Abstract: There is provided a method of assessing oxidant stress by measuring polymerization of proteins. Also provided is a marker for oxidant stress which includes a polymerized protein. A kit for use in assessing oxidant stress, the kit including an assay for detecting polymerized proteins is also provided. A method of lowering oxidant stress by administering to a patient an effective amount of at least one reducing agent is also provided. A pharmaceutical composition for lowering oxidant stress, the pharmaceutical having an effective amount of reducing agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotides associated with angiogenesis-related disorders. The present invention also relates to canine endostatin genes, novel genes associated with angiogenesis-related disorders, such as cancer. The invention encompasses endostatin nucleic acids, recombinant DNA molecules, cloned genes or degenerate variants thereof, endostatin gene products and antibodies directed against such gene products, cloning vectors containing mammalian endostatin gene molecules, and hosts that have been genetically engineered to express such molecules. The invention further relates to methods for the identification of compounds that modulate the expression of endostatin genes and gene products and to using such compounds as therapeutic agents in the treatment of angiogenesis-related disorders, e.g., cancer. The invention also relates to methods for the diagnostic evaluation, genetic testing and prognosis of angiogenesis-related disorders, e.g.

Abstract: There is provided a natural composition for boosting the libido of an individual, the composition including an effective amount of an aphrodisiac and a compound to increase blood flow to the pelvic area in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A natural composition for boosting the libido of an individual, including an effective amount of a compound for driving blood flow to the penis and an aphrodisiac in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is also provided. Also provided is a method of increasing the libido by administering an effective amount of composition including an aphrodisiac and a compound to increase blood flow to the pelvic area in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Four antigenic preparations are provided, each of which contains a different protein from Leptospira which can be used immunologically in vaccines for leptospirosis caused by this organism. Also provided in the invention are polynucleotides encoding these four proteins and antibodies which bind the proteins for use in the diagnosis of leptospirosis.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for collecting, disposing, and measuring liquids including a vessel with an inner surface and an absorption mechanism disposed on the inner surface of the vessel for absorbing and collecting liquids within the vessel. The present invention additionally provides for an absorption mechanism disposed on an inner surface of a vessel for preventing the spillage of any liquids, particularly those associated with excretory waste. Finally, the present invention provides for a method of using the apparatus claimed herein to collect, dispose, and measure liquid output from a bedridden individual.

Abstract: This invention describes a novel strategy to produce phosphine-functionalized biomolecules (e.g. peptides or proteins) for potential use in the design and development of site-specific radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis or therapy of specific cancers. Hydrophilic alkyl phosphines, in general, tend to be oxidatively unstable. Therefore, incorporation of such phosphine functionalities on peptide (and other biomolecule) backbones, without oxidizing the PIII centers, is difficult. In this context this discovery reports on a new technology by which phosphines, in the form of bifunctional chelating agents, can be directly incorporated on biomolecular backbones using manual synthetic or solid phase peptide synthesis methodologies. The superior ligating abilities of phosphine ligands, with various diagnostically (e.g. TC-99m) or therapeutically (e.g.

Abstract: There is provided a composition having an effective amount of N-terminally truncated galectin-3 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also provided by the present invention is a method of treating cancer by administering to a patient in need of such treatment an effective amount of N-terminally truncated galectin-3 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a foot orthotic including an orthotic base mechanism for underlying a sole of a foot, a first cushioning mechanism, and a second cushioning mechanism. The orthotic base mechanism has a proximal end for underlying a heel of the foot and a distal end for underlying the forefront of the foot. The first cushioning mechanism is operatively connected to the orthotic base mechanism at the proximal end, while the second cushioning mechanism is operatively connected to the distal end of the orthotic base mechanism. Additionally, there is provided a foot orthotic including a first cushioning mechanism and a second cushioning mechanism that are independent of each other. The present invention additionally provides for a method of making the foot orthotic and method of using the foot orthotic disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions of growth hormone and/or growth hormone releasing hormone that promote of the release and the elevation of growth hormone when administered to animals. The present invention further relates to methods and compositions of growth hormone and/or growth hormone releasing hormone for treatment of diseases or disorders resulting from growth hormone related deficiencies. The invention also provides methods for producing novel growth hormone releasing hormone variants and their uses thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate phosphodiesterase type five (cGMP PDE V) inhibitor for increasing fecundity in a mammal by one or more of (a) promoting the growth of an oocyte, zygote, blastocyst, embryo and/or foetus, (b) increasing the rate or probability of survival of an embryo and/or foetus and (c) increasing the birth weight of a progeny, or for increasing milk productivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a screw and rod fixation assembly for fixing a screw and, optionally, a rod. The screw and rod fixation assembly includes a screw, fixing mechanism, a substantially annular ring, rod seating mechanism, and locking mechanism. The present invention also provides for a fixing mechanism for fixing a screw, wherein the fixing mechanism further includes an inner surface wall having a gripping portion and a non-gripping portion. Further, the present invention provides for a substantially annular ring for guiding and providing mechanical and frictional force to a screw head. Additionally, the present invention provides for a rod seating mechanism operatively engaged to the screw head and including at least one flexible portion capable of being compressed against a portion of a rod therein. Finally, the present invention provides for a locking mechanism for engaging the rod and the rod seating mechanism.

