Abstract: A catheter includes an inner cannula formed of a soft flexible stretchable biocompatible material and attached to a needle on a hub at the proximal end thereof. The inner cannula is slidably journaled through an outer cannula formed of the same biocompatible material, the inner cannula projecting outwardly out of the distal end of the outer cannula. The outer cannula proximal end is connected to the hub by a tube of heat shrinkable material. Three collars are mounted on the projecting portion of the inner cannula, the distal collar clamped in position to prevent slidable movement of the intermediate and proximal collars off of inner cannula, and the intermediate and proximal collars slidably mounted on the inner cannula.

Abstract: A compound represented by the following formula (I):X--Y--Z (I)?where Y is represented by the following formula (III): ##STR1## X is a monovalent group of a tetracycline type compound, and Z is a monovalent group of a steroid type compound such as estrogen!. The compound can concentrate on the bone tissue and has a bone resorption inhibition/ossification promotion functions.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting parasitic activity is disclosed in which the biosynthesis, structure and/or function of the glycotyl phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor of said parasite may be affected by incorporating into said GPI anchor selected analogs of myristic acid containing various heteroatoms, substituents and unsaturated bonds, including ester-containing analogs, ketocarbonyl-containing analogs, sulfur-containing analogs, double bond- and triple bond-containing analogs, aromatic moiety-containing analogs, nitrated analogs and halogenated analogs.

Abstract: A method and composition for treating a Hepatitis B patient having hepatic decompensation utilizes Hepatitis B virus-reducing amounts of T.alpha..sub.1, administered to a patient having decompensated liver disease so as to render the patient seronegative for Hepatitis B virus DNA.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of enhancing the production performance of avians, by administering to a bird a heterologous protein comprised of inhibin protein, or a fragment thereof, and a carrier protein. The present invention also relates to a method of enhancing the production performance of avians, by administering to a bird a fusion gene product comprising a gene encoded for the expression of alpha-subunit avian inhibin protein, or a fragment thereof, and a gene encoded for the expression of a carrier protein. An effective amount of the heterologous protein or fusion gene product is administered to an animal such that an immunological response occurs in the animal against the heterologous protein. The present invention further relates to the above heterologous protein and fusion gene product, and to methods of producing the same.

Abstract: A method for the direct reconstruction of an object from measurements of the transmitted intensity of diffusively scattered radiation effected by irradiating the object with a source of continuous wave radiation. The transmitted intensity is related to the absorption and the diffusion coefficients by an integral operator. The images are directly reconstructed by executing a prescribed mathematical algorithm, as determined with reference to the integral operator, on the transmitted intensity of the diffusively scattered radiation.

Abstract: A thermal process co-recycles tires with oils to produce gases, liquids and solids. The latter consisting of glass and steel fibers and a carbonous residue which are separately segregated and collected. By using selected additives gas formation and hydrogen sulfide contents are reduced, light product oil yields and quality are maximized and the level of chlorinated substances in the oils are reduced to trace amounts. The carbonous residue makes an excellent modifier for improving performance properties of bituminous binders and bituminous mixtures and for providing added benefits to properties of Portland concrete.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enhancing the immunotherapeutic activity, e.g., antitumor activity, of immune cells by depleting immune cells of a cell subset that down-regulates the immune response, such as either CD4.sup.+ or CD8.sup.+ lymphocytes. The remaining depleted immune cell population or the separated immune cell subsets then are cultured in the presence of an antibody to a lymphocyte surface receptor, preferably an anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (MoAb), optionally in the presence of a relatively minor amount of interleukin-2 (IL-2). These stimulated cells then are optionally additionally cultured in the presence of IL-2 without an antibody to a lymphocyte surface receptor. The present invention also provides a method of treating a mammal having tumors or immunizing a mammal against tumors by administering the stimulated depleted immune cell population or a stimulated immune cell subset to a mammal, advantageously together with an immunosuppressant, and with liposomal IL-2.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method of enhancing the production performance of avians, by administering to a bird a heterologous protein comprised of inhibin protein, or a fragment thereof, and a carrier protein. The present invention also relates to a method of enhancing the production performance of avians, by administering to a bird a fusion gene product comprising a gene encoded for the expression of alpha-subunit avian inhibin protein, or a fragment thereof, and a gene encoded for the expression of a carrier protein. An effective amount of the heterologous protein or fusion gene product is administered to an animal such that an immunological response occurs in the animal against the heterologous protein. The present invention further relates to the above heterologous protein and fusion gene product, and to methods of producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for protecting plants against infection by pathogenic plant viruses comprising administering to the plant a nucleic acid, encoding a pathogenic plant virus protein, containing substitutions in the genetic sequence which result in the replacement of amino acids having carboxylate side chains with uncharged amino acids and which have the phenotypic effect of displacing wild type coat proteins in a wild type virus and inhibiting the ability of the wild type virus to disassemble under conditions whereby the nucleic acid is expressed as a mutant coat protein within the plant. Also provided is a nucleic acid, encoding a pathogenic plant virus protein, containing substitutions in the genetic sequence which result in the replacement of amino acids having carboxylate side chains with uncharged amino acids and which have the phenotypic effect of displacing wild type coat proteins in a wild type virus and inhibiting the ability of the wild type virus to disassemble.

