Abstract:
The invention provides human phosphodiesterases (HPDE) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HPDE. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of HPDE.
Abstract:
The invention provides human adenylyl and guanylyl cyclases (ADGUC) and polynucleotides which identify and encode ADGUC. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, antibodies, agonists, and antagonists. The invention also provides methods for diagnosing, treating, or preventing disorders associated with aberrant expression of ADGUC.
Abstract:
A method of fast start and/or fast termination of a radio frequency resonator, which has a coil, a capacitor and two switches with internal resistance wherein one end of the switches is connected to a junction of the coil and the capacitor where a RF voltage is provided, and another end of each switch is connected to high voltage power supplies with opposite polarities, a fast start being achieved by closing one of the switches for a short period of time for fast start, and a fast termination being obtained by closing both switches for a while.
Abstract:
A biodegradable particulate vector for transporting biologically active molecules is prepared containing a nucleus formed of a cross-linked polysaccharide or oligosaccharide matrix having grafted ionic ligands, a layer of fatty acid compounds covalently bonded to the nucleus and a layer of phospholipids hydrophobically bonded to the layer of fatty acid compounds. Dextran, cellulose or starch may be cross-linked with epichlorohydrin to form a cross-linked polysaccharide matrix. Ionic ligands may be grafted using an acidic compound such as succinic acid, phosphoric acid or phosphorous oxychloride, or a basic compound such as choline, hydroxycholine, 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol or 2-(dimethylamino) ethylamine fastened onto the grafted acidic compound. Phosphoric acid or phosphorous oxychloride in one step provide both cross-linking and ionic ligands. Co-cross-linking can be obtained using a protein such as keratin, collagen or elastase. The vector may be prepared by reacting succinic acid monochloride with a cross-linked polysaccharide matrix to graft succinic acid onto the matrix to form the nucleus having ionic ligands, grinding the nucleus to a size between 10 .mu.nm and 10 .mu.m, drying, coupling fatty acid compounds to the nucleus and hydrophobically bonding phospholipids to the fatty acid compounds. After coupling the fatty acid compounds and before bonding the phospholipids, a molecule having biological activity may be added. The succinic acid monochloride is preferably prepared by reacting succinic acid dichloride with free succinic acid to form pure crystalline succinic acid monochloride.
Abstract:
An electrostatic ion trap for mass analysis includes a first array of electrodes and a second array of electrodes, spaced from the first array of electrode. The first and second arrays of electrodes may be planar arrays formed by parallel strip electrodes or by concentric, circular or part-circular electrically conductive rings. The electrodes of the arrays are supplied with substantially the same pattern of voltage whereby the distribution of electrical potential in the space between the arrays is such as to reflect ions isochronously in a flight direction causing them to undergo periodic, oscillatory motion in the space, focused substantially mid-way between the arrays. Amplifier circuitry is used to detect image current having frequency components related to the mass-to-charge ratio of ions undergoing the periodic, oscillatory motion.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a mass spectrometer having an ion lens capable of transporting an ion having a large mass to charge ratio with a high level of ion-passing efficiency even under a low-vacuum atmosphere. In conventional atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers or similar mass spectrometers, applying an excessively high voltage to the ion lens undesirably causes an electric discharge. Therefore, the passing efficiency for an ion having a large mass to charge ratio cannot be adequately improved, which leads to a poor detection sensitivity. To solve this problem, the mass spectrometer according to the present invention includes a voltage controller 21 that controls a variable radiofrequency (RF) voltage generator 24 so that both the amplitude and the frequency of the RF voltage applied to the lens electrodes of an ion lens 5 are changed according to the mass to charge ratio of an ion to be analyzed. This control enables the ion lens 5 to focus an ion and transport it to the subsequent stage with a high level of passing efficiency even in the case of analyzing an ion having a large mass to charge ratio. Thus, the detection sensitivity is improved. The aforementioned control is conducted on the basis of the control data stored in a voltage control data storage 22. These data are obtained in advance by a measurement of a sample containing a substance having a known mass to charge ratio, in which the intensity of the signal of an ion detector is maintained while the analysis conditions are changed.
Abstract:
An electrostatic ion trap for mass analysis includes a first array of electrodes and a second array of electrodes, spaced from the first array of electrode. The first and second arrays of electrodes may be planar arrays formed by parallel strip electrodes or by concentric, circular or part-circular electrically conductive rings. The electrodes of the arrays are supplied with substantially the same pattern of voltage whereby the distribution of electrical potential in the space between the arrays is such as to reflect ions isochronously in a flight direction causing them to undergo periodic, oscillatory motion in the space, focused substantially mid-way between the arrays. Amplifier circuitry is used to detect image current having frequency components related to the mass-to-charge ratio of ions undergoing the periodic, oscillatory motion.
Abstract:
A method for modifying the refractive index of ocular tissues. The method comprises irradiating select regions of ocular tissue with a visible or near-IR laser. The irradiation results in the formation of structures in the ocular tissue, characterized by a change in refractive index, and which exhibit little or no scattering loss.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to the field of ion storage and analysis, in particular to a linear ion trap mass analyzer comprised by multiple columnar electrodes. High frequency voltages are applied on at least one of the columnar electrodes to form ion confining space, which mainly consists of two-dimensional quadrupole electric radial trapping field, and there is at least one through slot for ion ejection in at least one direction perpendicular to the axis of the ion trap, wherein an AC electric field superposition is applied to invoke dipole excitation. Opposite to the through slot, there is an elongated electrode for field adjusting between two columnar electrodes or inside the slit of one of the columnar electrodes mentioned above. The potential on the elongated electrode for field adjusting is set as the sum of a portion of the high frequency voltage which applied on one adjacent columnar electrode and a DC offset, which can be adjusted freely. Through adjusting the portion of the high frequency potential and DC potential on this electrode, one or more objectives, including field optimization inside the ion trap as well as ion motion characteristics of resonant ejection, can be realized.
Abstract:
A video laryngoscope has a handle and a groove on one side of the handle. The groove is used for guiding a guide wire when the larynogoscope is placed in a patient's mouth. A video camera located near the end of the handle is used to view the area around the glottis. When the guide wire is properly positioned near the glottis, the upper part of the guide wire is disengaged from the groove so as to allow an endotracheal tube to be slipped over the guide wire and to be inserted into part of the trachea through the glottis. When the tube is properly inserted for intubation, the guide wire is removed from the tube. An illuminating light source such as an LED lamp can be installed at the end of the handle to provide illumination for the video camera.