Abstract: A ligature-resistant thermostat cover provides restriction of access to a thermostat and prevention of ligature formation around or atop the thermostat. The thermostat cover includes a wall plate for securing to a wall with a central aperture for accommodating a thermostat, a cover portion and a locking mechanism. The cover portion is curved both toward the top and toward the bottom of the cover from an apex line to provide a continuously curving front surface of the cover portion. The rear profile of the cover portion matches a mating surface of a front profile of the wall plate in width and height and the wall plate has an incline or curvature at the top face to provide a continuously sloping surface that prevents formation of a ligature point above the top face.

Abstract: A ligature-resistant paper towel dispenser includes a rear portion with a towel recess for receiving a roll of paper towels and a planar mounting area for securing the paper towel dispenser to a wall. A front portion of the dispenser locks to the rear portion, covers the roll and completes the shape of the paper towel dispenser exterior. The mounting area of the housing may extend backwards from the planar mounting area into an aperture formed through a surface of the wall so that the towel recess projects into the wall. The housing has an upward projecting exterior that is curved or inclined downward from an apex to prevent attachment of a ligature and extends above the towel recess by a distance greater than or equal to half of a maximum forward projection of the housing to provide sufficient curvature or inclination of the exterior of the top projection.

Abstract: A ligature-resistant toilet paper dispenser includes a cover portion with a paper recess for receiving a roll of toilet paper and a wall plate having a planar mounting area for securing the toilet paper dispenser to a wall. The cover locks to the rear portion, covers the roll and completes the shape of the toilet paper dispenser exterior. The wall plate has an upward projecting exterior that is curved or inclined downward from an apex to prevent attachment of a ligature and extends above the paper recess by a distance greater than or equal to half of a maximum forward projection of the wall plate to provide sufficient curvature or inclination of the exterior of the top projection.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or preventing or delaying the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to NASH are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of ubenimex.

Abstract: An asymmetrical tab or key defining the central aperture of the saw blades, wherein the key complements an asymmetrical keyway defined by the curved outer surface of the driven shaft. The driven shaft can be a symmetrical driven shaft wherein both ends of the shaft are similarly configured, such that it does not matter which end of the shaft is orientated, in which direction, within the saw cylinder assembly, and it does not matter which side of the shaft the saw blades are attached to, or in which direction the saw blades are flipped when attached.

Abstract: A ligature-resistant grab bar provides ligature-proof self-support of persons at toilets, showers, baths or other locations where persons require self-support assistance. The ligature-resistant grab bar includes an elongate body that may be an extruded member, which has a flange disposed at a planar rear surface extending from the elongate body on a first side and a second side of the elongate body. The sides of the elongate body have curved side channels for drainage of water that extend from an inner edge of the flange toward a central axis of the elongate body to a gripping profile forming a front of the elongate body, which may be circular or elliptical in cross-section, of a front half of the gripping profile. The ligature-resistant grab bar also includes a bottom end cap and a top end cap attached to the ends of the elongate body.

Abstract: A vortex tube system for conditioning and blending fibrous material utilizing a helical inlet to the base of a central vortex tube, to condition and blend fibers in a fluidly conveyed stream, and to separate the fibers from debris, by abruptly changing direction of the conveying air flow. The vortex tube system for conditioning and blending combines the helical input with helical shaping of the air flow through the central vortex tube to induce greater dynamics which is continued at the top of the vortex tube through a separate drying chamber.

Abstract: A ligature-resistant wall hook for coats, towels, or other personal items, provides ligature-proof operation by rotation of a hook tab when the applied weight is over a threshold weight and by other included features. A baseplate having a planar rear surface is mounted to a wall or door and has a rotating tab attached for receiving and retaining the personal article. A restoring-force-providing member restores the rotating tab to an upward position. The ligature-resistant wall-mountable hook also include a cover for covering the baseplate and having an aperture through which the extension projects. An exterior profile of the cover above the aperture at each side of the aperture extends outward from the baseplate and downward at an angle exceeding 30 degrees from the perpendicular direction, so that a loop formed around the rotating tab and the cover and pulled downward is drawn outward to contact the rotating tab.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or preventing or delaying the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to NASH are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of ubenimex.

