Abstract: Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), preferably a variant form such as Apolipoprotein A-I Milano (ApoA-IM), alone or more preferably in combination with a lipid carrier such as phospholipids or other drug, can be administered locally before or during bypass surgery on diseased coronary, peripheral, and cerebral arteries, surgery to implant grafts or transplanted organs, or angioplasty, or to stabilize unstable plaques. In an alternative embodiment, the apolipoprotein is not provided directly, but the gene encoding the apolipoprotein is provided. The gene is introduced into the blood vessel in a manner similar to that used for the protein, where the protein is then expressed. The technique can also be used for delivery of genes for treatment or prevention or restenosis or other cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ensuring end-to-end QoS for user applications operating in multi-transport protocol environments while using PVC or SVC connection management procedures. A user application at a workstation having specific QoS requirements can selectively connect to one of a plurality of servers having varying QoS profiles, regardless of the transport protocols used in the underlying network. The user application initiates a session with a first QoS negotiator and a first QoS selector. The first QoS negotiator queries a second QoS negotiator for the QoS profile of a connected server. The second QoS negotiator, in conjunction with a second QoS selector, notifies the server of the address of the second QoS negotiator. The second QoS negotiator, in conjunction with the second QoS selector, sends a response to the first QoS negotiator and the first QoS selector indicating QoS profile and connection information of the server.

Abstract: There is disclosed movel mutant IGFBP-3 polypeptides and fragments thereof that have either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the human IGFBP-3 receptor (“P4.33”). The present invention provides novel mutant IGFBP-3 nucleic acid sequences, and expression systems. Additional embodiments provide for screening assays for identifying IGFBP-3 receptor antagonists or agonists, methods for modulating IGF-independent IGFBP-3 responses of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, A methods for inducing or potentiating apoptosis of cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, methods for treating solid tumors having cells expressing IGFBP-3 receptors, and compositions comprising polypeptides having either no binding, or diminished binding to IGFs, yet retain their ability to bind to the IGFBP-3 receptor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of hybridization, differential methylation hybridization (DMH) for high throughput methylation analysis of multiple CpG island loci. DMH utilizes nucleic acid probes prepared from a cell sample to screen numerous CpG dinucleotide rich fragments affixed on a screening array. Positive hybridization signals indicate the presence of methylated sites. Methods of preparing the hybridization probes and screening array are also provided.

Abstract: A portable rack for assembling packages of building materials. The rack comprises a base having a proximal side, a distal side, a top, a bottom, and a pair of channels extending between the proximal side and the distal side, the channels being designed to receive the forks of a forklift, and a plurality of elongated members attached to the proximal side and projecting upwardly from the base. The process for using the rack comprises placing the building materials onto the base of the rack using the forklift, moving the building materials toward the elongated members until the building materials abut at least one of the elongated members, and pulling the forks out from under the building materials.

Abstract: There is disclosed an initial identification of an N-terminally truncated HER-2/neu product. This product is a 95 kDa polypeptide having in vitro kinase activity (as determined by western blotting). Moreover, immunoprecipitations using domain specific antibodies was able to utilize this specific polypeptide from intracellular fragments as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of adenomacarcinomas without the severe dilution effects encountered by measuring ECD.

Abstract: A roof ridge ventilator with filtering device to be installed under a cap shingle includes a one piece cover member of an elongated shape including a pair of flaps, each flap having one upper surface over which cap shingles are secured and also having downwardly facing lower surfaces, a pair of vents respectively secured to the lower surface of the cover member flaps, each vent including at least one set of shielded louvers having openings for deflecting air flow while maintaining a minimum free area for air passage such that the air flowing therethrough is substantially reduced in velocity to limit the infiltration of foreign matter. Longitudinally spaced supports extend substantially vertically to permit nailing onto the roof such that the vent does not collapse during installation and such that the net free area remains intact. A band of fibrous material positioned inboard of the vent to further prevent foreign matter for entering the attic.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air filtration device attachable to a motor. The device comprises a housing comprising an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper and lower parts are parallel and spaced apart from each other and define a cavity therebetween, and wherein the lower part has a centrally positioned opening therein; an impeller positioned coaxially with the axis of the housing between the upper and lower parts thereof and attached to the motor; and a filter positioned between the upper and lower parts and positioned around a perimeter of the housing.

