Abstract: Human monophenotypic cloned cell lines of megakaryocytic lineage are established in vitro through use of adherent stromal cells in long term human bone marrow culture. Long term bone marrow cultures are used for initial adaptation of the cells to culture conditions. Once adapted, cells of the human in vitro cell lines are weaned from the stromal layer until they proliferate in the complete absence of any feeder layer. Seed cells for establishment of human in vitro cell lines were derived from a human solid tumor designated as ATCC CRL 9139 xenograft. Cells of one cloned in vitro cell line designated as CHRF-288-11 exhibits a karyotype and markers characteristic of megakaryocytes and platelets. Cells of the CHRF-288-11 cell line express platelet peroxidate, platelet factor IV, platelet Ca.sup.++ -ATPase, gpIIbIIIa, factor VIII, and MY7, MY9 and HLA-Dr antigens. CHRF-288-11 cell line exhibits a constant karyotype (50, XY).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the production of plasma. An evacuable chamber is operatively connected to a microwave waveguide, down which microwave energy at approximately 2.45 GHz is transported. The microwave energy enters the evacuable chamber through an opening in the upper wall of the chamber covered by microwave transparent material. Centrally located above the opening in the upper wall of the chamber and outside the waveguide, a permanent magnet is provided. The strong downward magnetic field of the magnet enters the chamber in the same direction as the propagation path of the microwaves. The downward magnetic field component is at a right angle to the electric field associated with the microwaves. A working gas is introduced to the chamber by a plurality of gas inlets operatively connected to the chamber. At some point within the vacuum of the chamber, the electrons rotating about the downward magnetic field component are in phase with the electric field of the microwaves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making metal ceramic composites and the metal ceramic compositions and articles made therefrom, especially net-shaped articles having a wide variety of applications.The present invention involves preparing a combustion synthesis mixture comprising at least one substance containing a combustible mixture of powders and at least one low-melting metal, forming this mixture into a desired final shape in a die, and carrying out a combustion synthesis therewith. Ceramic or metallic reinforcements may be incorporated in the combustion synthesis.The present invention allows the control of porosity in the resultant composite compositions and can result in composites having high toughness characteristics.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen or a lower alkyl group,R.sup.5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, halogen, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a mono- or di-lower alkylamino group, NH.sub.2 or NR.sup.11 COR.sup.12,R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9 and R.sup.10 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkoxy group, a mono- or di-lower alkylamino group, NH.sub.2 or NR.sup.11 COR.sup.12,R.sup.11 is a hydrogen or a lower alkyl group,R.sup.12 is a lower alkyl group,with the proviso that when R is hydrogen then at least one of the substituents R.sup.1 to R.sup.10 is not hydrogen, or a salt thereof, are useful as antioxidants, within the medical and non-medical field, and that when R is hydrogen, methyl or neopentyl in formula IA, then at least one of R.sup.1 to R.sup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for automatically palletizing parcels of various sizes, shapes and contents which arrive in random order at a pickup point to be transferred onto a pallet. A system is disclosed including a digital computer operating under an expert computer program which takes information about attribute factors of the parcels and applies predetermined rules to assign a space for the parcel on the pallet, and communicates coordinates of the assigned space to a flexible material handling robot.

Abstract: A solder, brazing or welding composition having improved physical properties, comprising a continuous phase ranging from about 40% to about 99% by volume of a solder, brazing or welding metal or alloy, and a disperse phase ranging from about 60% to about 1% by volume and comprising a reinforcing material in particulate or fibrous form, the reinforcing material being graphite, silicon carbide, a metal oxide, an elemental metal, and/or a metal alloy.

Abstract: A method of providing extracorporeal to intracorporeal power transfer in a patient employs a cylindrical primary coil inserted into a segment of small intestine which has been separated and closed at one end. The open end is attached to the abdominal wall providing an opening to the exterior of the body. A secondary coil is formed by wrapping a wire around the serosa of the segmented small intestine. This is in effect a transformer which will transfer energy from the primary coil to the secondary coil. The vascularization of the segment provides for rapid and efficient heat dissipation. This device can be used to power heart assist devices and artificial hearts. Since it is located in an internal pouch, proper location of the primary coil is ensured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating various types of bearing materials and the bearing materials produced thereby. The processes of the invention may be used to produce porous self-lubricating bearings, laminated composite bearings (babbitt bearings) and bearings for high temperature application. The processes of the invention involve the use of micro-pyretic synthesis to achieve bearing materials with improved bearing properties, including higher bearing capacity and toughness.

Abstract: Radiolabeled dihematoporphyrin ether having the following general formula ##STR1## wherein at least one of R.sub.1 -R.sub.6 is a moiety labeled with a radionuclide imaging agent is useful in providing a non-invasive nuclear scintillation image. This dihematoporphyrin ether localizes in neoplastic tissue and thus provides a method of imaging and recording the location of neoplastic tissue. When the labeling agent has an adequate component of particulate radiation, the dihematoporphyrin ether can be used as a therapeutic agent as well as a diagnostic imaging agent.

