Abstract: This invention provides improvements through an engineered metal crib element for construction of cribs in mines to provide support between two surfaces and use of crib elements to construct cribs. The engineered metal crib element consists of a center elongate structural element and at least two outer load carrying steel members. The outer load carrying members may be composed of solid or hollow metal with one or more reinforcements within each load carrying member. Each outer load carrying member is attached to the center elongate element at the distal ends of the elongate structural element. The crib structure may be constructed by superimposing only these steel crib elements in 2×2 layers, 2×3 layers, 3×3 layers or in any other suitable layering system.

Abstract: This invention provides antibodies immunologically specific for human ARL-1 (also referred to AKR1B10), a species of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily of proteins. The invention also provides methods of making and methods of using said antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for reducing and/or preventing ototoxicity caused by an ototoxic agent, noise or head and/or neck radiation. It is also directed to a method for preventing or reducing generation of reactive oxygen species in the inner ear of a patient. The methods of the present invention include administering at least one siRNA directed against TRPV1 mRNA, NOX3 mRNA or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A medical device configured to be inserted into a patient's body to retrieve material from the patient's body includes a basket assembly. The basket assembly is configured to transition between various states including an expanded state and a collapsed state. The basket assembly may be substantially covered in a flexible sheet except for a side-facing opening when the basket assembly is in the expanded state. When the basket assembly is in the collapsed state, the side-facing opening may be substantially closed. The device may be inserted into the patient's body while the basket assembly is in the collapsed state. While in the patient's body, the basket assembly may be transitioned to the expanded state. Then, a physician may maneuver material to be removed from the patient's body into the basket assembly via the side-facing opening. Next, the basket assembly may be transitioned into the collapsed state or a partially collapsed state so that the basket assembly can be removed from the patient's body.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating and preventing toxic side effects of platinum-based chemotherapy agents are disclosed, in which transplatin is administered to a subject. Transplatin is shown to have protective effects against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity, nephotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Anti-inflammatory activity of transplatin is demonstrated and methods and compositions for treating and preventing inflammatory pain are described.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements through 1) a composite, engineered wooden support element for construction of cribs in mines to provide support between two surfaces, 2) use of support elements to construct cribs, and 3) a wedge system to provide substantial sustained preload on a crib. The wooden support element consists of a center elongate element wherein the wood grain runs transversely to the crib element loading direction, and at least two outer plate elements wherein the wood grain runs axially with the crib element loading direction. Each outer plate element is attached to a surface of the center elongate element using fastening means and the outer plate element wood grain direction is aligned transversely to the grain direction in the center elongate element. The crib structure may be constructed by superimposing only these support elements in 2×2 layers or in conjunction with solid prismatic wooden elements.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to transgenic moss. One aspect of the invention provides a transgenic moss cell that produces or accumulates a terpenoid compound. Another aspect of the invention provides for methods of producing a terpenoid compound through culturing of the transgenic moss.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements through 1) a composite, engineered wooden support element for construction of cribs in mines to provide support between two surfaces, 2) use of support elements to construct cribs, and 3) a wedge system to provide substantial sustained preload on a crib. The wooden support element consists of a center elongate element wherein the wood grain runs transversely to the crib element loading direction, and at least two outer plate elements wherein the wood grain runs axially with the crib element loading direction. Each outer plate element is attached to a surface of the center elongate element using fastening means and the outer plate element wood grain direction is aligned transversely to the grain direction in the center elongate element. The crib structure may be constructed by superimposing only these support elements in 2×2 layers or in conjunction with solid prismatic wooden elements.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing ototoxicity in patients undergoing treatment with therapeutically effective amounts of aminoglycoside antibiotics are provided. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of an otoprotective agent comprising methionine or a methionine-like moiety to said patient prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to administration of the aminoglycoside antibiotic. Combinations of these time periods can also be employed.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing ototoxicity in patients undergoing treatment with therapeutically effective amounts of platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agents such as cisplatin or aminoglycoside antibiotics are provided. The methods comprise administering an effective amount of an otoprotective agent comprising methionine or a methionine-like moiety to said patient prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to administration of the platinum-containing chemotherapeutic agent or aminoglycoside antibiotic. Combinations of these time periods can also be employed.

