Abstract: The invention provides a method for the preparation of a foamed drink comprising the steps of: providing a capsule containing a foamable ingredient; providing a receptacle positioned to collect fluid escaping from the capsule; injecting liquid into the capsule to mix with the foamable ingredient; allowing the foamable ingredient mixed with the liquid to escape from the capsule into the receptacle; followed by injecting further liquid into the receptacle in a jet having a diameter of from about 0.5 to about 2 mm to produce foamed liquid in the receptacle. The invention also provides capsules, apparatus and systems specifically adapted for use in the method. Preferably, the food ingredient is a milk powder, and the method produces a hot foamed beverage such as a cappuccino coffee.

Abstract: Provided are methods, pharmaceutical formulations and kits thereof for the treatment and/or prevention of conditions mediated by neovascularization, abnormal angiogenesis, vascular permeability, or combinations thereof, of posterior and/or anterior tissues and fluids of the eye, including conditions associated with proliferative retinopathies, for example, diabetic retinopathy, age-related maculopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, retinopathy associated with macular edema, or retinopathy associated with sickle cell disease, using the topical administration of mecamylamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to the eye. Methods of preparing the pharmaceutical formulations are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of modulating angiogenesis in an individual, as well as methods of identifying a candidate agent that modulates angiogenesis, where such methods involve modulating and identifying agents that modulate expression of gene products of a subset of genes concordantly-regulated by agonists of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), bFGF receptor, and VEGF receptor.

Abstract: A personal flotation device including a flotation portion configured to be fitted onto a person and an adjustment cable system including a spool and at least one cable carried on the spool and connected to the flotation portion such that turning the spool tightens the flotation portion on the person.

Abstract: A gas flow isolation device includes a gas flow isolation valve movable from an opened condition to a closed condition. The module isolation valve in one embodiment includes a rupture disk in flow communication with a flow of gas when the module isolation valve is in an opened condition. The rupture disk ruptures when a predetermined pressure differential occurs across it causing the isolation valve to close. In one embodiment the valve is mechanically linked to the rupture disk to maintain the valve in an opened condition when the rupture disk is intact, and which permits the valve to move into a closed condition when the rupture disk ruptures. In another embodiment a crushable member maintains the valve in an open condition, and the flow of gas passed the valve upon rupturing of the rupture disk compresses the crushable member to close the isolation valve.

Abstract: The invention features methods for induction of angiogenesis by administration of nicotine or other nicotine receptor agonist. Induction of angiogenesis by the methods of the invention can be used in therapeutic angiogenesis in, for example, treatment of ischemic syndromes such as coronary or peripheral arterial disease.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for induction of angiogenesis by administration of nicotine or other nicotine receptor agonist. Induction of angiogenesis by the methods of the invention can be used in therapeutic angiogenesis in, for example, treatment of ischemic syndromes such as coronary or peripheral arterial disease.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for induction of angiogenesis by administration of nicotine or other nicotine receptor agonist. Induction of angiogenesis by the methods of the invention can be used in therapeutic angiogenesis in, for example, treatment of ischemic syndromes such as coronary or peripheral arterial disease.

Abstract: Cardiovascular cell proliferation in a blood vessel subjected to trauma, such as angioplasty, vascular graft, anastomosis, or organ transplant, can be inhibited by contacting the vessel with a polymer consisting of from 6 to about 30 amino acid subunits, where at least 50% of the subunits are arginine, and the polymer contains at least six contiguous arginine subunits. Exemplary polymers for this purpose include arginine homopolymers 7 to 15 subunits in length.

