Abstract:
Dosage form and method of manufacture for producing a medicament capable of absorption through mucosal tissues. The drug (24) is to be incorporated into a dissolvable matrix (22). An appliance or holder (26) is attached to the dissolvable matrix (22) and mounted or sealed against button (28).
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for noninvasively administering drugs in a dose-to-effect manner to produce a cardiovascular or renal vascular activity. A cardiovascular or renal vascular drug, which is capable of absorption through mucosal tissues of the mouth, pharynx, and esophagus is incorporated into a matrix which is in the form of a lollipop. A patient is put at ease when given the lollipop, and the drug rapidly enters the patient's bloodstream as the lollipop is sucked. When treating the patient, the physician can observe the patient's condition and remove the lollipop when it has had a desired effect on the patient. A lollipop into which a cardiovascular or renal vascular drug has been dispersed is particularly useful for achieving rapid vasodilating, calcium channel blocking, beta-blocking, seritonin receptor blocking, angina blocking, anti-hypertensive, and cardiac stimulating effects and for controlling urine output.
Abstract:
Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are believed to mediate nicotine addiction. In addition, stimulation of nAChRs modulates release of neurotransmitters including dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Thus, pharmacological manipulation of nicotinic receptors has implications for a wide variety of disorders including psychotic, mood, movement and cognitive. For most nAChRs, there are no subtype selective ligands. However, alpha -conotoxin MII, a small peptide from the carnivorous marine snail Conus magus, was recently isolated. This peptide has been shown o be a specific antagonist for alpha 3 beta 2 nicotinic receptors. The peptide potently blocks part, but not all, of nicotine-stimulated dopamine release from rat brain striatal synaptosomes. In contrast it has no effect on potassium stimulated dopamine release. Other alpha -conotoxins specifically target distinct neuronal nAChR subtypes. alpha -Conotoxins thus represent new lead compounds for CNS disorders.
Abstract:
A composition for isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial culture is disclosed, the composition containing at least about 3 M magnesium chloride and about 10 % (w/v) polyethylene glycol. A method of differentially precipitating plasmid DNA from a bacterial lysate is also disclosed, involving the steps of lysing bacterial cells to obtain a bacterial lysate; mixing magnesium chloride and polyethylene chloride with the lysate to form a mixture containing at least about 1 M magnesium chloride and about 3.3 % (w/v) polyethylene glycol, thereby precipitating cellular debris, chromosomal DNA, cellular RNA, and proteins; separating and removing the precipitated material to form a cleared lysate; mixing magnesium chloride and polyethylene glycol with the cleared lysate to form a mixture containing at least about 1.5 M magnesium chloride and about 5 % (w/v) polyethylene chloride, thereby precipitating plasmid DNA; and separating the precipitated plasmid DNA from the mixture, thereby obtaining isolated plasmid DNA. Another composition according to the invention contains an enzyme for digestion of cellular RNA, a stabilizer for protecting plasmid DNA from nuclease digestion, and a precipitating agent for precipitating plasmid DNA. Another method of isolating plasmid DNA from a bacterial culture comprises simultaneously digesting cellular RNA in a clarified lysate with an enzyme, protecting plasmid DNA from nuclease digestion, and precipitating plasmid DNA.
Abstract:
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for the detection and analysis of information-containing signals in chromatographic data using iterative blind deconvolution and fuzzy logic algorithms. The invented method analyzes chromatographic data from a wide variety of sources of DNA sequencing information, including gel and capillary electrophoresis. Autoradiograms, single-fluor, four-lane and four fluor, single lane fluorescent chromatographic data are suitable sources of unprocessed input data. The output from the invented base calling method includes called (identified) sequence data and quality values for the called bases.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more gamma -carboxyglutamic acid residues. The conantokins are useful for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, neuroprotective agents or analgesic agents.
Abstract:
Methods of monitoring hybridization during polymerase chain reaction are disclosed. These methods are achieved with rapid thermal cycling and use of double stranded DNA dyes or specific hybridization probes. A fluorescence resonance energy transfer pair comprises fluorescein and Cy5 or Cy5.5. Methods for quantitating amplified DNA and determining its purity are carried out by analysis of melting and reannealing curves.
Abstract:
An apparatus (2) and method are disclosed for marking the proper location of incisions to be made during a surgical procedure, and for coloring the skin. The apparatus (2) includes a pinwheel (16) with a plurality of marking points (18) extending therefrom for penetrating the outermost layer of the epidermis. A reservoir (6) supplies a marking agent so that as the penetrating member (18) penetrates the epidermis, a marking agent is left within the epidermis, thereby leaving a dotted line which may be followed when making incisions during surgery. The method includes penetrating the outermost layer of the epidermis, leaving a marking agent between the outermost layer of the epidermis and an innermost layer of the epidermis.
Abstract:
A process is disclosed for coal liquefaction in which minute particles of coal in intimate contact with a hydrogenation catalyst and hydrogen are reacted for a very short time at a temperature in excess of 400 DEG C at a pressure of at least 1,700 kilonewtons per square meter (250 psi) to yield over 50 % liquids with a liquid to gaseous hydrocarbon ratio in excess of 8:1.