodies are provided which selectively bind to the mutant polypeptides described herein. The mutations described herein are also utilized to screen for compounds useful in treating the symptoms manifest by such mutations.

Abstract: Previously unknown mutations of the KCNH2, SCN5A and KCNQ1 genes are disclosed which are involved in ion channel disruptions associated with short QT syndrome, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and progressive conduction disease. These mutations are utilized to diagnose and screen for short QT syndrome, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and progressive conduction disease, thus providing modalities for diagnosing sudden cardiac death and/or predicting susceptibility to sudden cardiac death. Nucleic acid probes are provided which selectively hybridize to the mutant nucleic acids described herein. Antibodies are provided which selectively bind to the mutant proteins described herein. The mutations described herein are also utilized to screen for compounds useful in treating the symptoms manifest by such mutations.

Abstract: Previously unknown mutations of the KCNH2, SCN5A and KCNQ1 genes are disclosed which are involved in ion channel disruptions associated with short QT syndrome, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and progressive conduction disease. These mutations are utilized to diagnose and screen for short QT syndrome, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and progressive conduction disease, thus providing modalities for diagnosing sudden cardiac death and/or predicting susceptibility to sudden cardiac death. Nucleic acid probes are provided which selectively hybridize to the mutant nucleic acids described herein. Antibodies are provided which selectively bind to the mutant proteins described herein. The mutations described herein are also utilized to screen for compounds useful in treating the symptoms manifest by such mutations.

Abstract: Previously unknown mutations of the KCNH2, SCN5A and KCNQ1 genes are disclosed which are involved in ion channel disruptions associated with short QT syndrome, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and progressive conduction disease. These mutations are utilized to diagnose and screen for short QT syndrome, long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome and progressive conduction disease, thus providing modalities for diagnosing sudden cardiac death and/or predicting susceptibility to sudden cardiac death. Nucleic acid probes are provided which selectively hybridize to the mutant nucleic acids described herein. Antibodies are provided which selectively bind to the mutant proteins described herein. The mutations described herein are also utilized to screen for compounds useful in treating the symptoms manifest by such mutations.

Abstract: An expert system-controlled defibrillator for delivering precise energy doses to a patient who's heart is in fibrillation. An energy source connects to the patient's chest (during emergency resuscitation) or directly to the heart (during open-heart surgery) and discharges energy in one or more pulses. The apparatus measures a patient-dependent parameter or parameters, and determines, from an expert based system, the waveform morphology and the precise amount of energy to deliver.

Abstract: A medical treatment device includes a plurality of digitally controlled medical treatment modules with a feature authorizing system to enable selected treatment modules in response to the entry and subsequent validation of a user's passcode.

Abstract: A stun gun having an electrically insulated protuberance that extends to a height above the line between the vertical terminations of the exposed electrical target contacts. Before the weapon's target probes can be brought in contact with the target, the insulative protuberance compresses the target's muscle. This action shortens the length of the muscle while increasing the area of tissue involved in a subsequent shocking discharge. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of a sustained involuntary flexing or extending contraction of the muscle. A rectangular ammunition bay may be placed in the weapon with a portion of one partially exposed probe touching the ammunition's negative contact and a portion of the other partially exposed probe touching the ammunition's positive contact. In the event of a ballistic deployment failure, without the addition of any circuitry, the weapon can still act as a manual contact weapon.

Abstract: Defibrillator capacitors are charged according to duty cycle control implemented by several stages of clocking circuits. A first frequency clocking circuit is reset on demand to introduce additional clock pulses for a fast charge of the capacitors.

Abstract: A discharge resistor is thermally monitored under computer supervisory control. Current flow through the resistor is duty-cycle controlled to prevent thermal damage.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitoring system for automatic unattended operation uses curve fitting techniques determined during an initial inflation period to determine cuff size. Based upon cuff size, the number of important pre-determined operating parameters are determined for use in controlling the remaining blood pressure reading operations. The automatic blood pressure monitor according to the present invention offers a simplified, cost effective construction utilizing a single pump, a single valve and a single valve orifice.

Abstract: A defibrillator paddle set includes first and second paddles connected together with a Y-shaped cord set. The legs of the cord set are attached to the forward ends of each paddle, adjacent a defibrillator "firing" button. Improved manufacturing techniques and enhanced operator safety are realized.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of treating systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in animals, including humans, by the oral administration of kidney extracts to decrease anti-DNA antibody production. The method of the invention includes both prophylactic and therapeutic measures.

Abstract: The reproductive cycle of insects is affected by applying a solution or suspension of a material having the formula:NX.sub.2 (CX.sub.2).sub.m SO.sub.3 Z,where each X is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, C.sub.n H.sub.2n+1, C.sub.n H.sub.2n, Cl, Br, and I; Z is selected from the group consisting of H, K, and Na, and n and m are integral numbers of from 2 to 10. Preferably, the compound applied for control of the insect reproductive cycle is taurine. The material may also be mixed with fruits. The concentration of the material should be at least 0.04M.

Abstract: An acelluar resuscitative fluid, useful as an artificial blood or blood substitute, is prepared from a modified, high molecular weight starch or a tetronic polyol prepared by the interaction of ethylenediamine and ethylene or propylene oxides, which are converted to their aldehyde form. This material is reacted with a stabilized, stroma free hemoglobin, which has been converted to an oxy-acid or diketone. The resulting solution, after purification, can be administered to an animal in the same manner as whole blood. If desired, the solution of the reaction product with the stabilized hemoglobin can be freeze-dried and later reconstituted by the addition of water to provide the administrable fluid.

Abstract: A process for detecting a presence of steroid receptors in tissue therapeutically and for treating certian tissue, especially tissue having estrogen receptors, includes the step of treating the tissue by injection, surface application or the like, with a labeled steroid. The labeled steroid may include a moiety which is readily imageable on a gamma radiation detector, on x-ray film, on a fluoroscope, through NMR devices or the like. An especially suitable labeled steroid has been found to be 16-.sup.123 I-17-beta-estradiol having a specific activity of greater than 2,000 curies per millimole and preferably at least 5,000 curies per millimole.

Abstract: A method of preparation of estradiol derivatives labeled by iodine, especially .sup.123 I, substitution at C-16 are synthesized according to the present invention. A triflate intermediate is prepared from which either 16-alpha-.sup.123 I-17-beta-estradiol or 16-beta-.sup.123 I-17-beta-estradiol are prepared by described methods. Both 16-alpha-.sup.123 I- and 16-beta-.sup.123 I-17-beta-estradiol made according to the methods described herein have a high relative specific acitvity. The methods are sufficiently rapid so that the relatively short half-life of .sup.123 I is readily accommodated without substantial radioactive decay of the label.