Abstract: Compositions comprising lamellar bodies for removal of extra and intra-vascular fibrin for therapeutic purposes are disclosed. These lamellar compositions are also useful in surgical procedures wherein formation of post-surgical adhesions are likely. Methods of preventing and/or modifying fibrin clots and treating and/or preventing adhesions by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition to a patient requiring such treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel dendrimeric peptide compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following formula I: The compounds demonstrate antimicrobial activity and may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions and used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans where microbial invasion is involved. The present peptides are particularly valuable as their effect is rapid, broad in spectrum and mostly indifferent to resistance provoked by standard antibiotics.

Abstract: This invention provides a device for determining the concentration of an analyte like glucose, cholesterol, free fatty acids, triglycerides, proteins, ketones, phenylalanine or enzymes, in a physiological or aqueous fluid like blood, serum, plasma, saliva, urine, interstitial and/or intra-cellular fluid, the device having an integrated calibration and quality control system suitable for dry reagent test strips with a very small sample volume of about 0.5 ?L based on to a new sample distribution system. The production of the inventive analyte test element involves only a small number of uncomplicated production steps enabling an inexpensive production of the strips.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for cutting an oval hole in the wall of a pipe. The pipe secured to a baseplate (1) of the apparatus is cut for an oval hole by means of a tool (20) having its cutter head (24) rotated about its axis while it is driven along a circular path in relation to a carriage (2) of the apparatus. The carriage (2) is mounted on the baseplate (1) by way of linear runners (3). Adapted for rotation along with a drive pulley (4) of the tool (20) is a cogged wheel (10), which through the transmission of a cam lever (11) is adapted to drive a shaft (12) having its rotational motion transmitted on the one hand to drive a gear (22) and on the other hand to work the carriage (2) back and forth in relation to the baseplate (1), a round-trip displacement (2xa) being equal to a difference between the major axis and the minor axis of a desired ellipse.

Abstract: The invention relates to complement inhibitors that inhibit both the classical and alternative complement pathways. In particular, the invention relates to complement inhibitors derived from the salivary glands of haematophagous arthropods that inhibit both the classical and alternative complement pathways. The invention also relates to the use of such complement inhibitors in the treatment and prevention of diseases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of a pocketed spring unit, the method comprising the steps of compressing and feeding a plurality of springs (42) into troughs (2A, 4A) or castellations in opposed conveyor belts (2, 4), moving said springs (42) from said troughs (2A, 4A) or castellations to a position between upper and lower layers of fabric or other material (16A, 18A), step-wise advancing said material (16A, 18A) and said springs (42) in the direction of the output of the apparatus and welding together said lengths of fabric or other material (16A, 18A) at each step-wise advancement by a plurality of sequentially controlled welding anvils (10) so as to form a plurality of discrete pockets (46) each containing a spring (42). Apparatus for carrying out the method is disclosed.

Abstract: A comprehensive means of providing protection to a bed frame by covering various locations about the bed frame with plastic shields. The plastic shields are adapted to enclose the various locations about the bed frame including the ends of side rails, the junction of side rails and cross members, leg assemblies and the side rails themselves. The shields comprise a pair of housings joined together with a living hinge such that the free ends can be affixed together to surround and enclose the various locations where sharp edges are present. The use of the shields provides overall protection to all of the locations where there may be sharp edges that could harm a person striking the location and thus there is a comprehensive approach to full protection of the bed frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system for use in damage resistant, ceramic and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition is applied to the accessible surfaces of a presintered zirconia substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into and densifies the substrate by heating the assembly to at least the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system by which non-law enforcement operator(s) can conduct checks (requests, queries or searches) against CJIS (Criminal Justice Information System), NCIC (National Criminal Information Center) and other law enforcement only secure databases and comply with the rules and regulations for disseminating such data. In doing so, the invention provides for a system and process by which the checks (request, queries or searches) of individuals and/or articles are made against the CJIS/NCIC and/or other “law enforcement only” restricted databases, such that the indicia relating to persons and/or articles is compared with said databases. The resulting information regarding matches (and, in certain embodiments, non-matching results) flows to law enforcement officials so that they may use any results deemed relevant for response thereto.