Abstract: There is disclosed a cancer diagnostic method based upon DNA methylation differences at specific CpG sites. Specifically, the inventive method provides for a bisulfite treatment of DNA, followed by methylation-sensitive single nucleotide primer extension (Ms-SNuPE), for determination of strand-specific methylation status at cytosine residues.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treating an individual having a disease caused by cytokine-mediated toxicity comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of (a) an antibody that binds to an MIF polypeptide, wherein the MIF polypeptide has a molecular weight of about 12.5 kDa in combination with (b) anti-TNF.alpha., anti-IL1, anti-IFN-.gamma., IL-1RA, a steroid, a glucocorticoid, or IL-10.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for clearing range land of sagebrush an other invading non-grazing plant species. The device is adapted to be towed by a tractor, and has a pair of blades arranged in a "V" configuration, with the point of the "V" facing forward. The device is adapted to float on the ground surface so as to not bind on immovable embedded objects. Removable knife blades on the lower, ground-engaging surfaces of the blades shear off or pull out brush. A roller having roller blades on the surface mulches the just-cleared land in preparation for seeding. A seeding apparatus may be affixed to the device to immediately apply native grasses and other forage plants.

Abstract: A brake assembly for vehicles has a back plate with brake shoes and actuating members mounted thereto. A cam shaft and cam member are disposed through a radial extension on the back plate, such that when a brake pedal is depressed an actuator shaft is moved laterally. A linkage member interconnects the actuator shaft and the cam shaft so that linear movement of the actuator shaft is converted into rotational movement of the cam shaft. The cam member is disposed between the brake shoes so that when the cam shaft and cam member move rotationally, the brake shoes are moved radially and into frictional engagement with the brake drum.

Abstract: There is disclosed a group of lubricant additives that have improved oxidative stability, high viscosity and relatively lower cost and that comprise telomerized vegetable oils having no more than 4% polyunsaturated fatty acids. There is also disclosed sulfurized and phosphite adduct derivatives of telomerized vegetable oil for use as lubricant additives.

Abstract: There is disclosed a lubricating composition consisting essentially of a lubricant base and a lubricant additive wherein the lubricant additive comprises at least two groups of ingredients, wherein, the first group is a triglyceride vegetable oil, a wax ester of a triglyceride vegetable oil and combinations, the second group is a sulfurized mixture of a triglyceride vegetable oil and a wax ester of a triglyceride vegetable oil, and the third group is a phosphite adduct of triglyceride vegetable oil, a phosphite adduct of wax ester and combinations.

Abstract: There is disclosed a dry film lubricant for use in metal stamping, fabricating and forming operations. The dry film lubricant comprises a wax component suspended in an aqueous solvent. The wax component comprises a saturated wax ester having a carbon chain length from about 28 to about 44 carbons atoms in length surrounding an ester bond. The unsaturated component comprises a phosphite adduct friction modifier and an unsaturated vegetable oil or modified unsaturated vegetable oil.

Abstract: There is disclosed a group of lubricant additives that have improved oxidative stability, high viscosity and relatively lower cost and that comprise telomerized vegetable oils having no more than 4% polyunsaturated fatty acids. There is also disclosed sulfurized and phosphite adduct derivatives of telomerized vegetable oil for use as lubricant additives.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved surimi manufacturing process employing a mince crushing step that increases mince surface area to volume ratios. The effect of increasing surface area to volume ratios of mince particles, depending upon when in the surimi manufacturing process it is used, will improve overall yield of surimi and surimi by-products and/or reduce the requirement for fresh water for the surimi manufacturing process.

Abstract: There is disclosed lubricant additives that comprise a combination of meadowfoam oil as a triglyceride or a wax ester, sulfurized triglyceride meadowfoam oil or sulfurized wax ester of meadowfoam oil, amnd phosphite adducts of triglyceride meadowfoam oil or wax ester of meadowfoam oil. There is also disclosed a proceess for sulfurizing triglyceride meadowfoam oil that is soluble in a lubricant base, such as mineral oil.