Abstract: A method for the preparation of a stable, liquid formulation of growth hormone, comprising growth hormone, a buffer and a stabilizing effective amount of at least one stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of: (i) polyethylene-polypropylene glycol non-ionic surfactants, (ii) taurocholic acid or salts or derivatives thereof, and (iii) methyl cellulose derivatives, wherein the method comprises admixing the growth hormone with the buffer and the stabilizing agent(s) under conditions such that the growth hormone is not exposed to concentrations of the buffer or stabilizing agent(s) which are greater than 2× the final concentrations of the buffer or stabilizing agent(s) in the formulation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing early stage of a disease in which an intact protein found in urine is an indicator of the disease. The method includes assaying urine sample to detect the presence of modified protein using either immunological or non-immunological technique. Methods for preventing and treating the disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: Composition for impregnating porous materials, in which the composition contains at lease one component having preservative properties or which release a component having preservative properties on heating, the composition comprising an emulsion of water and oil containing a primary surfactant and an amphoteric additive, the pH of the emulsion being equal or approximately equal to the iso-electric point of the amphoteric additive. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful in the preservation of timber.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for diagnosing early stage of a disease in which an intact protein found in urine is an indicator of the disease. The method includes assaying urine sample to detect the presence of modified protein using either immunological or non-immunological technique. Methods for preventing and treating the disease are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for performing digital message encryption and signature encoding for use in, for example, communications and digital information storage systems, For secure communication of digital messages it is necessary to both encrypt the message and sign the message with a digital signature scheme to allow for authentication by the receiver. In order to the computational efficiency and reduce communications overhead in secure communications, a method and system, referred to as “signcryption”, are provided in which the processes of encryption and authentication are combined. The principles of public key cryptography are utilised, although any suitable keyed encryption algorithm can be employed for the message encoding. Examples of signature schemes which can be easily implemented by signcryption include the ElGamal, Schnorr and Digital Signature Standard.

Abstract: Porous zirconia or zirconium-containing particles, methods of making such particles and methods of using such particles including modifications to the surface of the particles are described. The method comprises heating zirconia particles to provide a substantially homogeneously liquid melt, quenching the particles of melt to effect spinodal decomposition to provide quench particles of a silica rich phase and a zirconia rich phase, annealing the quenched particles to provide non porous solid particles of zirconia and silica and, leaching the silica from these particles to produce porous solid zirconia particles comprising a three dimensionally substantially continuous interpenetrating network of interconnected pores.

Abstract: A transdermal drug delivery system which comprises at least one physiologically active agent or prodrug thereof and at least one dermal penetration enhancer; characterized in that the dermal penetration enhancer is a safe skin-tolerant ester sunscreen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of diagnosing a mammal having abnormal prostatic cell growth or a predisposition to developing abnormal prostatic cell growth, said method comprising screening for the modulation of the expression of follistatin protein or derivative, homolog, analog, mutant, variant or fragment thereof in said mammal. More particularly, the present invention contemplates a method of diagnosing prostate cancer or a predisposition to developing prostate cancer, said method comprising screening for the co-expression of different forms of follistatin protein.

Abstract: Peptides immunologically related to proteins expressed by a viral agent, having a sequence of amino acids ordered by means of the protein informational analysis techniques using the Fourier transform method with reference to the amino acid sequence of a target antigen against which antibodies are desired to be formed, or lymphocytes desired to be directed. The sequence has in the Fourier spectrum, one or more frequencies of practically the same value as the frequency of frequencies characteristic of the target antigen.

Abstract: Arylalkylpiperazine compounds (1) wherein B is aryl or optionally substituted aryl; R1 is hydroxy; R2 and R3 are the same or different and are independently selected from hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl; m is 0, 1 or 2; D is a linking chain of atoms which may be optionally substituted and which contains from 1 to 8 atoms in the chain; E is a phenolic antioxidant group or a corresponding amino derivative thereof wherein the phenolic hydroxyl is replaced by amino, are disclosed. The compounds have both free radical scavenging activity and block excitatory amino acid activity. Some compounds of the present invention also display an affinity for voltage-sensitive sodium channels.

Abstract: An ion exchange resin comprising an ion exchange material dispersed or distributed throughout a polyurethane matrix. The ion exchange material is typically a second polymer which has been chemically modified after dispersion or distribution throughout the polyurethane matrix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fusion protein which comprises the E2 subunits of PDC, BCOADC, and OGDC and uses thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel insulin-potentiating hypoglycaemic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides:the new use of compositions of morphine and compounds of Formula II wherein ##STR1## R.sup.1 is H or Me, preferably H; R.sup.2 is OH, preferably in alpha conformation;R.sup.3 is H;or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, taken together, are O;R.sup.4 is H or Me, preferably Me and preferably in alpha conformation;R.sup.5 is H;R.sup.6 is H;or R.sup.5 and R.sup.6, taken together, are O;R.sup.7 is H or Me, preferably H;R.sup.8 =H,OH,OAc,SH,SAc,Cl,Br,Fincluding solvates thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, prodrugs thereof, tautomers thereof, isomers thereof, and metabolites thereof.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of obesity in an animal such as a human, comprises administering to the animal an effective amount of a peptide which comprises the carboxyl-terminal sequence of a growth hormone, particularly the carboxyl-terminal sequence of human growth hormone containing amine acid residues 177-191. A pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of obesity is also disclosed.

Abstract: A graphic display system includes a set of rendering engines and a plurality of data storage units. Each data storage unit in the set of data storage units is coupled to at least one rendering engine in the set of rendering engines. A selection means is included in the graphic display system for selecting a data storage unit in the plurality of data storage units. The selected data storage unit is to be used for storing data representing an object to be displayed by the graphic display system and is selected based on a validity period of the object. The selection means includes means for determining a size validity period of the object and means for determining a translational validity period of the object. The translational validity period is a time required for the object to change by a predetermined translational threshold, wherein the predetermined translational threshold is a first angle extending from a line that passes through both a reference point and the object.

Abstract: Human ELF3 polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such ELF3 and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such ELF3 for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers, in particular prostate, breast, lung or other epithelial tumors, among others.

Abstract: A method for detecting autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in the serum of a patient as diagnostic of a diabetic or prediabetic condition in the patient, comprises contacting a serum sample from the patient with a GAD antigen and detecting binding of autoantibodies to GAD in the sample by the GAD antigen, wherein the GAD antigen comprises a GAD preparation containing an enhanced amount of dimer(s) or oligomer(s) of the 65 kD or 67 kD isoforms, or both, of GAD. A diagnostic kit is also inclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst for the oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons which includes a chromium oxide supported on a lanthanide carbonate, and a process for producing the catalyst; the catalyst is useful in a process for the oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A confocal microscope including a light source; an optical fiber bundle defining a plurality of optical channels for receiving light from the light source and for transmitting the light to an object and for allowing light to return from the object through the optical fiber bundle; a switch for selectively switching selected fibers in the optical fiber bundle so as to allow light to selectively be transmitted and returned through individual optical channels until an image of the object is produced; and a detector for receiving returned light from the optical fiber bundle to enable the image of the object to be produced.