Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) can be secured to a truck or trailer bed, for transporting on roads or highways, using adjustable-length connectors with rigid shafts, rather than chains, ropes, or cables. Two steel "tine pins" (or comparable rigid structures, such as rounded eye hooks) are securely mounted on opposed ends or sides of the ATV. Similar tine pins are also mounted on the bed of a trailer or truck used to carry the ATV. The ATV is loaded onto the trailer or truck, moved into position (this does not require precise placement) and secured by turnbuckle-type securing connectors which have adjustable lengths. Unlike chains or ropes, these adjustable connectors become rigid and non-yielding after their lengths have been adjusted. An eyehole which accommodates a tine pin is provided at each end of each connector.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for using fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) to reduce and prevent two very serious problems caused by surgery that requires cardiopulmonary bypass. Before bypass begins, a liquid that contains FDP is intravenously injected into the patient, preferably over a period such as about 10 to 30 minutes, to allow the FDP to permeate in significant quantity into the heart and lungs while the heart is still beating. FDP can be added to the cardioplegia solution that is pumped through the heart to stop the heartbeat, and/or during bypass. This treatment was found to reduce two very important and serious problems that have unavoidably plagued CPB surgery in the past, which are: (1) elevated levels of pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), which includes pulmonary hypertension; and (2) high occurrence rates for atrial fibrillation. Prior to this discovery, there has never been any satisfactory treatment which could reduce the severity and occurrence rates for these two major problems.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of water-soluble zinc salts as anti-viral agents in genital lubricants (such as condom lubricants or stand-alone gels), to reduce the risk of infection by sexually transmitted viruses. Such zinc-containing anti-viral lubricants can be spread on the shaft of the penis or inside the vagina before sexual intercourse, or applied in other suitable manners that causes the lubricant fluid to be coated on one or more genital surfaces during intercourse. These lubricants also can be sealed in watertight packages containing lubricated condoms, or packaged and sold as "stand-alone" lubricants in watertight containers without condoms. Preferred lubricants contain a water-soluble lubricating agent, such as glycerin or polyethylene glycol, and a suitable zinc salt, and water, to promote ionization of the salt and release of zinc ions (Zn.sup.++).

Abstract: Methods for treating the very early (presymptomatic) stages of Alzheimer's disease are disclosed, wherein NMDA antagonist drugs are administered to protect NMDA receptors against neuronal damage. Since NMDA antagonists may cause a condition known as NMDA receptor hypofunction (NR/hypo) that triggers neurotoxic side effects, they may be co-administered with, or have inherent activity as, "safener" drugs to prevent toxic side effects. The patient's status must be monitored, so that any NMDA antagonist drugs can be discontinued if a condition of NR/hypo arises. Otherwise, the NMDA antagonist drugs can worsen and accelerate the damage caused by the disease.

Abstract: When fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) is used as an inotropic drug in patients who have undergone surgery involving cardiopulmonary bypass, it can increase the pumping strength of a struggling heart, without increasing the heartbeat rate. As such, FDP can reduce the dosages of (and in some some cases eliminate the need for) other inotropic drugs such as dobutamine, epinephrin, or amrinone lactate, which have undesired and potentially dangerous side effects, mainly involving increasing the heartbeat rate, which imposes substantial additional stresses on hearts that are struggling to regain strength after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery.

Abstract: A new type of folding box is disclosed, which is designed for redispatching to a second location, after it has been received at a first location. This box, which can be made from a single flat pre-cut blank, of cardboard or other suitable material, has two lids: an inner lid, and an outer lid. The outer lid is printed, stamped, or affixed with advertising information, a first mailing address, or other useful lettering, to facilitate a first delivery or sale. The inner lid, which is initially covered and preferably hidden by the outer lid, is printed or stamped with a second lettering, such as a second mailing or delivery address. The user purchases or otherwise receives the complete box, including the outer lid, and carries out any desired function with the contents of that box. For example, if the box contains collection jars, for holding blood, hair, water, or soil samples, the user would fill the jars with such samples or specimens.

