Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID'S) complexed with zwitterionic, neutral phospholipids, or both, having reduced gastrointestinal irritating effects and enhanced antipyretic, analgesic, and antiinflammatory activity. Also disclosed are improved methods of using the complexes for treating fever, inflammation, and preventing platelet aggregation. In some embodiments, the anti-pyretic activity of sub-therapeutically used amounts of NSAID's are enhanced to elicit anti-pyretic activity in vivo when associated (noncovalently) with zwitterionic phospholipids, such as dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline. Methods and compositions useful for enhancing the therapeutic activity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in the presence of anti-secretory agents are also discussed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for monitoring the presence of minimal residual hematopoietic tumor cells, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells, in remission cells of a patient. The invention relates to using nucleic acid hybridization probes to detect alteration of tal-1 locus on chromosome 1 from a DNA extract to confirm the presence of residual T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells in the patient. Methods to quantitate the amount of hematopoietic cells are described. Kits for detecting and monitoring hematopoietic tumor cells in a patient are provided. Kits for quantitating hematopoietic tumor cells in a patient in remission are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of Tripterygium Wilfordii Hook F extracts in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. An alcohol extract of this plant (T2) inhibited antigen- and mitogen-stimulated proliferation of T cells and B cells, cell cycle progression, interleukin-2 (IL-2) production by T cells, immunoglobulin production by B cells and interleukin-2 mRNA production. T2 did not affect IL-2 receptor expression by T cells, IL-1 production by monocytes, the capacity of monocytes to present antigen, or signaling pathways. Inhibition could not be accounted for by nonspecific toxicity. These results support the conclusion that T2 exerts a powerful suppressive effect on human immune responses. Suppressing autoimmune disease is a most preferred embodiment of this invention.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the diagnosis and prognosis of hematopoietic tumors, such as T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in a human. The invention relates to using nucleic acid hybridization probes to detect, by fluorescent in situ chromosome hybridization, deletion of tal-1 locus on chromosome 1 from human cells to confirm T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the patient.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity.

Abstract: Method and compositions are provided for the determination of telomere length and telomerase activity, as well as the ability to inhibit telomerase activity in the treatment of proliferative diseases. Particularly, primers are elongated under conditions which minimize interference from other genomic sequences, so as to obtain accurate determinations of telomeric length or telomerase activity. In addition, compositions are provided for intracellular inhibition of telomerase activity.

Abstract: An integrated logic circuit according to the present invention includes a plurality of logic circuit elements, such as field effect transistors, for performing a combinational logic function, and at least one test controlled-impedance element for loading the logic circuit and causing a first digital output signal to be produced when the impedance of a logic circuit element under test is within a predetermined range and produce another digital output signal when the impedance of the logic circuit element under test is outside the predetermined range. The test controlled-impedance elements typically comprise field effect transistors and are sized in accordance with a series of constraints. The constraints are obtained by considering the operation of the circuit under various impedance fault conditions (high, low and intermediate) and deriving a series of size relationships between the impedance values of the logic circuit and test elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating isoanalytes and measuring analytes in fluids includes a two-chambered filtration device having a filter positioned parallel to the majority flow of fluids. The apparatus uses continuous flow filtration to separate one component from other fluid components.An alternative apparatus for separating isoanalytes and measuring analytes in fluids includes a reaction chamber which uses intermittent flow filtration with a piston/valve assembly to separate one component from other fluid components.A method for separating isoanalytes and measuring analytes in fluids comprises the steps of: mixing a fluid sample and a precipitating reagent; directing the mixture to a filtration device; adding a color reagent; directing the filtrate to an analyzer; replacing the fluid sample with a wash solution; and replacing the precipitating reagent with a cleaning solution.

Abstract: A method to functionalize carbohydrate derivatives by base-induced .beta.-elimination and subsequent olefination to form biologically active products containing .alpha.-hydroxy-diene or .alpha.,.beta.-dihydroxy-diene subunits. Also disclosed are methods to prepare biologically active derivatives of fatty acids containing .alpha.-hydroxy-diene groups and .alpha.,.beta.-dihydroxy-diene groups from derivatives of 2-deoxyfuranoses and derivatives of 2-deoxypyranoses, respectively.

