Abstract: Compounds, preparations and methods for immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders, graft rejection and/or graft/host disease. Therapeutically effective amounts of certain substituted triarylmethane compounds, such as 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole, are administered to mammalian patients to selectively inhibit the calcium-activated K+ channel (IKCa1) in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets or endothelial cells without concomitant inhibition of P450-dependent enzyme systems, resulting in reduction of antigen-, cytokine-, or mitogen-induced calcium entry through store operated calcium channels in these cells, suppression of cytokine production by these cells, and inhibition of activation of these cells. Such inhibition of the Ca++ activated K+ channel (IKCa1) prevents the pre-Ca++ stage of cell activation and thus causes immunosuppression and an anti-inflammatory response.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery and cloning of two variants of the small conductance calcium activated potassium channel type 3 (hKCa3/KCNN3) gene. The isoform variants are identical to the structure of the SKCa3-1a transcript with regard to exons 2–8, but differ in that one variant, SKCa3-1b, contains exon 1b in place of exon 1a and in that the other variant, SKCa3-1c, contains exon 1c in place of exon 1a. When expressed simultaneously with SKCa3-1a, the variants will independently dominantly negatively suppress SKCa3-1a and other functional members of the SKCa channel family. Accordingly, the present invention provides the novel gene variants, methods for the detection of the variants and treatment of disorders related to the activity of these variants. Kits employing the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A two component, curable hot melt adhesive system includes a first hot melt adhesive formulation which has a softening temperature greater than room temperature and which includes a first component of a curable adhesive therein. The system includes a second hot melt adhesive formulation which has a softening temperature which is greater than room temperature and which includes a second component of a curable adhesive therein. The second component is reactive with the first component to provide a cured adhesive bond. In use, the two formulations are heated to a temperature above their softening temperature and are contacted so as to cause mixing. The mixture cools to provide a thermoplastic bond which subsequently cures to provide a permanent adhesive bond. While the first and the second component individually perform as hot melt adhesives, combining the first and the second gives enhanced adhesive performance in extended temperature ranges.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an automatic mail tray loading device that is adapted to receive envelopes from an inserting machine or from other mail-processing systems and place them in mail trays. The device has a two-stage envelope buffer, which buffers the envelopes into a shingled array before depositing them into the mail tray. The first stage buffers the envelopes during purging of the second stage and the second stage buffers the mail during a tray change. The mail trays are held on a tray conveyor, at an inclination that ensures proper loading of the tray and reliable transfer of envelopes from the tray. The tray conveyor incrementally moves the envelope tray downward until the tray is full of envelopes. A new, empty tray is then moved into position and the filled tray is moved laterally to the tray offload station. The system comprises an envelope conveyor, a tray conveyor, a lateral tray transfer mechanism and an auxiliary buffer.

Abstract: Compounds, preparations and methods for immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders, graft rejection and/or graft/host disease. Therapeutically effective amounts of certain substituted triarylmethane compounds, such as 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole, are administered to mammalian patients to selectively inhibit the calcium-activated K+ channel (IKCa1) in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets or endothelial cells without concomitant inhibition of P450-dependent enzyme systems, resulting in reduction of antigen-, cytokine-, or mitogen-induced calcium entry through store operated calcium channels in these cells, suppression of cytokine production by these cells, and inhibition of activation of these cells. Such inhibition of the Ca++ activated K+ channel (IKCa1) prevents the pre-Ca++ stage of cell activation and thus causes immunosuppression and an anti-inflammatory response.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery and cloning of the human small conductance calcium activated potassium channel type 3 (hKCa3/KCNN3) gene, which is expressed in neuronal cells, skeletal muscle, heart, and lymphocytes. Alterations in the hKCa3/KCNN3 gene or its protein product may enhance susceptibility to schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder. hKCa3/KCNN3 may be involved in neuropsychiatric, neurological, neuromuscular, and immunological disorders. Substantially purified hKCa3/KCNN3 polypeptides and polynucleotides are provided. Antibodies which bind to hKCa3/KCNN3 polypeptides are also disclosed. A method for identifying a compound which affects hKCa3/KCNN3 polynucleotide or polypeptide is provided. A method for diagnosis and determining the prognosis and treatment regimen of a subject having or at risk of having a hKCa3/KCNN3-associated disorder is also provided.

Abstract: A two component, curable hot melt adhesive system includes a first hot melt adhesive formulation which has a softening temperature greater than room temperature and which includes a first component of a curable adhesive therein. The system includes a second hot melt adhesive formulation which has a softening temperature which is greater than room temperature and which includes a second component of a curable adhesive therein. The second component is reactive with the first component to provide a cured adhesive bond. In use, the two formulations are heated to a temperature above their softening temperature and are contacted so as to cause mixing. The mixture cools to provide a thermoplastic bond which subsequently cures to provide a permanent adhesive bond. While the first and the second component individually perform as hot melt adhesives, combining the first and the second gives enhanced adhesive performance in extended temperature ranges.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery and cloning of the human small conductance calcium activated potassium channel type 3 (hKCa3/KCNN3) gene, which is expressed in neuronal cells, skeletal muscle, heart, and lymphocytes. Alterations in the hKCa3/KCNN3 gene or its protein product may enhance susceptibility to schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder. hKCa3/KCNN3 may be involved in neuropsychiatric, neurological, neuromuscular, and immunological disorders. Substantially purified hKCa3/KCNN3 polypeptides and polynucleotides are provided. Antibodies which bind to hKCa3/KCNN3 polypeptides are also disclosed. A method for identifying a compound which affects hKCa3/KCNN3 polynucleotide or polypeptide is provided. A method for diagnosis and determining the prognosis and treatment regimen of a subject having or at risk of having a hKCa3/KCNN3-associated disorder is also provided.

