Abstract: A portable mounting post for securing a game board to a stationary structure is disclosed. The mounting post may include a support portion to attach the post to the structure and an opening and a groove to receive the mounting element; and a slotted portion positioned above the post support portion and having at least one slot at a top surface of the slotted portion, the at least one slot configured to receive and thereby to secure the attachment device mounted to the game board. A basketball backboard designed to be secured to a structure it is also disclosed. The backboard may have a pair of apertures extending from a front to a rear of the backboard and positioned on either side of a vertical center line and receiving a securing strap or a rigid member for securing the device to the structure.

Abstract: Methods and related immunoglobulin peptides and fragments thereof are disclosed that enhance the cell-mediated immune response of a patient to deposits of amyloid fibrils. These methods exploit the opsonizing effect of antibodies directed toward amyloid material or its component parts.

Abstract: Methods and related immunoglobulin peptides and fragments thereof are disclosed that enhance the cell-mediated immune response of a patient to deposits of amyloid fibrils. These methods exploit the opsonizing effect of antibodies directed toward amyloid material or its component parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying cross-linked oligomers. The purified cross-linked oligomers are useful as immunogen for generating and isolating cross-linked oligomer reactive antibodies. The cross-linked oligomer reactive antibodies are useful for detecting amyloid deposition and for diagnosing and treating diseases and conditions associated with amyloid deposition.

Abstract: Odontogenic ameloblast-associated (ODAM) protein may be used as an effective biomarker in humans for various cancers, especially those of epithelial origin, such as breast, lung, and stomach. The ODAM protein may be detected in cancerous cells. Additionally, the blood of patients with such cancers contains high titers of anti-ODAM antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention provides IGIV and IGIV enriched for binding to amyloid fibrils and to partially denatured amyloidogenic precursor polypeptides. The present invention also provides methods for obtaining IGIV enriched for binding to amyloid fibrils and to partially denatured amyloidogenic precursor polypeptides. The IGIV recognizes amyloid fibrils and partially denatured amyloidogenic precursor polypeptides. They are useful for treating diseases and conditions associated with amyloid deposition. The IGIV of the present invention also are useful for diagnosing and detecting amyloid deposition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic method for removing amyloid fibrils from a patient. The present invention also provides a transgenic animal that develops systemic AA amyloidosis within three weeks for use as a tool to investigate AA amyloidosis and to evaluate agents that may be potentially useful in preventing and treating amyloid-related disorders. Further, the present invention provides diagnostic assays for monitoring immunoglobulin light chain fibrillogenesis in real-time and for identification of the chemical nature of the protein in amyloid deposits which enables the determination of the type of amyloidosis for therapeutic and prognostic purposes.

Abstract: A container for holding items to be microbially deactivated in a reprocessor. The container is comprised of a generally cup shaped tray having a bottom wall and a continuous side wall extending to one side from the periphery of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the side wall defining a cavity for receiving instruments and items to be microbially deactivated. A lid is attachable to the tray. The lid is dimensioned to cover the cavity. An inlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. An outlet port is formed in the tray to communicate with the cavity. A barrier element is disposed within one of the ports. The barrier element controls flow through the one port. The barrier element is comprised of a material that is permeable to gas and water vapor but impermeable to liquid, bacteria and organisms.

Abstract: A storage cabinet for storing a device container containing instruments and devices that have been microbially deactivated. The device container has an inlet port and an outlet port. The storage cabinet is comprised of a housing having a series of compartments defined therein. Each compartments is dimensioned to accept a device container. Connector ports are disposed within each of the compartments. The connector ports are dimensioned to matingly engage the inlet port and the outlet port of a device container. A circulation system within the housing communicates with the connector ports in each compartment. A means is provided to move air along the circulation system. A heating means is provided to heat the air flowing within the circulation system.

Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices. The apparatus has a housing structure and a drawer disposed in the housing structure. The drawer has a recess formed therein and a planar surface formed about the periphery of the recess. The recess is dimensioned to receive medical instruments and devices to be microbially deactivated. A circulation system is provided within the housing structure to circulate a microbial deactivation fluid through the recess. A drawer-sealing assembly is located in the housing structure. The drawer-sealing assembly is operable to engage the drawer assembly and fluidly seal the recess to create a decontamination chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for deactivating medical instruments and devices comprised of a deactivation chamber movable between a loading position and a deactivation position. A circulation system is provided to circulate a deactivating fluid through the deactivation chamber. The circulation system is connectable to the deactivation chamber when the deactivation chamber is in the deactivation position.

Abstract: Methods and related immunoglobulin peptides and fragments thereof are disclosed that enhance the cell-mediated immune response of a patient to deposits of amyloid fibrils. These methods exploit the opsonizing effect of antibodies directed toward amyloid material or its component parts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a therapeutic method for removing amyloid fibrils from a patient. The present invention also provides a transgenic animal that develops systemic AA amyloidosis within three weeks for use as a tool to investigate AA amyloidosis and to evaluate agents that may be potentially useful in preventing and treating amyloid-related disorders. Further, the present invention provides diagnostic assays for monitoring immunoglobulin light chain fibrillogenesis in real-time and for identification of the chemical nature of the protein in amyloid deposits which enables the determination of the type of amyloidosis for therapeutic and prognostic purposes.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting pathological macromolecules in a patient, comprising obtaining body fluid from the patient, pretreating the body fluid, subjecting the pretreated body fluid to size-exclusion chromatography to create an excluded fluid, and analyzing the excluded fluid to detect macromolecules having a predetermined molecular weight. The method also allows for comparing elution spectra with reference spectra of suspect pathologic proteins.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preparing a medical composition including a first member defining a mixing chamber having a predetermined amount of a first medical component contained therein, the first member having first and second openings each in communication with the mixing chamber, and a mixing subassembly operatively connected to the first member so that the mixing subassembly substantially seals the first opening, the mixing subassembly including a mixing member and a second member receivable one within the other. The first member and mixing subassembly are slidable guidingly, one within the other, between first and second relative positions with the first member and mixing subassembly operatively connected. The mixing member is supported for rotation relative to the first member about a first axis and includes a shaft and a plurality of paddles projecting radially from the shaft relative to the first axis and spaced, each from the other, axially relative to the first axis.

Abstract: A disposable orthopedic implement and method therefor, such as a bone cement mixer and dispenser comprising disposable mixer and dispenser elements that cooperate to permit bone cement to be mixed in a closed system and to be dispensed therefrom at a bone situs with minimal exposure to ambient contaminants.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in hip or knee surgery designed to provide a substantially complete seal around an operative site in a one step application and having two main sections integrally connected along a main folding line, with one main section being continuous along the main folding line and the second main section being trifurcated into a median flap connected to the main folding line along a narrow junction and a pair of side flaps connected to the main folding line along wide junctions. The median flap extends substantially equidistantly from the main folding line as the continuous main section extends therefrom in the opposite direction, while the pair of side flaps extend from the main folding line about midway of the median flap. The median flap is provided about its periphery with a strip of surgical adhesive and the pair of side flaps have a strip of surgical adhesive about their edges adjacent the median flap.