Additional Hetero Ring, Attached Directly Or Indirectly To The Bicyclo Ring System By Nonionic Bonding Patents (Class 548/465)
  • Publication number: 20040142948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfonamides, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use as antagonists of urotensin II.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Dashyant Dhanak, Timothy F. Gallagher, Steven D. Knight
  • Publication number: 20040136931
    Abstract: Topically applicable cosmetic/dermatological sunscreen compositions well suited for the UV-photoprotection of human skin and/or hair, contain (a) an effective UV-screening amount of at least one 3-(2-azacycloalkylidene)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one compound having the structural formula (I): 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: SOCIETE L'OREAL S.A.
    Inventor: Roger Rozot
  • Publication number: 20040136932
    Abstract: Topically applicable cosmetic/dermatological sunscreen compositions well suited for the UV-photoprotection of the skin and/or hair, contain (a) an effective UV-screening amount of at least one dibenzoylmethane compound and (b) an effective UV-photostabilizing amount of at least one 3-(2-azacycloalkylidene)-1,3-dihydroindol-2-one compound, formulated into (c) a topically applicable, cosmetically/dermatologically acceptable carrier therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: SOCIETE L'OREAL S.A.
    Inventors: Roger Rozot, Andre Deflandre
  • Publication number: 20040138283
    Abstract: Compounds of formula I are provided: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Wyeth
    Inventors: Lee Dalton Jennings, Hassan Mahmoud Elokdah, Geraldine Ruth McFarlane
  • Publication number: 20040138284
    Abstract: Indol-3-yl derivatives of the general formula I 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Matthias Wiesner, Simon Goodman, Rudolf Gottschlich
  • Publication number: 20040132799
    Abstract: The invention provides compound of the Formula: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Roche Palo Alto LLC
    Inventor: Shu-Hai Zhao
  • Publication number: 20040127544
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to Mannich base prodrugs of certain 3-(pyrrol-2-ylmethylidene)-2-indolinone derivatives that modulate the activity of protein kinases (“PKs”). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of treating diseases related to abnormal PK activity utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of preparing them are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicants: Sugen, Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Company
    Inventors: Malcolm Wilson Moon, Walter Morozowich, Ping Gao, Peng Cho Tang
  • Publication number: 20040127542
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to 1-pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl-3-(pyrrol-2-ylmethylidene)-2-indolinone derivatives that modulate the activity of protein kinases (“PKs”). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of treating diseases related to abnormal PK activity utilizing pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods of preparing them are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Pharmacia & Upjohn Co.
    Inventors: Malcolm Wilson Moon, Walter Morozowich, Ping Gao
  • Publication number: 20040127708
    Abstract: A compound of the formula (I): 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiro Fuji, Hidenori Mikamiyama, Hitoshi Murai
  • Publication number: 20040122070
    Abstract: Substituted 3-carbonyl-1H-indol-1-yl acetic acid derivatives of formula I are provided: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Wyeth
    Inventor: Lee D. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6753342
    Abstract: 2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxo-acetamides having antitumor activity, in particular against solid tumors, more precisely colon and lung tumors, of the following formula I: wherein Y is an oxygen of sulfur atom and X, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in claim 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Novuspharma S.p.A.
