Abstract: An operating stage is formed by a rigid ring and is provided with a resilient wedge forming helically wound spring that forms a plurality of resilient pressure applying, suture gripping wedging clamps around the stage and positioned adjacent to the bottom outside corner of the stage.

Abstract: Compositions and methods which are useful for the treatment of solid tumors in a host and which are also useful for increasing the therapeutic index of mitoxantrone in a host. The pharmaceutical compositions are liposomal formulations of mitoxantrone in which the liposomes comprise a mixture of cholesterol and a diacylphosphatidylcholine, preferably 1,2-sn-dimyristoyl-phosphatidylcholine.

Abstract: The present invention provides analytical devices for the characterization of the primary structure of proteins and peptides, comprising a microenzyme reactor, a separation device, an interface between the microenzyme reactor and the separation device, a mass spectrometer, and an interface between the separation device and the mass spectrometer. Also provided are methods for characterizing a protein or peptide utilizing such devices.

Abstract: Myoglobin is shown to have Manganese (Mn.sup.2') binding and peroxidase capacity. Mn binding and peroxidase activity is enhanced by modification of the amino acid sequence of myoglobin to provide a Mn binding site on the surface of the protein near the heme group. Peroxidase activity of myoglobin not specific to Mn is enhanced by substituting amino acids at residues 39, 45, 46, 97 and 107 of myolglobin.

Abstract: Isolation, cloning and sequencing of the murine Huntington's Disease gene as well as its transcripts and gene products are provided. A transgenic mouse model for Huntington's Disease exhibits cognitive defects similar to symptoms seen in Huntington's Disease in humans.

Abstract: Novel methods are provided for loading a weakly basic drug into liposomes utilizing an electoneutral transport system. In these methods, ionophores are utilized with liposomes having a metal ion gradient to facilitate the exchange of metal ions for protons. The transported metal ion will, in some embodiments, be complexed with a chelating agent which is present in the external media.

Abstract: A fiber-optic probe is formed by a pair of optical fibers one of which delivers light to a target zone and the other collects light from a field of view in the target zone. One of these fibers is provided with a window that opens substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fiber and with a transverse surface oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the fiber to reflect light through the window or from the window longitudinally of the axis of this fiber. Two fibers are physically interconnected to position the window on one side of and immediately adjacent to the target zone and the axial end of other fiber to deliver or receive light from another side of the target zone preferably substantially perpendicular to the one side.

Abstract: A .beta.,.beta.'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin compound having the formula (I) or (II): ##STR1## wherein M is a metal. A novel method for synthesizing the compound of formula (I) or (II) comprises the steps of:a. osmylating a .beta...beta.'-unsubstituted, meso-substituted porphyrin to form an osmate ester at the .beta.,.beta.'-position, andb. reducing the osmate ester to form the corresponding .beta.,.beta.'-dihydroxy meso-substituted chlorin, bacteriochlorin or isobacteriochlorin of formula (I) or (II).

Abstract: One of the propellants used in a bipropellant rocket engine has a vapor pressure sufficiently high under prevailing condition to generate vapor at a pressure sufficiently high to pressurize both the volatile component and the second rocket propellant and provide substantially the sole means for forcing the two rocket propellants from their storage to the rocket engine. In the preferred arrangement, both the components will be stored within the same pressure vessel, one preferably being contained within an expandable/collapsible bladder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for separation of fine particles in a bimodal (two component) dense medium. In accordance with the present invention, the dense medium comprises ferromagnetic particles that have a relative density range from about 4.0 to 7.0 suspended in water and are characterized by a bimodal size distribution. Such a medium exhibits high stability and favourable rheological properties. The use of such a bimodal magnetite dense medium in cleaning fine coal in a dense medium cyclone or dynamic dense medium separator results in optimum separation efficiency when the medium contains approximately 20-40% fine and 60-80% coarse magnetite, and when the size ratio of coarse-to-fine magnetite is in the range of 5 to 10.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the modification of polysaccharide structures using polysaccharidase binding or catalytic domains either alone or in tandem to modify the structure of polysaccharides. These methods and compositions are exemplified by the use of cellulase binding and catalytic domains to polish cotton, and to alter dying characteristics, texture and porosity of cellulose fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel class of polyethylene glycol modified ceramide lipids. The lipids can be used to form liposomes optionally containing various biological agents or drugs, such as anti-cancer agents. In addition, methods of use for the liposomes are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for relaxing smooth muscle in a warm-blooded animal are provided, comprising the step of administering to the animal a transition-metal nitrosyl complex. In one aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula L.sub.3 M(NO).sub.y X.sub.3-y where L is a two-electron Lewis base or L.sub.3 is a six-electron Lewis base, M is a Group 6 or 8 transition-metal, and when y is 1, X is carbon monoxide, and when y is 2, X is a halide or pseudohalide. In another aspect, the transition-metal nitrosyl complex is represented by the formula ?M(NO).sub.2 X.sub.y !.sub.2 where X is a halide or pseudohalide, and when M is a Group 6 transition-metal, y is 2, and when M is a Group 8 transition-metal, y is 1. Methods are also described for treating hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart disease, and impotence utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above-described transition-metal nitrosyl complexes.

