Abstract: A method predicting the outcome, and prognosis and indicating treatment for patients afflicted with colorectal cancer by determining whether the number of copies of HER-2/neu gene in cancer cells from the patient exceeds four by in-situ hybridization. Patients having cells with five or more copies of the HER-2/neu gene are to be treated more aggressively or in combination with an anti-HER-2/neu antibody.

Abstract: A method of determining the severity of prostatic cancer includes measuring the level of amplification of the HER-2/neu gene in a sample of prostate tissue by fluorescence in-situ hybridization and comparing the measured level of amplification of the HER-2/neu gene in the sample with the level of HER-2/neu gene in normal prostate tissue. A method for determining treatment for a patient afflicted with prostate cancer includes determining whether the number of copies of HER-2/neu gene in prostate cells from the patient exceeds four by using fluorescence in-situ hybridization and aggressively treating such patient having prostate cells with five or more copies of the HER-2/neu gene.

Abstract: A liquid spray air purification apparatus utilizing at least two liquid migration eliminator members for providing effective containment of substantially all of the spray liquid employed in the system to within a segregated spray liquid loop so as to prevent spray liquid from interfering with the operation of electrical and other auxiliary components within the apparatus and to minimize spray liquid loss from the recirculation cycle. The segregated spray liquid loop is formed by a liquid spray chamber, a spray liquid sump and recirculation means interconnecting the sump and the liquid spray chamber. Auxiliary components include a particulate filter, fan means, germicidal ultraviolet light means, dehumidification means, heating means and a compressor. The apparatus is designed for use in efficiently improving interior environmental air quality within homes, offices, hospitals and the like, and is adaptable for use in motorized vehicles.

Abstract: A composite surface covering includes a substrate and an inorganic wear layer. The composite surface covering retains its performance characteristics after mechanical embossing. Preferably, the inorganic wear layer of the surface covering is deposited on the substrate by a reduced pressure environment vapor deposition technique. Preferably, the inorganic wear layer is aluminum oxide. The preferred substrate is a plastic material.

Abstract: Vapor deposited metal nitride or oxide thin films serve as a wear layer for surface coverings after being formed on a release layer and transferred to an organic layer. A release layer such as sodium chloride on glass can be dissolved by water; while a self-supporting release layer can be removed by solvent, etching, laser abatement, or delamination.

Abstract: A surface covering is a laminate including a hard inorganic wear layer deposited on a support by a reduced pressure environment technique such as ion assisted physical vapor deposition. The support may be selected from metal foils, films or sheets and plastics, rubbers or mineral/binder systems. The preferred support materials include organic materials. The wear layer is between 1 micron and 25 microns in thickness and has a CIE LAB value of total Delta E of less than 12. Preferably, the wear layer is deposited on the support at a temperature of less than 175.degree. C.