Abstract: This invention discloses that ibogaine, a plant derivative, can be used safely to treat neuropathic pain (i.e, pain which does not respond conventionally to opiate drugs such as morphine). Ibogaine functions inside the CNS as an NMDA antagonist which is inherently safe, even at relatively high dosages (including dosages high enough to cause hallucinations). Ibogaine does not cause the neurotoxic side effects caused by other NMDA antagonist drugs; this relative safety of ibogaine is due to antagonist activity at neuronal sigma receptors, which had not been known prior to discovery by the Applicant. Ibogaine can also be used for this purpose in combination with additional drugs such as (1) drugs which activate alpha-2 adrenergic receptors; (2) drugs which block the kainic acid subclass of glutamate receptors; or, (3) anti-cholinergic agents that suppress activity at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Such drug combinations can reduce or avoid the hallucinatory effects of ibogaine, if desired.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed which enable on-site pre-diagnostic emergency treatment of people suffering from life-threatening injuries (such as victims of auto accidents, shootings, stabbings, and near-drownings), or from a collapse or loss of consciousness that might be due to a heart attack, stroke, cardiac arrest, internal hemorrhage, or various other causes that cannot be diagnosed until after a physician or ambulance has arrived on the scene. This on-site pre-diagnostic emergency treatment involves intravenous injection of fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP, a naturally-occurring chemical which functions as an intermediate in glycolysis) into the patient. Such injections can be administered by police, firemen, military personnel, lifeguards, nursing home attendants, ambulance attendants, or anyone else who has been trained to administer intravenous injections. The FDP should be injected into the patient as soon as possible, without delaying until the patient can be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new method for treating or preventing brain damage caused by NMDA receptor hypofunction (NR/hypo), using drugs such as lisuride which stimulate (agonize) activity at the 5HT-2A class of serotonin receptors, but which do not cause hallucinations. Data disclosed herein indicate that stimulation of both 5HT-2A and 5HT-2C receptors causes hallucinations, while stimulation of 5HT-2A receptors but not 5HT-2C receptors does not. Accordingly, to be useful herein, non-hallucinatory 5HT-2A agonists should either (1) antagonize (suppress) activity at 5HT-2C receptors, or (2) have no significant effect on activity at 5HT-2C receptors. Selective non-hallucinatory 5HT-2A agonists can be used in either of two treatment methods disclosed herein.One such treatment comprises administering a 5HT-2A receptor agonist as a "safener drug" which accompanies an NMDA antagonist drug that is being used for a therapeutic purpose.

Abstract: A rotating claw drum for shredding discarded material (such as used carpet) is created from flat circular plates that are stacked tightly together on a driveshaft or drum, to create an impermeable drum face that prevents particulates from entering and fouling the internal mechanisms. Each flat plate is provided with at least one claw-holding slot in its outer rim; 6 to 12 slots preferably should be provided in each plate. Locking means (such as a locking bar that will pass through aligned locking notches in the slots and claws) will lock the claws in place while the drum is in use. After the drum has been stopped, a locking bar can be removed, to release a damaged claw from its slot so it can be replaced, without having to disturb any other claws.

Abstract: A method for reducing progressive neuronal degeneration due to Alzheimer's disease is disclosed wherein a neuroprotective drug selected from the group consisting of clozapine, olanzapine and fluperlapine, and salts, isomers and analogs thereof, is administered.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for increasing the effectiveness of dextromethorphan in treating chronic or intractable pain, for treating tinnitus and for treating sexual dysfunction comprising administering dextromethorphan in combination with a therapeutically effective dosage of a debrisoquin hydroxylase inhibitor. A preferred combination is dextromethorphan and the oxidative inhibitor quinidine.

Abstract: Fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP), a sugar-phosphate compound, can be useful in treating asthma, when administered as an inhalable drug, either by itself or as a component of a mixed formulation. On a cellular level, inhalable FDP appears to offer at least four beneficial effects for asthma sufferers: (1) it reduces histamine release by activated mast cells; (2) it suppresses production of oxygen free radicals by polymorphonuclear cells; (3) it helps suppress the activation and proliferation of T-lymphocytes; and, (4) it helps reduce the expression of interleukin compounds by T-lymphocytes. All four effects have been measured and shown to occur in animal and/or human tests, and these effects render FDP likely to help reduce and retard the progressive worsening of asthma that occurs in many sufferers. In addition, when tested in inhalable form on humans, FDP was shown to increase bronchial flow rates.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making the 3R-3'R stereoisomer of zeaxanthin as a sole detectable or heavily dominant (more than about 90%) stereoisomer, for human ingestion. Zeaxanthin, a yellowish pigment which is naturally present in macular cells in the center of the human retina, absorbs blue and near-ultraviolet light radiation, thereby protecting the retinal cells against phototoxic damage. Zeaxanthin preparations which contain only the desired R--R isomer can be produced by a strain of Flavobacterium multivorum cells (ATCC accession number 55238). These cells (and other cells transformed with their zeaxanthin-producing genes) do not create any detectable quantities of the undesired S--S or S-R isomers of zeaxanthin, and they do not synthesize significant quantities of other carotenoids which might compete against zeaxanthin for alimentary uptake after oral ingestion.

