Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the differential diagnosis of bacterial meningitis in an individual in need of such diagnosis, comprising the steps of: measuring the levels of complement C3 and complement factor B in the cerebrospinal fluid of the individual; and determining whether that individual has bacterial menigitis based on the levels of complement C3 and complement factor B in the cerebrospinal fluid of that individual. Also provided is a method for the differential diagnosis of bacterial menigitis in an individual in need of such diagnosis, comprising the steps of: measuring the levels of complement factor B in a sample from the individual; and determining whether that individual has bacterial menigitis based on the levels of complement factor B in the sample from that individual.

Abstract: A method for treating cellulite is provided involving deep heating of the cellulite afflicted areas on the body. A preferred method of deep heating is by applying electromagnetic waves in a pulsed manner.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of a photosensitive texaphyrin for the photodynamic treatment of a pigmented lesion, such as a melanodermic lesion, or a lesion obscured by pigmented tissue such as melaniferous tissue in a subject. In particular, the invention provides a treatment for the metastatic process of melanoma, and a method for inhibiting growth of established metastases of melanoma. The photosensitive texaphyrin may be a free-base texaphyrin or may be metallated with a diamagnetic metal. Preferably, the texaphyrin is metallated with lutetium. Heretofore, melanoma has been refractory to treatment with photodynamic therapy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic tissue resector is slidably engaged with a working channel of a flexible neuroendoscope for resecting brain tumors, cysts, hematomas, and herniated spinal discs. The resector includes a piezoelectric transducer for generating ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic energy is coupled to an ultrasonic probe having a rigid proximal segment for transmitting the energy therealong and a flexible distal segment which can bend to conform to the flexible neuroendoscope. An aspiration channel is provided, and the resector can be endoscopically positioned in the brain through the neuroendoscope and energized to ultrasonically break up tissue such as tumors, cysts, and hematomas and remove the tissue through the aspiration channel.

Abstract: Computer implemented systems and methods for removing bone cement or other material to replace a bone prosthesis is provided. A computer aided method of replacing a bone prosthesis according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving as input image data of a bone; identifying bounding contours of material in the image data surrounding a first bone prosthesis for removal; and generating system contours from the bounding contours, the system contours specifying a cavity to be cut in the bone to accommodate a second bone prosthesis.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a reconstituted tobacco product wherein the process comprises extraction of tobacco furnish with an aqueous solvent in the presence of at least one ammonium salt or urea or a urea derivative or a mixture of urea or a urea derivative and at least one ammonium salt to provide an aqueous solvent extract and a fibrous material and forming the fibrous material into a sheet-like product using the papermaking process. The aqueous extract is then applied to the formed sheet-like material and further processing provides a reconstituted tobacco product having improved smoke quality.

Abstract: A surgical method including the steps of forming an incision through a skin layer adjacent to a varicose vein with a single surgical device, and engaging the varicose vein with the single surgical device to permit removal of a selected portion thereof through the incision. The selected portion of the varicose vein is ligated subsequent to removal through the incision.

Abstract: A method of making a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) using muscle wrapped around a mandrel to form a muscle pouch, the open end of which is sewn to a circular sheet of patch material having connections to one end of each of a pair of vascular grafts, or alternatively to one end of a single vascular graft. The second ends of these vascular grafts are used to connect the LVAD to the aorta. After the muscle pouch has been formed around the mandrel, the mandrel is removed and replaced by a balloon which is inserted into the muscle pouch and inflated to maintain the desired shape of the muscle pouch during healing and stimulation of the pouch. The balloon is subsequently removed preceding activation of the LVAD to allow it to begin pumping blood. Alternatively, various other shape-maintaining forms which are expandable and collapsible may be used in place of the balloon.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations is provided. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to the profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations. The therapeutically effective amounts are in the range of about 10 mg to about 1600 mg phospholipid per kg body weight per dose.