    Inventors: Ernesto Menta, Nicoletta Pescalli
  • Publication number: 20040116488
    Abstract: The invention formula substituted 3-alkyl and 3-arylalkyl 1H indol-1yl acetic acid derivatives which are useful as inhibitors of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) useful for treating fibrinolytic disorders, the compounds having the structure 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Wyeth
    Inventors: Lee Dalton Jennings, Scott Lee Kincaid
  • Patent number: 6750242
    Abstract: Compounds of Formula I wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the specification, enantiomers thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy, especially for treatment of conditions associated with reductions in nicotinic transmission. The compounds of the invention enhance the efficacy of agonists at nicotinic receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: AstraZeneca AB
    Inventors: David Gurley, Thomas Lanthorn, John Macor, James Rosamond
  • Publication number: 20040110944
    Abstract: The present invention provides, compounds, methods and compositions of biologically important indoles. In addition, the present invention provides synthesis methods for substituting leaving groups at positions 4 and 7 of the indole ring as diversity generating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: IRM LLC
    Inventors: Phil B. Alper, Khanh Linh T. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20040110823
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new 2-Phenyl-1-[4-(2-Aminoethoxy)-Benzyl]-Indole compounds which are useful as estrogenic agents, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment utilizing these compounds, which have the general structures below: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Wyeth
    Inventors: Chris P. Miller, Michael D. Collini, Bach D. Tran, Arthur A. Santilli
  • Publication number: 20040110770
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: AVENTIS PHARMA SA
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Riou, Michel Maratrat, Lucile Grondard, Fabienne Thompson, Odile Petitgenet, Patrick Mailliet, Jacques Lavayre
  • Publication number: 20040106621
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel 3-heterocyclic benzylamides and related derivatives having the general Formula I 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Inventors: Yong-Jin Wu, Alexandre L'Heureux, Huan He
  • Patent number: 6743793
    Abstract: Indole derivatives represented by formula (I): (wherein all symbols are described in the description), a process for the preparation of the same and a DP receptor antagonist comprising it as an active ingredient. Since the compounds of formula (I) binds to and are antagonistic to a DP receptor, they are useful in for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases, for example, allergic diseases (allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, food allergy, etc., systemic mastocytosis; disorders due to systemic mastocyte activation, anaphylactic shock, bronchoconstriction, urticaria, eczema, etc.), diseases accompanied with itching (atopic dermatitis, urticaria, etc.), secondary diseases caused by behaviors (scratching behaviors, beating, etc.) (cataract, retinal detachment, inflammation, infection, sleep disorder, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Torisu, Kaoru Kobayashi, Fumio Nambu
  • Patent number: 6743810
    Abstract: Indol-3-yl derivatives of the general formula I in which A, B, X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, n and m are as defined in patent claim 1, and their physiologically acceptable salts or solvates are integrin inhibitors and can be employed for combating thromboses, cardiac infarction, coronary heart diseases, arteriosclerosis, inflammations, tumours, osteoporosis, rheumatic arthritis, macular degenerative disease, diabetic retinopathy, infections and restenosis after angioplasty or in pathological processes maintained or propagated by angiogenesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Wiesner, Simon Goodman, Rudolf Gottschlich
  • Publication number: 20040102510
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrrole substituted 2-indolinone compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts which modulate the activity of protein kinases and therefore are expected to be useful in the prevention and treatment of protein kinase related cellular disorders such as cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicants: SUGEN, INC., PHARMACIA & UPJOHN COMPANY
    Inventors: Huiping Guan, Congxin Liang, Connie Li Sun, Peng Cho Tang, Chung Chen Wei, Tomas Vojkovsky, Qingwu Jin, Paul M. Herrinton, Michael A. Mauragis
  • Publication number: 20040102609
    Abstract: This invention relates to peptide-containing &agr;-ketoamide inhibitors of cysteine and serine proteases, methods for making these compounds, and methods for using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Cephalon Inc.
    Inventors: Sankar Chatterjee, John P. Mallamo, Ron Bihovsky, Gregory J. Wells
  • Publication number: 20040097497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to certain 4-heteroaryl-3-heteroarylidenyl-2-indolinones compounds and their physiologically acceptable salts which modulate the activity of protein kinases (“PKs”), in particular CDK2. The compounds of the present invention are therefore useful in treating disorders related to abnormal PK activity. Pharmaceutical composition containing these compounds and methods of preparing these compounds are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: Sugen, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Cho Tang, Chung Chen Wei, Ping Huang, Jingrong Cui
  • Publication number: 20040092569
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Derek Anthony Demaine, Gerard Martin Paul Giblin, Rachel Elizabeth Hosking, Graham George Adam Inglis, Xiao Qing Lewell, Simon John Fawcett MacDonald, Andrew McMurtrie Mason, Martin Edward Swarbrick
