Abstract: A knee-ankle-foot orthosis in accordance with the present invention can smoothly shift from the stance phase to the swing phase thereof. Namely, the knee-ankle-foot orthosis capable of securely locking a patient's knee in a desired angular position thereof with a load of his body weight, and immediately shifting his knee to the unlocked state without requiring any extra motion when the load disappears is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the speed of the rotation of a knee axis gear 23 adapted to transmit the rotation of a knee axis 21 is increased by eight times with a speed increasing gear train 25, and is transmitted to a brake drum 41. A wire 31 wound around the brake drum 41 is connected to first and second levers 27 and 28 as load detecting members. When a foot holding portion 18 contacts the ground and the first lever 27 is stepped down, the wire 31 is pulled downwardly with a load of his body weight, whereby brakes are applied.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for large-scale production of a polypeptide in eukaryote cells contained in a serum-free culture liquid, said method comprising (i) a propagation phase for said cells, where the cells are propagated in a first cell culture liquid, and (ii) a production phase for said cells, where the cells are present in a second cell culture medium liquid, wherein each of the cell culture liquids comprise a plant protein hydrolysate, and wherein the ratio between the concentration of the plant protein hydrolysate (C1) in the first cell culture liquid and the concentration of the plant protein hydrolysate (C2) in the second cell culture liquid is at least 1.5:1 (C1:C2).

Abstract: The present invention provides an antiprotozoal agent, which is particularly preferred as an antileishmanial agent. Specifically, the present invention is directed to an antiprotozoal agent comprising, as an active ingredient, a compound of Formula (I): wherein R is —H or acyl, a salt thereof, or solvate thereof.

Abstract: A compound of the following formula: in which R1, R2, R3, U, V, T, W, X, Y, Z, m, n, p, x, y, and z are as defined herein. Also disclosed are (1) a pharmaceutical composition containing such a compound, and (2) a method for treating Hepatitis C virus infection using such a compound.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for detecting the presence of an enterovirus in a clinical sample. The invention additionally discloses a method for typing an enterovirus in a clinical sample. Both methods employ a set of primer oligonucleotides for reverse transcription and amplification that hybridize to conserved regions of the enterovirus genome, and that provide amplicons that include significant portions of the VP1 region that are characteristic of the various serotypes. In the typing method, the invention further provides a database consisting of nucleotide sequences from prototypical enteroviral serotypes, which is used to type the clinical sample by comparing the sequence of its amplicon with each prototypical sequence in the database. The invention additionally provides mixtures of primer oligonucleotides, and a kit for use in conducting the typing method that includes a mixture of the primer oligonucleotides.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and other ligands that specifically bind to KIR2DL4 receptor and stimulate production of interferon gamma. One embodiment is mAb #33 on deposit at ATCC.

Abstract: An elliptical exercise machine with an adjustable exercising track comprises a framework, having a flywheel, a crank settled on the flywheel, and at least two parallel rails; a wheel assembly, comprising two wheel-shafts arranged at two sides of the crank and two wheels slidably coupled to the rails; a handle-shaft assembly, comprising a pair of handle-shafts disposed at two sides of the framework for being gripped by a user; a stepping-pedal assembly, comprising two pedals coupled to two pedal-shafts which are linked to the handle-shafts; and a pair of adjusting assemblies for shifting positions of joints of the pedal-shafts and the wheel-shafts along the wheel-shafts. By shifting the positions of joints of the pedal-shafts and the wheel-shafts, a minor axis of the elliptical exercising track can be lengthened or shortened and consequently the elliptical exercising track can be non-proportionally scaled.

Abstract: A portable toilet and bathing chair comprises a seat of rectangular shape, having a central opening, handles on left and right edges, two positioning openings on an upper side close to a rear edge, two storing depressions in a lower side parallel to and close to the left and right edges, at least three projections on the lower side, and four fastening assemblies on the lower side close to four corners, a backrest of rectangular shape, movable to a folded state close to the lower side of the seat, having positioning holes which are in the folded state entered by the projections of the seat and a lower edge with two holding extensions that are inserted into the positioning openings of the seat, and four feet, in a mounted state mounted on the seat at the lower side thereof close to the four corners thereof and being removable therefrom, wherein for folding, the four feet are removed from the seat and stored in the storing depressions, and the backrest is brought into the folded state thereof.

