Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting methionine aminopeptidase (MAP) activity and for detecting inhibitors of MAP. The methods utilize a peptide comprising an N-terminal methionine which can be cleaved from the peptide by MAP, and a C-terminal detection moiety which is released by a second peptidase only if the N-terminal methionine has been cleaved from the peptide. When the peptide is combined with MAP and the second peptidase, the detection moiety is released, while the addition of a MAP inhibitor will inhibit the release of the detection moiety. Reaction mixes, peptides, and kits which are useful for practicing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: In a combination of a display sleeve and a dispensing container, the dispensing container has a hollow interior volume for holding and dispensing materials and a dispensing opening for allowing materials contained in the interior volume to be passed through the opening to outside the dispensing container. The display sleeve has a body with a hollow interior volume and an installation entrance to the hollow interior of the body. The hollow interior volume of the body is adapted to receive the dispensing container. The display sleeve has an access opening where the access opening is shaped to coincide and match with the dispensing opening when the dispensing container is inserted into the display sleeve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a one-body continuous casting apparatus for fabricating a rod or slab shape of phosphorized copper by means of using a horizontal continuous casting process. Such invention contemplates designing and manufacturing a one-body melting and casting machine using high or low frequency induction heating, wherein a molten metal is deoxidized and refined in the system which comprises installing the multistage graphite filters inside the melting and casting machine, so the procedure of transferring the molten metal from the melting furnace to the casting machine can be eliminated, thereby enabling the horizontal continuous casting apparatus to manufacture a phosphorized copper of high quality.

Abstract: A mesh brush has a handle and a mesh sponge is fixed to one side of the head of the handle. The head of the handle flares out from and is wider than a grasping portion of the handle. The particular attachment between the mesh sponge and the head of the handle is accomplished by wrapping a cord around the mesh sponge and threading the cord through multiple eyelets distributed around the head. A rim around the perimeter of the head produces a recess on one side thereof. The portion of the cord looped around the mesh sponge fits within the perimeter of the head and can be at least partially recessed within the head.

Abstract: A method of matching a tire to a wheel rim of a wheel to compensate for wheel rim run-out and tire force variations includes the steps of mounting a bare wheel on a spindle of a balancer and measuring the rim run-out, said wheel rim having a bead seat, mounting a tire on the wheel to form a wheel/tire assembly, mounting the wheel/tire assembly on the spindle and measuring tire force variation, determining a desired change in wheel rim run-out to reduce the tire force variation, removing the tire from the wheel, adding a shim to the bead seat of the wheel rim, the shim being selected to correspond to the desired change in wheel rim run-out, and remounting the tire on the wheel. The wheel shim is preferably elongate and has a width sized to fit in the bead seat of the wheel rim, the thickness of the wheel shim being substantially less than the width of the wheel shim, and the length of the wheel shim being substantially greater than the width of the wheel shim.

Abstract: A portable waste collection device comprises a first container and an adjacent second container. The first container has an interior volume adapted to receive and contain waste. The second container has an interior volume adapted to contain a flushing solution. The second container has a discharge port adapted to permit flushing solution contained in the second container to be discharged from the second container into the first container. The second container comprises a pump for pumping a desired amount of the flushing solution from the second container into the first container.

Abstract: An antiproliferative, antiinflammatory, antiinfective, immunization agent of a metal ion chelating agent such as picolinic acid or derivatives thereof, and methods of using the same. The agents chelate metals in metal containing protein complexes and enzymes required for growth, replication or inflammatory response. The preparations can be administered systemically or for topical use. The preparations have antineoplastic, antiviral, antiinflammatory, analgesic antiangiogenic and antiproliferative effects and are used in the treatment of warts, psoriasis, acne, skin cancers, sunburn, inflammatory responses, untoward angiogenesis and other diseases and in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases such as genital warts, herpes and AIDS.

Abstract: A deep well submersible pump has a pump housing containing an electric motor. The motor is radially spaced from the pump housing interior surface defining an annular channel through the pump housing from an inlet opening to an outlet opening of the housing. The motor is mounted on a cowling that has an exterior surface. A plurality of deswirler blades extend between the pump housing interior surface and the cowling exterior surface. As the deswirler blades extend through the housing interior, a spacing between the-cowling exterior surface and the housing interior surface expands radially. The cowling exterior surface and the pump housing interior surface define an annular liquid flow path that is first directed radially outward from the inlet opening and then curves around the cowling and is directed axially through the deswirler blades to the annular channel between the motor and the pump housing interior surface.

