Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for determining rates and mechanisms of reactions in solution. The method comprises mixing reactants together and then passing the reactants, after mixing, to an electrospray or other ion source. The apparatus is configured so that the reaction time can be determined. This can either be by way of a capillary of known length and volume extending from a reaction tee or other mixing device, so that the reaction time can be determined from the capillary volume and flow rate, and/or by way of a container of fixed volume from which the reactants pass. From the ion source, ions pass into a mass spectrometer, where a mass spectrum is measured. By varying the reaction time, and measuring the different mass spectra, the rate of reaction can be determined.

Abstract: Steroid compounds having various oxygen substitution on the steroid nucleus are disclosed. A specific functionality present on many of the steroid compounds is oxygen substitution at both of positions 6 and 7. Thus, certain steroids have oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, and some have specific stereochemistries such as 6.alpha. and 7.beta. oxygen substitution, and an alpha hydrogen at the 5 position in addition to having 6.alpha. and 7.beta. oxygen substitution. Steroids having 3,4-epoxy functionality are also disclosed. In addition, steroids having C17 pyran and .delta.-lactone functionality, with oxygen substitution at C6 and C7, or at C15, of the steroid nucleus, are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel class of cationic peptides having antimicrobial activity is provided. Examples of such peptides includeNH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTTAVKKVLTTGLPALIS-COOH (SEQ ID NO:1)andNH.sub.2 -KWKSFIKKLTSAAKKVVTTAKPLISS-COOH. (SEQ ID NO:2)Also provided are methods for inhibiting the growth of bacteria utilizing the peptides of the invention. The peptides are particularly useful for inhibiting endotoxemia in a subject.

Abstract: The control system disconnects the throttle from direct connection with the accelerator pedal, which sets the power requirements or demand. The demand signal passes to a computer control or microprocessor which electronically controls the throttle as a function of the engine operating conditions and pre-established values for controlled parameters stored in bitmaps in the microprocessor's memory. It is preferred to use a fuel injecting stratified charge spark plug in conjunction with the electronic control system and use the electronic control system to control the primary and auxiliary fuel injection systems as well as the ignition timing to permit the engine to run under very lean conditions to produce low levels of emissions such as nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Methods of calculating the platelet count of an individual, by measuring the amount of a released platelet granule protein of interest in a sample of whole blood or of platelet-rich plasma from the individual, are described. The platelet granule protein of interest is either thrombospondin or .beta.-thromboglobulin. The amount of released platelet granule protein of interest in the whole blood sample or platelet-rich plasma sample is measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; radioimmunoassay; sandwich assay; a quantitative immunochromatographic assay; or non-solid phase nephelometry. The platelet count is directly related to the amount of released platelet granule protein of interest in the sample, and can be determined from the amount of platelet granule protein of interest that is released from a known number of platelets.

Abstract: An image display apparatus utilizing a hollow light guide having a non-diffuse highly reflective inner rear surface and a non-diffusely partially transmissive, non-diffusely partially reflective image-bearing front surface. A light source emits light into one end of the light guide. The image-bearing front surface has high reflectivity and low transmissivity adjacent portions of the image which are to be illuminated at relatively low intensity; and, has low reflectivity and high transmissivity adjacent portions of the image which are to be illuminated at relatively high intensity. This can, for example, be achieved by forming the image-bearing front surface of an outer image-bearing sheet laminated to an inner sheet of highly reflective perforated material. The inner sheet's apertures are distributed, or the size of the apertures is varied, such that any selected area on the inner sheet is apertured in proportion to the desired intensity of illumination of the image adjacent that selected area.

Abstract: An optical system for variably re-directing light (preferably sunlight) which passes through an input aperture. The input aperture is covered with a flexible optical film such as a Fresnel lens having an optical deflection characteristic which varies as a function of position so as to redirect the light in a direction which varies as a function of such position. The film is supported with a selected portion of the film covering the input aperture, and with the non-selected portion of the film stored away from the input aperture. A control mechanism controllably displaces the film in the aforementioned direction, to position the selected film portion relative to the input aperture. The film re-directs and concentrates the light into an output aperture whose cross-sectional area is less than the cross-sectional area of the input aperture. The output aperture may be a light guide's input port.

Abstract: Osteoporosis may be detected in-vivo by applying an acoustic sensor in contact with the skin of the patient while subjecting the patient to stress, for example, by lifting light weights and measuring the acoustic emissions sensed by the acoustic sensor to provide an indication of the degree of osteoporosis damage incurred by the bones of the patient being diagnosed.

Abstract: The invention provides for tripyrrane compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein: each Q represents, typically, an alkyl group, cycloalkyl group, aryl group, or a heteroaryl group; and each R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group, alcohol group, or a carbonyl-containing group.Additionally, there are described methods to prepare such compounds, for example, comprising the steps of:(a) reacting a compound of the formula:Q--CHO or Q--CH(OS)(OS')wherein S and S' are independently lower alkyl, an aryl group containing from 5 to 14 ring atoms, and --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n =2-4;with a stoichiometric excess of a pyrrole having the formula: ##STR2## in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acid; (b) removing the unreacted pyrrole or any other solvents used in (a) by evaporation to form a residue; and(c) treating the residue to remove high molecular weight polymeric materials and the corresponding dipyrromethane by-product, leaving the desired compound.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly directed to the use of a derivative of vinblastine, 3',4'-anhydrovinblastine (AHVB), which differs from vinblastine in that it possesses a double bond at the 3',4' position of the caranthine nucleus rather than the hydroxyl group that is present in the parent structure, as an antineoplastic agent in the therapeutic treatment of cancer. Specifically, the treatment of lymphoma with 3',4'-anhydrovinblastine is disclosed.