Abstract: A latching mechanism is particularly suited for use in latching a slide mechanism, such as used to slidably mount a drawer. The latching mechanism includes a latch assembly comprising a latch lever mounted for movement between a first, second and third positions, a latch tab for selective engagement with a second end of the latch lever, and a piezo electric controller. The controller has a plunger configured to selectively control the movement of the latch lever between the first and second positions, the plunger movable between an extended position corresponding to a first, locked position of the latch lever and a retracted position corresponding to the second, unlocked position of the latch lever, the controller when unpowered preventing the plunger from moving from the extended to the retracted position and the controller when powered permitting the plunger to move from the extended to the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide comprising the sequence R1-X1-X2-X3-X4-R2, wherein X1 is selected from the group consisting of N, Q, D and S; X2 is selected from the group consisting of V, I and L; X1 is selected from the group consisting of R and K; and X4 is selected from the group consisting of V, I, L and F; R1 is a hydrogen or a peptide of 1 to 6 amino acids, and acyl or an aryl group; and R2 is a peptide of 1 to 3 amino acids, a hydroxide or an amide. The invention also relates to partial or full retro-inverso peptides comprising the above sequences. The invention also relates to peptide-substrate combination comprising a substrate suitable for cell growth and the peptide of the invention, and to a vascular graft and an artificial blood vessel comprising the peptide-substrate combination. The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition and a peptide conjugate comprising the peptide of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of inhibiting A?-induced neuronal cell death. The invention further provides methods of providing neuroprotection to a subject and methods of treating a disease state characterized by A?-induced neuronal cell death in a subject. Methods of inhibiting p75 receptor mediated neuronal cell death, as well as methods of treating a disease state in a subject characterized by p75 receptor mediated neuronal cell death are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to agents and in particular nucleoside analogues. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside analogues. The variants may also comprise corresponding mutations affecting immunological interactivity to viral surface components. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular hepatitis B virus variants. The present invention also contemplates the use of the viral variants to screen for agents capable of inhibiting infection, replication and/or release of the virus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel nucleic acid and protein sequences that are essential to fertility. In particular, human Mater cDNA and protein sequences are provided. Functional MATER is required for female fertility; zygotes that arise from Mater null oocytes do not progress beyond the two-cell stage. Methods are described for detecting an autoimmune response to MATER in a subject by detecting autoantibodies that recognize an epitope of a MATER protein. Also provided are methods for diagnosis of infertility or reduced fertility by detecting presence of MATER protein autoantibodies in a subject. The disclosure also describes kits for detecting MATER autoantibodies comprising MATER protein.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a novel tumor suppressor, referred to as p28ING5, nucleic acid molecules encoding this protein, and methods of making and using these molecules. Also provided are methods of ameliorating, treating, detecting, prognosing, and diagnosing diseases and conditions associated with abnormal p28ING5 expression, such as neoplasia. Kits are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel human tumor suppressors, antibodies to such tumor suppressors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and proteins, methods of screening for modulators of tumor suppressors, and methods of diagnosing and treating tumors with such nucleic acids and proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions for making a medicament and methods for the administration of a vaccine compositions for protection against human rotaviral disease without significant reactogenicity. Human x rhesus reassortant rotavirus compositions were made which when administered during the first 7 to about 10 days of life, provided a composition which was non-reactogenic followed by booster immunizations at 16 to 18 weeks or 14 to 20 weeks, up to 1 year of age. The immune response induced by the initial neonatal administration of the live rotavirus vaccine composition protects the infant from the reactogenicity of the composition when administered as a second vaccine dose at or after 2 months of age. Administration of the immunogenic composition also is expected to ablate or significantly diminish the increase in the excess of intussusception observed 3 to 7 days following administration of the initial dose of rotavirus vaccine at about 2 to 4 months.

Abstract: A software-based, integrated member decision support system provides a method for corporations, insurance carriers, health maintenance organizations, physicians, physician groups, or other clients to efficiently provide medical, pharmaceutical, and health benefit advice and information for an enrolled population. The system contains one or more databases which include member profiles, clinical information and guidelines, pharmaceutical information and guidelines, health benefit information, and optional additional information. A caller establishes communication with the system, which directs the caller to an operator who provides the caller with medical, pharmaceutical, and/or health benefit advice based on an inquiry from the caller and the information stored on the system. The system may automatically alert the caller or the operator of important medical or pharmaceutical information.

Abstract: Specific fragments of vasostatin are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of stimulating the proliferation or survival of a hematopoietic cell exposed to a chemotherapeutic agent or irradiation using these fragments. A method of stimulating the proliferation or survival of a hematopoietic cell is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is disclosed for stimulating the growth or survival of a hematopoietic stem cell with a fragment of vasostatin, in the presence of a growth factor.

Abstract: The invention provides a fusion protein comprising a plant virus coat protein and a GDF8 peptide domain, or antigenic fragment of the GDF8 peptide domain. Plant virus vectors expressing the fusion protein and methods of using these vectors are also provided.

Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.