Abstract: An improved method and kit of determining whether a patient is predisposed to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease, comprising the steps of (i) taking a biological sample from said patient; (ii) genotyping said biological sample for genetic polymorphism pattern comprising IL 1B (rs16944), IL 1B (rs1143623) and IL 1B (rs4848306); and (iii) comparing said genetic polymorphism patterns to a reference composite genotype pattern; wherein the similarity of said genetic polymorphism patterns to said reference pattern indicate said patient's predisposition to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease.

Abstract: An improved method and kit of determining whether a patient is predisposed to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease, comprising the steps of (i) taking a biological sample from said patient; (ii) genotyping said biological sample for genetic polymorphism pattern comprising IL 1B (rs16944), IL 1B (rs1143623) and IL 1B (rs4848306); and (iii) comparing said genetic polymorphism patterns to a reference composite genotype pattern; wherein the similarity of said genetic polymorphism patterns to said reference pattern indicate said patient's predisposition to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease.

Abstract: An improved method and kit of determining whether a patient is predisposed to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease, comprising the steps of (i) taking a biological sample from said patient; (ii) genotyping said biological sample for genetic polymorphism pattern comprising IL 1B (rs16944), IL 1B (rs1143623) and IL 1B (rs4848306); and (iii) comparing said genetic polymorphism patterns to a reference composite genotype pattern; wherein the similarity of said genetic polymorphism patterns to said reference pattern indicate said patient's predisposition to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease.

Abstract: An improved method and kit of determining whether a patient is predisposed to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease, comprising the steps of (i) taking a biological sample from said patient; (ii) genotyping said biological sample for genetic polymorphism pattern comprising IL 1B (rs16944), IL 1B (rs1143623) and IL 1B (rs4848306); and (iii) comparing said genetic polymorphism patterns to a reference composite genotype pattern; wherein the similarity of said genetic polymorphism patterns to said reference pattern indicate said patient's predisposition to having severe periodontal disease and/or having high risk of progression of periodontal disease.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to identification and use of genetic information from the IL-I gene cluster—including the structure and organization of novel IL-I-like genes found within the IL-I locus as well as polymorphisms and associated haplotypes within these genes. The invention thereby expands the repertoire of useful genetic information available from the IL-I locus—which contains the previously-identified IL-1?, EL-1? and IL-IRN genes, for predicting IL-I associated phenotypes (e.g. increased or decreased risks of inflammatory disease) and for treating IL-I haplotype associated inflammatory phenotypes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the pharmacogenetic analysis of anti-inflammatory compounds, especially for the pharmacogenetic association of responsiveness to rheumatoid arthritis medications that target TNF?.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to identification and use of genetic information from the IL-1 gene cluster—including the structure and organization of novel IL-1-like genes found within the IL-1 locus as well as polymorphisms and associated haplotypes within these genes. The invention thereby expands the repertoire of useful genetic information available from the IL-1 locus—which contains the previously-identified IL-1?, EL-1? and IL-1RN genes, for predicting IL-1 associated phenotypes (e.g. increased or decreased risks of inflammatory disease) and for treating IL-1 haplotype associated inflammatory phenotypes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to identification and use of genetic information from the IL-1 gene cluster—including the structure and organization of novel IL-1-like genes found within the IL-1 locus as well as polymorphisms and associated haplotypes within these genes. The invention thereby expands the repertoire of useful genetic information available from the IL-1 locus—which contains the previously-identified IL-1?, IL-1? and IL-1RN genes, for predicting IL-1 associated phenotypes (e.g. increased or decreased risks of inflammatory disease) and for treating IL-1 haplotype associated inflammatory phenotypes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to identification and use of genetic information from the IL-1 gene cluster—including the structure and organization of novel IL-1-like genes found within the IL-1 locus as well as polymorphisms and associated haplotypes within these genes. The invention thereby expands the repertoire of useful genetic information available from the IL-1 locus—which contains the previously-identified IL-1?, IL-1? and IL-1RN genes, for predicting IL-1 associated phenotypes (e.g. increased or decreased risks of inflammatory disease) and for treating IL-1 haplotype associated inflammatory phenotypes.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to identification and use of genetic information from the IL-1 gene cluster—including the structure and organization of novel IL-1-like genes found within the IL-1 locus as well as polymorphisms and associated haplotypes within these genes. The invention thereby expands the repertoire of useful genetic information available from the IL-1 locus—which contains the previously-identified IL-1?, IL-1? and IL-1RN genes, for predicting IL-1 associated phenotypes (e.g. increased or decreased risks of inflammatory disease) and for treating IL-1 haplotype associated inflammatory phenotypes.

Abstract: Methods and kits for determining whether a subject has or is predisposed to developing a disease which is associated with IL-1 polymorphisms and assays for identifying therapeutics for treating and/or preventing the development of these diseases are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to identification and use of genetic information from the IL-1 gene cluster—including the structure and organization of novel IL-1-like genes found within the IL-1 locus as well as polymorphisms and associated haplotypes within these genes. The invention thereby expands the repertoire of useful genetic information available from the IL-1 locus—which contains the previously-identified IL-1?, IL-1? and IL-1RN genes, for predicting IL-1 associated phenotypes (e.g. increased or decreased risks of inflammatory disease) and for treating IL-1 haplotype associated inflammatory phenotypes.

Abstract: In an exercise apparatus that includes a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axle supported by the frame, a pedal lever and a pedal, a mechanism is provided that allows the pedal to be selectively moved by a user relative to the pedal lever in order to produce a variety of elliptical paths. As a result, by varying the pedal position relative to the pedal lever, the corresponding elliptical path of the pedal can be changed, for example, relative to a fixed, horizontal plane, such as the floor, to simulate an uphill, horizontal or downhill gait.

Abstract: Methods and kits for determining whether a subject has or is predisposed to developing a disease which is associated with IL-1 polymorphisms and assays for identifying therapeutics for treating and/or preventing the development of these diseases are provided.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus distance traveled can be approximated by determining the portion of the ellipse traversed by a foot pedal where the user applies force to the pedal. This portion can be considered equivalent to the amount of foot travel on a treadmill and modified as a function of speed to simulate the gait of a user at various speeds so as to provide an approximation of the distance traveled by a user as if he were running on a treadmill. This process can be further modified for use with an elliptical exercise apparatus where the stride length can be changed such that the simulated distance will be increased with increased stride length.

Abstract: In an elliptical step exercise apparatus a dynamic link mechanism can be used to vary the stride length of the machine. A control system can also be used to vary stride length as a function of various exercise and operating parameters such as speed and direction as well as varying stride length as a part of a preprogrammed exercise routine such as a hill or interval training program. In addition the control system can use measurements of stride length to optimize operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: In an exercise apparatus having a frame that is adapted for placement on the floor, a pivot axle supported by the frame, a pair of pedal levers, pedals secured to the pedal levers, arm handles connected for motion with the pedal levers and which can utilize a variety of pedal actuation assemblies for generating elliptical motion of the pedal, the stride length portion of the elliptical motion can be increased automatically as a function of exercise parameters such as speed.