Abstract: A method is disclosed for attenuation of nervous system damage after injury which comprises administering therapeutic amounts of PREG, PREG-S, or esters of PREG or PREG-S together with an enhancer of secretory processes in non-neural cells such as a bacterial lipopolysaccharide and a non-steroidal antiinflammatory substance such as indomethacin.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the production of poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate, comprising the steps of (a) introducing into a prokaryotic host cell capable of metabolizing sucrose a vector construct which directs the expression of a sequence which encodes a poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate biosynthetic pathway, (b) culturing the host cell in medium containing sucrose, and (c) isolating poly-.beta.-hydroxybutyrate from the cultured host cell.

Abstract: Reacting carbonyls, such as aldehydes and ketones, with amines produces a ketimine or aldimine and a water byproduct. When the ketimine or aldimine reaction occurs in a polymer composition, the polymer becomes foamed due to the evolution of water. Hence, carbonyl and amine containing compounds may be introduced into a polymeric composition to serve as an in-situ blowing agent. The carbonyl and amine containing compounds may be different polymers which will be combined through a ketimine or aldimine linkage to form a graft co-polymer, they may be small molecular weight additives that are placed in the composition with a polymer that is to be foamed as a byproduct of a ketimine or aldimine reaction of the additives, or they may be a polymer containing a carbonyl or amine moiety and a small molecular weight additive compound that will react with the moiety on the polymer to form a ketimine or aldimine.

Abstract: A topical gel formulation containing aminocaproic acid prevents secondary hemorrhage following hyphema without the adverse side effects associated with systemically delivered aminocaproic acid. Of ten human patients treated with the formulation, none have experienced a secondary hemorrhage and none have experienced adverse side effects. The topical gel formulation is prepared by a process which ensures sterility, a pH compatible with conditions in the aqueous humor, and optimum consistency. A permeation enhancer such as proparacaine can be incorporated into the gel during formulation and be used to enhance the transport of aminocaproic acid across the corneal epithelium.

Abstract: Persistent epithelial defects are effectively treated by topically applying a gelatinous composition containing either aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid to the eye. In vivo results demonstrate improved healing of the epithelium and basement membrane complex. The gelatinous composition is prepared by a process that ensures sterility and proper pH conditions throughout the gel.

Abstract: An antenna for a personal communication device designed for reducing RF emissions to a user's head and body comprises a single half-wave dipole antenna element mounted on the top of a telescoping rod such that the antenna element is raised above the user's head when the rod is extended. The rod is completely inactive and serves only to elevate the active antenna element above the user's head and away from the body. A built-in switch is provided which reduces the transmission RF power when the rod is retracted to further protect the user. In a second embodiment, a co-linear array of dipole antenna elements is used. The full array is active for reception. However, a proximity detector senses the proximity of a human body, and lowers the RF transmission power to those antenna elements in the array that are closest to the user's head.

Abstract: 2,4-Diaryl-1,3-dithiolanes; 2,4-diaryl-1,3-dioxolanes; 2,4-diaryl-1,3-oxathiolanes; and 2,5-diaryl-1,3-oxathiolanes are disclosed that reduce the chemotaxis and respiratory burst leading to the formation of damaging oxygen radicals of polymorphonuclear leukocytes during an inflammatory or immune response. The compounds exhibit this biological activity by acting as PAF receptor antagonists, by inhibiting the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, or by exhibiting dual activity, i.e., by acting as both a PAF receptor antagonist and inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase.A method to treat disorders mediated by PAF or leukotrienes is also disclosed, that includes administering an effective amount of one or more of the above-identified compounds or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: An active damping circuit for an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter for power factor correction (PFC) circuit is provided which simulates a line damping impedance which actively varies according to sensed line current. The active damping circuit comprises an nth-order, Cauer-Chebyshev, low-pass filter having input series damping impedance (Z.sub.d) simulated with a power operational amplifier and high-frequency isolation transformer. The simulated damping impedance offers greatly reduced size and power dissipation as compared to prior art passive schemes which typically require large impedance components for damping. A passive damping circuit is also shown which involves providing an alternate inductive current path in parallel with a damping resistor whereby lower frequency currents are diverted through the alternate current path and higher frequency currents continue to flow through the damping resistor.

Abstract: A method is described for the chemical modification of pre-shaped hydrogels in non-aqueous medium. The conditions permit the reaction of highly expanded, porous hydrogel particles, such as spherical beads, using pseudo homogeneous reaction conditions in the absence of water. The method involves a three step procedure in which the porous gels are solvent exchanged int a water-free solvent (step 1) with minimal change in gel dimension and porosity; followed by reaction under non-aqueous condition (step 2); and followed by solvent exchange into water (step 3). Many different types of reactions requiring non-aqueous conditions may be carried out using these conditions. The method has particularly been demonstrated for crosslinking fluorinating beads, and for esterifying beads in a reaction involving multifunctional free carboxylic acids in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC).

