Patents Issued in March 6, 2001
  • Patent number: 6197900
    Abstract: Multiphase homo- or copolymers of C2-C10-alk-1-enes are prepared by a process in which polymerization is effected in the presence of two different catalyst systems in one reaction zone, one of the catalyst systems containing, as active components, a metallocene complex of the general formula (I) or (II) where M1 is a metal of group IVb, Vb or VIb of the Periodic Table, R1 and R2 are identical or different and are each hydrogen, C1-C10-alkyl, C1-C10-alkoxy, C6-C10-aryl, C6-C10-aryloxy, C2-C10-alkenyl, C7-C40-arylalkyl, C7-C40-alkylaryl, C8-C40-arylalkenyl or halogen, R3 and R4 are identical or different and are each hydrogen, halogen, C1-C10-alkyl which may be halogenated, C6-C10-aryl or an —NR210, —SR10, —OSiR310, —SiR310 or —PR210 radical, where R10 is halogen, C1-C10-alkyl or C6-C10-aryl, and R5 and R6 are identical or different and have the meanings stated for R3 and R4, with the proviso that R5 and R6 are not hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Seelert, Franz Langhauser, Jürgen Kerth, Patrik Müller, David Fischer, Günther Schweier
  • Patent number: 6197901
    Abstract: Polyalk-1-enes are prepared by polymerization of alk-1-enes with the aid of the compound bis(cyclopentadienyl)-chromium(II) in which the cyclopentadienyl rings may carry inert organic radicals, said compound being adsorbed on an inorganic oxide carrier, by a process in which the polymerization is carried out in the presence of an organometallic compound of a metal of main groups I to III or of a metal hydride, in particular of n-butyl-lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Rohde, Roland Saive, Hans-Helmut Goertz, Guenther Schweier
  • Patent number: 6197902
    Abstract: Syndio-isoblock polymers of 1-olefins having molecular chains which contain syndiotactic and isotactic sequences are obtained if the polymerization of the 1-olefins is carried out using a catalyst which is composed of a bridged chiral metallocene of the formula I and an aluminoxane. The polymers have some rubber-like properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Targor GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Dolle, Jürgen Rohrmann, Andreas Winter, Martin Antberg, Robert Klein
  • Patent number: 6197903
    Abstract: A process for preparing a solution and/or dispersion containing sulphonic (per)fluorinated ionomers having —SO3M functional groups, wherein M is selected from H, Li, Na, K, NR4 (R equal to or different from each other are selected from H, CH3, C2H5), characterized in that it dissolves the above defined ionomers at a temperature comprised between the room temperature and about 150° C., in a monophasic ternary mixture essentially constituted by water, by a C1-C4 alcohol and by a fluoro(poly)oxyalkylene having one hydrogen atom in at least a fluorinated end group; the dispersed polymer particle sizes are in the range 30-100 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ausimont S.p.A.
