Abstract: Silylating reagents having a group other than a divalent oxygen separating two silyl groups provide regioselective protection of reactive groups under robust conditions, such as basic conditions used in alkylation, acylation and deoxygenation. In particular, silylating reagents having a group other than oxygen separating two silyl groups are useful for protecting two hydroxy groups of a ribonucleic or deoxyribonucleic acid. Alkylation of a 2′-hydroxy group of a ribonucleoside protected with the inventive silylating agents in the presence of an excess of a mild hindered base such as sodium HMDS may be carried out without protecting the exocyclic amine and oxo functionalities of nucleobases.

Abstract: Silylating reagents having a group other than a divalent oxygen separating two silyl groups provide regioselective protection of reactive groups under robust conditions, such as basic conditions used in alkylation, acylation and deoxygenation. In particular, silylating reagents having a group other than oxygen separating two silyl groups are useful for protecting two hydroxy groups of a ribonucleic or deoxyribonucleic acid. Alkylation of a 2′-hydroxy group of a ribonucleoside protected with the inventive silylating agents in the presence of an excess of a mild hindered base such as sodium HMDS may be carried out without protecting the exocyclic amine and oxo functionalities of nucleobases.

Abstract: Reagents, methods, and kits are described that are useful for fertility testing and that in many cases provides much faster, convenient and rapid determination of male infertility. The reagents described include properly glycosylated human ZP3, ZP2, ZP1, glycosylated peptides thereof, fusion proteins such as green fluorescent protein—ZP3, non-covalent complexes of ZP2 with ZP3, fusion protein of ZP2-ZP3, solid phase materials such as agarose beads coated with binding agents such as ZP3, and other artificial zona. Methods are provided that, in many cases convert a complex biological event into a well defined biochemical binding event based on one or more of the reagents. Such methods are much easier to set up and monitor, allowing more convenient and inexpensive diagnostic testing for male fertility. The acrosome reaction is detected in other embodiments by virtue of quantitating one or more released substances.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for producing recombinant human zona pellucida protein (“rhZP3”) and glycosylated peptide having biological activity of binding to human spermatozoa. A human ovarian cell line is used to produce rhZP3 having a glycosylation pattern required for full biological activity. Methods of determining useful peptides with binding activity for human sperm and their syntheses, as well as using such peptides and proteins in therapeutics and diagnostics are discussed.

Abstract: A DVD, CD or VCD storage box composed of a body, a cover, a molded hinge mechanism, recesses for opening the box, an annular peak element, an annular rib, a push-down platform, at least one cantilever beam and a surface. The peak element extends upward from the body to support a disc. The push-down platform is surrounded by the peak element. The cantilever beam is also surrounded by the annular peak element. The peak element can also be surrounded by an annular rib. The cantilever beam has a free end with a protrusion formed at the free end to constrain the stored disc. The surface is connected between the push-down platform and the cantilever beam such that the disk is released from the protrusion of the cantilever beam when a load is applied to the push-down platform.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to determine sperm activity comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an appropriate concentration of human zona pellucida protein 3 with an appropriate amount of sperm under conditions permitting the formation of a complex between the human zona pellucida protein 3 and the sperm; and (b) determining the complex form. The invention further provides a method to determine sperm activity comprising the steps of (a) contacting an appropriate concentration of human zona pellucida protein 3 with an appropriate amount of sperm under conditions permitting an acrosome reaction to occur; and (b) determining the extent of the acrosome reaction.

Abstract: Yield and coke quality of a delayed coking and coke calcining process is improved by addition of coke fines to a coke drum at a temperature approximately equal to or higher than that of the incoming liquid hydrocarbon residuum feedstock during the coking operation.