Abstract:
Amino acid and nucleotide sequences relating to the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzyme are described. The GDH enzymes described herein were discovered in the alga Chlorella sorokiniana in the form of seven different inducible isoenzymes. These isoenzymes are found in the algae as chloroplast-localized hexamers composed of alpha- and beta-subunits. Plants transformed with nucleotide sequences encoding the alpha- or beta-subunits of the enzyme show improved properties, for example, increased growth and improved stress tolerance. A heterohexamer having both alpha - and beta -subunits can have higher aminating:deaminating activity ratio than alpha -homohexamers or beta -homohexamers.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to gas mixing devices (20) for use with breathing circuit assemblies (10) for use with breathing devices, such as respiratory therapy devices and ventilators and to methods for administering gases, such as breathable gases, like nitric oxide, in combination with other gases in a manner which facilitates the establishment of reliably delivery standards for the gases, which facilitates adequate mixing of the gases, and which reduces exposure time of the gases to one another so as to eliminate or minimize the production of toxic byproducts generated from such gas mixtures.
Abstract:
A method for creating a uniform thin film of a high surface energy material on a substrate comprising the steps of providing an oppositely charged surface on the substrate, if such does not exist, from that of particles of the high surface energy material, exposing the substrate to an aqueous colloidal suspension of particles composed of the high surface energy material to adsorb seed particles onto the surface of the substrate, and then depositing a uniform thin film of the high surface energy material by chemical vapor deposition onto the seeded substrate.
Abstract:
The subject invention concerns the genetic manipulation of the gene encoding a group B streptococcal (GBS) surface protein known as the beta antigen. The beta antigen is known to bind to the Fc region of IgA immunoglobulins in a non-immune manner. The portion of beta antigen gene which encodes the IgA binding function has been identified and removed using genetic engineering techniques. The novel polypeptide encoded by the altered beta antigen gene does not bind to IgA but does immunoreact with monospecific anti-beta antigen antisera raised against the wild-type beta antigen protein. This non-IgA binding form of the beta antigen may be used as a component in a human vaccine to protect against GBS infections.
Abstract:
The subject invention concerns novel biopesticides and their use to control cockroaches, carpenter ants, and pharaoh ants. Specifically, highly virulent isolates of Beauveria bassiana in an agricultural composition, can be used to effectively control these pests. Exemplified are Beauveria bassiana No. 447, ATCC 20872, and Beauveria bassiana SP111, ATCC 74038. Also described are unique formulations which are highly effective for delivering biocontrol agents to target pests. By using these novel compositions, target pests can be controlled without the environmental and public safety hazards presented by chemical control agents.
Abstract:
Novel anabaseine and anabasine derivatives are useful for stimulating brain cholinergic transmission, and have utility in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the nervous system.
Abstract:
Taxol, 10-deacetyltaxol and other taxane derivatives are prepared from naturally occurring taxane-7-xylosides by the oxidative cleavage of the 7-xyloside moieties.
Abstract:
The invention provides compositions for use in improving the oral bioavailability of carbamazepine comprising, in oral dosage form, a therapeutically effective amount of carbamazepine complexed with cyclodextrin selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl and hydroxyethyl derivatives of β- and η-cyclodextrin, the complex comprising at least 2 molecules of cyclodextrin per molecule of carbamazepine; and a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefor. Also provided are compositions comprising, in oral dosage form, a therapeutically effective amount of carbamazepine in an aqueous solution comprising from about 20 % to about 50 % cyclodextrin selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl and hydroxyethyl derivatives of β- and η-cyclodextrin. The invention makes it possible to achieve greater, more rapid and less variable delivery of carbamazepine by the oral route.
Abstract:
A rule-based expert system (14) is generated from a neural network (10). The neural network (10) is trained in such a way to avoid redundancy (50) and to select input weights to the various processing elements in such a way as to nullify the input weights which have smaller absolute values. The neural network is translated into a set of rules (12) by a heuristic search technique. Additionally, the translation distinguishes between positive and negative attributes (56, 58) for efficiency and can adequately explore rule size exponential with a given parameter. Both explicit and implicit knowledge of adapted neural networks (54) are decoded and represented as if - then rules (54, 50).
Abstract:
A pharmaceutical composition in unit dosage form adapted for topical administration to a human or non-human animal in need thereof comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil having formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of H, R3CO- and R4-O-CO with the proviso that both R1 and R2 may not be H; or a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salt, adduct, oxide or other derivative thereof; a pharmaceutically acceptable, topically administratable carrier therefor; and a method for topically applying the composition. R3 and R4 comprise groups such that the prodrug (1) has an enhanced delivery across topical membranes and (2) hydrolyzes after delivery to 5-fluorouracil.