Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective dose of vitamin A palmitate; processes for their preparation, and uses and methods of treatment comprising them. The compositions provided by the present invention may be used in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions and diseases caused by vitamin A deficiency.

Abstract: The fluid sample collection device is adapted to collect and separate a fluid sample into constituent parts such as separating plasma or serum from a blood sample. The device includes an evacuated outer container and an inner container. The outer container has a first open end and a second closed end. A pierceable closure closes the first open end thereby defining a first interior chamber. The inner container is contained within the outer container and separates the first interior chamber into an upper chamber portion and lower chamber portion in fluid communication. The inner container defines a second interior chamber separated from the lower chamber portion through a porous membrane. A port is provided for placing the second interior chamber in fluid communication with the first interior chamber. Another aspect of the device relates to a method of using the device to separate plasma or serum from a blood sample.

Abstract: A method is provided for the diagnosis or prognosis of a disease state, involving the measurement of a parameter of discriminated dipeptidyl dipeptidases from a patient sample, and the correlation of the parameter with a disease.

Abstract: Simple methods and kits for determining the thermodynamic stability of nucleic acid duplexes and single polynucleotide polymorphisms via competitive equilibria are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for detecting polymorphic sites by employing bi-directional primer extension reactions. In one embodiment, the present invention provides methods and compositions that minimize cost of reagents, such as labeled nucleotides, and minimize the cost of detection instrumentation.