Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and methods for inhibiting amyloid deposition in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described. Amyloid deposition is inhibited by the administration to a subject of an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising an anionic group and a carrier molecule, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such that an interaction between an amyloidogenic protein and a basement membrane constituent is inhibited. Preferred anionic groups are sulfonates and sulfates. Preferred carrier molecules include carbohydrates, polymers, peptides, peptide derivatives, aliphatic groups, alicyclic groups, heterocyclic groups, aromatic groups and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapidly measuring nitrogenase activity of a nitrogen fixing plant growing in a medium in a non-porous container, is described. Gas containing hydrogen is sampled at the surface of the medium at a rate approximately equal to the rate of hydrogen diffusion from the medium, and the sample is passed to a hydrogen sensor where it is measured and nitrogenase activity is determined therefrom.

Abstract: An everting toroid for use in delivering a powdered or liquid or aerosolized drug to an internal body cavity, such as the urethra, is described. The drug may be distributed on the surface of the everting toroid or may be injected through the lumen thereof via an aerosol wand which is designed to release the drug as the toroid and/or wand are withdrawn from the body cavity.

Abstract: Methods of detecting and treating rapidly growing exogenous cells, such as Protista, or parasites, that preferentially accumulate a photoactivatable porphyrin in which 5-aminolevulinic acid or precursor thereof is administered to the patient, or contacted to the exogenous cells, in an amount sufficient to induce synthesis fluorescence and/or photosensitizing concentrations of a protoporphyrin IX in the exogenous cells, followed by exposure of the exogenous cells to light of photoactivating wavelengths.

Abstract: A novel type of insect control agent and methods for controlling insect pests are described. The agent consists of a vector, such as a baculovirus of the polyhedral inclusion body type, containing in an antisense orientation cDNA sequence which has been derived from the complete sense sequence of a gene which is essential for the growth and development of the host from which the sequence is derived. In order for the insect control agent to exert its effect the insect pests which are to be controlled must be susceptible to the vector. Specifically described are the sequences from Choristoneura fumiferana and the human c-myc gene as well the methods of production and use of these agents.

Abstract: A novel method to enhance translocation of molecules across or into cellular membranes using a plastid protein transport gene is described. The method can also be used to incorporate substances into membranes of organisms. Nucleic acid constructs include those which express a plastid protein transport protein or its equivalent in cells of all organisms.

Abstract: A novel protein associated with multidrug resistance in living cells and capable of conferring multidrug resistance on a cell is disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding the novel multidrug resistance protein are also disclosed. Transformant cell lines which express the nucleic acid encoding the novel protein are also disclosed. Antibodies which bind the novel multidrug resistance protein are also disclosed. Diagnostic and treatment methods using the novel proteins, nucleic acids, antibodies and cell lines of the invention are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: Aliphatic nitrate esters having a sulfur or phosphorus atom .beta. or .gamma. to a nitrate group and their congeners having efficacy as neuroprotective agents are described. Preferred nitrate esters may be synthesized by nitration of a 3-bromo-1,2-propanediol, and subsequent reaction to yield the desired mono-, di- or tetra-nitrate ester.

Abstract: A novel protein associated with multidrug resistance in living cells and capable of conferring multidrug resistance on a cell is disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding the novel multidrug resistance protein are also disclosed. Transformant cell lines which express the nucleic acid encoding the novel protein are also disclosed. Antibodies which bind the novel multidrug resistance protein are also disclosed. Diagnostic and treatment methods using the novel proteins, nucleic acids, antibodies and cell lines of the invention are also encompassed by the invention.

Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and methods for modulating amyloid deposition in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described. Amyloid deposition is modulated by the administration to a subject of an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising a phosphonate group and a carboxylate group, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof. In preferred embodiments, an interaction between an amyloidogenic protein and a basement membrane constituent is modulated.

Abstract: A simple pneumatic device for use in comparing and matching curling stones, and evaluating ice surfaces and sweeping broom efficiencies is described. A pneumatic cylinder, charged by means of a compressed gas, is placed against the backboard of a rink and operated to propel a curling stone with a predetermined and accurately controlled force along a sheet of curling ice.

Abstract: In vivo and in vitro methods of increasing amyloid deposition using amyloid-enhancing compounds are described. Methods of forming amyloid fibrils and screening for agents useful in treating amyloidosis are also described. Animals having non-naturally occurring amyloid deposits produced using the amyloid-enhancing compounds even further are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying, isolating, mapping, amplifying and sequencing DNA fragments using sets of indexing linkers. Panels of indexing linkers and kits are also provided.

Abstract: Therapeutic compounds and methods for inhibiting amyloid deposition in a subject, whatever its clinical setting, are described. Amyloid deposition is inhibited by the administration to a subject of an effective amount of a therapeutic compound comprising an anionic group and a carrier molecule, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, such that an interaction between an amyloidogenic protein and a basement membrane constituent is inhibited. Preferred anionic groups are sulfonates and sulfates. Preferred carrier molecules include carbohydrates, polymers, peptides, peptide derivatives, aliphatic groups, alicyclic groups, heterocyclic groups, aromatic groups and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Nerve process growth modulation can be achieved using derivatized cyclodextrins. Processes for making sulfated and aminated .beta.-cyclodextrin derivatives are also described in which a compound of the formula R".sub.2 NCH X'.sup.+ X'.sup.- where R.sup.- is an alkyl containing 1-5 carbon atoms and X is selected from bromine and iodine is used to halogenate the cydodextrin.

Abstract: A system for the non-contact inspection and characterization of an object in which wideband (40 kHz to approximately 2 MHz) air/gas coupled ultrasonic transducers are used. The system of the present invention enables a single set of transducers to be used in an inspection/defect detection arrangement to characterize materials having a wide range of through-thickness, and other resonances. For example, the through-thickness fundamental resonance of 11 mm thick plywood is 44 kHz, 723 kHz for 2 mm thick carbon fiber, and 1.47 kHz for 0.75 mm thick polystyrene, all of which are measurable in the same system. The system is used in a method to characterize a defect by being able to operate at or near the resonant frequency of the normal material and at or near the resonant frequency of the material in a defect region to improve the accuracy of detecting specific types of defects including inclusions, material thinning, delamination and pitting by monitoring changes of various attributes (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining position size and shape of defects in a bundle of heat exchanger tubes are described. An AC current exciter coil is placed in one tube and a detector coil is placed in an adjacent tube. This configuration of exciter and detector coils reduces the blind spot effect caused by interference by tube support plates and allows the inspection multiple or finned heat exchanger tubing.

Abstract: Aliphatic Nitrate esters having a sulfur or phosphorus atom .beta. or .gamma. to a nitrate group having efficacy as vasodilators are described. Preferred nitrate esters may be synthesized by nitration of a 3-bromo-1,2-propanediol, and subsequent reaction to yield the desired mono, di or tetra nitrate ester.

Abstract: Psychogenic impotence or erectile dysfunction can be identified in psychogenic male patients and can be ameliorated, without substantial undesirable side effects, by sublingual administration of apomorphine dosage forms so as to maintain a plasma concentration of apomorphine of no more than about 5.5 nanograms per milliliter.

Abstract: A novel protein associated with multidrug resistance in living cells and capable of conferring multidrug resistance on a cell is disclosed. Nucleic acids encoding the novel multidrug resistance protein are also disclosed. Transformant cell lines which express the nucleic acid encoding the novel protein are also disclosed. Antibodies which bind the novel multidrug resistance protein are also disclosed. Diagnostic and treatment methods using the novel proteins, nucleic acids, antibodies and cell lines of the invention are also encompassed by the invention.