    Inventors: Patrizia Maccone, Alberto Zompatori
  • Patent number: 6197904
    Abstract: Copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene having modifiers comprising perfluoro(alkyl vinyl ether) have low melting points. The copolymers also have low flex modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Subash V. Gangal, Dewey L. Kerbow, Robert G. Brown, Patrick E. Lindner, Scot David Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6197905
    Abstract: A process for the production of polymers by free radical polymerization, characterized in that there is added to the polymerization system one or more compounds of general formula (A), where R1 is a group capable of activating the vinylic carbon towards free radical addition; Y is OR2, where R2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, or optionally substituted saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring; X is an element other than carbon selected from the Groups, IV, V, VI or VII of the Periodic Table or a group consisting of an element selected from the Groups IV, V, or VI to which is attached one or more oxygen atoms; and n is a number from 0 to 3, such that the valency of the group X is satisfied and, when n is greater than 1, the groups represented by R2 are identical or different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Resarch Organization
    Inventors: Ezio Rizzardo, Gordon Francis Meijs, San Hoa Thang
  • Patent number: 6197906
    Abstract: This invention relates to the separation of molecules on polymer gels, in particular to novel cross-linked polymer gels comprising the cross-linking moiety of for formula (1) and their preparation, the separation of molecules by techniques such as electrophoresis using these gels, novel cross-linking agents useful in the preparation of the gels, and novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of the cross-linking agents. The invention is especially suitable for electrophoretic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: David Henry Solomon, Grace Chan, Peter Agapitos Kambouris, Mark Graham Looney
  • Patent number: 6197907
    Abstract: A polymer of a low molecular weight having a very little odor is produced by emulsion-polymerizing a radical-polymerizable unsaturated monomer at a temperature of 115° C. or higher in the presence or absence of a chain transfer agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Carbide Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichi Yoshida, Manabu Ogawa, Hiroshi Masuda, Hiroshi Serizawa
  • Patent number: 6197908
    Abstract: What is described is a high molecular weight homogeneous, branched copolymer of maleic anhydride and a C1-C5 alkyl vinyl ether monomer, in which a branching agent is present in an amount of less than 0.5 wt. % of the polymer. A solution process of making such polymer also is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: ISP Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert W. Ulmer
  • Patent number: 6197909
    Abstract: Biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable monolayer and multilayer films comprising very low density polyethylene terpolymers of monomers (a), (b) and (c), where (a) comprises ethylene, (b) comprises a C6-C8 alpha-olefin and (c) comprises 1-butene or 1-hexene, have a very good combination of physical properties and processability including high shrinkage values and puncture resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Curwood, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin Rogers Smith, Jeffrey Michael Schuetz, Stanley Lustig
  • Patent number: 6197910
    Abstract: A polyolefin composition is provided which consists essentially of isotactic polypropylene and, optionally, repeating units of one or more comonomers, wherein the total comonomer repeating unit content of the polyolefin composition is from 0 to 20 mole percent, and further, wherein the weight average branching index g′ for the lower molecular weight region of the polyolefin composition is less than 0.93. Additionally, a process is provided for producing a polyolefin composition comprising: a) contacting, in solution, at a temperature from about 90° C. to about 120° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc.
    Inventors: Weiqing Weng, Armen Dekmezian, Eric J. Markel, Avinash Gadkari, David L. Peters
  • Patent number: 6197911
    Abstract: Linear or cyclic diorganosiloxane compounds that include at least one nitroaniline function are disclosed. The compounds may be used as organic dyes in cosmetic compositions suitable for dyeing human keratin fibers, especially hair, or for make-up. The dyes may also be used in foods and pharmaceutical compositions and for dyeing natural and synthetic fibers and plastics or inorganic materials. Also disclosed are the use of the compounds in the above-mentioned fields, cosmetic compositions containing such compounds, and a method for directly dyeing keratin fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventors: Hervé Richard, Madeleine Leduc, Alain LaGrange
  • Patent number: 6197912
