Abstract: Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed through detection of an about 30 kDa RNase L molecule under native conditions in cellular extracts of RNase L-containing cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Proteins are fractionated according to molecular weight under nondenaturing conditions. The fractionated proteins are assayed for the presence of the about 30 kDa protein having 2-5A-dependent RNase L enzyme activity. The severity of the affliction may be determined by testing for the presence of RNase L molecules having approximate molecular weights of 30 and 80 kDa. The presence of the about 30 kDa RNase L, and the absence of the about 80 kDa RNase L molecule, correlates with severe chronic fatigue syndrome. The presence of both RNase L molecules indicates a less severe chronic fatigue syndrome affliction. Under denaturing conditions, and in the presence of protease inhibitors, chronic fatigue syndrome may be diagnosed through the detection of an about 37 kDa 2-5A binding protein.

Abstract: Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed through quantification of low and high molecular weight forms of RNase L in cellular extracts of RNase L-containing cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells. A ratio of low to high molecular weight RNase L of more than 0.15 is characteristic of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Abstract: (Z)-styryl benzylsulfones of formula I are useful as anticancer agents: wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chloro and nitro; R2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, chloro, bromo, and fluoro; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, nitro, chloro, bromo, and fluoro; provided that at least one of R1 or R2 is hydrogen. The corresponding (Z)-styryl benzylsulfides are useful as intermediates in the preparation of the biologically active (Z)-styryl benzyl sulfones.

Abstract: A tablet for the controlled release of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The tablet comprises a core having a donut-like configuration with a cylindrical hole extending through the center of the core. The core of the body comprises at least one active pharmaceutical agent and at least one hydrophilic, water-soluble, polymeric carrier. The core is coated with a hydrophobic, water-insoluble material covering all of the core except that which is defined by the cylindrical hole. Also included is a method of preparing a tablet for the controlled release of an active ingredient. The method comprises the steps of blending an active pharmaceutical ingredient, a water-soluble hydrophilic, polymeric carrier, and optionally an excipient, to form a mix; compressing the mix; punching a tablet from the mix; coating the tablet in a water insoluble, hydrophobic coating, then drilling a hole through the coated tablet.

Abstract: A dental bur has a working surface including cutting elements which deflect or abrade upon encountering material at or above the preselected hardness corresponding to the lower limit of hardness of non-carious dentin. The dental bur is constructed of metal, ceramic, or plastic.

Abstract: A liquid ventilator having a dual loop, single pump configuration is disclosed. The liquid ventilator preferably utilizes two three-way valves for routing liquid from a reservoir in a regeneration apparatus and to a patient's pulmonary system, and back to the reservoir again. A controller controls the configuration of the three-way valves and the pump speed of the motor to allow user control over the parameters of inspiration and expiration.

Abstract: An isolated transcribed nucleotide sequence, termed interferon Responsive Transcript -1 (IRT-1), encodes a deduced 132 amino acid basically-charged protein. The invention is directed to IRT-1 nucleic acid, its structural and functional homologs, including portions of the nucleotide, and complements of the nucleotide sequence. Also provided are isolated amino acid sequences encoded by the IRT-1 nucleotide sequences, structural and functional homologs of the isolated amino acid sequences, including portions of the amino acid sequences and antibodies to the amino acid sequences. The IRT-1 nucleic acid sequences may be used to detect and produce other sequences, to regulate or oppose production of vascular smooth muscle cells, and to prevent or treat proliferative arterial disease and/or vascular restenosis.

Abstract: A swellable hydrophillic matrix tablet that delivers drugs in a controlled manner over a long period of time and is easy to manufacture. More specifically, the drug is disposed in a matrix composed of HPMC or polyethylene oxide, in the presence of a salt, which may be a combination of salts. Suitable salts include sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, potassium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, sodium bisulfate, sodium sulfite, and magnesium sulfate. Outward diffusion of the drug is controlled by an inwardly progressing hardening reaction between the salt and the dissolution medium, possibly also involving the drug itself.

Abstract: Oligonucleotides are provided having a nucleotide sequence complementary to at least a portion of the mRNA transcript of the human c-kit gene. These "antisense" oligonucleotides are hybridizable to the c-kit mRNA transcript. Such oligonucleotides are useful in selectively inhibiting proliferation of erythroid cells, particularly in disorders characterized by an elevated hematocrit due to over-production of erythrocytes. The antisense oligomers also have activity agent hematologic neoplastic cells and are therefore suitable as bone marrow purging agents.

Abstract: Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed through detection of an about 30 kDa RNase L molecule under native conditions in cellular extracts of RNase L-containing cells such as peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Proteins are fractionated according to molecular weight under nondenaturing conditions. The fractionated proteins are assayed for the presence of the about 30 kDa protein having 2-5A-dependent RNase L enzyme activity. The severity of the affliction may be determined by testing for the presence of RNase L molecules having approximate molecular weights of 30 and 80 kDa. The presence of the about 30 kDa RNase L, and the absence of the about 80 kDa RNase L molecule, correlates with severe chronic fatigue syndrome. The presence of both RNase L molecules indicates a less severe chronic fatigue syndrome affliction. Under denaturing conditions, and in the presence of protease inhibitors, chronic fatigue syndrome may be diagnosed through the detection of an about 37 kDa 2-5A binding protein.