Abstract: Devices are disclosed which can make writing and other tasks easier for people with physically impaired hands, such as people suffering from severe rheumatoid arthritis. These devices include a glove with a mounting attachment, for holding the base of a pen, pencil, or other device, affixed to the glove in the vicinity of the palm region. The mounting attachment on the glove is designed to securely hold the base of a device such as a pen or pencil, toothbrush, key holder, kitchen utensil, etc. The base of each insertable device is provided with a fitting designed for insertion and removal by someone with impaired hands, preferably without requiring assistance by another person. Several accommodating devices can be provided with the glove, as part of a complete set. Some of these devices will contain fixed, non-rotating bases, for use with devices such as pencils or pens; others will use bases that can rotate freely about a point or a single axle, or with various other types of constraints.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for transfecting eukaryotic cells using a DNA segment coupled to a site-specific chromosome-binding polypeptide. The polypeptide-DNA conjugate is referred to herein as a polypeptide-linked-rDNA (PLR) molecule. One example of a PLR molecule comprises a DNA segment containing a nucleotide sequence from a normally functioning human gene, coupled by means of a covalent crosslinking reagent to a site-specific chromosome-binding polypeptide (such as a transcription regulating polypeptide that binds to a specific nucleotide sequence in chromosomal DNA). After the PLR molecule enters the cytoplasm of a cell, such as by electroporation, the chromosome-binding polypeptide enables transport of the PLR molecule through the cytoplasm and into the nucleus, using a nuclear localization sequence (NLS) domain of the polypeptide. Inside the nucleus, the polypeptide scans the chromosomes until it binds to a specific chromosomal binding site.

Abstract: This invention involves a pharmaceutical mixture for preventing or reducing excitotoxic brain damage caused by hypoxia/ischemia (such as stroke) and various other factors. This mixture comprises an NMDA antagonist and a non-NMDA antagonist, both of which penetrate blood-brain barriers (BBB's) and which, in combination, provide greater protection against excitotoxic damage than can be provided by any quantity of either agent by itself. Suitable NMDA antagonists can be either competitive antagonists which bind directy to the NMDA binding site in the NMDA receptor complex, or non-competitive agents that interact with other binding sites such as the PCP, glycine, or polyamine binding sites. Suitable non-NMDA antagonists include a quinoxalinedione compound referred to as NBQX, and a 2,3-benzodiazepine compound referred to as GYKI 52466.

Abstract: Preparations are disclosed containing the 3R-3'R stereoisomer of zeaxanthin as a sole detectable isomer, packaged for oral ingestion by humans as a therapeutic drug or nutritional supplement. Zeaxanthin is a yellow carotenoid pigment found in the macula (in the center of the human retina), which helps protect retinal cells against phototoxic damage. The pure R-R stereoisomer can be prepared by fermenting cells, such as Flavobacterium multivorum (ATCC 55238), which do not create any detectable quantity of the undesired and potentially toxic S-S or S-R isomers, and which do not synthesize any other carotenoids. The R-R isomer can be concentrated, in large quantities and at low cost, into a viscous oily fluid containing about 5 to 20% zeaxanthin, by means of a simple solvent extraction process. This oily fluid can be mixed with a carrier such as vegetable oil and enclosed within a digestible capsule, comparable to a conventional capsule containing Vitamin E.

Abstract: This invention relates to an article of manufacture including a genital lubricant containing a selected non-irritating, water-soluble zinc salt at an anti-viral concentration, within a package that is provided with a label indicating that the lubricant is effective as an anti-viral agent against at least one type of sexually transmitted virus (such as genital herpes viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses, hepatitis viruses, or papilloma viruses). One such lubricant includes a lubricant gel in a plastic-walled tubular package, for use with or without a condom; another such lubricant includes a condom lubricant, coated on a condom and sealed along with the condom inside a disposable plastic pouch. The zinc salt must be water-soluble and have substantial dissociation rates to release divalent zinc ions, and the lubricant must not cause genital irritation or other adverse effects, even if used repeatedly over a period of months or years.

Abstract: This invention discloses that kainic acid receptor antagonists (KA antagonists) can act as "safener" agents to reduce or prevent adverse side effects caused by NMDA antagonists. NMDA antagonists can reduce excitotoxic brain damage due to stroke, cardiac arrest, asphyxia, etc., but they also cause toxic damage to certain types of neurons, as well as psychotomimetic effects such as hallucinations. Co-administration of a KA antagonist can (1) reduce or prevent such undesired side effects, and (2) increase the extent of neuronal protection provided to the CNS, beyond the levels of protection that can be provided by NMDA antagonists alone, or non-NMDA antagonists alone. Therefore, co-administration of a KA antagonist allows NMDA antagonists to be used more safely and effectively.