Abstract: A method and oligonucleotide compound for inhibiting replication of a nidovirus in virus-infected animal cells are disclosed. The compound (i) has a nuclease-resistant backbone, (ii) is capable of uptake by the infected cells, (iii) contains between 8-25 nucleotide bases, and (iv) has a sequence capable of disrupting base pairing between the transcriptional regulatory sequences in the 5? leader region of the positive-strand viral genome and negative-strand 3? subgenomic region. In practicing the method, infected cells are exposed to the compound in an amount effective to inhibit viral replication.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family and in the treatment of a viral infection. The compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of influenza virus infection in a mammal. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged, including partially positively charged, morpholino oligonucleotides having 1) a nuclease resistant backbone, 2) 12-40 nucleotide bases, and 3) a targeting sequence of at least 12 bases in length that hybridizes to a target region selected from the following: a) the 5? or 3? terminal 25 bases of the negative sense viral RNA segment of Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B and Influenzavirus C; b) the terminal 25 bases of the 3? terminus of the positive sense cRNA and; and c) the 50 bases surrounding the AUG start codon of an influenza viral mRNA.

Abstract: An antiviral antisense composition and method for treating foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in veterinary animals is disclosed. The composition contains an antisense compound that has a sequence effective to target at least 12 contiguous bases of an FMDV RNA sequence within a region of the positive-strand genomic RNA defined by SEQ ID NO: 25, and preferably, one of the viral sequences within SEQ ID NO:25 identified by SEQ ID NOS: 26-28. The composition is administered in a therapeutically effective amount in treating FMDV.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Filoviridae family, and in the treatment of a viral infection. The compounds and methods relate to the treatment of viral infections in mammals including primates by Ebola and Marburg viruses. The antisense antiviral compounds are morpholino oligonucleotides having: a) a nuclease resistant backbone, b) 15-40 nucleotide bases, and c) a targeting sequence of at least 15 bases in length that hybridizes to a target region selected from the following: i) the AUG start site region of VP35, as exemplified by SEQ ID NOS:67-71 or ii) the AUG start site region of VP24, as exemplified by SEQ ID NOS:72-76.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Flaviviridae, Picomoviridae, Caliciviridae, Togaviridae, Arteriviridae, Coronaviridae, Astroviridae and Hepeviridae families in the treatment of a viral infection. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged morpholino oligonucleotides having a sequence of 1240 subunits, including at least 12 subunits having a targeting sequence that is complementary to a region associated with stem-loop secondary structure within the 5?-terminal end 40 bases of the positive-sense RNA strand of the virus.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Filoviridae family, and in the treatment of a viral infection. The compounds and methods relate to the treatment of viral infections in mammals including primates by Ebola and Marburg viruses.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family and in the treatment of a viral infection. The compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of influenza virus infection in a mammal. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged morpholino oligonucleotides having 1) a nuclease resistant backbone, 2) 12-40 nucleotide bases, and 3) a targeting sequence of at least 12 bases in length that hybridizes to a target region selected from the following: a) the 5? or 3? terminal 25 bases of the negative sense viral RNA segment of Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B and Influenzavirus C; b) the terminal 25 bases of the 3? terminus of the positive sense cRNA and; and c) the 50 bases surrounding the AUG start codon of an influenza viral mRNA.

Abstract: A telephone call redirection system for misdialed telephone numbers is provided. When a caller physically and unintentionally dials one of a set of first numbers subscribed to by the system, the system recognizes the number intended by the caller, and provides the caller with the option of being redirected. If interested, the caller dials another number offered by the system to hear of the desired, intended number.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Flaviviridae, Picornoviridae, Caliciviridae, Togaviridae, Arteriviridae, Coronaviridae, Astroviridae and Hepeviridae families in the treatment of a viral infection. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged morpholino oligonucleotides having a sequence of 12-40 subunits, including at least 12 subunits having a targeting sequence that is complementary to a region associated with stem-loop secondary structure within the 5?-terminal end 40 bases of the positive-sense RNA strand of the virus.

Abstract: A lamp including a holder having a base with a plurality of vertical walls extending upwardly therefrom. A window is formed in at least one of the walls. A panel, including an image, is removably disposed adjacent to the window. The panel is illuminated to highlight the image and create a desired effect.