    Abstract: Moisture curable polymers having terminal or pendant silyl groups of the formula: where R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, optionally interupted with one or more ether oxygen atoms, or a group of the formula R2 represents a C1 to C6 alkoxy group or a C6-C8 aryloxy group; R3 represents an alkyl or an aryl group; T represents a branched or cyclic alkylene radical of 4 to 10 carbons, which may be optionally interrupted by one or more ether oxygen atoms; X is an alkylene group of 3-10 carbon atoms, which may be linear, branched or cyclic; and a is 0, 1 or 2, may be prepared by reacting (A) a compound having at least two isocyanate groups thereon with (B) a silane of formula (3): Moisture cured sealant formulations formulated with the polymers exhibit improved thermal stability, elongation, and tear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: CK Witco Corporation
    Inventors: Misty Weiyu Huang, Bruce A. Waldman
  • Patent number: 6197913
    Abstract: A method for preparing a microporous silicone resin which can be used to form low dielectric constant films useful for electrical insulating coatings on electronic devices comprising (A) contacting a hydridosilicon containing resin with an alkenyltriarylsilane in the presence of a platinum group metal-containing hydrosilation catalyst effecting formation of a silicon resin where at least 5 percent of silicon atoms are substituted with at least one triarylsilylalkylene group and at least 45 percent of silicon atoms are substituted with at least one hydrogen atom and (B) heating the silicon resin of step (A) in an inert atmosphere at a temperature sufficient to effect thermolysis of the triarylsilylalkylene groups from the silicon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Bianxiao Zhong
  • Patent number: 6197914
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a polyorganosiloxane, that contains mono- and tetrafunctional units, by hydrolysis and condensation of mixtures of alkyl silicates and alkylsilanes and/or their hydrolyzates and compounds containing SiCl groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Kaeppler, Robert Lehnert, Sabine Hoffmann, Toni Schoeley
  • Patent number: 6197915
    Abstract: The invention relates to thermoplastic polyurethanes obtainable by reacting a polyol composition (A) which consists essentially of a polyester-polyol (A-1) having a crystallization enthalpy of at most 70 J/g and a number-average molecular weight of from 1000 to 5000 and a polyether-polyol (A-2) having a number-average molecular weight of from 500 to 2500, and in which the average number, f, of the functional hydroxyl groups existing therein falls between 2.006 and 2.100, an organic diisocyanate (B), and a chain extender (C), at a ratio that satisfies the following formula: 1.00≦b/(a+c)≦1.10 wherein a indicates the number of moles of all polyols constituting the polyol composition (A), b indicates the number of moles of the organic diisocyanate (B), and c indicates the number of moles of the chain extender (C); to elastic fibers comprising them; and to a method for producing polyurethane elastic fibers by melt-spinning the thermoplastic polyurethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamana, Hiroyuki Ono
  • Patent number: 6197916
    Abstract: A method for preparing bisphenol A is disclosed, with a selectivity for the p,p′-isomer of greater than about 97%. The method involves reacting phenol with p-isopropenylphenol or 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propanol in the presence of a catalyst, at a reaction temperature of no greater than about 65° C. The bisphenol A product is preferably purified by a technique which omits the use of adduct crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric James Pressman, Joseph Richard Wetzel
  • Patent number: 6197917
    Abstract: The specification provides a method for the manufacture of a high-quality optical polycarbonate that contains few inorganic or organic impurities or other microparticles, and that has a superior hue. Specifically, the specification provides a method for the manufacture of a polycarbonate by the melt polycondensation of a bisphenol and a carbonic diester, wherein the molten mixture of a bisphenol and a carbonic diester is filtered with a membrane filter made of a fluororesin, after which melt polycondensation is conducted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Takato Kimura, Satoru Omori, Ryozo Sato, Tomoaki Shimoda, Akio Kanezawa
  • Patent number: 6197918
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method, which makes it possible to manufacture aromatic carbonates from dialkyl carbonates and aromatic hydroxy compounds inexpensively and with good efficiency. The method uses a titanium catalyst in a particular amount relative to aromatic polyhydric hydroxy compound impurities in a crude aromatic hydroxy compound solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kazutoyo Uno, Masahide Tanaka, Tomoaki Shimoda
  • Patent number: 6197919
    Abstract: This invention relates to resins useful for imparting dry-strength and temporary wet-strength to paper, the process of incorporating these resins into paper and the paper produced containing the resins. The resin comprises an amphoteric polymer produced through polymerization of an anionic monomer, a monomer containing aldehyde functionality and a cationic monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark T. Crisp, Richard J. Riehle
  • Patent number: 6197920
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the synthesis of new type of diamine monomer, 1,3-bis(4-amonophenoxy)naphthalene, and with such a compound to produce a series of aromatic polymers, including polyamide, polyimide, copoly(amide-imide)s, etc., such polymers having excellent resistance to heat and mechanical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: China Textile Institute
