Abstract: The invention described herein provides methods, compositions, kits, and systems for the sensitive detection of prostate specific antigen. Such methods, compositions, kits, and systems are useful in diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of methods of treatment in conditions that involve release of prostate specific antigen.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor-related protein-5” (“LRP-5”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor-related protein-3” (“LRP-3”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor related protein-3” (“LRP-3”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: A novel receptor, “LDL-receptor related protein-3” (“LRP-3”), is provided, along with encoding nucleic acid. The gene is associated with type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), and experimental evidence provides indication that it is the IDDM susceptibility gene IDDM4. In various aspects the invention provides nucleic acid, including coding sequences, oligonucleotide primers and probes, polypeptides, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of diagnosis or prognosis, and other methods relating to and based on the gene, including methods of treatment of diseases in which the gene may be implicated, including autoimmune diseases, such as glomerulonephritis, diseases and disorders involving disruption of endocytosis and/or antigen presentation, diseases and disorders involving cytokine clearance and/or inflammation, viral infection, elevation of free fatty acids or hypercholesterolemia, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the risk of hepatic failure in an individual who is infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The method comprises measuring a titer of an antibody to the HCV core in a body fluid of the individual and correlating the titer to the risk of developing hepatic failure wherein the titer is inversely related to that risk. The method employs standard techniques for measuring the titer including solution and solid phase immunoassays. Kits incorporating the reagents and instructions for carrying out the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Automated attendant terminals and a mounting system for such terminals. Each attendant terminal is substantially L-shaped and comprises a housing formed by front, opposing side, rear, and first and second contact surfaces. The first and second contact surfaces form the recessed portion of the L-shape. When used in connection with the mounting system of the present invention, the first contact surfaces and/or the second contact surfaces of each terminal contacts the surfaces of the support mechanism (such as a pole) to result in a "back-to-back" orientation of the terminals. The support mechanism includes opposing surfaces for such engagement with the contact surfaces of the terminals. The mounting system also includes an attachment mechanism which connects the terminals to the poles in this orientation. The attachment mechanism is only accessible through the interior of the housings of the terminals to thereby provide a secure island automated attendant terminal system.

Abstract: An assay for detection of serum antibodies having specificity to hepatitis C viral antigens utilizes the carboxy-terminal 102 amino acids of the c33c region of nonstructural gene 3 of HCV containing substantially all the epitopes of the gene 3 protein. In the preferred embodiment the recombinant 102 amino acid peptide is coated onto a solid support, and incubated in the presence of serum obtained from a patient infected with HCV. The presence of antibodies bound to the antigen coated support is detected in a sandwich format utilizing a second reporter-conjugated antibody.

Abstract: New assays for diagnosing NANBH utilizing novel peptide fragments derived from polypeptide antigens reactive to antibodies present in the sera of infected patients are disclosed. In producing these peptides, the portion of the polypeptide contributing to high backgrounds is deleted thereby resulting in assays with an exceptionally high signal to background ratio.

Abstract: A vapor guard mounted on a gasoline dispenser nozzle includes a collapsible resilient section which provides a limited expansion force enabling the use of a standard gasoline dispenser retainer spring to catch on the vehicle fill pipe flange for hands-free fuel dispensing and straight-pull removal. The expansion force of the collapsible resilient section also is limited to ensure the existence of non-sealing contact between the end of the vapor guard and the fill pipe flange. The vapor guard is sized and positioned on the dispenser to enable the user to see the end of the nozzle as it is inserted into the vehicle fill pipe and aligned with a nozzle port in a restricter plate located in the fill pipe.

Abstract: A service station dispenser for gasoline with a vapor collection system is disclosed which processes the electrical signal typically produced by the fuel meter which represents the volume flow rate of fuel to the tank to control the displacement volume of an electrically driven vacuum pump so that a simple vacuum intake disposed preferably inside, but not sealed with, the filler neck can be used to collect only the vapors displaced from the fuel tank by the fuel. The vacuum pump is controlled by a digital processor which prestarts the vacuum pump after a customer demands dispensing to establish a vacuum at the vacuum intake is established by the time fueling is allowed to take place so as have an immediate vacuum available to assist recovery of an initial rush of vapor displaced by commencement of fueling. Once fuel flow starts, the digital processor operates the vacuum pump to produce a vapor flow rate having a proportional relationship with the flow rate of the fuel.

Abstract: An apparatus for the collection of fuel spillings that originate from fuel dispensing apparatus, including gasoline and diesel fuel service station pumps which incorporates a filtering system for preventing solids from accumulating in the bottom of the spill collection pan and allowing fill material to be placed between the collection reservoir of the spill collecting pan and the fuel pumps which contributes to the fire prevention features of this apparatus.

Abstract: A liquid shutoff safety interlock device is provided which ensures that fluid flow to a filter is stopped prior to filter removal without requiring the use of a complex and expensive filter valve assembly and without requiring any substantial modification of existing components. The invention is particularly, though not exclusively, adapted to fuel dispensing equipment supplied by a remote pump and installed with a filter above and an impact valve below each fluid supply inlet. The liquid shutoff safety device of the present invention is placed between the impact valve and the filter so that in one position the device blocks access to the end of the filter and in another position provides filter access while at the same time tripping the latch arm to close the impact valve.

Abstract: A protective cover (10) is provided to contain any spillage of liquid during changing of a filter cartridge from a filter canister assembly (12). The cover (10) comprises an elastomer that is resistant to gasoline and oil. The cover (10) is slidably positioned over the filter canister assembly (12) to form a liquid-tight seal. An outlet (30) is provided with a drainage tube (32) to remove any spillage from chamber (28) to a separate container.

Abstract: Customer dispensing of either unleaded or one of two or more grades of leaded gasoline products is selected by rotatable selector knobs located on the dispenser housing. Individual meters are operative by the leaded and unleaded dispensing systems which are hydraulically isolated from each other. The separate selector knobs are associated with each of the leaded and unleaded dispensing systems and are effective when actuated to render the other system inoperative by an imposed mechanical interlock. Bothe meters operate a common computers for calculating the transaction data of each dispensing sale.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting leaks in an underground piping network supplying liquid petroleum products pumped from an underground storage tank to an aboveground dispenser outlet. A highly sensitive flow detector situated in a parallel looped bypass arrangement is selectively operated for ascertaining existence or non-existence of a piping leak. Following a sufficient time lapse of non-dispensing for enabling temperature stabilization of the piping network to occur, the detector is actuated in a controlled sequence of go, no-go steps that culminates in ascertaining existence or non-existence of a piping leak while at the same time eliminating any false indication occasioned by detector malfunction.