Abstract: Viral contamination in water samples is detected using a medium which includes both a substrate for .beta.-galactosidase and E. coli with elevated levels of intracellular .beta.-galactosidase. The substrate is chosen to undergo a detectable change (e.g., colorimetric, fluorometric, photometric, etc.) upon cleavage by .beta.-galactosidase. A water sample to be tested for viral contamination is added to the medium. If coliphages are present in the water sample, they will infect, multiply within, and subsequently lyse the E. coli host. Lysis of the E. coli will allow the release of the intracellular .beta.-galactosidase into the media, whereupon the enzyme will cleave the substrate for a detectable reaction. In one particular application, a colorimetric reagent that serves as a substrate for .beta.-galactosidase is dissolved or dispersed within an agar medium, and in another particular application, a colorimetric reagent that serves as a substrate for .beta.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the formation of cellulose derivatives using homogenous phase reaction conditions. Cellulose is dissolved using DMAc/LiCl and a reagent system is added to promote the acylation of an appropriate acid anhydride or free carboxylic acid. One reagent system includes N,N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and 4-pyrrolidinopyridine (PP). Another reagent system includes p-toluene sulfonyl chloride (TsCl) and pyridine (Py).

Abstract: Genes coding for poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate were removed from Alcaligenes eutrophus H16 and cloned into Escherichia coli. Some of the clones produced PHB to 90% of the cell weight.

Abstract: An active noise control system using a compact sound source is effective to reduce aircraft engine duct noise. The fan noise from a turbofan engine is controlled using an adaptive filtered-x LMS algorithm. Single multi channel control systems are used to control the fan blade passage frequency (BPF) tone and the BPF tone and the first harmonic of the BPF tone for a plane wave excitation. A multi channel control system is used to control any spinning mode. The multi channel control system to control both fan tones and a high pressure compressor BPF tone simultaneously. In order to make active control of turbofan inlet noise a viable technology, a compact sound source is employed to generate the control field. This control field sound source consists of an array of identical thin, cylindrically curved panels with an inner radius of curvature corresponding to that of the engine inlet.

Abstract: 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane (HFC-227) has been identified as a highly polar propellant. Surfactants which have an elevated value (9.6 or greater) for their hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) can be used as suspending, wetting, and lubricating agents or cosolvents in metered dose inhaler (MDI) formulations pressurized with HFC-227 or propellant blends that contain HFC-227. Particularly preferred surfactants include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate, polyethylene glycol 300, propoxylated polyethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene 4 lauryl ether, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether.

Abstract: A gallium-indium-zinc-copper metallic material has been found to exhibit many of the advantageous properties of mercury, such as electrical conductivity, fluidity, and high vaporization temperature. The metallic material is formulated by combining individual components in the presence of aqueous base, isolating the metallic phase, and heating the metallic combination. The metallic material is formulated to have sufficient quantities of each of the individual components such that the metallic material has a solidification temperature below 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A topical gel formulation containing aminocaproic acid prevents secondary hemorrhage following hyphema without the adverse side effects associated with systemically delivered aminocaproic acid. Of ten human patients treated with the formulation, none have experienced a secondary hemorrhage and none have experienced adverse side effects. The topical gel formulation is prepared by a process which ensures sterility, a pH compatible with conditions in the aqueous humor, and optimum consistency. A permeation enhancer such as proparacaine can be incorporated into the gel during formulation and be used to enhance the transport of aminocaproic acid across the corneal epithelium.

Abstract: An isolated, substantially pure, novel compound possessing HIV reverse transcriptase inhibitory activity, and method of preparing same are described.

Abstract: The common cold and related disorders such as influenza, acute sinusitis, acute otitis, and infectious exacerbations of obstructive pulmonary disease, are best treated by providing a combination of antiviral agents and antiinflammatory compounds to a patient infected with a cold or influenza virus. An antiviral agent and two antiinflammatory compounds given to a person infected with a cold virus simultaneously reduces the likelihood of a cold developing and the amount and duration of viral shedding, as well as substantially reduces the severity of individual cold symptoms and the overall number and severity of cold symptoms. Supplementing the activity of the combined antiviral and antiinflammatory agents with such compounds as antihistamines and alpha agonists results in suprisingly good nasal benefits. Particularly good treatment results when an antiinflammatory compound which will reduce the volume of mucus secretion and/or reduce the viscosity of mucus present in the sinus cavity.

Abstract: Metered dose inhaler (MDI) formulations which utilize 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC 134a) as the sole propellant are made practical by including a polar surfactant such as polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, propoxylated polyethylene glycol, and polyoxyethylene (4) lauryl ether for suspending, solubilizing, wetting and emulsifying the drug constituent and lubricating the valve components of the MDI.

Abstract: Liquid gallium or gallium alloy is utilized as the conductive fluid in a switch or sensor housing. In order to prevent wetting of the interior walls of the switch or sensor housing, the liquid gallium or gallium alloy is either free of metal oxides or has only very low quantities of metal oxides.