Abstract: A dual brush assembly has a detail brush that is removably attached to a scrub brush. The scrub brush has a footing to which a bristle block is attached. The bristle block includes a plurality of brush bristles that form a substantially flat bristle surface and a curved bristle surface. The detail brush has a brush head with a plurality of bristles forming a smaller surface area than the curved bristle surface and forming a substantially smaller surface area than the flat bristle surface. The detail brush conformably fits into a recess in a grip of the scrub brush, and the recess has a sloped surface to receive the brush head. The detail brush also has a pressure pad that flares out to cover the brush head. In the attached position, the pressure pad substantially covers the recess and provides a ridge for detaching the detail brush from the scrub brush. In the detached position, the pressure pad provides a platform for a user's thumb or forefinger.

Abstract: A microsurgical instrument used in ophthalmic surgery to remove proliferative membranes during a surgical procedure treating proliferative vitreoretinal membrane disorders and other macular diseases where the microsurgical instrument has a instrument handle, a tip, and abrasive particles attached to a scraping edge projecting beyond the tip. The microsurgical instrument may be fitted with infusion, aspiration, or illumination sources, and these sources are directed to the surgical site in proximity to the scraping edge, the abrasive particles on the edge scrape membranes to remove tissue at the surgical site. In one embodiment, the microsurgical instrument may be configured with a retractable/extendable pick where the relative stiffness of the pick and the edge may be adjusted. In another embodiment the edge may also be angularly positionable as it is retracted/extended from the microsurgical instrument.

Abstract: A wheel and brake system is provided for a vehicle having a wheel with an inner wheel, an outer wheel generally concentric with the inner wheel, and a plurality of resilient members connecting the inner and outer wheels together for resilient movement therebetween. The brake mechanism has a mounting block adjacent the inner wheel and a lever arm pivotally connected thereto for movement between a braking position and a non-braking position. The lever arm has a cam follower with a cam engaging portion that allows the lever arm to move from its non-braking position toward its braking position which in turn causes movement of the cam follower from a disengaged position toward a wheel-engaging position. The cam follower has a wheel-engaging portion adapted for frictional engagement with the inner wheel when the cam follower is in its wheel-engaging position.

Abstract: A microsurgical laser probe is provided with a distal end portion of an optic fiber that projects from a tubular sleeve of the probe and can be caused to bend relative to the probe sleeve by manual manipulation of a mechanism on a handle of the probe.

Abstract: Compositions and kits comprising acyclovir and fusaric acid are provided.

Abstract: The invention is a cleaning tool housing assembly and a replaceable cleaning assembly. The manifold, in combination with a fluid intake element, also delivers fluid (under pressure through holes in the manifold located in a longitudinal channel) to a sponge. Two spaced apart fluid barriers are longitudinally disposed in the sponge. As fluid is introduced into the center of the sponge, between the fluid barriers, the fluid travels toward the opposite surface of the sponge. The fluid is prevented from traveling laterally due to the fluid barriers. As vacuum pressure, negative pressure, is exerted on the outer portions of the sponge (on each side of the fluid barriers), fluid is pulled back through the sponge, through the manifold and through the nozzles into the hollow housing body.

Abstract: A shoe comprising a sole for supporting a foot of a wearer, and a shoe upper adjacent the sole. The sole includes an upper force-distribution plate portion, a lower force-distribution plate portion spaced below the upper plate portion, and at least one resilient shock-absorber element in contact with and between both the upper and lower plate portions.

Abstract: A purified and isolated DNA sequence and the encoded mammary-specific secreted protein, mammaglobin, are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for detecting breast cancer based upon the overexpression and secretion of mammaglobin by breast cancer cells. The methods detect and/or quantitate the presence of mammaglobin or the mRNA encoding mammaglobin. Immunotherapy-based methods for treating a breast cancer patient with a mammaglobin-expressing tumor are also disclosed. The methods involve using mammaglobin antigens to induce a humoral and/or cell-mediated immune response against the tumor.

Abstract: A head protecting apparatus comprises a protective body, at least one cushioning member, and a friction member. The protective body is adapted to be worn on a soccer player's head. The body includes an interior portion adapted to fit against a portion of the player's head and an exterior portion adapted for impact with the soccer ball. The protective body includes a generally rigid guarding member adapted to cover at least a portion of the player's head when the player is wearing the protective body. The cushioning member is positioned between the guarding member and the player's head when the player is wearing the protective body. The cushioning member is adapted to absorb shock caused by impact between exterior portion of the protective body and the soccer ball when the player is heading the soccer ball. The friction member is mounted on the exterior portion of the protective body. The friction member includes an impact surface adapted for impact with the soccer ball.