Abstract: An NMR clinical chemistry analyzer includes a shield (20) having a plurality of elongate ferromagnetic bars (22) disposed around an NMR magnet (10) and aligned with its axis (13). A probe arm (28) is disposed within the axial bore (12) of the magnet (10) and is articulable in an axial direction to position any one of a plurality of sample modules (32) within the magnetic field "sweet spot" (144) such that tests may be performed on at least one fluid sample within the chosen sample module (32). Counterrotating conductive, nonferromagnetic cylinders (122, 124) are disposed within the axial bore (12) to assure magnetic field homogeneity. Robotics (50, 30, 34) are provided to automatically test fluid analytes without the need for manual changeout of the fluid testing vessel (102) or per-sample electronic shimming.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic pulse-echo method and apparatus that has particular application in estimating sound velocity in organic tissue is disclosed. The method employs a standard transducer or transducer containing device which is translated transaxially, thereby compressing or displacing a proximal region of a target body in small known increments. At each increment, a pulse is emitted and an echo sequence (A-line) is acquired from regions within the target along the sonic travel path or beam of the transducer. Segments of the echo sequence corresponding to a distal region within the target are selected as a reference to estimate the incremental change in echo arrival time. A plot of these arrival time estimates versus the target compression depth is then generated and a least squares linear fit is made. The slope of the linear fit is c.sup.-1, where c is an estimate of the speed of sound in the target.

Abstract: Hypotonic beverage compositions and beverage concentrates adapted for oral administration of water, physiologically essential electrolytes, nutrient minerals, carbohydrates, and other ingredients to a human body. The hypotonic beverage composition comprises an aqueous solution, either carbonated or non-carbonated, electrolytes, carbohydrates, low-caloric sweetener, and edible acid components in ranges as stated.

Abstract: The present invention involves the synthesis and use of new platinum compounds. These new platinum compounds are easy to encapsulate in liposomes at high efficiencies. They are further characterized as platinum (II) four coordinate complex having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are carboxylato monoanions bearing a hydrophobic radical function or a single carboxylato dianion bearing a hydrophobic radical function and R.sub.3 is a vicinal diaminoalkane or vicinal diaminocycloalkane. The complex is substantially soluble in methanol or chloroform and substantially insoluble in water. Said complex may be incorporated into phospholipid liposomes. Such platinum complexes encapsulated in phospholipid liposomes are useful for chemotherapy of platinum complex-sensitive tumors.

Abstract: Hypotonic beverage compositions and beverage concentrates adapted for oral administration of water, physiologically essential electrolytes, nutrient minerals, carbohydrates, and other ingredients to a human body. The hypotonic beverage composition comprises an aqueous solution, either carbonated or non-carbonated, of iron, electrolytes, carbohydrates, low-caloric sweetener, and edible acid components in ranges as stated.

Abstract: A cycle-portion encoder, an electronic circuit to dynamically measure the period of a variable electrical input signal and generate an output signal at a preselected time in the next cycle, is provided. The cycle-portion encoder locates a point in time in a recurrent signal's period of interest, based on the real-time measurement of the immediately preceding cycle period and a selected portion of the period of interest. A control output is delivered at the desired phase angle (with respect to the input signal) with a resolution limited only by the counting and gating electronics, and an error primarily related to the repeatability of the input signal from cycle to adjacent cycle.

Abstract: A continuous hybrid cell line which produces monoclonal antibody directed against the neurotransmitter degrading enzyme, monoamine oxidase B (MAO B), has been developed. The hybrid cell line was established by fusing MAO B primed, differentiated lymphoid cells with myeloma cells. Resulting fused cells were isolated, cloned and characterized as to antibody specificity against antigenic determinants of MAO B. Monoclonal antibody having specificity for MAO B and no cross reactivity with MAO A was selected and implemented in a radioimmunoassay technique for the selective measurement of MAO B concentration independent of its catalytic activity.