Abstract: A method for the control and reduction of dental caries is provided for individuals who are at risk of dental caries. The method comprising a first step of applying an antimicrobial treatment followed shortly thereafter by a second step of applying a fluoride treatment.A method for the diagnosis, control and reduction of dental caries, the method comprising testing for Streptococcus mutans in an oral cavity of a patient and determining the patient's risk level for developing dental caries, to establish what treatment, if any, the patient requires in accordance with a set of treatment guidelines.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for treating a condition resulting from the cessation or withdrawal of tobacco or nicotine, opioids, ethanol or combinations thereof comprising administering an effective amount of 4-chloro-5-(imidazoline-2-y(amino)-6-methoxy-2-methylpyrimidine.

Abstract: A method of cutting and removing a wrapping from an intraocular lens implant within the eye. The method employs either a laser beam to effect the curing or an ultrasonic vibratory probe to effect the cutting. Once cut, the lens is free to unroll within the eye. The wrapping is then removed from the eye.

Abstract: A method of treatment of humans suffering from hyperlipidemia which comprises administering, by a pharmaceutically effective mode, a drug composition selected from the group consisting of opiate antagonists, and drugs which substantially equally reduce the amounts of catecholamines bound to all catecholamine binding sites, is disclosed.

Abstract: Reconstituted tobacco sheets manufactured from tobacco dust and binder are described herein. More particularly, the tobacco dust has a mean particle size in the range of from about 60 mesh to about 400 mesh to afford reconstituted tobacco sheets having about 80% to about 90% tobacco content with improved quality and survivability. The reduced particle size of the tobacco dust allows an increase in the solids content of the slurry without an increase in slurry viscosity. The increased solids content reduces the drying load of the cast sheet thereby allowing an increased production rate. The reconstituted tobacco sheets may be prepared from a slurry comprising tobacco dust and binder that may be subjected to a means for removing air trapped within the slurry before casting the slurry into sheets. An apparatus for determining the amount of air trapped within the slurry prepared according to the process of the present invention is also described herein.

Abstract: A water-dispersible sheet for cigarettes and a cigarette using the sheet are described. The sheet comprises a water-resolvable base paper and a water-dispersible coating layer containing water-soluble polymer formed on the surface of the base paper, whereby the sheet is adjusted to have an air-permeability of not more than 200 coresta measured with a paper permeability meter, or to have an air-resistance within the range of 0 to 50000 second/100 ml measured with an Oken type air-resistance tester. The water-resolvable base paper is made from fibrous raw materials containing not less than 20% by weight of water-dispersible fibers having fiber dimensions of a l/D value of 0.45 or lower and a L/D value of 60 or lower and a water-retention value of 95% or lower. The sheet is suitable for use as filter joining paper or filter plug wrap for cigarettes.

Abstract: A method of treatment of chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes family viral infections and other medical conditions through the removal of localized heavy metal (eg. Hg) and/or Al deposits and delivering antibiotics and/or antiviral agents along with the ingestion of greens taken from the Umbelliferae family of vegetables including leaves of Coriandrum Sativum known as cilantro or Chinese parsley coupled with drug intake enhancement methods.

Abstract: The method of inserting a foldable plastic lens unit into the eye that includes folding the lens unit to form at least three folds; grasping the folded unit to hold it in folded state, and then inserting the folded unit into the eye through an opening formed in the eye.

Abstract: A method for repairing a defect in cartilage, comprising the provision of apertures in the cartilage by drilling holes at the base of the cartilage defect, which holes may enter the mesenchymal depot, introducing a porous scaffold material containing a plurality of magnetic particles into the apertures, and subsequently and sequentially injecting magnetically-tagged cartilage growth promoting materials such as various growth factors or chondrocytes into the area of the defect. The magnetically tagged growth promoting material is then drawn into the apertures by magnetic attraction of the magnetic particles contained in the porous scaffold material, either by virtue of the particles being permanently magnetic, or by the imposition of an external magnetic field. The present application claims the biodegradable porous scaffold material containing the plurality of magnetic particles.