Abstract: In the art of tissue culture, it has been desired that serum-free culture conditions be found that support the growth and proliferation of hematopoeitic stem cells ex vivo. The present invention discloses a serum-free medium comprised, for example, of pharmaceutical grade components including pasteurized human proteins, that in the presence of the appropriate growth factors, supports the ex vivo maintenance, proliferation and/or differentiation of CD34+/CD38− cells derived from cord blood, mobilized peripheral blood or bone marrow. In conjunction with this effort, the ability of serum-free medium to maintain or cause proliferation of the HSCs ex vivo is assessed by their long-term engraftment in a chimeric sheep animal model.

Abstract: A solid, oral, controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient having a solubility in water of greater than 1 gm in 250 ml water at 25° C., the active ingredient dispersed in a matrix wherein the dosage form provides, as tested by the Ph. Eur. Basket method at 100 rpm 900 ml aqueous buffer (pH 6.5) containing 0.05% w/w Polysorbate 80 at 37° C., an essentially zero order rate of release of the pharmaceutically active ingredient over a period of 8 hours, the amount of pharmaceutically active ingredient released over eight hours being in the range of 15% to 45%, and when tested in a group of at least five healthy humans the median tmax, based on blood sampling at half hourly intervals, is in the range of from about 2.5 to about 6 hours, and the ratio of mean Cmax to the mean plasma level at 24 hours is in the range of about 1.5 to about 3.5.

Abstract: Electronic commerce transaction messages are processed over a network between a client and a server in a highly reliable fashion by establishing a secure or un-secure communications connection between the network client and the network server at an electronic transaction assurance (eTA) system, which is located in a communication path between the network client and the network server. The transaction type is identified in the message and the progress of the transaction is tracked using transaction models. Any failure in the back-end server system or in the network connections is detected and the failure is recovered from using an outcome determination technique. The failure of a node within the eTA system is masked from the network client by formulating an appropriate response and sending it back to the client such that the network client and network server that were using the selected node do not see any interruption in their communications.

Abstract: A method of removing ammonium ions or amines from contaminated water includes treating the water with sodium tetraphenylborate under acidic conditions. Advantageously, the tetraphenylborate is immobilized on polymer beads and the water is contacted with the beads or passed through a bed of the beads.

Abstract: A solid, oral controlled release pharmaceutical dosage form has a water-soluble active ingredient dispersed in a matrix and releases the active ingredient at such a rate upon administration that the median tmax is 2.5 to 6 hours and the ratio of mean Cmax to mean plasma level of the active ingredient at 24 hours is in the range of 1.5 to 3.5.

Abstract: A controlled release preparation for oral administration contains tramadol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as active ingredient.

Abstract: A controlled release preparation for oral administration contains tramadol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as active ingredient.

Abstract: A disc drive includes a case defining a maximum interior height for mounting a voice coil motor within the disc drive. The voice coil motor includes a magnet, a coil, and top and bottom plates for carrying magnetic flux in a circuit with the magnet. At least one of the top and bottom plates includes a raised central portion having an increased cross-sectional area in relation to the remainder of the plate for carrying additional magnetic flux at a point where the plate experiences peak levels of magnetic flux. An opening formed in the disc drive case accommodates the raised central portion of the plate without altering the overall height of the case. The height of the raised central portion is preferably substantially equal to a thickness of the case to ensure the raised central portion fits flush within the opening. One or both of the top and bottom plates may include the raised central portion, thereby necessitating openings in one or both of a top cover and a lower base portion of the disc drive.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of particles comprises mechanically working a mixture of a drug and a hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic fusible carrier in a high speed mixture so as to form agglomerates, breaking the agglomerates to give controlled release particles and optionally continuing the mechanical working with the optional addition of a low percentage of the carrier or diluent.

Abstract: A controlled release preparation for oral administration contains tramadol, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as active ingredient.

Abstract: A method of removing ammonium ions or amines from contaminated water includes treating the water with sodium tetraphenylborate under acidic conditions. Advantageously, the tetraphenylborate is immobilized on polymer beads and the water is contacted with the beads or passed through a bed of the beads.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of particles comprises mechanically working a mixture of a drug and a hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic fusible carrier in a high speed mixture so as to form agglomerates, breaking the agglomerates to give controlled release particles and optionally continuing the mechanical working with the optional addition of a low percentage of the carrier or diluent.

Abstract: Sustained release pharmaceutical formulations containing morphine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as active ingredient, suitable for administration on a once daily basis, are disclosed. In a first aspect, an orally administrable sustained release unit dosage form gives a peak plasma level at 1.0 to 6 hours after administration. In a second aspect, the formulation provides a W.sub.50 for the M-6-G metabolite for morphine of between 4 and 12 hours. A third aspect concerns the pharmaceutical unit dosage form obtained by compressing multiparticulates comprising a pharmaceutically active substance in a matrix of hydrophobic fusible material having a melting point of from 35 to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of particles comprises mechanically working a mixture of a drug and a hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic fusible carrier in a high speed mixture so as to form agglomerates, breaking the agglomerates to give controlled release particles and optionally continuing the mechanical working with the optional addition of a low percentage of the carrier or diluent.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug together with an opioid analgesic in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of arthritis.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of particles comprises mechanically working a mixture of a drug and a hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic fusible carrier in a high speed mixture so as to form agglomerates, breaking the agglomerates to give controlled release particles and optionally continuing the mechanical working with the optional addition of a low percentage of the carrier or diluent.

Abstract: Sustained release pharmaceutical formulations containing morphine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as active ingredient, suitable for administration on a once daily basis, are disclosed. In a first aspect, an orally administrable sustained release unit dosage form gives a peak plasma level at 1.0 to 6 hours after administration. In a second aspect, the formulation provides a W.sub.50 for the M-6-G metabolite for morphine of between 4 and 12 hours. A third aspect concerns the pharmaceutical unit dosage form obtained by compressing multiparticulates comprising a pharmaceutically active substance in a matrix of hydrophobic fusible material having a melting point of from 35.degree. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A vinyl chloride homopolymer or copolymer composition contains a silane, a compound capable of generating free radicals and a stabilizer comprising a lead compound or an organotin compound which is effective to prevent discoloration and degradation of the homopolymer or copolymer and does not inhibit the grafting of the vinyl silane on the homopolymer or copolymer. The graft homopolymer or copolymer is exposed to moisture to cross-link it, suitably after molding or otherwise fabricating the graft polymer to form an article. There is also provided a method of moisture cross-linking poly(vinyl chloride) and vinyl chloride copolymers.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of particles comprises mechanically working a mixture of a drug and a hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic fusible carrier in a high speed mixture so as to form agglomerates, breaking the agglomerates to give controlled release particles and optionally continuing the mechanical working with the optional addition of a low percentage of the carrier or diluent.

Abstract: A controlled-release pharmaceutical preparation comprising diamorphine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.