Abstract: A solder or brazing alloy having improved properties by reason of the presence of at least one uniformly dispersed non-acicular and non-dendritic intermetallic phase having a particle size of about 1 to 25 microns. A method of preparing the alloy comprises melting the alloy at a temperature sufficient to melt the intermetallic phase or phases, cooling to a semi-solid state, subjecting the semi-solid alloy to vigorous shearing and/or vibration at the solid-liquid interface, and solidifying the alloy.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a spectrometric technique to determine microorganism detection and identification by taking advantage of the inherent extracellular enzymes present in living organisms, as opposed to dead, non-enzyme producing organisms. These enzymes are harnessed in the in vivo reactions with a non-fluorescent dye containing a select organic functional group that is known to be cleaved or hydrolyzed by the certain enzyme. The dye is tailored such that one of the products fluoresces, so that by employing a conventional spectrofluorimeter, the rate of fluorescence can be determined. By subjecting a plurality of samples having different cellular concentrations of viable microorganisms to the same non-fluorescent dye, or by subjecting the same bacterial sample to a number of different non-fluorescent dyes, a pattern of fluorescent rates emerge.

Abstract: A method of detecting axial force in human and animal fibrous tissue such as ligaments, tendons and muscle tissue employs an implantable force transducer or IFT which measures lateral compressive forces as axial force is applied to the fibrous tissue. The lateral compressive forces are proportional to the axial force. Preferably the device is a curved clip formed from a band of spring steel utilizing bonded strain gages. This device is connected to a Wheatstone bridge circuit to detect flexure of curved metal clip. The device is suitable for in vivo and in vitro use.

Abstract: Septic patients are treated with an enteral or parenteral diet that improves mortality rate of the septic patients. The diet which is designed to provide the total caloric intake for the septic patient includes an low concentration of calories provided by protein. Generally from about 4% to about 10% of the calories in the diet are provided by protein. More preferably no more than 5% of the calories are provided by protein. The remainder of the diet is formed from lipids, and carbohydrates. The lipids should be in the form of a combination of omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids. The diet will also include a vitamin and mineral supplement.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for desulfurizing and denitrifying coal by pyrolysis and subsequently treating the gaseous pyrolysis by-products with a solid sorbent to substantially reduce the release of SO.sub.x gases to acceptable levels. In one aspect of the invention, coal is pyrolyzed in the inner chamber of the desulfurization and denitrification apparatus to drive off the sulfur and nitrogen compounds contained therein. In another aspect of the invention, the gaseous by-products of pyrolysis are treated with a solid sorbent in the outer chamber of the desulfurization and denitrification apparatus to substantially desulfurize those gases. In a further aspect of the invention, the desulfurized gases, which contain nitrogen compounds, are combusted under controlled conditions to minimize the production of NO.sub.x gases.

Abstract: A useful brain perfusion imaging agent comprises ##STR1## wherein R completes a four or five member ring. The agent is stable in vitro permitting its use up to six to eight hours after preparation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing novel 4-[1-oxoalkyl]-2,5-oxazolidinediones, (4-1 OOD), and their use in a stereoselective method of producing beta-lactam-containing compounds which include several biologically active compounds such as the well-known families of pencillin and cephalosporin antibiotics. The method of the present invention involves generally the reaction of the above-described 4-[1-oxoalkyl]-2,5-oxazolidinediones so produced with a thiol amine having a geometry amenable to forming the precursor of the desired beta-lactam-containing compound or, in one scheme, forming the beta-lactam-containing compound itelf directly. This is done either by direct reaction of the 4-1 ODD with a thiol amine (which by one pathway proceeds directly to the beta-lactam-containing compound) or by first converting the 4-1 OOD to its 2-[1-oxoalkyl]-2-amino acid form before its reaction with the thiol amine; and then forming the beta lactam by action of cyanogen).

Abstract: Nitroxide labeled hybridization probes are formed from novel nucleotides. The novel nucleotides are formed by substituting a nitroxide moiety at the C-5 position of the pyrimidine ring of either cytosine or uracil. The hybridization probes are formed by nick translation with E. coli polymerase I or T4 DNA polymerase or other template dependent enzymes. The hybridization probes can then be detected using electron spin resonance spectroscopy or alternately using a colorimetric method.

Abstract: A ligated technetium (III/II) complex is useful as a brain perfusion imaging agent. The complex has a technetium (III/II) center surrounded by six ligating moieties. The complex preferably has a reduction potential Tc(III) to Tc(II) which is less than about +0.6 volts vs Ag/AgCl (3M NaCl) and at least low enough to be oxidized in vivo after crossing the blood brain diffusion barrier. The technetium complex has six ligating moieties, four of which use phosphorous, arsenic, or nitrogen as ligating atoms. The remaining two ligands use sulfur or selenium to complex to the Tc center. These ligands are modified to establish an effective oxidation potential of the Tc(II) thus providing the necessary redox potential for in vivo oxidation.

Abstract: Heterocyclic diones of the class containing 3-(heteroarylalkylene)- and 3(arylalkylene)-2, 4 (3H, 5H)-furandiones, and 3-(heteroarylalkylene)-pyrrolidene diones and -thiophene diones are disclosed as being effective cancer chemotherapy drugs, some of which are themselves novel compounds. Various members of this class were tested both in vitro and in vivo to demonstrate their effectiveness at reducing or inhibiting cancer tumor cells. The class of drugs was evaluated against a series of 10 human tumors in the in vitro Human Tumor Cell Assay procedure. The procedure indicates that this class of heterocyclic diones is effective against a broad variety of types of cancer and has little or no toxic effects based upon hematological and pathological evaluations.

Abstract: The immune response of a patient can be improved pre-operatively by altering the diet of a patient. When 20 to about 80% of the calories in a diet are from linoleic acid which is an omega 6 fatty acid, the immune response system and resistance to infection of the patient is substantially improved. Likewise providing 100 to about 1,000 IU per day of vitamin E in the diet also improves the immune response of the patient pre-operatively. This in turn improves the survival rate of the patient.