Abstract: Four novel cell lines, ATCC #HB-8862 through ATCC #HB-8865 produce monoclonal antibody to human plasma prekallikrein. At least three of the antibodies also recognize plasma kallikrein, specifically the heavy chain thereof, and kallikrein-Cl-inhibitor complex; at least one of these three antibodies recognizes kallikrein-alpha.sub.2 -macroglobulin complex and kallikrein-antithrombin III complex. The antibodies do not cross-react with tissue kallikrein. The hybridomas are formed by fusing spleen cells from immunized BALB/c AnSkh mice with SP2/O-Agl4 myeloma cells. Diagnostic and biochemical uses of the monoclonal antibodies are provided.

Abstract: Fungal infections are treated by administering a combination of(a) amphotericin B, and(b) a glycerol ether selected from the group consisting of(i) HOCH.sub.2 CHOHCH.sub.2 OR,(ii) HOCH.sub.2 CH(OR.sub.1)CH.sub.2 OH, and(iii) combinations thereof,wherein R and R.sub.1 are independently selected from the group consisting of C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 and C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 alkenyl.The glycerol ether acts synergistically to reduce the minimum inhibitory concentration of amphotericin B. The combination is particularly effective against Cryptococcus and Candida species.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of inhibiting coagulation in extracorporeal circulation in a subject, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a monoclonal antibody which inhibits the ability of tissue factor to bind to factor VII/VIIa. The method prevents complex formation between tissue factor and factor VII/VIIa and thus inhibits coagulation of blood in extracorporeal procedures such as cardiopulmonary bypass and other shunt procedures. Anti-tissue factor monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridoma cell lines TFS-5G9 or TF9-6B4 may be used in the claimed methods.

Abstract: A process is provided for controlling a ventilation procedure wherein a heliox ventilation system passes a breathing medium through at least a portion of a patient's pulmonary pathways. In this process, desired ranges for certain process parameters associated with the heliox ventilation system are established. These desired ranges are input into a signal processor. Initial settings for the heliox ventilation system are then made such that the actual conditions which will initially occur during the heliox ventilation procedure fall within their respective desired ranges. Thereafter, the heliox ventilation procedure is commenced. During the heliox ventilation procedure, conditions which relate to the established ranges are continually monitored by appropriate sensors. The monitored information is also input into the signal processor. The signal processor is designed to compare the actually-occurring monitored conditions to their respective desired ranges and determine if there is a difference therebetween.

Abstract: The effectiveness of selected antineoplastic agents may be determined in individual patients by comparing the level of expression of one or more selected growth-regulated genes in neoplastic cells taken from the patient before and shortly after the initiation of therapy. A decrement in expression is prognostic of eventual remission, while a lack of decrement indicates that remission is unlikely. The test may also be accomplished by comparing the level of expression of growth-regulated genes in neoplastic cells in culture before and after incubation of the cells with the selected antineoplastic agents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method determines the dissolution of a drug from a dosage form, most particularly a swellable dosage form. An inert, transparent cylindrical vessel having a hemispherical bottom contains a fluid medium. The dosage form is placed into the vessel. A disk carried in the vessel has a pair of annular rings for engaging the vessel walls spaced above the bottom of the vessel. The disk has a screen mesh circumferentially sandwiched by the rings for passage of the fluid medium through the disk. A dosage form retaining space defined between the disk and bottom of the vessel retains the dosage form. The disk restrains the dosage form from floating to the top of the fluid medium. A stirring mechanism having a vertical shaft and a blade at a lower end of the shaft is inserted into the vessel. The stirring mechanism rotates the fluid medium. The drug concentration in the fluid medium is sampled at selected time intervals.

Abstract: Optically active compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein n is 1 or 2 and m is 0, 1, 2 or 3 have antiviral activity. Compounds of the formula wherein at least one of the internucleotide phosphorothioate linkages is of the Sp configuration possess increased antiviral activity and/or metabolic stability.