    Inventors: Kun Lin Cheng, Wen-Tung Chen
  • Patent number: 6197921
    Abstract: Provided are polymers prepared by the polymerization of monomers of the formulae:
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Loon-Seng Tan, Balasubramanian Sankaran, Devdatt S. Nagvekar
  • Patent number: 6197922
    Abstract: Novel polyselenophenes comprising one or more structural units of the formulae (I) or (II) or (I) and (II) processes for preparing them, monomers for their preparation, their use in various technical sectors, and an electrically conducting material comprising them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Möhwald, Vladimir Belov, Wolfgang Schrof
  • Patent number: 6197923
    Abstract: N-Oxides of nitrogenous heterocycle or nitrogenous fused heterocycle polymers of general formula (1) or (7) (wherein any two of a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h are carbon atoms participating in the bonding between repeating units; at least one of them is N→O; the rest are each CH, N or N→O; and the degree of polymerization “n” is at least 5). These polymers have excellent heat resistance, are soluble in aqueous or organic solvents and controllable in the degree of depolarization and electrochemical redox potential, exhibit clear color changes by chemical or electrochemical oxidation or reduction, and are conductive per se . They can be used as moldings such as fibers and films; electrochromic elements; active materials and electrodes of cells; semiconductors including n-type semiconductors; and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takakazu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6197924
    Abstract: Polyethersulfones derived from dihydroxybiphenyls or dihydroxybenzenes, especially 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl, are isolated by crystallization from a solvent, preferably a water-immiscible aromatic solvent. Crystallization may be achieved by cooling from the reaction temperature to a temperature in the range of about 20-100° C., optionally with the use of a crystallization aid such as preformed polyethersulfone crystals. The crystallized polyethersulfone is then separated by filtration and by-product salts are removed therefrom by extraction with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Tohru Takekoshi
  • Patent number: 6197925
    Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides which are associated with the transcription complex NF-AT, polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides, antibodies which are reactive with such polypeptides, polynucleotide hybridization probes and PCR amplification probes for detecting polynucleotides which encode such polypeptides, transgenes which encode such polypeptides, homologous targeting constructs that encode such polypeptides and/or homologously integrate in or near endogenous genes encoding such polypeptides, nonhuman transgenic animals which comprise functionally disrupted endogenous genes that normally encode such polypeptides, and transgenic nonhuman animals which comprise transgenes encoding such polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: Gerald R. Crabtree, Jeffrey P. Northrop, Steffan N. Ho
  • Patent number: 6197926
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward peptide analogues of insulin B chain that are generally derived from peptides comprising residues 9 to 23 of the native B chain sequence. The analogues are altered from the native sequence at position 12, 13, 15 and/or 16, and may be additionally be altered at position 19 and/or other positions. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these peptide analogues arc provided. The peptide analogues are useful for treating and inhibiting the development of diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Neurocrine Biosciences
    Inventors: Amitabh Gaur, Nicholas Ling, Paul J. Conlon
  • Patent number: 6197927
    Abstract: Z domain variants of staphylococcal protein A have significantly reduced size but possess IgG-binding affinity equivalent to the wild type Z domain. These Z domain variants are suitable for use in affinity chromatography purification of proteins and in the treatment of staphylococcic diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Genentech Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Braisted, Melissa A. Starovasnik, James A. Wells
  • Patent number: 6197928
    Abstract: Fluorescent indicators including a binding protein moiety, a donor fluorescent protein moiety, and an acceptor fluorescent protein moiety are described. The binding protein moiety has an analyte-binding region which binds an analyte and causes the indicator to change conformation upon exposure to the analyte. The donor moiety and the acceptor moiety change position relative to each other when the analyte binds to the analyte-binding region. The donor moiety and the acceptor moiety exhibit fluorescence resonance energy transfer when the donor moiety is excited and the distance between the donor moiety and the acceptor moiety is small. The indicators can be used to measure analyte concentrations in samples, such as calcium ion concentrations in cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Roger Y. Tsien, Atsushi Miyawaki
  • Patent number: 6197929
