Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided which are useful in the treatment of diseases through the inhibition of sodium ion flux through voltage-dependent sodium channels. More particularly, the invention provides pyrazole-amides and -sulfonamides, compositions and methods that are useful in the treatment of central or peripheral nervous system disorders, particularly pain and chronic pain by blocking sodium channels associated with the onset or recurrance of the indicated conditions. The compounds, compositions and methods of the present invention are of particular use for treating neuropathic or inflammatory pain by the inhibition of ion flux through a channel that includes a PN3 subunit.

Abstract: Compounds of the present invention modulate PN3 in mammals and are useful in treating pain in mammals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides from N. caninum which are capable of raising an immune response when administered to an animal. Such polypeptides can be used in vaccination strategies for protecting animals, such as cows and dogs, from neosporosis.

Abstract: The invention is based on the realization that feedback control for the vertical drive of a pin head becomes unnecessary if one instead prealigns the relative heights of the spotting surface and the well plates such that the pins in the pin head are lowered to the same absolute height both for picking up liquid from the well plates and depositing it onto the spotting surface. By aligning the heights of the well plates and spotting surfaces, the vertical drive of the pin head needs only to be able to reproducibly and accurately arrive at a single lowered position. A pin head can provide this functionality by having a mechanically defined bottom point, obviating the need for a complex and costly feedback control system for height determination of the pins. A simple, low-cost micro-arrayer can thus be provided.

Abstract: A robot for imaging and excision of two-dimensional fluorescent gels. An array detector is mounted in the roof of the robot to image down onto a gel dish placed on a light table. Fluorescence is excited by illuminating the light table from below with light emitting diodes mounted under the main bed of the apparatus. It is therefore possible to perform gel fluorescence analysis and coring (excision) using the same machine. The integration is based on a transmission mode optical design, distinct from prior art scanners and imagers which are based on reflection mode designs. This approach allows the conventional layout of a microarraying or picking robot to be maintained, avoiding unnecessary redesign of other robot functions associated with well plate and container handling. The apparatus may also be used for contrast imaging of non-fluorescent gels.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a pin head or other implements between handling a plurality of samples of nucleic acid subject to an amplification process using a biochemical amplification product. The method comprises exposing the pin head or other implement to ultraviolet (UV) and preferably also infrared (IR) illumination between handling different samples in order to suppress cross-contamination by non-specific amplification. The biochemical amplification product may be obtained from a rolling circle amplification (RCA) procedure, such as that catalyzed by bacteriophage phi29, or a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification product.

Abstract: A dual vacuum chamber manifold for processing well plates. A lower vacuum chamber (35) is formed by arranging a first well plate (25) in the base of the manifold and an upper vacuum chamber (45) is formed above the first well plate by arranging a second well plate on a manifold top plate (34). Pumping on the tipper vacuum chamber via an upper vacuum port (56) generates a vacuum to urge liquid from the upper well plate into the lover well plate. A non-return path between the vacuum chambers ensures that pumping on the upper vacuum port (56) also evacuates the lower vacuum chamber, thereby preventing a pressure differential arising around the lower well plate (25). To process the lower well plate, pumping on a lower vacuum port (58) is performed which closes the non-return path to the second vacuum chamber and thus evacuates the lower vacuum chamber alone.

Abstract: The invention is based on the realization that feedback control for the vertical drive of a pin head becomes unnecessary if one instead prealigns the relative heights of the spotting surface and the well plates such that the pins in the pin head are lowered to the same absolute height both for picking up liquid from the well plates and depositing it onto the spotting surface. By aligning the heights of the well plates and spotting surfaces, the vertical drive of the pin head needs only to be able to reproducibly and accurately arrive at a single lowered position. A pin head can provide this functionality by having a mechanically defined bottom point, obviating the need for a complex and costly feedback control system for height determination of the pins. A simple, low-cost micro-arrayer can thus be provided.

Abstract: A multi-node computer system is described which includes a number of active nodes and a standby node. Each node hosts a server installation. Each server has a system disk, and a recovery disk, which holds a synchronised recovery copy of data held on the system disk. In the event of failure of a node, a recovery process is run to reconfigure the system, by connecting the recovery disk corresponding to the failed computer to the system disk of the standby computer, and copying the contents of this recovery disk to the system disk. This causes the server in the failed node to migrate to the standby node, which thus becomes an active node.

Abstract: A new seatbelt comfort pad for providing comfort to the shoulder of a user of a seatbelt having a shoulder strap. The inventive device includes a base having first and second surfaces, a pair of ends, and a pair of sides. The second surface of the base has a plurality of spaced apart elongate ridges thereon which are extended between the ends of the base. A pair of spaced apart elongate side walls are extended from the first surface of the base to define a channel between them. A cross member is extended between the terminal edges of the side walls. The cross member is spaced apart from the first surface of the base to define an opening therebetween. The cross member is located on the side walls adjacent one of the ends of the base. The cross member preferably has a break through it.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved process for preparing in high yield an obesity protein analog using a dipeptidylaminopeptidase isolated from the slime mold, Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter, such as a balloon catheter, and a method for use thereof, the catheter comprising an elongate shaft having an inflation lumen extending therethrough, an implement, such as a dilation balloon, connected to and located at the distal portion of the shaft and communicating with the lumen, a small profile core wire extending through at least the dilation balloon and having a distal portion that extends distally from the dilation balloon through a distal core wire opening located distally of the balloon, and further in which the core wire is movable relative to the elongate shaft to allow withdrawal of the elongate shaft and the balloon while leaving the core wire positioned intravascularly, and a tip member connected to the core wire in a region thereof distal of the location at which the core wire extends distally of the core wire opening, the tip member having a profile larger than the opening.

Abstract: A non-over-the-wire catheter for use in angioplasty including a core wire which extends distally beyond a distal end of a tubular member. The tubular member defines an interior passage which is in fluid communication with a distal interior passage of a waist tube that extends about the core wire. An inflatable balloon member extends about the core wire and is in fluid communication with the distal interior passage of the waist tube. An axially stiff component is coupled to the balloon member. The axially stiff component permits rotational movement of the core wire relative to the balloon member so that torque applied to the tubular member and conveyed to the core wire is not readily transmitted to the balloon member. A push element associated with the core wire abuts the axially stiff component.

Abstract: A balloon catheter system having a guiding wire, a balloon, and a spring tip joined to a distal end of the guiding wire. A strain relief member covers a portion of the guiding wire between a distal end of the balloon and a proximal end of the spring tip. The strain relief member is defined by a portion of the balloon. Alternatively, the strain relief member comprises a separate tubular member.