Abstract:
A kit for assessing the level of pentraxin-binding moieties on particles in a biological sample containing a ligand comprising a pentraxin is useful in a method of assessing pentraxin-binding of particles for use in diagnosis of disease or abnormality. The method includes the steps of (a) exposing a biological test sample containing particles that comprise a pentraxin-binding receptor from a test subject to a ligand comprising a pentraxin in the presence of calcium; (b) determining quantitatively the level of binding between particles and ligand in said test sample; and (c) comparing the level of binding in said test sample to the level of binding in a control biological sample containing said particles from a healthy subject of the same species as the subject supplying the test sample. A change in the level of binding in said test sample from that of the control sample is indicative of disease or abnormality.
Abstract:
The invention pertains to a pressure chamber scraper for application of a liquid medium onto a rotating drum, said pressure chamber scraper having an axially extending scraper head, that together with an axially extending dosing scraper touching the mantle surface of the drum and with a sealing scraper forms a chamber in the circumferential direction, in said chamber there is an axially extending displacement element to form a pressure compartment and an outlet compartment and leaving an application gap to the mantle surface of the drum, and the liquid medium for wetting of the mantle surface flows through said gap, wherein the medium is supplied through an inlet opening into the pressure compartment. According to the invention, it is proposed that the displacement element and scraper head have mutually facing contact surfaces which bound at least one gap between them which opens into the pressure compartment and connects it to the inlet opening, so that the medium can move into the pressure compartment. With this kind of design it is possible to configure the gap as narrow as desired.
Abstract:
A handbell has a bell body with an inner surface engageable by a clapper to produce a sound corresponding to a note of the musical scale and an outer surface with a vapor deposited nitride layer that resists tarnish. Preferably, the vapor deposited nitrate layer has a thickness of less than about 5 microns and does not adversely affect the sound produced when the handbell is rung. In addition, preferably the vapor deposited nitrate layer is zirconium nitride or titanium nitride and has a Vickers hardness (HV) of at least 2300. A method of making and/or refurbishing a handbell is also disclosed.
Abstract:
In a sliding contact guide for a chain, a guide body is composed of a shoe having a front surface on which the chain slides, and a plate-receiving portion provided on the back of the shoe. The shoe and plate-receiving portion are integrally molded from a synthetic resin. A reinforcing plate is inserted and fitted into a longitudinal slot in the plate-receiving and the sliding contact guide is attached to a frame by a pivot pin which extends through aligned mounting holes in the guide body and the reinforcing plate. Locking pieces formed in the plate-receiving portion, have tapered surfaces on their tips that engage locking holes in the plate and exert a biasing force on edges of the locking holes which urges the plate against the back of the shoe. The reinforcing plate and the guide body are reliably secured together and, even when the guide is vibrated, movement of the reinforcing plate in the slot of the guide body is prevented, so that low noise and long life are attained.
Abstract:
An analytical apparatus, such as a quartz crystal microbalance, comprises a piezoelectric sensor and an oscillator circuit, coupled to the sensor, to oscillate at a frequency substantially determined by a resonant frequency of the sensor, and to provide an output signal at the oscillator frequency at an output. The oscillator circuit maintains a substantially constant drive signal to the piezoelectric sensor by an AGC (33) within a feedback loop of the oscillator. The gain control signal is used as an indication of the Q of the piezoelectric sensor. The drive signal to the sensor is made substantially sinusoidal by ensuring that all the elements in the feedback loop providing signal gain and attenuation are configured to operate in a substantially linear mode.
Abstract:
By press-fitting a cylindrical blank into a die with one of a pair of punches, and at the same time press-fitting small diameter end portions and tapered portions of the pair of punches into both ends of the cylindrical blank while restraining both end surfaces of the blank with cylindrical members movable on the outsides of the punches, the external circumferential surface of the blank is finish molded to the required diameter by the internal circumferential surface of the die and, at the same time, tapered surfaces are formed on the inner circumferential surface in both ends of the blank. The process produces a bushing with its internal surfaces accurately coaxial, and with the external surface accurately formed to the required diameter.
Abstract:
This invention relates to compounds which are agonists of the progesterone receptor which have the general structure: wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and Q1 are as defined herein, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as well as methods of using these compounds to induce contraception or treat progesterone-related carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.
Abstract:
AAV vectors expressing anti-influenza antibodies are provided. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions useful in delivery same for prophylactic or anti-viral purposes. Methods of delivering such vectors are provided.
Abstract:
A recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) having an AAV8 capsid which is suitable for intra-retinal injection is provided herein. The rAAV comprises a vector genome packaged within the capsid which contains, operably linked to regulatory elements which direct expression of anti-human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antigen binding antibody fragment (aVEGF), a coding sequence for aVEGF, wherein the coding sequence is operably linked to regulatory elements which direct expression of the anti-VEGF Fab in the eye. Also provided herein are liquid suspensions containing these rAAV8.aVEGF and methods of using same for treatment of wet AMD and other ocular conditions.
Abstract:
A suspension useful for AAV9-mediated intrathecal/intracisternal and/or systemic delivery of an expression cassette containing a hIDUA gene is provided herein. Also provided are methods and kits containing these vectors and compositions useful for treating MPSI and the symptoms associated with Hurler, Hurler-Scheie and Scheie syndromes.