Abstract: A method for treating a patient having meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion, is disclosed. Preferably, the method concerns treatment of a patient with topical tetracycline, a derivative or analogue of tetracycline, or a chemically modified tetracycline (CMT). Oral administration of a CMT is also disclosed as part of the method for treating meibomian gland disease, ocular irritation associated with delayed tear clearance, or recurrent corneal epithelial erosion.

Abstract: A method of evaluating clearance of fluorescein dye instilled into tear film having a greater sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing a tear film disorder as the cause of a patient's ocular irritation and ocular surface disease than can be achieved using the traditional methods. The inventive method can be performed using a diagnostic kit for evaluating tear fluorescence clearance in which the concentration of tear fluorescein is visually quantified via a color standard.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapid, continuous flow histological processing of tissues is disclosed. The steps of fixation, dehydration, clearing and impregnation are performed in less than one hour; this allows a pathologist to evaluate samples shortly after receipt, perhaps while the patient is still in the operating room. Rapid and continuous processing is accomplished by decreasing the thickness of tissue sections, use of non-aqueous solutions composed of admixtures of solutions, solution exchange at elevated temperature and with agitation, and impregnation under vacuum pressure. The patient in surgery is thus provided with point-of-care surgical pathology.

Abstract: This invention includes an iso-energetic intensity modulating filter and method for therapeutic charged-particle beams, preferably electron beams, in which attenuating members are arranged to completely attenuate portions of the beam while permitting other portions of the beam to pass through the space between attenuating members. The attenuating members block the charged particles without producing any significant bremsstrahlung contamination in the filtered beam. The attenuating members can be arranged in a large number of configurations to obtain the desired modulated beam intensity profile. This invention also includes an improved iso-energetic, intensity-modulated charged-particle beam produced by the filtering device and method of this invention. A charged-particle beam therapeutic device and treatment method which has the iso-energetic intensity modulating filter is also included in this invention.

Abstract: A plurality of locally sensitive, far-field immune sensors are mounted in mutually spaced relation on the exterior of the body of a subject to detect electrical signals associated with voluntary skeletal muscle activity in the immediate physical vicinity of the sensors. The detected signals are used to determine which, if any, of a predetermined series of voluntary skeletal muscle maneuvers is performed by the subject. A signal bearing a predetermined relationship to the maneuver is then transmitted to a device to be controlled based on which maneuver the subject has performed. Also disclosed are a novel sensor and a method of making same.

Abstract: Plants with an altered starch synthesizing ability are produced by incorporating into the genome of the plant at least one donor gene encoding a starch primer. The starch primer is an enzyme capable of initiating starch synthesis, such as an amylogenin and/or glycogenin. DNA constructs encoding a starch primer are provided, particularly constructs encoding amylogenin from maize.

Abstract: A method of treating a subject afflicted with nicotine dependence with the opiate antagonist, nalmefene is described. The subjects will not gain significant amounts of weight as a result of smoking reduction or cessation.

Abstract: An endoprobe includes a tubular element having a proximal end and a distal end. At least one optical fiber element is disposed within the tubular element. A plurality of laser light outlets are defined through a side wall of the tubular element. The at least one optical fiber element is adapted to conduct laser light from the proximal end of the tubular element to the plurality of laser light outlets, thereby to direct laser light radially of the tubular element. The tubular element is arcuately curved along a portion of its length, adjacent its distal end and the laser light outlets are defined along a radially inner portion of the curved portion.

Abstract: A surgical cutting head includes an outer tube rotatably housing an inner tube. At the distal end of the inner tube is curled cutting wings characterized by a portion of the wall of the inner tube being radially displaced inwardly. The distal end of the inner tube also has v-shaped cutting notches. The distal end of the outer tube has a projecting guard having a poriton which overlies the cutting wings and the distal edge of the inner tube.

