Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a predetermined area on a heart of a patient to enable a surgical procedure, the apparatus comprising a bifurcated member having two elongated prongs and an elongated handle segment attached to the bifurcated member. Selected portions of the apparatus can be constructed from a memory metal alloy, such as nitinol, to allow the surgeon to adapt the apparatus to a particular surgical procedure. The bifurcated member can be either fixably or pivotally attached to the handle segment. The apparatus may further comprise an attachment or inlay to prevent lateral movement thereof when being used in the surgical procedure. The apparatus may additionally include a cleat for securing a portion of the surgical thread used during the surgical process. Another aspect of the present invention is a member slidably attached to a portion of the handle segment that is movable between a position compressing an artery to reduce or stop blood flow and a position spaced apart from the artery.

Abstract: A retractor comprising a rack having a first section and a second section, a first blade fixedly attached to the rack, and a second blade movably attached to the rack. The first and second blades engage two adjacent ribs in a patient. The first section and the second section of the rack form a nonlinear angle therebetween so that when the first section is horizontally disposed, the second section is disposed at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The present invention also uses an external lifting device disposed above the retractor and that creates an upwardly-directed force on the second blade. The retractor increases the field of vision for the surgeon based on the design of the rack and the use of the external lifting device.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Stem Cell Inhibitor (SCT) protein which comprises at least one amino acid alteration from its active form which protein does not significantly aggregate but which retains substantially unaltered stem cell inhibitory activity. The alteration is preferably a conservative substitution of a charged amino acid residue. Such proteins may be used in treating stem cells in a patient undergoing chemotherapy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a methods for producing recombinant heterodimeric BMP proteins useful in the field of treating bone defects, healing bone injury and in wound healing in general. The invention also relates to the recombinant heterodimers and compositions containing them.

Abstract: Methods for the purification of interleukin-12 (IL-12) is provided.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel TNF receptor death domain ("TNF-R1-DD") ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the TNF-R1-DD ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting TNF-R death domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of TNF-R death domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel P-selectin ligand glycoprotein is disclosed, comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or by the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. DNA sequences encoding the P-selectin ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the P-selectin ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the P-selectin ligand protein and methods of treating inflammatory disease states characterized by P-selectin- and E-selectin-mediated intercellular adhesion are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel P-selectin ligand glycoprotein is disclosed, comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or by the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. DNA sequences encoding the P-selectin ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the P-selectin ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the P-selectin ligand protein and methods of treating inflammatory disease states characterized by P-selectin- and E-selectin-mediated intercellular adhesion are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel P-selectin ligand glycoprotein is disclosed, comprising the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or by the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4. DNA sequences encoding the P-selectin ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the P-selectin ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the P-selectin ligand protein and methods of treating inflammatory disease states characterized by P-selectin- and E-selectin-mediated intercellular adhesion are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel IL-1-R intracellular ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting IL-1-R intracellular domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of IL-1-R intracellular domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel IL-1-R intracellular ligand proteins are disclosed. Polynucleotides encoding the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein are also disclosed, along with vectors, host cells, and methods of making the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the IL-1-R intracellular ligand protein, methods of treating inflammatory conditions, and methods of inhibiting IL-1-R intracellular domain binding are also disclosed. Methods of identifying inhibitors of IL-1-R intracellular domain binding and inhibitors identified by such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel polynucleotides and the proteins encoded thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are novel compositions and methods for obtaining concentrated preparations of factor IX and liquid formulations of factor IX suitable for storage and administration.

Abstract: Provided by the present invention are novel methods of protein recovery and purification methods and more specifically novel methods for the recovery and purification thioredoxin fusion proteins, especially of IL-11.

Abstract: DNA molecules encoding mutant forms of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are disclosed. The mutant forms of BMP can be produced bacterially and refolded to produce biologically active homodimers or heterodimers of BMP. A method of making such mutant BMPs is also disclosed.