  • Publication number: 20040087585
    Abstract: Nobel PDF inhibitors and novel methods for their use are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Jia-Ning Xiang, Siegfried B Christensen, Jinhwa Lee, Daniel J Mercer
  • Publication number: 20040087802
    Abstract: A process for preparing glycidylphtalimide or it optically active compound by reacting a phthalimide alkalimetal salt with an epihalohydrin or an optically active epihalohydrin in an alcohol solvent; or
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Yoshiro Furukawa, Yasushi Miki
  • Publication number: 20040082645
    Abstract: The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Cecile Combeau, Patrick Mailliet, Marielle Chiron
  • Patent number: 6727246
    Abstract: The present invention provides compounds of formula I and the use thereof for the treatment of central nervous system disorders related to or affected by the 5-HT6 receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Wyeth
    Inventors: Ronald Charles Bernotas, Steven Edward Lenicek, Schuyler A. Antane, Ping Zhou, Yanfang Li
  • Publication number: 20040077851
    Abstract: Disclosed are cannabimimetic aminoalkylindole compounds and methos for their manufacture. The disclosed compounds are surprisingly potent and selective cannabinoinds. Also disclosed are methods of using the disclosed compounds, including use of the disclosed compounds to stimulate a cannabinoid receptor, to provide a physiological effect in an animal or individual and to treat a condition in an animal or individual.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Alexandros Makriyannis, Hongfeng Deng
  • Publication number: 20040077705
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable formulations comprising said compounds 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Dalton King, Jeffrey A. Deskus, John E. Macor, Ronald J. Mattson, Zhaoxing Meng, Charles P. Sloan
  • Publication number: 20040067931
    Abstract: Benzimidazolidinone derivative compounds, which increase acetylcholine signaling or effect in the brain, and highly selective muscarinic agonists, particularly for the M1 and/or M4 receptor subtypes, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, as well as methods of treating psychosis using these compounds are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Nicholas Michael Kelly, Kristian Norup Koch, Bo-Ragnar Tolf
  • Publication number: 20040067999
    Abstract: Compounds of formula (I): are described wherein R1-R6 and m are as defined within. Processes for their preparation and their use as NPY 5 inhibitors is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Howard Block, Kevin Michael Foote, Craig Samuel Donald, Paul Schofield
  • Publication number: 20040067939
    Abstract: The present invention provides glucokinase activators of formula I: 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Wendy Lea Corbett
  • Patent number: 6716840
    Abstract: Compounds having the general structure I are provided: X and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of CH2, N, NR9, C═O, C═S, S═O, SO2, S, O, (CR6R7)n, C(═O)—(CR6R7)n, and C(═S)—(CR6R7)n, where n is 1, 2, or 3. W is selected from the group consisting of and L is selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, S═O, SO2, C(O), NC(O), NC(S), OC(O), OC(S), C(NR10), C(NOR10), and a covalent bond. Z1, Z2, and Z3 are independently selected from the group consisting of substituted carbon and nitrogen. Compounds of formula I are agonists of the melanocortin-4 receptor (“MC-4r”) and therefore may have useful properties for controlling diseases related to MC-4r action in humans, such as obesity and type II diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Chiron Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Chu, Rustum S. Boyce, David Duhl, Bryan H. Chang
  • Publication number: 20040063968
    Abstract: Novel processes and intermediates useful in the preparation of 11-oxa prostaglandin analogs are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Pete Delgado, Raymond E. Conrow, William D. Dean, Michael S. Gaines
  • Publication number: 20040063773
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pyrrole substituted 2-indolinone compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts which modulate the activity of protein kinases and therefore are expected to be useful in the prevention and treatment of protein kinase related cellular disorders such as cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: SUGEN, Inc. & Pharmacia & Upjohn Co.
    Inventors: Peng Cho Tang, Todd A. Miller, Xiaoyuan Li, Li Sun, Chung Chen Wei, Shahrzad Shirazian, Congxin Liang, Thomas Vojkovsky, Asaad S. Nematalla, Michael Hawley
  • Publication number: 20040063645
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel compounds possessing antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, and/or antiparasitic activities. Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of making and methods for using these compounds are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Janos Botyanszki, Dong-Fang Shi, Christopher Don Roberts, Mikail Hakan Gezginci, Stephen Corey Valdez, Sherwin Sattarzadeh
  • Publication number: 20040063939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing hydroxyindolylglyoxylamides in high yields and particularly pure form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Jansch, Helge Hartenhauer, Hans Stange, Norbert Hofgen, Jurgen Schafer
  • Publication number: 20040058963
    Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided an indole derivative having the general formula (I) 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamamoto, Kenzo Hariyama, Yumiko Yanagisawa, Sojiro Shiokawa, Takumi Takeyasu, Osami Takenouchi, Hidenori Kasai
  • Publication number: 20040058971
