Abstract: An oral device for improving airway patency comprises a tongue constraint and a negative pressure source. The tongue constraint engages the patient's tongue to maintain a clear region below the palate in an oral cavity. By applying a negative pressure in the clear region, an airway behind the soft palate or tongue of the patient can be maintained. The tongue constraint is usually connected to an anchor. The anchor may be held between the patient's teeth or may engage the inferior surface of the palate. Another oral device for improving airway patency comprises a lateral tongue structure and a negative pressure source.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for increasing transport of a neurotrophin (e.g., erythropoietin (EPO)) across the blood brain barrier while allowing its activity to remain substantially intact. The neurotrophin (e.g., EPO) is transported across the blood brain barrier via one or more endogenous receptor-mediated transport systems.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which comprise effective amounts of analgesic to treat a subject, including reducing or eliminating an adverse effect associated with the analgesic.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods are provided for enhancing vital energy and athletic performance, improving or restoring blood circulation, promoting mental acuity, reducing fatigue, and improving aerobic performance. In one embodiment, the composition comprises the herbal extracts of Rhodiola crenulata (root) and Ginkgo biloba (leaf). The composition can be used as a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical to promote mental concentration, and to promote aerobic and anaerobic performance by enhancing strength, endurance, muscle tissue oxygenation, and optimal oxygen consumption.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formula (I): wherein X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 are as defined above. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and to methods of treating diabetes mellitus and its complications (including in particular diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy or neuropathy), cancer, ischemia, inflammation, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and dermatological disease pression, viral diseases, inflammatory disorders, or diseases in which the liver is a target organ.

Abstract: Assay systems and specialized antibodies for the detection and quantitation of troponin I and troponin T in body fluids as an indicator of myocardial infarction are disclosed. Troponin I and T exist in various conformations and the ratios of monomeric troponin I and T and the binary and ternary complexes, as well as which form of troponin present in the blood, may be related to the metabolic state of the heart. Disclosed are systems to determine the presence of a troponin form or a group of troponin forms in whole blood, serum or plasma samples. Disclosed is a method for improving the recovery of troponin I or T from a surface used in immunoassays. Also disclosed are antibodies which recognize unbound troponin forms, the forms of troponin in binary complexes, the ternary complex of troponin I, T and C, and the conformations of troponin I having intramolecularly oxidized and reduced cysteines.

Abstract: The embolic protection device (10) has an expandable tubular structure supporting a filter mesh material (12). The embolic protection device is compressed to a small diameter for insertion into a patient's aorta, then expanded within the aorta with the filter mesh material positioned to allow blood to enter sidebranch vessels connected to the aorta and to prevent embolic material from entering the sidebranch vessels. The filter mesh material may be configured with waves or undulations (26) for increased surface area and/or with two layers of mesh material to provide additional protection against embolization and to prevent inadvertent occlusion of the sidebranch vessels.

Abstract: A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 according to formula (1), the use thereof for producing a medicament, and medicaments for the treatment of diseases related to monocyte recruitment.

Abstract: A method of using an herbal extract of the a mixture of: Herba Scutellaria barbata, Radix Sophora subprostratae, Radix Anemarrhena, Semen Glycine sojae, Radix Glycyrrhiza, Rhizoma Rhei, Fructus Tritici levis, Radix Astragali, Radix Rehmania, Fructus Ligustri lucidi, Semen Zyziphi spinosa, Plumula Nelumbinis, Poria cocas, Rhizoma Alismatis, Cortex Moutan radicis, Fructus Corni, Radix Achyranthis, Concha Ostrea, Radix Aspargi, Radix Pueraria, Radix Atractylodis macrocephala and Herba Epimedium, for the treatment of hot flashes associated with menopause is disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a tripeptide having the sequence XC1C2; wherein X is any amino acid such that XC1C2 is capable of binding a metal in a square planar orientation or square pyramidal orientation or both; and wherein C1 and C2 are the same or different; and wherein C1 and C2 individually are chosen from a cysteine and a cysteine-like nonnatural amino acid, as well as metal-XC1C2 complexes and methods for forming such complexes.