Abstract: A controlled release tablet including a pharmaceutical agent and an excipient. The excipient includes at least about 60% of a water swellable polymer and a lubricant. The water swellable polymer is chosen such that the swelling rate of the polymer is equal to the dissolution rate of the swollen polymer. The excipient may also include such other ingredients as diluents, fillers, binders, solubilizers, emulsifiers, and other pharmacologically inactive compounds. The polymer is chosen with the pharmaceutical agent in mind such that the tablet will be fully dissolved at the same time that the last of the pharmaceutical agent is released.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a varix, including the steps of: (a) placing a system for observing whether the varix is open or closed into a region adjacent to the varix; (b) placing a system for sensing pressure into a region adjacent to the varix; (c)temporarily increasing the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix so that the varix collapses; (d) simultaneously observing the varix with the observing system and monitoring the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix with the pressure sensing system when the varix closes or reopens. Also, a device for evaluating a varix, including: (a) a system for observing whether the varix is open and generating an observing system output; and (b) a system for sensing the pressure in the region adjacent to the varix and generating a pressure sensing output.

Abstract: Optically active antiviral compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein m is 0, 1, 2, or 3; n and q are selected from the group of 0 and 1, provided that n and q may not both be zero; and R, R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 are independently of each other selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, provided that all R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, may not be oxygen, and further provided that all R, R.sub.1, and R.sub.2 may not be sulfur. The compounds possess increased antiviral activity and/or metabolic stability.

Abstract: A thermocouple formed of a length of a single composition having first solid phase section adjoining a second solid phase section, and a transition therebetween. One method of making such thermocouples is to raise the temperature of the first solid phase section above its transformation temperature while maintaining the temperature of a second adjoining solid phase section of the length of material below its transformation temperature. A second method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by contacting it with a moving substrate formed of adjoining regions of differing thermal conductivity. A third method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by alternatingly contacting it with a cooling fluid and air. A fourth method includes transforming a section of a length of material in a first solid to a second solid phase by mechanical means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the enantioselective synthesis of hydroxypyrrolidines from amino acids. An amino methyl ester is used as the starting material. The ester is reacted with a benziminoethyl ether to produce an oxazoline or thiazoline. Specifically, L-serine methyl ester is used to produce 4-(carbomethoxy)-2-phenyl-.increment..sup.2 -oxazoline, and cysteine is used to produce the corresponding thiazoline. The oxazoline (or thiazoline) can be reduced to an aldehyde by treatment with a slight excess of DIBAL-H. The oxazoline is quenched with alcohol and reacted with (carbomethoxymethylene)triphenylphosphorane, to produce (S)-(+)-methyl (E)- and (S)-(-)-methyl (Z)-3-(4,5-dihydro-2-phenyl-4-oxazolyl)-2-propenoate. The double bond is hydroxylated to yield the diol esters. The resulting diol is then treated with aqueous acid to hydrolyze the oxazoline and recyclize to produce 3,4-dihydroxy-5-hydroxymethylpyrrolidone benzoate.

Abstract: Solid supports for solid phase immunoassays comprise polyethyleneimine-coated negatively charged polymeric materials. The combination of negatively-charged polymer support and polyethyleneimine coating serves to eliminate nonspecific adsorption of biological molecules such as high molecular weight kininogen, which have affinity for solid surfaces and which interfere with immunoassays. The negatively charged polymeric support to which the polyethyleneimine coating is applied may advantageously comprise, for example, a carboxylate-modified styrene microparticle. Antigens or antibodies are coupled by covalent coupling agents to the polyethyleneimine coating to form solid phase immunoreagents. Immunoassays for biological molecules such as high and low molecular weight kininogen are provided.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a controlled release pharmaceutical tablet having at least three layers, two barrier layers and one drug layer. The two barrier layers erode more quickly than the drug layer. All layers are formed from swellable, erodible polymers. The drug layer can have a different composition from the two barrier layers. The three layers can also differ in thickness. The pharmaceutical agent is contained in the drug layer and is released as the tablet layer swells to allow diffusion through the tablet layers, and as the layers erode. The barrier layers are made from swellable erodible polymers which erode away to reveal more of the drug layer, as the tablet dissolves.

Abstract: Synthetic peptide analogs of human kininogen are provided which are conformationally restricted by means of intramolecular bonding. The peptides mimic the biological activity of human kininogen by inhibiting the activity of the biologically significant protease, calpain. The peptides are designed by means of an equilibrium conformational model of the kininogen heavy chain.

Abstract: A method for cryogenic treatment of a lesion which includes the steps of delivering a fluorochemical liquid to the lesion, placing at least one cryoprobe into the lesion, and circulating cryogenic fluid through the cryoprobe, the cryogenic fluid causing an ice ball to form in a vicinity around the cryoprobe, wherein the ice ball obliterates at least a portion of the lesion. The fluorochemical liquid is utilized to augment the cryosurgical procedure and is perfused or injected into and/or around the lesioned site prior and/or during the application of a cryoprobe to the site. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluorochemical liquid acts as a contrast agent to enhance real-time medical imaging of the lesioned area and modifies the environment in and around the lesioned area. In another embodiment of the invention, the fluorochemical liquid augments cryosurgical procedures by controlling the size and shape of ice balls formed during the cryosurgical procedures.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a function in two dimensions where the function is made up of numerous independent variables and at least one dependent variable. A new independent variable value can be defined having values which correspond to the multiple dependent variables. The variable values are read into a computer and the independent variables are then ranked by the user from fastest- to slowest-running variable. Each dependent variable corresponding to the new independent variable is plotted along the Y-axis. The independent variable values are plotted along the X-axis in a hierarchical manner. The hierarchical manner involves a nesting of fastest-running variables within slower-running variables. Rectangles are then drawn to correspond to each variable value. Each rectangle horizontally encloses the faster-running variables associated with it.