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjuvant product which is intended to improve the activity of a molecule when administered to a host, characterized in that it comprises at least one part of the P40 protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae or a protein having at least 80% homology with the P40 protein of Klebsiella pneumoniae. The invention also relates to nucleotide sequences which encode these peptides or proteins and to the use of these sequences as a medicament. More particularly, such DNA sequences can be used in compositions which are intended for immunization by the intramuscular or intradermal route.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Inventors: Hans Binz, Thierry Baussant, Jean-François Haeuw, Thien Nguyen Ngoc
  • Patent number: 6197930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for zsig39, a novel member of the family of proteins bearing a collagen-like domain and a globular domain. The polypeptides, and polynucleotides encoding them, are involved in dimerization or oligomerization and may be used in the study thereof. The present invention also includes antibodies to the zsig39 polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: ZymoGenetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul O. Sheppard, Jacqueline M. Humes
  • Patent number: 6197931
    Abstract: Human Marco scavenger receptor polypeptides (HMarcoSR) and DNA (RNA) encoding such HMarcoSR and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such HMarcoSR for the treatment of various cardivascular disorders, gangrene, and loss of function in the extremeties. Antagonists against such HMarcoSR and their use as a therapeutic to treat of various cardivascular disorders, gangrene, and loss of function in the extremeties are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to mutations in the nucleic acid sequences and altered concentrations of the polypeptides. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting mutations in the polynucleotides encoding the HMarcoSR and for detecting altered levels of the polypeptide in a host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: SmithKline Beecham Corporation
    Inventors: Nabil Elshourbagy, John Adamou, Mitchell Gross, Paul Lysko
  • Patent number: 6197932
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions which find use, inter alia, for modulating the stabilization of actin filaments. The compositions may comprise one or more polypeptide moieties derived from a novel human diaphanous polypeptide and/or one or more nucleic acid moieties derived from a novel human diaphanous gene or gene transcript. The invention also provides agents which specifically modify the binding of a natural human diaphanous gene or gene product with a natural binding target thereof, isolated human diaphanous hybridization probes and primers capable of specifically hybridizing with the disclosed human diaphanous genes, human diaphanous-specific binding agents such as specific antibodies, and methods of making and using the subject compositions in diagnosis, therapy and in the biopharmaceutical industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: The University of Washington, The University of Costa Rica
    Inventors: Mary-Claire King, Eric D. Lynch, Ming K. Lee, Jan E. Morrow, Piri L. Welcsh, Pedro E. Leon
  • Patent number: 6197933
    Abstract: A gene encoding the human EP3 prostaglandin receptor has been cloned and sequenced. The protein encoded by this gene has seven transmembrane domains and is 81% homologous to the murine EP3 receptor. Two variants that differ in their carboxy terminal coding sequence, and one variant that differs in its 3′ untranslated sequence only, have also been cloned. The proteins, when expressed in eukaryotic cells, are capable of binding prostaglandins and their agonists and regulating adenylate cyclase activity in response to prostaglandins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: Allergan, Inc., Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventors: Daniel W. Gil, John W. Regan
  • Patent number: 6197934
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are collagen films which rapidly dissolve at 35° C. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of the collagen films and their use as a vehicle for delivering a dose of therapeutic compound to a specific tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Collagenesis, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale P. DeVore, Richard A. Eiferman, Edwin U. Keates
  • Patent number: 6197935
    Abstract: The use of collagen as a biomedical implant raises safety issues towards viruses and prions. The physicochemical changes and the in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of collagen treated with heat, and by formic acid (FA), trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), tetrafluoroethanol (TFE) and hexafluoroiso-propanol (HFIP) were investigated. FA and TFA resulted in extensive depurination of nucleic acids while HFIP and TFE did so to a lesser degree. The molecules of FA, and most importantly of TFA, remained within collagen. Although these two acids induced modification in the secondary structure of collagen, resistance to collagenase was not affected and, in vitro, cell growth was not impaired. Severe dehydrothermal treatment, for example 110° C. for 1-3 days under high vacuum, also succeeded in removing completely nucleic acids. Since this treatment also leads to slight cross-linking, it could be advantageously used to eliminate prion and to stabilize gelatin products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: DiagnoCure, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Doillon, Régen Drouin, Gaétan LaRoche
