Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter containing a porous substrate having dry water and microcapsules dispersed therein. The microcapsules contain at least one compound selected from the group consisting of chlorophyllin, methylcellulose, sodium pyroglutamate and a vegetable oil. The tobacco smoke filter can also contain one or more substances such as a porphyrin, and sodium pyroglutamate.

Abstract: A laser insole having one or many vertical cavity surface emitting lasers embedded therein may be worn by a patient and applied to an area of the foot. The device supplies the patient with a preprogrammed laser therapy regimen. A physician programs the device and inserts the device in a patient's shoe. The device is small enough to allow the patient's normal activities. The laser therapy regimen promotes healing of a wound on the foot. Alternatively, the device may adapted as a flexible device applied to the skin, or implanted into the body, or provided in a catheter that is inserted into a body region.

Abstract: A protein consisting essentially of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein or purified biologically active variants thereof, or a combination of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein and biologically active variants thereof. A purified and isolated peptide having the sequence Ala-Lys-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gly, residues 115-124 of SEQ ID NO:2.

Abstract: A method of differentiating erythrocyte progenitor cells comprising administering to the erythrocyte progenitor cells an effective amount of an Erythroid Differentiation and Denucleation Factor (EDDF), such that the erythrocyte progenitor cells differentiate.

Abstract: A protein consisting essentially of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein or purified biologically active variants thereof, or a combination of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein and biologically active variants thereof. A purified and isolated peptide having the sequence Ala-Lys-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gly, residues 115-124 of SEQ ID NO:2. A device for identifying an epitope region of a peptide, protein, or protein homologue of interest comprising a polypropylene membrane having a plurality of sequentially oriented peptide spots, each spot containing a peptide having an amino acid sequence where the amino acid sequences of the peptides on the peptide spots sequentially progress through the amino acid sequence of the peptide, protein, or protein homologue of interest. A method of diagnosing multiple sclerosis and a method of treating multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A polynucleotide encoding a human vault-associated vRNA or its complementary strand. A purified and isolated polynucleotide molecule consisting essentially of a human vault RNA, or its complementary strands, or a combination of a nucleotide sequence consisting essentially of a human vault RNA and its complementary strands. A method of diagnosing a patient with a multidrug-resistant cancer. A method of treating a patient with multidrug-resistant cancer. A composition for treating multidrug-resistant cancer comprising a polynucleotide which hybridizes with a human vault-associated vRNA. A method of screening for compositions for treating a patient with multidrug-resistant cancer.

Abstract: A container closure includes an access, which can receive a drinking straw, which is able to be folded down into a groove by the pivotal movement of member, which closes off the drinking straw by engaging it across an upstanding flange or projection.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter consisting essentially of a porous substrate having dry water and microcapsules dispersed therein. The microcapsules comprise at least one substance selected from the group consisting of chlorophyllin, methylcellulose, sodium pyroglutamate and a vegetable oil.

Abstract: A cigarette filter comprises a humectant, preferably sodium pyroglutamate, and optionally a surfactant. The humectant absorbs moisture from the tobacco smoke for wet-filtration of the tobacco smoke.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter with a porous substrate having a humectant, such as sodium pyroglutamate, dispersed therein to absorb moisture from the tobacco smoke thereby wet-filtering the tobacco smoke. Also, a tobacco smoke filter with a porous substrate having microcapsules dispersed therein. The microcapsules have a humectant such as sodium pyroglutamate. The microcapsules further preferably have one or more of methylcellulose, chlorophyllin and at least one vegetable oil.

Abstract: A composition for diagnosing or treating abnormalities in the endogenous leptin pathway in a subject mammal consisting essentially of apolipoprotein J bound to leptin or comprising a purified form of apolipoprotein J bound to leptin. A method for diagnosing abnormalities in the endogenous leptin pathway in a subject mammal. A method for treating abnormalities in the endogenous leptin pathway in a subject mammal. A method for determining the presence or amount of leptin that is associated with apolipoprotein J in a test sample. A kit for performing the method for determining the presence or amount of leptin that is associated with apolipoprotein J in a test sample.