Abstract: A method for generating a write pattern to be used in a maskless-lithography process is described. During the method, a computer system determines a one-to-one correspondence between pixels in the write pattern and at least a subset of elements in a spatial-light modulator used in the maskless-lithography process. Furthermore, the computer system generates the write pattern. Note that the write pattern includes features corresponding to at least the subset of elements in the spatial-light modulator, and the generating is in accordance with a characteristic dimension of an element in the spatial-light modulator and a target pattern that is to be printed on a semiconductor wafer during the maskless-lithography process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the reproducible, consistent and efficacious delivery of a therapeutic agent to a patient. The invention comprises means for the controlled administration of the therapeutic agent (30) through an orifice to the patient, a plurality of penetrating electrodes (56) arranged with a predetermined spatial relationship relative to the orifice (14), and means for generating an electrical signal operatively connected to the electrodes.

Abstract: A series of S-triazolyl ?-mercaptoacetanilides having N-(?-mercaptoacetyl) p amino benzoic acid derivatives. are provided, where Q is CO2H, or a salt or ester thereof, or a C(O) N-linked amino acid. The compounds inhibit several variants of the reverse transcriptase of HIV, and are useful in the treatment of HIV infections.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering toxin and toxin fragments to a patient's nasal cavity provide for both release of the toxin and delivery of energy which selectively porates target cells to enhance uptake of the toxin. The use of energy-mediated delivery is particularly advantageous with light chain fragment toxins which lack cell binding capacity.

Abstract: A method of utilizing the chymotrypsin level of an individual as a measure of the success of secretin, other neuropeptides, and peptides or digestive enzyme administration to such individuals, and in particular, as a prognosticative of potential secretin, other neuropeptides, peptides, and digestive enzyme administration for persons having ADD, ADHD, Autism and other PDD related disorders. In one aspect, a method for determining the efficacy of secretin, other neuropeptides, peptides, or digestive enzymes for the treatment of an individual diagnosed with a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) comprises obtaining a sample of feces from an individual, determining a quantitative level of chymotrypsin present in the sample, and correlating the quantitative level of chymotrypsin determined to be present in the sample with the PDD to determine the efficacy of treating the individual with secretin, other neuropeptides, peptides, or digestive enzyme administration.

Abstract: Devices for loading a collapsible implant onto a delivery catheter. In one aspect, a loading device comprises an outer tubular structure and an inner tubular structure. The outer tubular structure comprises a narrowing passage configured to receive a catheter at one end and a collapsible implant at another end. The inner tubular structure is configured to move slidably and co-axially within the outer tubular structure. The inner tubular structure comprises a carrier pin configured to move within the narrowing passage as the inner tubular structure slides into the outer tubular structure. The sliding of the inner tubular structure into the outer tubular structure causes an implant mounted on the carrier pin to collapse as the implant moves through the narrowing passage and into the distal end of a catheter.

Abstract: A window having electrically controllable transmission and reflection includes a layer of liquid crystal material and polarizers on either side thereof. Different combinations of absorptive and reflective polarizers are disclosed. These different combinations can be used in different applications to achieve the desired results. Transparent, conductive layers are provided to apply an electrical field to the liquid crystal material so as to selectively control the rotation of the polarization of light passing therethrough.

Abstract: A server implemented method for processing data for a wireless device. The server in response to a user request executes an application program for generating content for rendering on the wireless device where the content is wireless device generic. A first screen description based on the content and a device profile of the wireless device is generated. The device profile may describe a rendering capability of the wireless device. The first screen may be in a syntax generic format independent of the wireless device type and describe relative screen location and display object size information independent of screen dimensions. The first screen is translated into a second screen description that includes discrete low level rendering commands within the rendering capability of the wireless device that is syntax generic. Low level rendering commands include physical screen positions of display elements. The translated second screen is then transmitted to the wireless device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an on-chip packed reactor bed design that allows for an effective exchange of packing materials such as beads at a miniaturized level. The present invention extends the function of microfluidic analysis systems to new applications including on-chip solid phase extraction (SPE) and on-chip capillary electrochromatography (CEC). The design can be further extended to include integrated packed bed immuno- or enzyme reactors.