Abstract: Hydrogen engine with controlled combustion comprises suction means connected to the crankcase reducing or precluding flow of lubricating oil or associated gases into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An anastomotic method for connecting a biological duct, such as the ureter, to a man-made device. The method involves connecting the duct to the prosthesis via an intermediate tissue so there is no direct connection between the ureter and the prosthesis. The method includes securing the resected duct to a remote living tissue, such as the peritoneum or omentum, and then securing that tissue to the prosthesis so that the duct drains into the prosthesis.

Abstract: A method of retinal re-attachment is provide including the steps of providing an optical fiber probe assembly; providing a laser system coupled to the optical fiber probe assembly for delivering at least one laser light beam to the optical fiber probe; making an incision in the conjunctiva; passing at least a portion of the optical fiber probe assembly through the incision; advancing the portion of the optical fiber probe assembly so as to separate the conjunctival-Tenon and scleral planes; positioning the portion of the optical fiber probe assembly over a retinal break area; and delivering the laser light beam from the laser system through the optical fiber probe assembly to the scleral at the locus of the retinal break area thereby to produce localized scleral shrinkage to buckle the scleral so as to relax the retinal break area. An apparatus is also provided to employ the method.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is provided having a tubular body including a distal portion, a proximal portion and a mid portion. A cutting member having a cutting edge is longitudinally received within the tubular body for guided reciprocal movement therein between a cutting position wherein the cutting edge extends from the distal portion and a non-cutting position wherein the cutting edge is retracted within the tubular body. A urging mechanism is also provided within the mid portion of the tubular body for urging the cutting member to the cutting position. A vacuum source is coupled to the cutting member at a proximal end thereof and provides a vacuum directed to the distal portion to hold tissue to be cut. A method of cutting the tissue is also provided.

Abstract: A method of screening a test substance for potential teratogenicity without employing vertebrate animals. In a representative embodiment, Drosophila primary embryonic cells, containing a hybrid game including a coding sequence for a detectable expression product under the control of a promoter sequence selected from among the 23 and 22 kDa Drosophila heat shock protein promoter sequences, are exposed to the test substance. The cells are thereafter assayed for the detectable expression product, the presence of the expression product in the cells providing an indication of the potential teratogenicity of the test substance. The primary embryonic cells containing the hybrid gene are conveniently provided by transformed flies.

Abstract: Surgical cutting heads for use in infusion/aspiration devices for performing surgery on various parts of the body, are disclosed. These cutting heads include, a first tube, having a cutting edge formed in its proximal end and an inner space bounded by the interior surface of this tube. This first tube contains at least one asymmetrical two-sided notch for cutting tissue, which notch proceeds distally from the first tube's proximal end to an apex where the sides of the notch meet. A first side of the notch commences at the first tube's proximal end and is generally in a plane parallel to the first tube's longitudinal axis. The second side of the notch commences at the first tube's proximal end, at a point radially inwardly therefrom, and extends into the first tube's inner space. A second open tube is disposed concentrically around the first tube and has at least one projection located at its proximal end and extending radially inwardly therefrom overhanging the first tube's proximal end.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for improving cardiovascular function which comprises administering an effective amount of the carboxylic ionophore salinomycin.

Abstract: A manikin system for simulating a cardiological patient is disclosed including a stethoscope with a magnet in its head which when placed on the chest of a manikin will close one or more of a number of reed switches disposed beneath the simulated skin causing an associated one of a number of stored, condition-indicating electrical signal sources to communicate the signals to an audio output for producing appropriate condition-indicating sounds. The condition-indicating electrical signals are placed in a set on the tracks of a magnetic tape to correspond to the sounds of a particular disease and the associated switch for each track is disposed at the point on the manikin chest that the particular sounds would be heard on the chest of an actual patient. The blood pressure of the manikin in accordance with the disease may also be treated by the provision of a switch in the arm of the manikin, which is connected in the manner of the chest switches, and by applying a pressure cuff in the clinical manner.