  • Patent number: 6197936
    Abstract: To provide a plastic vessel containing an albumin preparation which completely restrains formation of thermally denatured albumin, a plastic molded member in a cylindrical shape is extruded in a molten state into opened dies, one end of which is closed in the dies, and a vessel is molded by blowing a compressed gas into the molded member in the dies or by bringing inner portions of the dies into a vacuum state. While the vessel is still disposed in the dies, an albumin preparation is introduced from an opening portion into an inner portion of the vessel and, therefore, the albumin preparation can be filled into the vessel in a sterilized state without being brought into contact with the atmosphere. Then, an opening portion of the vessel filled with the albumin preparation is hermetically sealed at an internal temperature of the opening portion of about 40° to 70° C. Thus formation of thermally denatured albumin can be completely restrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nissho Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Sano, Yoshihisa Hama, Toshiya Kai, Masakazu Mameta
  • Patent number: 6197937
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA sequence essentially encoding a mammalian vascular endothelial receptor for modified low-density lipoprotein. The sequence is set forth in the Sequence No. 1, 2 or 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Nippon Chemiphar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sawamura, Tomoo Masaki
  • Patent number: 6197938
    Abstract: An animal cell capable of producing an antibody specific to a human growth hormone having a molecular weight of 20,000 (20 k hGH) was prepared from an animal immunized with 20 k hGH. The animal cell was fused with a myeloma cell to produce a monoclonal antibody which specifically reacted to 20 k hGH, but substantially not to 22 k hGH. The monoclonal antibody was useful for immunoassay of 20 k hGH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsui Chemicals, Incorporated
    Inventors: Ichiro Ikeda, Naoko Kono, Tadashi Makino, Yoshihide Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6197939
    Abstract: Polypeptide growth factors, termed PDPFs, are described which are derived from placental tissue and promote the proliferation, growth and survival of prostate cells and epithelial cells. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the polypeptides are also described which are useful in recombinant methods for the production of the polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Amgen Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine L. Farrell, Francis H. Martin, Rachel Yabkowitz
  • Patent number: 6197940
    Abstract: A 22 kD sperm protein, SP-22, correlates with fertility and predicts fertility in males. The protein can be assayed to detect decreases in fertility resulting from exposure to toxicants and pollutants which are known or suspected to decrease fertility. If an antibody is generated to this protein, the antibody recognition by sperm in an epididymal sperm sample or ejaculate would reflect the fertility of the sample. This antibody can be used as a contraceptive to inactivate sperm, screen for toxicity, select animals for artificial insemination, and select men for assisted reproductive technologies. The protein itself can be inactivated by gene knockout, which is another approach to contraception, or the protein can be added to sperm from infertile men to make fertility techniques more feasible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Inventor: Gary Klinefelter
  • Patent number: 6197941
    Abstract: Reactive dyes of the formula I where a is 1 or 2, b is 0 or 1, Y is vinyl or a radical of the formula C2H4Q, where Q is an alkali-detachable group, Het is the radical of a 5- or 6-membered aromatic hetero-cyclic ring having from 1 to 3 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, W is either in case 1) the radical of a coupling component, of a monoazo dye or additionally, when b=0, of a disazo dye, which may each bear further fiber-reactive groups, or in case 2) the radical of a chromophore which optionally has further fiber-reactive groups and is derived from an optionally metallized mono- or disazo dye, a triphendioxazine, an anthraquinone, a metallized formazan or a metallized phthalocyanine, and L1 and L2 are each a bridge member, are useful for dyeing or printing hydroxyl-containing or nitrogenous substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andrea Zamponi, Manfred Patsch, Helmut Hagen, Bernd-Peter Walther
  • Patent number: 6197942
    Abstract: A chitooligosaccharide residue is disclosed which is represented by the formula: wherein m=1-20, n=1-20, m+n=2-21, and m/n=5-0.05, and R represents a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acyl group of 3-24 carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology Ministry of International Trade and Industry
    Inventor: Einosuke Muraki
  • Patent number: 6197943
    Abstract: Glycosaminoglycans having high antithrombotic activity in vitro, obtained by various kinds of glycosaminoglycans supersulfated by the preparation of the salt of an organic base of the starting supersaturated glycosaminoglycan, by partial solvolytic desulfation of said salt and N-resulfation of said partially desulfated product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Inalco S.p.A.
