Abstract: A method of diagnosing interstitial cystitits in an individual and a kit for the method, comprising the steps of: obtaining primary cultures of urothelial cells; selecting urothelial cells of basal type and producing secondary cultures; measuring in secondary cultures (1) percentage of single cells and percentage of large colonies; (2) determining proliferative ability; (3) determining differentiation ability; (4) determining the percentage of large colonies that express phosphotyrosine and/or nitrotyrosine; (5) measuring the percentage of apoptotic cells; (6) measuring the percentage of large colonies; and (7) comparing the percentage of the colonies to baseline values of the same parameters determined in samples of similarly cultured urothelial cells taken from individuals not suspected of having interstitial cystitis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of predicting whether an individual will be intolerant to the effect of fluoropyrimidines comprising the step of measuring the activity of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase activity in a biological sample obtained from said individual. Also provided is a method of determining a non-toxic dose of 5-fluoruracil in an individual in need of fluoropyrimidine therapy, comprising the step of measuring the activity of 5-fluoruracil phosphoribosyltransferase (FUPRTase) in a biological sample obtained from said individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heat stiffening suspension, comprising: a polymer liquid; and solid particles, wherein said suspension is reversibly activated by temperature to change from a liquid-like state to a solid-like state. Also provided is a method of producing a heat stiffening suspension, wherein said suspension is reversibly activated by temperature to change from a liquid-like state to a solid-like state, comprising the step of contacting a polymer liquid with solid particles at an activating temperature. Further provided is a method of reversibly controlling the physical properties of particle-filled polymers from a fluid-like, viscous state to a solid-like, slightly elastic state in a reversible manner comprising the step of increasing the temperature of a mixture comprising a polymer liquid and solid particles to an activating temperature.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and compositions for increasing the permeability of epithelial cells to a chloride ion in a subject comprising administering a permeability enhancing amount of a composition comprising a nontoxic, nonionic surfactant having (1) a critical micelle concentration of less than about 10 mM and a hydrophile-lipophile balance number of from about 10 to 20 and (2) a suitable hydrophobic organic group joined by a linkage to a suitable hydrophilic polyol.

Abstract: A mechanochemical engine capable of desalinating sea water or brackish water by the conversion of mechanical work to chemical work, which comprises: a) a housing containing an elastomeric material capable of being stretched, to thereby allow salt-diminished water to move into the elastomeric material, while substantially repelling solvated salt ions from entry thereto, b) means for stretching and relaxing said elastomeric material in said housing, in connection with said elastomeric material; and c) means for uptake of said sea water or brackish water into said housing, means for draining concentrated salt water from said housing, and means for draining desalinated water from said housing.