Abstract: A synthetic nuclease resistant antisense oligodeoxynucleotide capable of selectively modulating expression of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha by targeting exon sequences flanking donor splice sites, thereby regulating expression of TNF-&agr; in a patient in need of such therapy is provided. In an embodiment either AS—ODN having the sequence set forth in SEQ ID No:4 or SEQ ID No:6 or a combination thereof can be used. The AS—ODN is administered either as the active ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition or by utilizing gene therapy techniques as an expression vector.

Abstract: The invention relates to adjuvants that contain a lecithin, an oil and an amphiphilic surfactant and that are capable of forming a stable oil-in-water emulsion vaccine so as to minimize local reactions to the vaccine in the injected animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an assembly for locking a first workpiece mountable onto a second workpiece. The first workpiece has an opening adapted to allow a locking pin to pass therethrough. The opening is cooperatively disposed with respect to a pin receiving means in the second workpiece when the first workpiece is mounted on the second workpiece. At least one of the first and second workpieces has a recess to receive a pin carrier. The assembly comprises a locking pin adapted to pass through the opening and be received by the pin receiving means when the first workpiece is mounted on the second workpiece; and a pin carrier receivable in the recess. The pin carrier has a pin receiving orifice and is alignable with both the opening and the pin receiving means when the first workpiece is mounted on said second workpiece. The assembly further comprises magnetic means on the locking pin and/or the pin carrier to magnetically attract the locking pin and the pin carrier.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly is disclosed utilizing at least one bone screw for fixation of adjacent bones of a spine including a base plate having at least one aperture extending therethrough and screw retaining mechanism mounted and movable on the plate between locked and unlocked positions relative to the aperture for preventing the bone screw from backing out from the base plate. A device is disclosed for placement into an aperture of a base plate including a screw retaining mechanism mountable and movable on a plate between locked and unlocked positions relative to an aperture for preventing a bone screw from backing out from the base plate. A snap ring for placement into an aperture of a base plate including a screw retaining mechanism mountable and movable on the plate between locked and unlocked positions relative to the aperture for preventing a screw from backing out is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the early diagnosing of selected adenocarcinomas in a human comprising the steps of removing a bodily sample from the human, and assaying the bodily sample for elevated expression of a specific gene. The gene being assayed for in the, bodily sample is the TGFB-4 gene (hereinafter referred to as the endometrial bleeding associated factor (ebaf) gene. The bodily sample can be tissue from a specific organ in the body, or a blood sample. Increased levels of ebaf in the sample relative to basal levels may be indicative of a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon or ovaries, or an adenocarcinoma of the testis.

Abstract: A compound for use as a diagnostic or therapeutic pharmaceutical and method of using the same where the compound consists essentially of an alpha-melanotropin stimulating hormone analog which has integrally located a radionuclide. The radionuclide is administered to the body in an amount sufficient to allow uptake and retention by the tumor cells.

Abstract: There is provided a method of testing power in an individual by measuring the amount of time it takes to move an object from one location to a second location and calculating the power based on the time it took to move to object. Also provided is a power tester including a sensor device for sensing movement of a weight between at least two points, measuring device for measuring time for weight to move between at least two points, and a calculating device for automatically calculating power based upon the measurements.

Abstract: A culture package system comprising a package preferably in the form of a container containing one or more conventional culture media dishes containing solidified culture media. Each dish includes a bottom wall and a peripheral side wall and a removable cover having a bottom wall and a peripheral side side wall which is loosely telescoped over the dish. A plurality of the dishes are preferably provided in inverted stacked relation in the container. A cover is hermetically sealed to close the container. The interior of the package has a gaseous atmosphere having less than 1% oxygen. An oxygen absorber is placed in the package to facilitate maintaining the atmosphere at less than 1% oxygen. Preferably a moisture absorber is also placed in the package. The package is made of plastic material which is impermeable to oxygen and moisture and preferably is in the form of a container which has a base wall and a peripheral wall and a cover sealed thereto.