Abstract: A tracheal guide (10) for positioning a medical device (11) such as an endotracheal or intubation tube in the trachea (12) of a human patient (13). The tracheal guide includes an elongated member (14) with a generally U-shaped passage (17) extending therethrough. Ears (18, 33) are disposed laterally about the passage and, in particular, the distal end (15) thereof. These ears are shaped for conformance with and placement in the piriform fossa (19, 34), which are located in the vicinity of the glottic opening (39) of the trachea. A tongue (25) extends distally from the distal end of the elongated member and into the esophagus (32) of the patient when the ears of the guide are positioned in the piriform fossa. The passage of the elongated member includes first and second surfaces (20, 24) that form an edge (26) that extends anterior to the cricoid cartilage and, in particular, the transverse arytenoid when the edge and ears are properly positioned in the patient's airway.

Abstract: The use of antioxidants having indenoindole structure as additives to organ preservation solutions. Such a preservation solution is useful both for in site organ treatment in the donor and for organ storage after the organ is harvested. The present invention also discloses an improved organ preservation solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to conotoxin peptides having 25-35 amino acids, six cysteines which form three disulfide bonds between the first and fourth, second and fifth, and third and sixth cysteines, respectively. The invention is directed to .delta.-conotoxin GmVIA having the formula Val-Lys-Pro-Cys-Arg-Lys-Glu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Cys-Asp-Pro-Ile-Phe-Gln-Asn-Cys-Cy s-Arg-Gly-Trp-Asn-Cys-Val-Leu-Phe-Cys-Val (SEQ ID NO:1). This peptide activates sodium channels. The invention is further directed to .mu.O-conotoxin peptides of the generic formula Ala-Cys-Xaa.sub.1 -Lys-Lys-Trp-Glu-Tyr-Cys-Ile-Val-Pro-Ile-Xaa.sub.2 -Gly-Phe-Xaa.sub.3 -Tyr-Cys-Cys-Pro-Gly-Leu-Ile-Cys-Gly-Pro-Phe-Val-Cys-Val, wherein Xaa.sub.1 is Arg or Ser, Xaa.sub.2 is Ile or Leu and Xaa.sub.3 is Ile or Val (SEQ ID NO:2). These peptides block sodium charmels. Examples of .mu.

Abstract: The invention provides a dry, disposable, polymeric product having sustained-release anti-microbial activity, the product consisting essentially of a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of fibers, fabrics, sheets, films and other stable woven, non-woven and knitted materials prepared from natural, man-made and synthetic polymers and an amine salt anti-microbial agent, the anti-microbial agent being incorporated in the polymeric material without an intermediary adhesive, carrier or linking agent and being releasable therefrom in anti-microbially effective amounts for a period of at least three days upon the product being brought into contact with a moist surface.

Abstract: An improved helium leak detection method and apparatus are disclosed which increase the leak detection sensitivity to 10.sup.-13 atm cc s.sup.-1. The leak detection sensitivity is improved over conventional leak detectors by completely eliminating the use of o-rings, equipping the system with oil-free pumping systems, and by introducing measured flows of nitrogen at the entrances of both the turbo pump and backing pump to keep the system free of helium background. The addition of dry nitrogen flows to the system reduces backstreaming of atmospheric helium through the pumping system as a result of the limited compression ratios of the pumps for helium.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound represented by the following formula (I):X--Y--Z (I)?where Y is represented by the following formula (III): ##STR1## X is a monovalent group of a tetracycline type compound, and Z is a monovalent group of asteroid type compound such as estrogen!.The compound can concentrate on the bone tissue and has a bone resorption inhibition/ossification promotion functions.

Abstract: This invention relates to the method of using neurotrophic pipecolic acid derivative compounds having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins as inhibitors of the enzyme activity associated with immunophilin proteins, and particularly inhibitors of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase or rotamase enzyme activity to stimulate or promote neuronal growth or regeneration.

Abstract: A liquid light guide system for ultraviolet light is disclosed that has a light shaping arrangement for the emitted light, a stable liquid core and sheath and reliable and effective end closures.

Abstract: The NER receptor is a novel member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily and has been prepared by cDNA cloning from a human osteosarcoma SAOS-2/B10 cell library. The complete sequence of human NER complementary DNA (Seq. ID No. 1), expression systems including a COS stable expression system, the expressed protein (SEQ. ID No. 2) and an assay using the COS expression system are disclosed. The assay may be used to identify agents which activate transcription mediated by the NER receptor, and which are useful for potentiating the activity of a modulator of a G-protein coupled receptor wherein the G-protein coupled receptor is a member of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily.

Abstract: A mold useful for injection molding, comprising: a porous network of metal and oxidized metal and a cured epoxy resin dispersed in the porous network. The mold can be prepared by a process comprising the sequential steps of (a) forming a mixture of a metal powder and a polymer binder; (b) heating the mixture at a temperature in the range from about 100.degree. C. to about 300.degree. C. to remove a majority of the polymer binder from the mixture; (c) heating the mixture resulting from step (b) at a temperature greater than about 300.degree. C. and less than the melting point of the metal in the presence of oxygen to oxidize at least a portion of the metal to form a self-adhering porous network of metal and oxidized metal; (d) contacting the self-adhering porous network with an epoxy resin to fill at least a portion of the porous network with epoxy resin; and (e) curing the body resulting from step (d) to form the mold. The shape of the mold can be performed by selective laser sintering of the mixture.