Abstract: A calcium-based ophthalmic composition for treating dry eye is disclosed. The composition includes a hydrophobic carrier such as petrolatum and a calcium salt. The composition can further include a polyol such as glycerol, and an agent such as anhydrous lanolin, to enhance the interface between the carrier, and the calcium salt and polyol. Also disclosed is a method for treating dry eye comprising the step of administering the composition according to the present invention by placing the composition on the lateral portion of the lower eyelid margin. This method allows the composition to gradually disperse onto the cornea and conjunctiva.

Abstract: A work glove and illuminator assembly is provided. An illuminator is securely mounted on the glove and oriented to project a light beam distally of the glove toward the work surface when the glove is in use. The illuminator may have a self-contained light source, or utilize fiber optic-transmitted light from a light source remote from the glove. The assembly may comprise a laser generator or may utilize a fiber optic-transmitted laser light from a laser generator remote from the glove. The assembly may further comprise a video camera operably attached to a video receiver, a video monitor and/or a video recorder. In one embodiment of the invention, the illuminator is disposed within the interior of the glove and projects a beam of light through a glove tip which is translucent or transparent. The assembly is particularly suitable for use by health care professionals when examining or operating upon an anatomical part of a patient.

Abstract: A protective garment for the hip, including the hip joint, that comprises a pair of loose fitting or form-fitting shorts having an upper right lateral section, a lower right lateral section, an upper left lateral section, a lower left lateral section and a lower back section. The garment fruther comprises protective padding in combination with one or more of these section. The padding in combination with the upper right lateral section is separated from the padding in combination with the lower right lateral section by a first gap, and the padding in combination with the upper left lateral section is separated from the padding in combination with the lower left lateral section by a second gap. The first and second gaps comprise substantially unpadded flexible material thereby allowing substantially unhindered flexion and abduction of the hip joint. The padding can be compartmentalized or noncompartmentalized and can be in a variety of configurations.

Abstract: A device and method for the therapeutic management of intracranial vascular aneurysms are provided involving the use of intravascular balloon catheters that can directly image the aneurysm and that can occlude the entire lumen of the aneurysm sac using liquid sealing agents. The intracranial catheters, according to the present invention, have various configurations designed to treat aneurysms regardless of the aneurysm's neck size and at different locations within the intracranial vascular system.

Abstract: The subject invention provides processes and kits for detecting encysted forms of protozoa, particularly Cryptosporidium and Giardia, that are viable and infectious. To determine viability, cysts or oocysts are heated to a temperature that induces transcription of heat shock protein (HSP) genes. Alternatively, to determine infectivity the encysted forms are inoculated onto susceptible cell cultures. The viability or infectivity of the encysted forms can be determined by synthesizing a cDNA from an induced HSP RNA template using a primer that is specific for particular genus or species of protozoa, followed by enzymatic amplification of the cDNA. Alternatively, infectivity can be determined by amplifying HSP DNA from infected cells using a primer pair that is specific for a particular genus or species of protozoa. Amplified HSP DNA can be detected using probes that are specific for a protozoan species of interest, such as the human pathogens C. parvum and G. lamblia.

Abstract: A protein consisting essentially of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein or purified biologically active variants thereof, or a combination of purified oligodendrocyte-specific protein and biologically active variants thereof. A purified and isolated peptide having the sequence Ala-Lys-Tyr-Arg-Arg-Ala-Gln-Leu-Ala-Gly residues 115-124 of SEQ ID NO:2. A device for identifying an epitope region of a peptide, protein, or protein homologue of interest comprising a polypropylene membrane having a plurality of sequentially oriented peptide spots, each spot containing a peptide having an amino acid sequence where the amino acid sequences of the peptides on the peptide spots sequentially progress through the amino acid sequence of the peptide, protein, or protein homologue of interest. A method of diagnosing multiple sclerosis and a method of treating multiple sclerosis.

Abstract: A tobacco smoke filter comprising a porous substrate having a humectant, such as sodium pyroglutamate, dispersed therein to absorb moisture from the tobacco smoke thereby wet-filtering the tobacco smoke. The tobacco smoke filter can also comprise a porous substrate having microcapsules dispersed therein. The microcapsules can comprise a humectant such as sodium pyroglutamate. The microcapsules further preferably comprise one or more of methylcellulose, chlorophyllin and at least one vegetable oil. The tobacco smoke filter can also comprise a porous substrate having dry water and a porphyrin dispersed therein. The tobacco smoke filter can also comprise a porous substrate having a copper-containing porphyrin dispersed therein.