Abstract: Objectively identifying an acoustic characteristic of tinnitus of a subject. The subject is exposed to a sound pattern having a background acoustic signal preceding an audible silence. The background acoustic signal has a selected acoustic characteristic. An electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the exposure to the sound pattern is measured. The measured electrical response has a first portion representing the electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the background acoustic signal, and a second portion representing the electrical response of the subject's central nervous system to the audible silence in the sound pattern. The first portion of the measured electrical response is compared to the second portion of the measured electrical response and a determination is made as to whether the subject has tinnitus with an acoustic characteristic similar to the selected acoustic characteristic based on the comparison.

Abstract: There is provided an expression cassette comprising a 3?-UTR cDNA library fragment, mammalian cells transfected with the expression cassette, and kits comprising the same. Furthermore, methods for identifying target genes for microRNAs are provided that utilize the expression cassette hereof.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing hearing or balance loss and damage to ear cells in patients who have been exposed to toxic levels of noise are provided. These methods comprise administering an effective amount of a methionine protective agent, such as D-methionine, prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to exposure to noise. Combinations of these time periods can also be employed.

Abstract: A wire connector driver for the installation and removal of wire connector devices, comprising a housing, with a first internal cavity, for receiving wire nut connectors, the cavity having a series of curved protrusions extending radially inward and extending in a substantially perpendicular direction from the first surface and providing a variety of points where contact with wire nut connectors is established to transfer rotational and directional force, and a series of channels between the curved protrusions which accommodates the various shapes of wire connector devices of different designs. The wire connector driver also has an optional second internal cavity, for receiving hexagon-shaped drivers attached to screw guns or drills. A third surface, between the first and second surfaces, can have ridges or grooves, and can have wings extending outward, so that the wire connector driver can be used manually.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming biofilm on a fluid flow conduit, such as a medical device, enables in vitro simulation of biofilm formation to determine suitable treatments for minimizing or preventing biofilm formation in vivo.

Abstract: Objectively measuring tinnitus in human and animal subjects. A subject is exposed to an alteration in a sound pattern otherwise qualitatively similar to the subject's tinnitus and a startle reflex is induced. The subject's acoustic startle response is obtained and used to determine whether the subject detected the alteration of the sound pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating double stranded palindromic DNA sequences which form short hairpin RNAs in a host cell, wherein a nicking DNA enzyme opens a double stranded DNA and converts it to a single stranded palindromic structure. The present invention also provides methods for expressing shRNA in a host cell, suppressing gene expression, identifying potential short interfering RNA sequences, and identifying genes associated with a particular phenotype.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of preventing or reducing hearing or balance loss and damage to ear cells in patients who have been exposed to toxic levels of noise and other toxic insults are provided. These methods comprise administering an effective amount of a protectant combination or composition comprising two or more protectants selected from the group of methionine protectant agents, N-acetylcysteine, carnitine, magnesium ions, lipoic acid, ebselen, glutathione, and glutathione ester. These protectant combinations can be administered prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to exposure to noise other toxic insults.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing hearing or balance loss and damage to ear cells in patients who have been exposed to toxic levels of noise are provided. These methods comprise administering an effective amount of a methionine protective agent, such as D-methionine, prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to exposure to noise. Combinations of these time periods can also be employed.

Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing hearing or balance loss and damage to ear cells in patients who have been exposed to toxic levels of noise are provided. These methods comprise administering an effective amount of a methionine protective agent, such as D-methionine, prior to, simultaneously with, or subsequently to exposure to noise. Combinations of these time periods can also be employed.