Abstract: A mouse which is homozygous for a disruption in the IDUA gene, but which has normal expression for the SAT-1 gene can be used for evaluating therapeutic agents for use in treating mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, by administering the therapeutic agent to the mouse, and evaluating the mouse for tissue pathology associated with iduronidase deficiency. The mouse can also be used for evaluating the ability of a targeting system to deliver a therapeutic agent to selected tissues or organs by administering an effective iduronidase replacement therapy coupled to the targeting system to a mouse which is homozygous for a disruption in the IDUA gene, but which has normal expression for the SAT-1 gene; and evaluating at least the selected tissue or organ from the mouse for pathology associated with iduronidase deficiency. Targeting systems which can be evaluated using this methodology include targeting moieties which selectively bind to or associate with selected cell types and in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating controllable switching an interface between a reflective state in which light incident upon the interface undergoes total internal reflection, and a non-reflective state in which total internal reflection is prevented at the interface. The apparatus incorporates a member (preferably an elastomer) which is deformable with respect to the interface. The member's Young's Modulus in portions of the member adjacent the interface is substantially greater (i.e. stiffer) than the member's Young's Modulus in portions of the member away from the interface. The stiffened portion of the member adjacent the interface may be in the form of a microstructure. A pair of electrodes coupled to a voltage source can be provided to controllably deform the member into optical contact with the interface, within a continuously variable range of optical contact values, to produce the non-reflective state in selectably varying degrees.

Abstract: Chemical shift imaging with spectrum modeling (CSISM) models the general chemical shift spectrum as a system with N distinct peaks with known resonant frequencies and unknown amplitudes. Based on the N peak spectrum model, a set of nonlinear complex equations is set up that contains N+1 unknowns of two kdnds: the magnitudes of the N peaks, and a phasor map caused by main magnetic field inhomogeneity. Using these equations, the timing parameters for shifting the 180.degree. RF refocusing pulses for acquiring spin-echo images are optimally chosen. Corresponding timing parameters for other pulse sequences can also be optimized similarly. Using the chosen timing parameters, a plurality of images are acquired. Next, acquired image data are automatically processed to solve the complex linear equations. First, the phasor map is found by fitting various phasor map values over a small number of pixels, or "seeds", that are picked sparsely in a field of view.

Abstract: The present invention provides oligonucleotide primers and a method of using these primers for identification of the species of an organism, wherein the identification includes amplification of a variable polynucleotide sequence encoding a highly conserved region of a heat shock polypeptide.

Abstract: Recombinant transferrin, non-glycosylated recombinant transferrin, transferrin half-molecules and mutant transferrins having altered metal-binding or other properties are described. The recombinant transferrin molecules are expressed in functional form by stable eukaryotic cell lines such as baby hamster kidney cells transformed with an expression vector encoding the recombinant molecule. The recombinant transferrins can be used in metal chelation therapy to bind and clear excess toxic metals in patients suffering from metal overloads or as tissue culture medium supplements or replacements.

Abstract: Methods and compositions, useful in the treatment of amyloidosis and conditions and diseases associated therewith, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). These methods involve administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition including one or more agents which modulate APP catabolism and amyloid deposition. Accordingly, the methods and compositions are useful for inhibiting amyloidosis in disorders in which amyloid deposition occurs. The methods are based, at least in part, on modulating catabolism of APP in APP-containing cells through the use of a mobile ionophore, such as carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone, which does not substantially alter the viability of those cells.

Abstract: The invention related to a GPI-anchored p97 and a soluble form of p97 and derivatives thereof and methods for preparing the same. Methods of using p97 in modulating iron transport, in the delivery of therapeutic agents, and in the treatment of conditions involving disturbances in iron metabolism are described. The treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease in view of the finding that p97 and transferrin receptor are markers for microglial cells associated with senile plaques are also described.

Abstract: DNA constructs are provided which code for at least the extreme C-terminal amino acids of the rsaA protein of Caulobacter crescentus fused with heterologous polypeptides. Baterial cells containing, or which express the DNA constructs and secrete the resulting protein are also provided. Chimeric proteins including the C-terminal amino acids of the rsaA protein are provided, including chimeric proteins comprising antigenic epitopes of the Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus.

Abstract: A method for producing dehydrated potato slices, specifically suitable for making French fries and French fries produced therefrom, utilizes the application of microwave energy under selected vacuum conditions and a specific range of microwave energy application to produce dried potato slices having a water activity of no more than 0.85.

Abstract: A cDNA molecule encoding coniferin beta-glucosidase is disclosed. This enzyme catalyzes one of the last steps in the synthesis of lignin in plants. Plants having modified lignin content may be produced by transformation with this cDNA (or parts of the cDNA), for example, in either sense or antisense orientation. The invention includes methods of altering-lignin content in plants using this cDNA, as well as transformed plants, such as conifers, having modified lignin content.