Abstract: Described herein is a method and corresponding system, including reagents and assays, for determining the in vivo efficacy of drugs in the course of chemotherapy. The method can include identifying a patient having a condition, such as leukemia, that is potentially susceptible to one or more candidate drugs having a particular in vivo biochemical activity, such as the generation of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species. An in vitro biochemical assay is provided that corresponds to the biochemical activity, and a tissue sample is tested to determine the responsiveness of the tissue sample to the biochemical activity, for instance, the ability of the tissue sample to degrade or inhibit the active species (in this case, hydrogen peroxide), and thereby prevent its desired effect against the cancerous cells. A course of chemotherapy can be based, at least in part, on the responsiveness of the tissue sample to the biochemical activity.

Abstract: A method for degrading coal tar, coal tar distillation fractions, and organic compounds, specially those compounds having three or more fused rings of the type often associated with coal tar, whether derived from coal tar or synthesized independently. According to the present invention degradation takes place by means of the nonspecific degradation reaction used by white rot fungi to degrade lignin. The degradation reaction occurs in part by means of a lignin degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide, both produced by white rot fungi.

Abstract: A method for degrading coal tar, coal tar distillation fractions, and organic compounds specifically those compounds having three or more fused rings, of the type often associated with coal tar, whether derived from coal tar or synthesized independently. According to the present invention degradation takes place by means of the nonspecific degradation reaction used by Phanerochaete chrysoporium to degrade lignin. The degradation reaction occurs in part by means of a lignin degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide, both produced by Phanerochaete chrysoporium.

Abstract: Distraction rods for use in the treatment of curvature of the spine and comprising an elongated member having a threaded, axial bore therein and an elongated housing into which the elongated member is slidably fitted, the elongated housing having located at one end a connection means for fitting to a clamp for connection to the vertebra, and wherein at the other end of the elongated housing a second connection means for fitting to another clamp for connection to the vertebra is located on one end of the elongated member, said elongated housing having a threaded rod which fits within the bore of the elongated member and engages the threaded bore therein such that the elongated member can move longitudinally along the threaded rod, and hence longitudinally with respect to the elongated housing.

Abstract: A process for degrading environmentally persistent organic pollutant compounds by reacting those pollutant compounds with fungal enzymes containing a lignin-degrading enzyme and hydrogen peroxide. This reaction preferably takes place under aerobic conditions such that the organic pollutant compounds are degraded. Using the present invention, degradation to carbon dioxide and water is possible. Alternatively, the reaction may be halted to leave desirable reaction intermediates.The enzyme and hydrogen peroxide system of the present invention is found to be ideal for degrading various types of orgaic pollutants. Moreover, the reaction system is nonspecific. As a result, only a single type of fungus or fungus-generated enzyme system is required in order to degrade a wide spectrum of pollutants.One embodiment of the present invention relates to a preferred process where the enzyme (peroxidase) and hydrogen peroxide are provided by a lignin-degrading fungi or fungi mixed with the pollutant organic compound.