Abstract: A family of compounds effective in inhibiting interleukin-1 (IL-1) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) activity, and the activity of other leukocyte derived cytokines is comprised of 7-(oxoalkyl) 1,3-dialkyl xanthines of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of straight-chain or branched alkyl radicals with 2 to 6 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, alkoxyalkyl and hydroxyalkyl radicals, and A represents a hydrocarbon radical with up to 4 carbon atoms which can be substituted by a methyl group. Another family of effective compounds is identified as ##STR2## The inhibition of IL-1, TNF, and other cytokines in mammals is implicated in alleviation of a wide variety of disease conditions.

Abstract: A tissue holding and processing technique suitable for immunofluorescence, histochemical, and light microscopic analysis of the same specimen. The tissue is first placed in formol sucrose, and then transferred to gum sucrose. The tissue is subsequently washed in phosphate buffered saline, then acetone-water, then acetone, and finally in xylene. Finally, the tissue is embedded in paraffin. Tissue processed according to the present invention may be stored indefinitely in the gum sucrose or paraffin.

Abstract: A differential scanning calorimeter based on the heat leak principle having a reference measuring cell and a sample measuring cell symmetrically seated within a copper heat sink surrounded by an isothermal shield. Each measuring cell includes a cylindrical stainless steel ampoule which contains a test substance, a honeycombed aluminum cell frame which supports the ampoule, and a pair of thermopiles which are placed between the aluminum cell frame and the copper heat sink and which measure the temperature difference between the two. A plurality of resistive heating elements wired in series are applied to different sections of the heat sink and the isothermal shield, each heating element having a resistance respectively proportional to the heat capacity of the heat sink sections and the shield. A common current is then passed through the heating elements, thus producing a highly uniform positive temperature scan with a minimum of residual temperature gradients existing within the heat sink.