Abstract: Compounds, preparations and methods for immunosuppressive treatment of autoimmune disorders, graft rejection and/or graft/host disease. Therapeutically effective amounts of certain substituted triarylmethane compounds, such as 1-[(2-chlorophenyl)diphenylmethyl]-1H-pyrazole, are administered to mammalian patients to selectively inhibit the calcium-activated K+ channel (IKCa1) in lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, platelets or endothelial cells without concomitant inhibition of P450-dependent enzyme systems, resulting in reduction of antigen-, cytokine-, or mitogen-induced calcium entry through store operated calcium channels in these cells, suppression of cytokine production by these cells, and inhibition of activation of these cells. Such inhibition of the Ca++ activated K+ channel (IKCa1) prevents the pre-Ca++ stage of cell activation and thus causes immunosuppression and an anti-inflammatory response.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a thermoplastic resin, or thermoplastic resins comprising: forming, or providing a miniemulsion comprised of a mixture of an oligomeric compound of the formula R-SFR, wherein R is an oligomeric compound comprised of from about 1 to about 30 monomer units and optionally a covalently bonded free radical initiator compound, -SFR is a covalently bound stable free radical end group, and at least one free radical polymerizable monomer compound, and a surfactant; and heating the miniemulsion wherein there results a latex thermoplastic resin or a latex of thermoplastic resins with a high monomer to polymer conversion of about 85 to about 100 percent and a narrow polydispersity of from about 1.1 to about 2.0.

Abstract: A process for latex preparation including: a first heating of a mixture of at least one free radical polymerizable monomer compound, a free radical initiator compound, and a stable free radical compound to form a latomer mixture with from about 1 to about 8 percent conversion of the monomer compound to an oligomeric compound of the formula I—R′—SFR, wherein R′ is an oligomer comprised of from about 1 to about 30 monomer units, I— is a covalently bonded free radical initiator fragment arising from the free radical initiator compound, and —SFR is a covalently bound stable free radical group; dispersing the resulting latomer mixture in water with high shear to form a miniemulsion; and a second heating of the miniemulsion, wherein there results a high stability polymer particle latex which contains a polymer with a high monomer to polymer conversion of from about 98 to about 100 weight percent and a narrow polydispersity of from about 1.1 to about 2.0.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a thermoplastic resin, or thermoplastic resins comprising: forming, or providing a miniemulsion comprised of a mixture of an oligomeric compound of the formula R—SFR, wherein R is an oligomeric compound comprised of from about 1 to about 30 monomer units and optionally a covalently bonded free radical initiator compound, —SFR is a covalently bound stable free radical end group, and at least one free radical polymerizable monomer compound, and a surfactant; and heating the miniemulsion wherein there results a latex thermoplastic resin or a latex of thermoplastic resins with a high monomer to polymer conversion of about 85 to about 100 percent and a narrow polydispersity of from about 1.1 to about 2.0.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a thermoplastic resin, or thermoplastic resins comprising:

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process for the preparation of a thermoplastic resin or resins includes the in situ formation of a stable free radical agent from a precursor material in a reactor vessel, introducing a free radical initiator and at least one polymerizable monomer compound into the reactor vessel, and heating a mixture of the free radical initiator, the stable free radical agent, and the polymerizable monomer compound(s) in the reactor vessel to form a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A polymer having groups located at the ends of the polymer chain which groups are derived from stable free radical compounds, wherein the polymer is of the formula: SFR—(R)—SFR wherein SFR represents a covalently bonded stable free radical group and R represents a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery and cloning of the human small conductance calcium activated potassium channel type 3 (hKCa3/KCNN3) gene, which is expressed in neuronal cells, skeletal muscle, heart, and lymphocytes. Alterations in the hKCa3/KCNN3 gene or its protein product may enhance susceptibility to schizophrenia and/or bipolar disorder. hKCa3/KCNN3 may be involved in neuropsychiatric, neurological, neuromuscular, and immunological disorders. Substantially purified hKCa3/KNN3 polypeptides and polynucleotides are provided. Antibodies which bind to hKCa3/KCNN3 polypeptides are also disclosed. A method for identifying a compound which affects hKCa3/KCNN3 polynucleotide or polypeptide is provided. A method for diagnosis and determining the prognosis and treatment regimen of a subject having or at risk of having a hKCa3/KCNN3-associated disorder is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer comprising heating a mixture comprised of a free radical initiator, a stable free radical agent, a base selected from the group consisting of inorganic bases and organic bases, and at least one polymerizable monomer compound and optionally cooling, followed by optionally isolating the polymer product.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a thermoplastic resin, or thermoplastic resins comprising:forming, or providing a miniemulsion comprised of a mixture of an oligomeric compound of the formula R-SFR, wherein R is an oligomeric compound comprised of from about 1 to about 30 monomer units and optionally a covalently bonded free radical initiator compound, -SFR is a covalently bound stable free radical end group, and at least one free radical polymerizable monomer compound, and a surfactant; andheating the miniemulsion wherein there results a latex thermoplastic resin or a latex of thermoplastic resins with a high monomer to polymer conversion of about 85 to about 100 percent and a narrow polydispersity of from about 1.1 to about 2.0.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of branched thermoplastic resins comprising: heating a mixture of an unsaturated resin, a free radical initiator, and a stable free radical agent; adding to the heated mixture at least on polymerizable monomer; and cooling the mixture, wherein the resulting product is a branched thermoplastic resin with arms or branches comprised of polymerized monomer with substantially uniform length and narrow polydispersity.

Abstract: A polymer having groups located at the ends of the polymer chain which groups are derived from stable free radical compounds, wherein the polymer is of the formula:SFR-(R)-SFRwherein SFR represents a covalently bonded stable free radical group and R represents a thermoplastic resin.