Abstract: Multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis can be treated effectively using photodynamic therapy. In this protocol, a photoactive compound is administered, allowed to distribute in the effected subject, and the subject is then irradiated to activate the photoactive compound. Alternatively, the blood of a subject to be treated can be subjected to PDT extracorporeally. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, localized treatment at the joints may also be employed.

Abstract: A thermostat bypass is formed using the periphery of a flange on the thermostat bearing against an annular inner surface of a housing to form a seal inhibiting fluid flow around the periphery of the thermostat. Movement of the thermostat by means of an axially sliding sleeve pushes the thermostat against a spring bias from the sealed position and permits flow of fluid through the housing and around the periphery of the thermostat into the sleeve to the outlet to thereby bypass the thermostat.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of stable liposome formulations of protonatable therapeutic agents. The methods involve loading a therapeutic agent into preformed liposomes having a methylamine concentration gradient across the lipid bilayer of the liposomes. These methods provide liposome formulations which are more stable, more cost effective, and easier to prepare in a clinical environment than those previously available. The present invention also provides the pharmaceutical compositions prepared by the above methods, a kit for the preparation of liposome formulations of therapeutic agents, and methods for their use.

Abstract: Aerolysin is shown to bind specifically to the Thy-1 antigen. Aerolysin-based methods, compositions and kits for detecting the presence of Thy-1 antigen are presented.

Abstract: Superconductivity is inhibited in selected portions of a high temperature superconductor ("HTS") material by patterning the selected portions with a resist. The patterned material is ion-bombarded to implant impurity ions in non-resist-bearing portions of the material. After low temperature annealing, the non-resist-bearing portions of the material lose their superconducting characteristics, but such characteristics are preserved in the material's resist-bearing portions. The material's crystalline structure is preserved, so additional layers can be epitaxially grown atop the inhibited material. Superconductivity is inhibited at a selected depth in a HTS material by subjecting the material to impurity ion bombardment at an energy level controlled to implant ions in the material at the selected depth. After low temperature annealing, the material loses its superconducting characteristics at the selected depth, but such characteristics are preserved at other depths (i.e.

Abstract: A method of identifying antigens which are capable of being endogenously processed by a cellular secretory pathway comprising: introducing an antigen into a donor cell lacking in MHC class I molecules, incubating in an in vitro medium the donor cells, primed cytotoxic T lymphocytes having specificity for the antigen, and target cells which express MHC class I molecules and are labelled with a detectable intracellular marker, under suitable conditions such that the donor cells remain intact, and measuring the amount of detectable marker released into the incubation medium. A method of assaying a medium for the presence of a substance that affects processing of an endogenously processed antigen in a cellular secretory pathway, and; a method of characterizing a tumor or viral antigen capable of being endogenously processed by a cellular secretory pathway.

Abstract: A mouse controller includes a platform mounted on a base for a range of movement in a plane relative to the base of at least 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) in each of two different directions (preferably mutually perpendicular directions). A pair of flat, elongated coils (Lorentz voice coils) are mounted on the platform with their longitudinal axes extending one in each of the two directions. Each of the coils cooperates with at least one magnet fixed to the base. The sizes of the magnets and of the coils and the relative positions of the cooperating coils and magnets are made or their operation controlled so that, in the range of relative movement between the platform and base, preselected forces between the coils and the magnets may be generated by a control computer.