    Abstract: This invention relates to novel compounds which are useful in the modulation of endogenous growth hormone levels in a mammal. The invention further relates to novel intermediates for usein the synthesis of said compounds, as well as novel processes employed in these syntheses. Also included are methods of treating a mammal which include the administration of said compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Dodge, Britta Evers, Louis Nickolaus Jungheim, Brian Stephen Muehl, Gerd Ruehter, Kenneth Jeff Thrasher
  • Patent number: 6710068
    Abstract: The invention as disclosed herein is a method and composition for the treatment of HIV in humans and other host animals, that includes the administration of an effective HIV treatment amount of a phenylindole as described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compounds of this invention either possess antiviral (i.e., anti-HIV) activity, or are metabolized to a compound that exhibits such activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Idenix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Paulo LaColla, Marino Artico, Jean-Pierre Sommadossi
  • Publication number: 20040054180
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel substituted pyrroline compounds useful as kinase or dual-kinase inhibitors, methods for producing such compounds and methods for treating or ameliorating a kinase or dual-kinase mediated disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Han Cheng Zhang, Bruce E. Maryanoff, David F. McComsey, Kimberly White, Hong Ye, Leonard R. Hecker, Bruce Conway, Keith Demarest
  • Publication number: 20040053949
    Abstract: Indolylmaleimide derivatives comprising either a substituted phenyl, naphthyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, quinazolinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl or pyrimidinyl residue have interesting pharmaceutical properties, e.g. in the treatment and/or prevention of T-cell mediated acute or chronic inflammatory diseases or disorders, autoimmune diseases, graft rejection or cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Rainer Albert, Nigel G. Cooke, Sylvain Cottens, Claus Ehrhardt, Jean-Pierre Evenou, Richard Sedrani, Peter Von Matt, Jurgen Wagner, Gerhard Zenke
  • Publication number: 20040053981
    Abstract: Abstract Asymmetric derivatives of furamidines with one of the phenyl rings of furamidine replaced with a benzimidazole have been found by quantitative footprinting analyses to bind GC containing sites on DNA more strongly than to pure AT sequences. These compounds have been shown to bind in the minor groove at specific GC containing sequences of DNA in a highly cooperative manner as a stacked dimer. Compounds of the present invention find use in selectively binding mixed sequence DNA, and may also be used in methods of regulating gene expression, methods of treating opportunistic infections and cancer, as well as in methods of detecting certain sequences of DNA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: W. David Wilson, David W. Boykin, Richard R. Tidwell
  • Publication number: 20040049035
    Abstract: Novel pyrrole derivatives of formula (I) wherein X is oxygen or sulfur; R1 is C1-C4alkyl unsubstituted or substituted, with the exception of CF3; C3-C6cycloalkyl unsubstituted or substituted; or halogen; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C4alkyl unsubstituted or substituted, C1-C4alkoxy unsubstituted or substituted, cyano or halogen; R3 is C1-C4alkyl unsubstituted or substituted; and A is orthosubstituted aryl; orthosubstituted heteroaryl; bicycloaryl unsubstituted or substituted; or bicycloheteroaryl unsubstituted or substituted. The novel compounds have plant-protective properties and are suitable for protecting plants against infestations by phytopathogenic microorganisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Harald Walter, Hermann Schneider
  • Publication number: 20040049046
    Abstract: This invention relates to neurotrophic N-glyoxylprolyl ester compounds having an affinity for FKBP-type immunophilins, their preparation and use as inhibitors of the enzyme activity associated with immunophilin proteins, and particularly inhibitors of peptidyl-prolyl isomerase or rotamase enzyme activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: GPI NIL Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory S. Hamilton, Joseph P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20040044058
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel 4′-demethyl-4′-O-substituted-1-deoxypodophyllotoxin derivative, a geometric isomer thereof, a process for the preparation thereof, and an anticancer composition comprising the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventors: Song-Bae Kim, Byung-Zun Ahn, Yong Kim, Young-Jae You
  • Publication number: 20040044222
    Abstract: Indolinones of general formula I 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG
    Inventors: Rainer Walter, Armin Heckel, Gerald Roth, Joerg Kley, Gisela Schnapp, Martin Lenter, Jacobus Van Meel, Walter Spevak, Ulrike Weyer-Czernilofsky
  • Publication number: 20040039196
    Abstract: The present invention relates to (2-oxindol-3-ylidenyl)acetic acid derivatives which modulate the activity of protein kinases and are therefore useful in the prevention and treatment of protein kinase related cellular disorders such as cancer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: SUGEN, INC.
    Inventors: Chung Chen Wei, Peng Cho Tang
  • Publication number: 20040029948
    Abstract: A class of novel indole is disclosed together with the use of such compounds for inhibiting sPLA2 mediated release of fatty acids for treatment of Inflammatory Diseases such as septic shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Waltz Harper, Ho-Shen Lin, Michael Enrico Richett
  • Publication number: 20040029858
    Abstract: 2-(III-Indol-3-yl)-2-oxo-acetamide derivatives of formula (I) having antitumor activity in particular against solid tumors, specifically colon and lung tumors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ernesto Menta, Nicoletta Pescalli