Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treating a human subject to prevent leakage of serum proteins from capillary endothelial junctions during a period of increased capillary permeability and at the same time preventing the harmful effects of free radicals on capillaries and surrounding tissues.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions useful for the prevention and treatment of sepsis and other conditions such as stroke, reperfusion injury and heart attacks, containing 1) at least one macromolecular polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl starch, dextran, glycogen and mixtures thereof and 2) activated protein C. The compositions can further comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of at least one antioxidant and/or at least one anti-infective. The present invention further provides methods of treating human subjects prior to or during sepsis and other conditions such as stroke, reperfusion injury and heart attacks to prevent leakage of macromolecules from capillary endothelial junctions and simultaneously prevent thrombosis and fibrin formation, reduce inflammation and improve microcirculation by intravenously administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of the said composition.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention there is provided a method of treating a human subject to prevent leakage of serum proteins from capillary endothelial junctions during a period of increased capillary permeability. The invention also provides a method for preventing the harmful effects of free radicals on cellular membranes and other organelles. The method comprises administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl starch and dextran of varying molecular sizes and at least one member of the group consisting of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, hydroxyethyl rutoside, cyclic adenosine monophosphate and vitamin C. The compositions contain the macromolecules in a molecular size and concentration to effectively stabilize the capillary membrane.

Abstract: A method of relieving neck, upper back, shoulder and arm pain due to injury, degenerative and inflammatory diseases, tumors, infections or congenital abnormalities of the vertebrae by having the subject having such pain wear a neck collar which is held securely around the neck and under the wearer's chin that permits lateral head motion but prevents downward flexion of the head.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a sleeping person from snoring while permitting normal, comfortable sleep, having a flexible shaped body means designed to be worn in proximity to the user's neck and beneath the user's chin. Said shaped body means is designed to restrict the user's forward cervical vertebral flexion, while permitting substantial flexibility of the neck in other directions to maximize comfort and permit normal sleep. The shaped body means has a first end and a second end restrained within proximity to a plane tangential to the rear of the user's neck by a connecting device, yet displaced from immediate proximity to the back of the neck and head whereby said first and second ends of said body means do not encroach between said user's neck and the associated bedding, thereby permitting normal repose.

Abstract: An electrical device utilized to control the body weight of a medically overweight human being comprises of at least two electrical leads for implanting on the fundus of the stomach. An electrical generator/controller (pacemaker) generates and regulates the frequency and degree of electrical stimulation. The device can be used surgically, laproscopically, and/or endoscopically.

Abstract: There is provided a method of treating a human subject to prevent leakage of serum proteins from capillary endothelial junctions during a period of increased capillary permeability. The method comprises administering to a subject an effective amount of a composition containing hydroxyethyl starch, dextran or hydroxyethyl starch and dextran. The compositions contain these macromolecules in a molecular size and concentration to effectively seal the capillary junctions and stabilize the capillary membranes. The sealant effect is accomplished by a biophysical process due to the adhesiveness and configuration of the macromolecules, and because of their size. There is also provided a means of treating viral and other bacterial infections and cancer, by introducing into the composition of polysaccharide(s) a biological agent, preferably interleukin-2.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the presence of capillary leak in a subject which comprises (a) introducing into the subject's circulation a pharmaceutically-acceptable solution comprising biodegradable, nontoxic, macromolecules, which macromolecules are smaller than endothelial gaps in capillaries of a subject having capillary leak, and each of which macromolecules is labeled with a detectable marker; (b) obtaining a sample of blood from the subject; (c) quantitatively measuring the detectable marker in the sample; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) at a plurality of suitably spaced points in time; and (e) comparing the quantities of detectable marker so measured so as to ascertain a change in the quantity of detectable marker in the subject's circulation over time, the change being indicative of the presence of capillary leak, thereby determining the presence of capillary leak in the subject.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method for determining in a subject the volume of plasma in the subject's circulation which comprises introducing into the subject's circulation a predetermined amount of a pharmaceutically-acceptable solution comprising a predetermined quantity of biodegradable, nontoxic macromolecules, which macromolecules are sufficiently larger than endothelial junctions in the subject's capillaries so that they are incapable of permeating the subject's capillaries, and each of which macromolecules is labeled with a detectable marker; obtaining a sample of plasma from the subject; determining the concentration of macromolecules in the sample; and calculating the volume of liquid which would dilute the sample to the concentration so determined. The subject invention also provides a method for determining in a subject the volume of blood in the subject's circulation which comprises determining the volume of plasma in the subject's circulation according to the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A method is provided for studying capillary circulation utilizing intravital microscopy. The method comprises providing an intact living Salmonid or other Teleost alevin with yolk sac attached in a small water filled plastic bag or tube for immobilizing the fish fry. Thereafter there is injected into the yolk sac, a fluorescent dye complex and tracer FITC-DX (MW 150,000 daltons) and the absorption of the injected material into the systemic circulation of said living Salmonid or Teleost alevin tracked by means of fluorescent microscopy. The method can be used for carrying out toxicological pharmacological, physiological, embryological, oncological, pathological, etc. studies.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions of matter and methods for treating a human subject to prevent leakage of serum albumin from capillary endothelial junctions during a period of increased capillary permeability. The method comprises administering to the human subject an effective capillary pore sealing amount of a macromolecule which is biodegradable, non-toxic, globular in shape, with a molecular weight range from about 100,000 daltons to about 1,000,000 daltons and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition of matter comprises a fraction derived from hydroxyethyl starch.

Abstract: A teaching aid is provided to enable medical students to practice various surgical techniques. The teaching aid comprises a multi-compartment tray, with the various compartments being devoted to teaching one or more distinct surgical techniques. A plurality of the compartments may comprise simulated tissues removably and replaceably mounted therein, such as simulated skin tissue, simulated blood vessels, simulated intestinal tissue and/or simulated tendons or nerves. Other compartments of the teaching aid may comprise hooks about which knot tying techniques may be practiced. Still other compartments may comprise simulated tissues that must be tensioned prior to suturing.