Abstract: An insecticidal composition comprising a first composition having an effective amount of at least one species of entomopathogen distributed in a matrix. A second composition selected from vegetable oil, crop oil and partially hydrogenated oil containing mono- and di-glycerides surrounds the first composition and significantly prolongs nematode viability. The matrix is a nematode-containing macrogel or paste of partially hydrogenated oils containing mono- and di-glycerides. The macrogel matrix is selected from a continuous polymer macrogel or microcapsule-containing macrogel. Partially hydrogenated oils containing mono- and di-glycerides, (e.g., Crisco.RTM. shortening), can also be mixed with free nematodes to produce a paste formulation. Trapping nematodes in a Crisco.RTM. matrix formulation along with a water retentive polymer results in increased protection against desiccation and significantly prolongs viability during storage. An insect feeding stimulant, such as raffinose, may also be added to the mix.

Abstract: Radiolabelled polypeptides derived from the Viperidae disintegrins are provided as well as a method for the detection of venous and arterial thrombi, pulmonary emboli and tumors or abscesses that have a thrombus component. Compositions suitable for parenteral administration comprising the radiolabelled polypeptides and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided.

Abstract: A high level virtual computer in a heterogeneous hardware and software environment. A user specifies the hardware and software configuration of a virtual computer employing multiple coarse grain single instruction, multiple data (SIMD); multiple instruction, multiple data (MIMD); and pipelined parallel computing elements into a configurator, which activates a distributed process controller and supporting components in the desired virtual computer. Each processor in the virtual computer is equipped with a language injection library and runtime servers, i.e. daemons. The language injection library facilitates transference of data among the processors in the system during the execution of an application program, and isolates the details of coordinating the heterogeneous hardware and software in the virtual computer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of a degassed perfluorocarbon ("PFC") liquid as a method of removing gas emboli from parts of a patient's internal anatomy. Moreover, the invention can be used as a method of imaging parts of a patient's internal anatomy. Furthermore, the invention can also be used as a way of delivering biological agents to parts of a patient's internal anatomy which contain or are surrounded by gas emboli and/or which are to be imaged. In this invention, a degassed PFC liquid is delivered to a region within the patient's internal anatomy which contains gas emboli and/or which is to be imaged. If gas emboli are present, the degassed liquid is permitted to absorb at least a portion of the emboli. Thereafter, the emboli-containing liquid is removed from the patient or is used as an imaging agent. If gas emboli are not present, the cite is imaged before the degassed liquid reaches atmospheric equilibrium. Thereafter, the liquid is removed from the patient.

Abstract: A composition curable to a thermally reversible rubber comprises(i) a strong acid catalyst having a pK.sub.a of less than about -9,(ii) at least one polycyclosiloxane containing at least one polyfunctional siloxane unit, and(iii) at least one polysiloxane selected from the group consisting of a linear polydimethylsiloxane; a polydimethylcyclosiloxane containing from about 6 to about 50 silicon-oxygen bonds; a linear or cyclic block copolymer of polydimethylsiloxane and a non-siloxane organic polymer; and a linear or cyclic random copolymer of a siloxane of the formula Si(R)(R.sup.1)O wherein R and R.sup.1 are different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 hydrocarbon and C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 hydroxyalkyl,wherein the catalyst comprises from about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt % of the composition, and the concentration of polyfunctional siloxane units is at least about two times the catalyst concentration in the composition, but no more than about 0.27 molar.

Abstract: A family of proteins are provided which may be purified from snake venom. Each protein binds to the 45 kDa N-terminal domain of human platelet glycoprotein Ib, thereby inhibiting the binding of Von Willebrand factor to the domain. The proteins exist as multimers of individual polypeptide chains. The single polypeptide chains are useful for inhibiting the adhesion of platelets to subendothelial components of blood vessel walls exposed as the result of vascular damage.

