Abstract: An online Gift Registry Service provides registration of information for a gift registrant and allows access to the registry by potential gift giver users over a distributed public network, such as the World Wide Web. In addition, users tag items of interest at participating Service Provider sites and the Service Provider sites register these items with the Gift Registry Service on the user's behalf. A reminder service is provided to notify individuals automatically upon the trigger of certain events, such as important dates or product sales from online merchants. In addition, there are various occasion planning services available so that users can perform all the planning for the event online in the comfort of their home or office. Service Providers register system notification messages to be triggered on pre-determined events. In addition, Service Providers obtain marketing information to tailor their products and services.

Abstract: A resilient mat system where a mat has overall mat thickness T, and the mat has an upper layer with an upper layer thickness t, and a plurality of supporting resilient substructure columns, each column having a relatively uniform height h, such that T=t+h, wherein the ratio of h:t>3.5 for values of T>about 0.9 inch (about 2.3 cm). Each column has a frusto-conical column wall, a central void, and a column bottom. The frusto-conical column has its smaller diameter end at the column bottom, a plurality of the columns optionally further have a vertical stiffening rib along a portion of the upper zone of the column wall.

Abstract: A press includes a pressure chamber filled with a substantially incompressible medium that at least partially encloses an elastomeric vessel filled with a substantially incompressible fluid that is in fluid communication with a pressurized source of the same fluid. Method and systems employing the press are also disclosed.

Abstract: A press includes a pressure chamber filled with a substantially incompressible medium that at least partially encloses an elastomeric vessel filled with a substantially incompressible fluid that is in fluid communication with a pressurized source of the same fluid. Method and systems employing the press are also disclosed.

Abstract: A resilient mat system has at least one mat with a mat thickness T, an upper layer with an upper layer thickness t, and a plurality of supporting resilient substructure columns, each column having a relatively uniform height h, such that T=t+h, wherein the ratio of h:t>3.5 for values of T> about 0.9 inch. Each column wall surrounds a central void in the column, the void opening at a bottom of the column. The column has in a bottom region of the column wall a lower zone that is a more compressible, relatively collapsible zone, and in an upper region of the column wall above the lower zone an upper zone that is a less compressible, relatively uncollapsible zone. The resilient mat system optionally has a relatively rigid ramp structure bordering at least one mat on at least two sides, and the ramp structure is preferably attached to a floor base to retain the mat, whereby the mat is removable from the border of the ramp. Alternatively, the ramp structure is attached to at least a portion of the mat.

Abstract: A resilient mat system where a mat has overall mat thickness T, and the mat has an upper layer with an upper layer thickness t, and a plurality of supporting resilient substructure columns, each column having a relatively uniform height h, such that T=t+h, wherein the ratio of h:t>3.5 for values of T>about 0.9 inch. Each column has a column wall that surrounds a central void in the column with the void opening at a bottom of the column. The column has lower zone that is a more compressible, relatively collapsible zone, and an upper zone that is a less compressible, relatively uncollapsible zone. There is a fenestrated mat connector with connector fenestrations sized and numbered to receive the bases of a plurality of columns from two mats therein.

Abstract: Innovative disposable thoracostomy and cricothyrotomy trocar systems and new and improved methods for emergency management of upper airway obstructions and chest injuries are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel real time internet communication system is disclosed. It is a novel way for users to collaborate on the fly, and without having to own or download any programs that then stay resident on the user's computer. It is marketed under a novel business system that makes highly productive software available to businesses and end users, but which is not purchased by customers or end users, has no conventional distribution system, and never requires update, installation or rollout by the customer or end user.