Abstract: Cardiovascular cell proliferation in a blood vessel subjected to trauma, such as angioplasty, vascular graft, anastomosis, or organ transplant, can be inhibited by contacting the vessel with a polymer consisting of from 6 to about 30 amino acid subunits, where at least 50% of the subunits are arginine, and the polymer contains at least six contiguous arginine subunits. Exemplary polymers for this purpose include arginine homopolymers 7 to 15 subunits in length.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing angiogenesis in an individual. The methods generally involve administering to the individual an effective amount of a nicotinic acetyl choline receptor antagonist. The methods are useful to treat conditions associated with or resulting from angiogenesis, particularly pathological angiogenesis. The invention further provides methods of treating a condition associated with or resulting from angiogenesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of reducing angiogenesis in an individual. The methods generally involve administering to the individual an effective amount of a nicotinic acetyl choline receptor antagonist. The methods are useful to treat conditions associated with or resulting from angiogenesis, particularly pathological angiogenesis. The invention further provides methods of treating a condition associated with or resulting from angiogenesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mutant protein comprising at least a fragment of a mutant dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) enzyme, wherein the fragment possesses an affinity for asymmetric N,N-dimethyl arginine (ADMA) and/or L,N-monomethylarginine (LNMMA), which exists at lower plasma levels than ADMA, and is deficient in hydrolyzing ADMA or LNMMA to citrulline, releasing citrulline, or both.

Abstract: Vascular function and structure is maintained or improved by long term administration of physiologically acceptable compounds which enhance the level of endogenous nitric oxide or other intermediates in the NO induced relaxation pathway in the host.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying agents that increase dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) levels and/or activity. The present invention further provides agents that increase DDAH levels and/or activity, and compositions comprising the agents. The invention further provides methods of treating insulin resistance, and methods of lowering blood glucose levels in an insulin-resistance individual, the methods generally involving administering to the individual an agent that increases DDAH levels and/or activity. The invention further provides methods of treating conditions in which plasma or tissue ADMA levels are elevated, by increasing the activity or expression of DDAH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible support (1) for absorbing energy during an impact, particularly to a support for an automobile knee bolster (50). The collapsible support (1) has the form of a tubular body with closed ends. The body extends along a longitudinal axis (3) along which it will collapse during an impact. The support (1) has two opposing end walls (4,10) substantially perpendicular to the axis (3). The two end walls (4,10) are connected by four similar stepped side walls (8) of rectangular plan form that substantially enclose the longitudinal axis (3) such that the side and end walls (8,4,10) of the collapsible support (1) substantially enclose an internal volume. The tubular body is adapted to deform so that sections (31-35) of side walls 8 collapse with one section moving inside another adjacent section upon the application of a compressive force applied to said body along said axis 3.

Abstract: A beverage making apparatus for preparing a plurality of different beverages, the apparatus comprising: a receptacle station for receiving a receptacle for the beverage; a capsule receiving station having walls defining a cavity for receiving a capsule containing a beverage making ingredient; an inlet for introducing water into a capsule in the station to produce a beverage; and a beverage outlet for directing an outflow of beverage from the cavity to the receptacle station; wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of different beverage outlets that are interchangeable for making different beverages.

Abstract: The present invention features methods for recruitment of bone marrow-derived stem cells (e.g., endothelial cell precursors, hematopoietic stem cells) by administration of nicotine or other nicotine receptor agonist. The methods of the invention can be used in, for example, treatment of conditions amenable to treatment by recruitment of bone marrow-derived stem cells (e.g., neutropenia).

Abstract: A method for brewing beverages in a machine, which comprises: (a) providing a machine comprising a clamp which is adapted to hold a beverage brewing sachet and a liquid injector tube for injecting liquid into a sachet held in the clamp, wherein the injector tube has a tip and an outlet hole in said tip; (b) providing a beverage brewing sachet containing a beverage brewing ingredient and having at least one side wall region formed of flexible film; (c) inserting the sachet into the clamp; (d) piercing the flexible film in the side wall region of the sachet with the liquid injector tube; and (e) injecting liquid into the sachet through the injector tube to brew the beverage in the sachet, wherein, following step (d), a flap of the flexible film material extends inwardly from said side wall and over the outlet hole of the injector to form a valve that allows liquid to flow into the sachet from the injector tube, but that blocks or restricts the flow of liquid or solid materials into the injector tube from inside

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of detecting asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in a sample, particularly a sample that may contain symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA) and/or arginine. The methods generally involve modifying any SDMA and arginine in the sample such that SDMA and arginine are readily distinguishable from ADMA; and detecting ADMA. The invention further provides antibodies specific for ADMA; antibodies specific for modified SDMA; and antibodies specific for modified arginine. The invention further provides kits for practicing the subject methods.