Abstract: The invention provides a novel peptide isolated from the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata which peptide has antiarrhthymic activity. The invention also provides methods of treating arrhthymia comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of the peptide. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of mediating hypotonic cell swelling induced calcium increase in cells.

Abstract: The invention provides a novel peptide isolated from the venom of the spider Grammostola spatulata which peptide has antiarrhthymic activity. The invention also provides methods of treating arrhthymia comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of the peptide. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of mediating hypotonic cell swelling induced calcium increase in cells.

Abstract: The method of the present invention consists of the steps of heating an area along the length of a small diameter glass tube while the tube is being rotated, pulling the heated tube using an unidirectional force to rapidly extend the heated area while mechanically maintaining the heat source centrally located along the portion of the tubing being extended. The extended tubing is subsequently cooled and separated at the narrowed portion to produce two capillary tubes.

Abstract: The method of the present invention consists of the steps of heating an area along the length of a small diameter glass tube while the tube is being rotated, pulling the heated tube using an unidirectional force to rapidly extend the heated area while mechanically maintaining the heat source centrally located along the portion of the tubing being extended. The extended tubing is subsequently cooled and separated at the narrowed portion to produce two capillary tubes. The apparatus of the present invention consists of two independently rotatable, co-axially aligned chucks. The chucks rotate in an essentially simultaneous manner, that is, the speed of rotation of each chuck is essentially the same. Each of the chucks has an adjustable collet thereon adapted to receive and hold a section of glass tubing aligned therebetween. A means of moving one of said chucks away from the other is provided. A moveable heating means is positioned intermediate the chucks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the controlled heating of an ultra small volume. The invention provides a means of heating, measuring, and controlling the temperature in such ultra small volume. The present apparatus includes a heat-sensor portion comprised of an electrical resistance. Heat is generated in the heat-sensor portion by a flow of electrical current through such electrical resistance. The temperature in the heat-sensor portion is determined by measuring the electrical resistance of the circuit that includes the heat-sensor element. The apparatus is comprised of a thin-walled microcapillary tube filled internally with an electrically conductive material and coated externally with a dissimilar electrically conductive material. The external electrically conductive coating on the microcapillary tube is suitable a noble metal such as gold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for measuring the temperature in an ultra small area by determining the electrical resistance, or changes in electrical resistance in an electrical circuit. The system utilizes a temperature sensory element comprised of a microcapillary tube containing an ionic liquid and an electrical circuit capable of measuring the electrical resistance, or the changes in the electrical resistance, of the liquid. The temperature sensory element is of a size useful to measure the temperature in ultra small areas. The temperature sensory element ranges up to about 2.0 microns in outside diameter, and more preferably has an outside diameter between about 0.1 and about 1.0 micron, and most preferably between about 0.5 and about 1.5 micron. Minute changes in the electrical resistance of the liquid within the temperature sensory element reflect minute temperature changes in the immediate area of the temperature sensory element.

Abstract: A shielded microelectrode process and product wherein the microelectrode is coated by vacuum evaporation techniques with a thin layer of silver; the silver from the microelectrode tip region is removed to a depth of no greater than substantially 20 micrometers by contact with memory; and the microelectrode is dipped into a thermosetting wax in liquid form whereby as the wax solidifies the silver is coated thereby below the tip region.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlled removal of silver from the tip of a silver coated microelectrode including a mercury bath aligned with the microelectrode; a motor driven micromanipulator for moving the microelectrode into contact with the mercury; and circuits to deenergize and control the angular momentum of the micromanipulator motor whereby the depth of penetration of the electrode into the mercury can be accurately controlled.