Abstract: A catalyst which, by means of a reduction reaction at ambient temperature, permits the elimination of nitrates and nitrites in waters. The catalyst comprises a combination of a noble metal and a non-noble metal supported on or incorporated into the structure of a support which, in elemental and anhydrous form, has the formula XYMgAl, in which X is at least one noble metal, Y is at least one non-noble metal, Mg is magnesium and Al is aluminum, the Mg and Al preferably forming the structure of a hydrotalcite or a mixed oxide deriving from a hydrotalcite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system especially useful in damage resistant, ceramic dental and orthopedic prosthesis. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure comprises an outer (aesthetic) residual glass layer, a graded glass-ceramic layer, and a dense interior ceramic. The functionally graded glass/substrate/glass composite structure may further comprise a veneer on an exterior surface. The present invention also provides a method for preparing a functionally graded glass/ceramic/glass sandwich system. A powdered glass-ceramic composition or a glass tape is applied to the accessible surfaces of a dense alumina substrate to thereby substantially cover the substrate surfaces. The glass of the composition has a CTE similar to that of the substrate material. The glass-ceramic composition is infiltrated into the dense substrate by heating the assembly to temperatures 50-700° C. below the sintering temperature of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst consisting of at least: one matrix comprising at least one oxide which is selected from an amorphous oxide, an oxide with low crystallinity and a mixture of both; at least one solid microporous crystalline material which, in the calcined and anhydrous state, has the molar compositions X2O3:nYO2:mZO2, in which X is a trivalent element such as, for example, Al, B, Fe, In, Ga, Cr, Y is at least one trivalent element that is different from Ge and Z is Ge, the value (n+m) is at least equal to 5 and can be between 5 and ?, and the value of n/m is at least equal to 1; and at least one hydrogenating compound, preferably Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, Rh, and Re or a combination of same. The invention also relates to the use of said catalyst in a process in order to improve the quality of diesel fractions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating the efficiency of sterilization processes by measurement of degradation level of prion protein indicators. When exposed to sterilization conditions, prion indicators are degraded in a manner to proportionally indicate the level of degradation of prion proteins themselves on medical devices or other surfaces usable in surgery and health cares.

Abstract: The invention is directed to scaffolds containing porous polymer material prepared by a process of gas foaming/particulate leaching and a wet granulation step prior to gas foaming and particulate leaching, particularly having a characteristic interconnected pore structure, as well as sustained release of protein, DNA or cells, and to methods for using such porous polymer material for preparation of scaffolds, particularly for tissue engineering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for adjusting the temperature of a physiological fluid. The inventive device includes: a casing (1), a first heat energy generating unit (2), a heat energy receiving unit (3) through which the fluid flows along a passage from a fluid inlet (3a) to a fluid outlet (3b) and which consists of a flat body (3d) having a first large surface (3e) which is made from a heat conductor material, and a control unit (4) for controlling at least the first generating unit (2). According to the invention, the first generating unit (2) includes first units of Peltier cells (5) and at least one first contact plate (6) which is made from a heat conductor material and which is placed in contact with a first side (5b, 8b) of the units of Peltier cells (5). In addition, the receiving unit (3) is removably installed in the first generating unit (2) such that it is in contact with the first contact plate (6).

Abstract: The full-length nucleic acid sequence of the C1 bacteriophage is disclosed in the present application. The specific regions of the C1 genome encoding the PlyC lysin have also been identified and sequenced. The invention relates to the pharmaceutical and diagnostic utility of these sequences and provides for development of pharmaceutical compositions for treating or preventing streptococcal infections in mammals, for compositions for decontamination of inanimate surfaces and for diagnosis of streptococcal infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing metallic nanoparticles and to the materials thus obtained. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of preparing metallic nanoparticles consisting in: selecting a precursor from the salts, hydroxides and oxides of metallic elements that can be reduced at temperatures below the clay silicate network destruction temperature; and depositing said precursor on a support selected from pseudolaminar phyllosilicate clays. According to the invention the method comprises: (i) a deposition step in which the precursor is deposited on the support: (ii) when the precursor is selected from among salts and hydroxides, a thermal decomposition step in a controlled atmosphere, in which the precursor is subjected to a decomposition process and is transformed into an oxide of the metallic element: and (iii) a reduction step in which the oxide of the metallic element is subjected to a reduction process in a controlled atmosphere.