Abstract: A controller for an automated immunoassay system is provided to manage the system resources and control the flow of samples under test. The controller allows tests to be run dynamically instead of in a serial, first in first out flow. The controller evaluates the set of tests to be run and generates a sequencing strategy. The sequencing strategy is based on the paths specified for each type of assay, the numbers of tests to be run, the priority of each test and the resources required for each test. In addition, the controller can resolve resource allocation conflicts and modify the sequencing strategy as test conditions change during operation.

Abstract: A multipath incubator that enables an immunoassay analyzer to perform tests that are not conducted serially relative to when the test samples entered the analyzer is provided.

Abstract: A method and oligonucleotide compound for inhibiting replication of a nidovirus in virus-infected animal cells are disclosed. The compound (i) has a nuclease-resistant backbone, (ii) is capable of uptake by the infected cells, (iii) contains between 8-25 nucleotide bases, and (iv) has a sequence capable of disrupting base pairing between the transcriptional regulatory sequences in the 5? leader region of the positive-strand viral genome and negative-strand 3? subgenomic region. In practicing the method, infected cells are exposed to the compound in an amount effective to inhibit viral replication.

Abstract: A valve that includes a valve body in which a valve piston is disposed. The valve piston has a disc and an elongate stem that is reciprocably carried by a valve guide. The valve guide is part of an assembly that includes an cap that is attached to a Y-pattern valve body. The valve body has a valve seat that preferably is an integral hard seat and the disc has a sealing surface that preferably is a hard surface. Where operation independent of the effects of gravity is desired, a biasing element, preferably a coil spring captured in compression, is disposed in communication with the valve guide and the stem of the piston. A tolerance is provided between the stem and guide that permits angular and lateral adjustment of the disc during closing that compensates for mislocation and/or misalignment between the cap and valve body.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting replication of a flavivirus in animal cells, and an oligonucleotide compound for use in the method are disclosed. The oligonucleotide analog (i) has a nuclease-resistant backbone, (ii) is capable of uptake by the cells, (iii) contains between 8-40 nucleotide bases, and (iv) has a sequence of at least 8 bases complementary to a region of the virus' positive strand RNA genome that includes at least a portion of SEQ ID NOS:1-4. Exposure of cells infected with a flavivirus to the analog is effective to form within the cells, a heteroduplex structure composed of the virus ssRNA and the oligonucleotide, characterized by a Tm of dissociation of at least 45 ° C., and having disrupted base pairing between the virus' 5? and 3? cyclization sequences.

Abstract: Featured are systems, devices and apparatuses for use in minimally invasive surgical, diagnostic or therapeutic methods and/or techniques, in particular methods and/or techniques for a mammalian throat. In particular embodiments, a dexterity apparatus including one or more dexterity devices is featured, where each of the dexterity devices comprises surgical tools and each is configured and arranged with end-tip dexterity for enhanced manipulation. A portion of the dexterity devices is snake like, which is re-configurable (i.e., can be bent) so as to in effect maneuver the surgical tool and put the tool in a desired position with respect to the surgical site. Another portion of the dexterity device includes the surgical tool thereby providing the capability of performing surgical actions such as sewing, gripping, soft tissue manipulation, cutting and suction of saliva, blood and other materials from the surgical site.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing delivery of molecules, e.g. biological agents, into cells are described. The composition is a conjugate of the biological agent, preferably a nucleic acid analog having a substantially uncharged backbone, covalently linked to a peptide transporter moiety as described. Conjugation of the peptide transporter to a substantially uncharged nucleic acid analog, such as a morpholino oligomer, is also shown to enhance binding of the oligomer to its target sequence and enhance antisense activity.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use in inhibition of growth of viruses of the picornavirus, calicivirus, togavirus and flavivirus families, as in treatment of a viral infection. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged oligomers having a targeting base sequence that is substantially complementary to a viral target sequence which spans the AUG start site of the first open reading frame of the viral genome.

Abstract: A telephone call redirection system for misdialed telephone numbers is provided. When a caller physically and unintentionally dials one of a set of first numbers subscribed to by the system, the system recognizes the number intended by the caller, and provides the caller with the option of being redirected. If interested, the caller dials another number offered by the system to hear of the desired, intended number.

Abstract: The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use in inhibition of growth of viruses of the picornavirus, calicivirus, togavirus, coronavirus, and flavivirus families, as in treatment of a viral infection. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged oligomers having a targeting base sequence that is substantially complementary to a viral target sequence which spans the AUG start site of the first open reading frame of the viral genome.