Abstract: Methods and compositions for protecting muscarinic receptor(s) in a subject from at least one carcinogenic or toxic metal by administration of a pyrophosphate analog. Methods and compositions for preventing at least one disease induced or caused by metals compromising the function of muscarinic receptors in a subject by administration of a pyrophosphate analog. Methods and compositions for reducing toxic action of metal ions and for reducing poisoning by metals by administering a pyrophosphate analog.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for protecting muscarinic receptor(s) in a subject by administering at least one protective agent alone, in combination with other protective agents, or in combination with at least one neurologic agent.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for protecting and treating a muscarinic receptor in a subject in need thereof from dysfunction not resulting from oxidative stress, toxic actions of metals or metal ions, or infectious agents by administering a pyrophosphate analog.

Abstract: A tube is bent having a curved portion with a variable radius extending between first and second ends. The curved portion includes a circular arc portion with a constant radius and a clothoid transition portion with a variable radius. The circular arc portion extends from the first end toward a point of integration. At the point of integration, the circular arc portion merges with the transition portion. The transition portion extends from the point of integration to the second end. As the transition portion extends from the point of integration, its radius of curvature increases over its arc length, thereby, improving the quality of the bent tube by gradually bending the tube over a longer distance, thereby reducing local stresses on the bent portion of the tube.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated 3-axis accelerometer chip includes a single crystal substrate, the substrate including at least one single crystal membrane layer portion. A single sensor microstructure made from the single crystal membrane senses acceleration in each of the three orthogonal directions. At least one electronic circuit can also be disposed on the chip, such as a circuit for driving, detecting, controlling and signal processing.

Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument has a handle and a body which position and close a jaw about a tissue site for simultaneously cutting and sealing relatively large tissue structures. The jaw includes an electrosurgical cutting member, which may be a blade or wire, against which tissue is biased along a cut line, and a clamping assembly that clamps a region adjacent to or surrounding the cut line. The clamping assembly includes sealing electrodes for heating the region and welding tissue along the side of the cut as the cutter parts the tissue. The clamping assembly preferably has first and second clamping jaws extending in parallel to grip the tissue as tension is released by the cut, allowing dependable and complete sealing of the cut ends over an extended time while the tissue is immobilized.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining enzymatic activity in a liquid sample by particle agglutination or inhibition of particle agglutination.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining enzymatic activity in a liquid sample by particle agglutination or inhibition of particle agglutination.

Abstract: Particle reagents, having polyether polyamine linking groups, for use in turbidimetric immunoassays are provided. These linking agents permit ready covalent attachment of compounds of biological interest to polymer particles and lead to immunoassays of improved precision.

Abstract: Novel particle reagents for light scattering immunoassays are provided. The particle reagents are high refractive index shell-core polymers covalently bonded to compounds of biological interest or analogs thereof. A method of measuring unknown concentrations of these compounds of biological interest by measuring changes in turbidity caused by particle agglutination or its inhibition is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of theophylline and caffeine contained in body fluids is provided. A macroreticular styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer resin activated by a protic solvent is utilized. The body fluid is eluted with water in an isocratic manner to afford a theophylline sample uncontaminated with caffeine. Such samples are useful in immunoassay procedures for the measurement of theophylline.

Abstract: A method for the separation of theophylline and caffeine contained in body fluids is provided. A macroreticular styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer resin activated by a protic solvent is utilized. The body fluid is eluted with water in an isocratic manner to afford a theophylline sample uncontaminated with caffeine. Such samples are useful in immunoassay procedures for the measurement of theophylline.

Abstract: Novel particle reagent for light scattering immunoassays are provided. The particle reagents are high refractive index shell-core polymers covalently bonded to compounds of biological interest. A method of measuring unknown concentrations of these compounds of biological interest by measuring changes in turbidity caused by particle agglutination or its inhibition is also provided.