Abstract: A process is provided for controlling a ventilation procedure wherein a liquid ventilation system passes a breathing liquid through at least a portion of a patient's pulmonary pathways. In this process, desired ranges for certain process parameters associated with the liquid ventilation system are established. These desired ranges are input into a central processing unit. Initial settings for the liquid ventilation system are then made such that the actual conditions which will initially occur during the liquid ventilation procedure fall within their respective desired ranges. Thereafter, the liquid ventilation procedure is commenced. During the liquid ventilation procedure, conditions which relate to the established ranges are continually monitored by appropriate sensors. The monitored information is also input into the central processing unit.

Abstract: Particulate fillers containing Si-OH groups are functionalized by treatment with a silica bonding agent. The treated particles are effectively polyfunctional, and may be used to prepare highly filled, cross-linked organopolysiloxane networks without the need for additional cross-linking agents. The functionalized particles are highly compatible with silicone fluids, particularly cyclosiloxane fluids. Compositions curable to such filled, cross-linked networks comprise the bonding agent-functionalized particles, a curable organopolysiloxane, and a catalyst for curing the organopolysiloxane.

Abstract: A composition curable to a thermally reversible rubber comprises(i) a strong acid catalyst having a pK.sub.a of less than about -9,(ii) at least one polycyclosiloxane containing at least one polyfunctional siloxane unit, and(iii) at least one polysiloxane selected from the group consisting of a linear polydimethylsiloxane; a polydimethylcyclosiloxane containing from about 6 to about 50 silicon-oxygen bonds; a linear or cyclic block copolymer of polydimethylsiloxane and a non-siloxane organic polymer; and a linear or cyclic random copolymer of a siloxane of the formula Si(R)(R.sup.1)O wherein R and R.sup.1 are different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 hydrocarbon and C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 hydroxyalkyl,wherein the catalyst comprises from about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt % of the composition, and the concentration of polyfunctional siloxane units is at least about two times the catalyst concentration in the composition, but no more than about 0.27 molar.

Abstract: Thrombolytic hybrids are formed as covalent or non-covalent complexes of fibrin fragments and plasminogen activator molecules. Native plasmin degradation fragments of fibrin or non-native fibrin fragments are covalently or non-covalently linked to plasminogen activators such as t-PA, scu-PA, urokinase, streptokinase, and the like. Useful native fibrin fragments which may be utilized to form complexes with plasminogen activators include fragments E.sub.1, E.sub.2, E.sub.3, D and DD, and (DD)E complex. The fibrin fragment component targets the hybrid to vascular thrombi, immobilizing the plasminogen activator molecule onto the fibrin surface of the thrombus. Once localized on a thrombus surface, the plasminogen activator component of the hybrid activates only the clot-surface bound plasminogen transported by the fibrin fragment vehicle, without significant systemic activation of plasminogen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the respiratory gas of a patient includes an adjustable volume gas mixing chamber which allows for the differences in lung capacity of patients from neonate to adult. A constant flow of a therapeutic gas mixture is measured by a flow meter in a supply line leading to a face mask breathing device. The mask is by-pass connected to the supply line such that the patient inspires from and exhales into the flow from the supply line. Both by-pass and expired gas mix and enter the adjustable-volume chamber, which contains an internal fan and sensors for detecting percentage content of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The chamber is adjusted to a volume where the sensor readings become stable rather than pulsatile. The change in percentages of oxygen and carbon dioxide content in the chamber, as compared to the content in the supply gas, is then entirely due to total-body consumption and production.

Abstract: An artificial blood substitute comprising Lewis acid--Lewis base salt film microcapsule having a perfluorocarbon encapsulated therein. The Lewis base may be a polyoxyalkylene adduct of an amine and the Lewis acid may be a polyoxyalkylene derivative of a polymeric acid.

Abstract: The molecular weight distribution of polydimethylsiloxane-.alpha., .omega.-diol fluids is reduced by contacting the fluid with an alkaline earth metal hydride or hydroxide. Molecular weight distributions lower than Poisson distributions may be obtained. The resulting monodispersed polydimethylsiloxane.alpha., .omega.-diol fluids may be substituted by reaction with common silanating reagents to prepare telechelic polydimethylsiloxanes which are nearly monodispersed.