Abstract: Methods for amplifying DNA sequences of interest are disclosed. The methods can be performed using only one primer and are also useful in cloning protocols and for sequencing large DNAs. The methods comprise cleaving a sample DNA using an agent, such as a restriction endonuclease, that produces discrete DNA fragments; ligating the fragments to "adapter" polynucleotides having a ligatable end and first and second self-complementary sequences separated by a spacer sequence, thereby forming ligated duplexes; denaturing the ligated duplexes to form templates; annealing molecules of an oligonucleotide primer to the templates, the primers being homologous to a primer target site associated with the sequence of interest; extending the primers using a DNA polymerizing agent to form duplex products; and denaturing the duplex products. Subsequent multiple cycles of annealing primers, extending the primers, and denaturing duplex products are usually performed so as to achieve the desired degree of amplification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mammalian adenosine receptor. The invention is directed toward the isolation, characterization and pharmacological use of the rat A3 adenosine receptor, the gene corresponding to this receptor, a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct capable of expressing the rat A3 adenosine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells that synthesize the rat A3 adenosine receptor. The invention also provides methods for screening adenosine-receptor agonists and antagonists in vitro using preparations of the rat A3 adenosine receptor from such cultures of eukaryotic cells transformed with a recombinant eukaryotic expression construct comprising the rat A3 adenosine receptor gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation, characterization and pharmacological uses for the human D5 dopamine receptor, the gene corresponding to this receptor, pseudogenes of this receptor gene, a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector capable of expressing the human D5 dopamine receptor in cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells and such cultures of transformed eukaryotic cells that synthesize the human D5 dopamine receptor. The invention relates to the biochemical and physiological characterization of the human D5 dopamine receptor and the development and testing of drugs useful for treating or preventing human disease.

Abstract: A method for treating circadian rhythm disorders is described. The method involves the administration of melatonin from about 6 hours to about 19 hours prior to when the normal sleep phase should begin, depending on whether a phase advance shift in circadian rhythms or a phase delay shift is desired. This is typically from about 4 hours to about 17 hours prior to the time of endogenous melatonin onset.

Abstract: This invention relates to an animal model for human ocular disease, particularly glaucoma. The invention provides methods for determining the causes of human ocular diseases, and specifically provides methods for the anatomical, histochemical and molecular biological evaluation of the effects of elevated intraocular pressure on various tissues in mammalian eyes in vivo. The invention also provides methods for non-invasively measuring intraocular pressure and for evaluating the efficacy of treatment stategies for glaucoma involving glaucoma-relieving drugs.

Abstract: N,N-disubstituted-guanidines, e.g., of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups. Methods are provided for the treatment of psychosis and hypertension by administering an effective amount of an N,N'-disubstituted guanidine which, preferably, has a high affinity for the sigma receptor.

Abstract: A liquid composition is applied to a plant to provide a barrier to water vapor transmission. The composition dries to form a film on the surface of the plant. The film inhibits water loss and thereby increases the survival likelihood and quality of the plant.A particularly suitable coating composition comprises: from about forty to about ninety-five weight percent of a vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride polymer; from about 1.0 to about 2.0 weight percent of a coalescing agent such as 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate; about 0.5 to about 1.0 weight percent of a surfactant such as a polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene copolymer; about 0.5 to about 1.0 weight percent of a viscosity increasing agent such as a urethane copolymer; and from about 0.3 to about 1.0 weight percent of a defoaming agent, such as silica.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is purified isolated angiogenic factor, isolated from Live Yeast Cell Derivitive. Also disclosed herein are methods to treat mammals suffering from wounds or burns comprising administering the angiogenic factor and pharmaceutical formulations for use in the methods.

Abstract: Tri- and tetra-substituted guanidines which exhibit a high binding affinity to phencyclidine (PCP) receptors and, more preferably, low affinity to the brain sigma receptors. These guanidine derivatives act as non-competitive inhibitors of glutamate induced responses of the NMDA receptor by acting as blockers for the ion channel of the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex. These compounds thus exert neuroprotective activity and are useful in the therapeutic treatment of neuronal loss in hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain or spinal cord ischemia, and brain or spinal chord trauma as well as being useful for the treatment of epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Down's Syndrome, Korsakoff's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: N,N-disubstituted-guanidines, e.g., of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon groups. Methods are provided for the treatment of psychosis and hypertension by administering an effective amount of an N,N'-disubstituted guanidine which, preferably, has a high affinity for the sigma receptor.

Abstract: N,N'-disubstituted-amidines, e.g., of the formula ##STR1## wherein R, R' and R" are substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon and/or heterocyclic groups.Methods are provided for the treatment or prophylaxis of anxiety in an animal, for treating psychosis, and for treating hypertension by administering an effective amount of an N,N'-disubstituted amidine which, preferably, has a high affinity for the sigma receptor.