    Inventors: Benito Casu, Annamaria Naggi, Giangiacomo Torri
  • Patent number: 6197944
    Abstract: The use of oligodeoxynucleotides modified at the 3′-terminal internucleotide link as therapeutic agents by a method of hybridizing the modified oligonucleotide to a complementary sequence within a targeted mRNA and cleaving the mRNA within the RNA-DNA helix by the enzyme RNaseH to block the expression of the corresponding gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph A. Walder, Roxanne Y. Walder, Paul S. Eder, John M. Dagle
  • Patent number: 6197945
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery in eukaryotic cells, particularly mammalian cells, of novel a transcriptional regulatory factor, referred to hereinafter as “Insulin Promoter Factor 1” or “Ipf1”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Ontogeny, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Edlund
  • Patent number: 6197946
    Abstract: Peptides can be produced in and purified from the milk of transgenic animals. The peptides are made as fusion proteins with a suitable fusion partner such as &agr;-lactalbumin, which is a natural milk protein. The fusion partner protein acts to promote secretion of the peptides and, at least in the case of &agr;-lactalbumin, allows a single-step purification based on specific affinity. The peptide is released from the purified fusion protein by a simple cleavage step and purified away from the now liberated &agr;-lactalbumin by repeating the same affinity purification method. A particular advantage of producing peptides via this route, in addition to the obvious advantages of high yield and biocompatibility, is that specific post-translational modifications, such as carboxy terminal amidation, can be performed in the mammary gland.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: PPL Therapeutics (Scotland) Limited
    Inventors: Ian Robert Cottingham, Ian Garner
  • Patent number: 6197947
    Abstract: The present invention provides a vertebrate translation initiation factor (eIF-4AIII), that plays a role in the differentiation of an embryonic cell to an epideimal cell. This translation initiation factor interacts with BMP-4 in a positive regulatory loop. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are also disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of using the translation initiation factor, nucleic acids encoding the same, and corresponding antibodies and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: The Rockefeller University
    Inventors: Ali Hemmati-Brivanlou, Daniel C. Weinstein
  • Patent number: 6197948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated proteins or polypeptides of grapevine leafroll virus (type 2). The encoding DNA molecules either alone in isolated form or in an expression system, a host cell, or a transgenic grape plant are also disclosed. Other aspects of the present invention relates to a method of imparting grapevine leafroll resistance to grape and tobacco plants by transforming them with the DNA molecules of the present invention, a method of imparting beet yellows virus resistance to a beet plant, a method of imparting tristeza virus resistance to a citrus plant, and a method of detecting the presence of a grapevine leafroll virus, such as GRLaV-2, in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Hai-Ying Zhu, Kai-Shu Ling, Dennis Gonsalves
  • Patent number: 6197949
    Abstract: A copolymer of general formula (I), wherein unit A is a monomer of an electronically conductive polymer, unit B is a nucleotide, an oligonucleotide or an analogue thereof, x, y, z are integers of 1 or higher or y is 0, and 1 is a covalent bond, or a spacer arm. Methods for preparing polymer (I) and its use, in particular for nucleic acid synthesis, sequencing and hybridization, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: CIS Bio International
    Inventors: Robert Teoule, André Roget, Thierry Livache, Christelle Barthet, Gérard Bidan