Abstract: Laminin and specific laminin-derived protein fragments are disclosed as potent inhibitors of Alzheimer's disease type amyloidoses. A specific region is identified within laminin which interacts with the Alzheimer's disease beta-amyloid protein and contributes to the observed inhibitory and therapeutic effects. A prominent ˜130 kilodalton band in laminin was found in human serum and cerebrospinal fluid which primarily interacted with A? as determined by ligand blotting methodology. This ˜130 kilodalton laminin fragment is known as the E8 fragment and is also believed to consist of the globular domains of the laminin A chain. The interaction of specific laminin fragments such as the newly discovered ˜130 kDa protein is believed to bind A? in biological fluids and keep it in a soluble state.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, or pharmaceutical agent for treating A? amyloidosis in a patient that has at least one laminin-derived peptide or fragment thereof from the group D-A13, D-HA3G76, D-A4G82, D-A5G81, D-A5G101, D-HA3G47, D-HA3G58, D-HA3G74, D-HA3G83, D-A5G82, D-R-AG73, D-R-A13, D-R-HA3G76, D-R-A4G82, and D-R-A5G81.

Abstract: A precisely measured removable cover for reusable beverage containers with releasable closures. The cover has a flexible sheet with a graphical display imprinted on one side and a cover fastener for removably fastening the cover to a container. The sheet is advantageously adapted to substantially cover the side walls of the container. The cover fastener has one or more releasable closures, and at least one of the releasable closures includes a fluked tab interlock locking tab and slot structure, wherein the fluked tab is on one end of the cover and the slot is proximate the opposite end of the cover and parallel to the fluked tab. A cam/slot paired closure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing antibodies comprising the step of encoding a peptide sequence from a Domain I perlecan splice variant, wherein the peptide sequence is used to produce anti-peptide antibodies.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide AG73 Arg-Lys-Arg-Leu-Gln-Val-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ile-Arg-Thr (SEQ ID NO:1).

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide HA3G76 Tyr-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gly-Arg-Leu-Val-Phe-Ala-Leu-Gly (SEQ ID NO:8).

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation or persistence of brain amyloid deposits in a patient, including administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of plant matter from a plant of the genus Hypericum, species perforatum.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide A5G81 Ala-Gly-Gln-Trp-His-Arg-Val-Ser- (SEQ ID NO: 15) Val-Arg-Trp-Gly.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising peptide A4G82 Thr-Leu-Phe-Leu-Ala-His-Gly-Arg-Leu- (SEQ ID NO:11) Val-Phe-Met.

Abstract: Co-incubation of an amyloid protein with sulfated macromolecules as a method for the formation of amyloid plaques. The amyloid protein may be the beta-amyloid protein or the prion protein or the like. Amyoid plaque formation in one embodiment proceeds in vitro and desirably produces amyloid plaques that stain with Congo red and demonstrate a maltese-cross pattern when viewed under polarized light. The method also produces amyloid plaques that demonstrate an “amyloid star” appearance when viewed by transmission electron microscopy. An in vivo assay is also presented for selecting a candidate therapeutic agent for inhibiting or disrupting amyloid plaque deposition or persistence.

Abstract: A method of perlecan isolation (from the EHS tumor) which produces “clean” (i.e. substantially “pure”) perlecan is disclosed. Clean perlecan is thus produced in sufficient quantities for use in a number of different in vitro and in vivo assays. In addition, this isolation method exploits a newly discovered aggregating property of a ˜220 kDa heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) observed during gel filtration chromatography, which allows it to be effectively separated from non-aggregating perlecan. The method employs specific cation exchange, anion exchange, molecular sieve chromatography and immobilized GAG affinity chromatography. It is demonstrated that there are no other contaminating proteins in the perlecan and HSPG preparations, and that the perlecan core protein is intact. Improved, clean perlecan based, rodent models of fibrillar amyloid protein deposition, accumulation and/or persistence in tissues are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for isolating amyloid inhibitory constituents within Uncaria tomentosa plant matter. The method includes the steps of extracting the plant matter with a non-aqueous organic solvent, concentrating the extract, removing insoluble materials, precipitating amyloid inhibitory constituents with organic solvent, recovering and redissolving the amyloid inhibitory constituents obtained in organic solvent, and injecting and separation by HPLC.