Abstract: N,N'-disubstituted guanidines exhibiting a high binding affinity to phencyclidine (PCP) receptors are disclosed. These N,N'-disubstituted guanidine derivatives act as non-competitive inhibitors or glutamate-induced responses generated via the NMDA receptor by acting as blockers for the ion channel of the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex. These compounds thus exert a neuroprotective property and are useful in the therapeutic treatment of neuronal loss in hypoxia, brain or spinal cord ischemia, brain or spinal cord trauma, as well as being useful for the treatment of epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Down's Syndrome, Korsakoff's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: An adhesive is applied to overlapping portions of a two-part test sample located between opposing press heads of the bond testing device. The press heads then press together the overlapping portions for a specific period of time while heating the test sample to a preselected temperature. The device precisely maintains the temperature while bonding the sample at a preselected pressure. A load cell measures the shear force required to separate the bonded test piece.

Abstract: An enclosure for the controlled breeding of honey bees has a diffusely illuminated upper dome section. The dome is illuminated either by upwardly directed light reflected or emitted from a lower portion of the enclosure, or by an external source diffused through the dome. A queen bee is tethered in the center of the enclosure below the dome.

Abstract: The system includes an efficient, closed irrigation system in conjunction with insulating components for minimizing the harmful effects of extreme changes in ambient temperature, moisture and chemical concentrations in plant containers. Mechanisms are provided for permitting a single pallet, or a single plant within a pallet, to be readily removed from an integrated plurality of pallets without interfering with irrigation of the plants that are contained in the remaining pallets.

Abstract: A reliable shutter position indicator for an x-ray diffractometer utilizes an optical shutter position sensor for detecting the position of a shutter of the x-ray diffractometer. In one embodiment, a pair of optical isolators are utilized with an arm coupled to the shutter shifting to a position to interrupt a light beam of the optical isolators when the shutter is in either the open or closed position. The controller of the x-ray diffractometer then compares the detected shutter position with the expected shutter position to determine whether a shutter error is present.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring respiration includes a first gauge for positioning around a patient's chest and a second gauge for positioning around the patient's abdomen. Each gauge is comprised of a silicone rubber tube filled with a conductive gel. The conductive gel is a composition comprising glycerol, water, and sodium chloride. Upon securing the gauges about the patient, signals indicative of absolute volume are immediately available, providing a new and improved method of measuring and/or monitoring respiration.

Abstract: A metabolite material of propionibacteria, having a metabolite of molecular weight greater than 300, is added to a food product to inhibit the growth of gram negative psychotropic bacteria, yeast, mold, gram positive bacteria, or Listeria. The metabolite material may contain less than 0.02% propionic acid such that there is insufficient propionic acid per se to inhibit microbial growth. The metabolite material is produced by growing propionibacteria cells in a liquid growth medium to produce a mixture containing the metabolite material. The mixture can be concentrated and added to a food product as a concentrated liquid or powder. The metabolite material added to a food product may contain viable cells of propionibacteria.

Abstract: Disubstituted guanidines, e.g., bis-1,3-(o-isopropylphenyl)guanidine, bis-1,3-(m-isopropylphenyl)guanidine, bis-1,3-(1-naphthyl)guanidine, bis-1,3-(m-methoxyphenyl)guanidine, N-(1-naphthyl)-N'-(o-iodophenyl)-guanidine, N-(1-naphthyl)-N'-(m-ethylphenyl)guanidine, and N-(1-napthyl)-N'-(o-isoproylphenyl) guanidine, exhibit a high binding affinity to phencyclidine (PCP) receptors. These N,N'-disubstituted guanidine derivatives act as non-competitive inhibitors of glutamate-induced responses generated via the NMDA receptor by acting as blockers for the ion channel of the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex. These compounds thus exert a neuroprotective property and are useful in the therapeutic treatment of neuronal loss in hypoxia, hypoglycemia, brain or spinal chord ischemia, brain or spinal cord trauma, as well as being useful for the treatmnet of epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic Laterla Scherosis, Huntington's disease, Down's Syndrome, Korsakoff's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: An improved method for diagnosing and characterizing brain lesions is described which first involves chemically modifying the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in order to increase BBB permeability. Thereafter, a chemical agent (e.g. monoclonal antibody) is introduced which binds directly, specifically and exclusively to brain lesons. The chemical has a label attached thereto (e.g. gadolinium-DTPA). The chemical agent and label localize in regions of brain lesion proliferation. Thereafter, the brain is quantitatively analyzed to determine the amount of labeling agent present, preferably using magnetic resonance imaging techniques. This procedure enables the accurate analysis of brain lesions, and represents an advance in the art of diagnostic imaging.