Abstract: An introducer may include a layered tubular member having an inner liner including at least one folded portion extending along a distal region of the inner liner in a delivery configuration; a reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner liner, the reinforcing member including a plurality of longitudinal spines defining a plurality of openings disposed between adjacent longitudinal spines, wherein each folded portion is circumferentially overlapped by one of the plurality of openings; and an outer sheath disposed over the reinforcing member, wherein the outer sheath includes at least one perforation circumferentially overlapping each folded portion; and a tip member fixedly attached to a tapered distal region of the layered tubular member. The inner liner may extend to a distal end of the layered tubular member. At least a portion of each folded portion may terminate proximal of the distal end of the layered tubular member.

Abstract: A ligature-resistant thermostat cover provides restriction of access to a thermostat and prevention of ligature formation around or atop the thermostat. The thermostat cover includes a wall plate for securing to a wall with a central aperture for accommodating a thermostat, a cover portion and a locking mechanism. The cover portion is curved both toward the top and toward the bottom of the cover from an apex line to provide a continuously curving front surface of the cover portion. The rear profile of the cover portion matches a mating surface of a front profile of the wall plate in width and height and the wall plate has an incline or curvature at the top face to provide a continuously sloping surface that prevents formation of a ligature point above the top face.

Abstract: A ligature-resistant toilet paper dispenser includes a cover portion with a paper recess for receiving a roll of toilet paper and a wall plate having a planar mounting area for securing the toilet paper dispenser to a wall. The cover locks to the rear portion, covers the roll and completes the shape of the toilet paper dispenser exterior. The wall plate has an upward projecting exterior that is curved or inclined downward from an apex to prevent attachment of a ligature and extends above the paper recess by a distance greater than or equal to half of a maximum forward projection of the wall plate to provide sufficient curvature or inclination of the exterior of the top projection.

Abstract: A ligature-resistant paper towel dispenser includes a rear portion with a towel recess for receiving a roll of paper towels and a planar mounting area for securing the paper towel dispenser to a wall. A front portion of the dispenser locks to the rear portion, covers the roll and completes the shape of the paper towel dispenser exterior. The mounting area of the housing may extend backwards from the planar mounting area into an aperture formed through a surface of the wall so that the towel recess projects into the wall. The housing has an upward projecting exterior that is curved or inclined downward from an apex to prevent attachment of a ligature and extends above the towel recess by a distance greater than or equal to half of a maximum forward projection of the housing to provide sufficient curvature or inclination of the exterior of the top projection.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of treating non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or preventing or delaying the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to NASH are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of ubenimex.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example method for manufacturing a medical device may include cutting a tubular body into a plurality of ring members. The plurality of ring members may include a first ring member and a second ring member. A connecting member may extend between the first ring member and the second ring member. The method may also include disposing a polymeric member along the plurality of ring members to define a tubular member and articulating the tubular member to break the connecting member.

Abstract: Methods of reducing hepatitis delta virus (HDV) viral loads in a patient are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises treating the patient with lonafarnib-ritonavir co-therapy. In some embodiments, the method further comprises treating the patient with an interferon.

Abstract: A vortex tube system for conditioning and blending fibrous material utilizing a helical inlet to the base of a central vortex tube, to condition and blend fibers in a fluidly conveyed stream, and to separate the fibers from debris, by abruptly changing direction of the conveying air flow. The vortex tube system for conditioning and blending combines the helical input with helical shaping of the air flow through the central vortex tube to induce greater dynamics which is continued at the top of the vortex tube through a separate drying chamber.

Abstract: A vortex dryer for fibrous material utilizes a helical inlet to the base of a central vortex tube to separate fiber from debris by abruptly changing direction of the conveying air flow. The dryer combines the helical input with helical shaping of the air flow through the central vortex tube to induce greater drying for the fiber which is continued at the top of the vortex tube through a separate drying chamber.

Abstract: Tipifarnib or a tipifarnib derivative is used to treat HDV infection as a monotherapy or in combination with an interferon and/or boosting agent such as a CYP3A4 inhibitor such as ritonavir and cobicistal. This invention arises in part out of the surprising discoveries that not all prenyltransferase inhibitors are efficacious in treating HDV infection and that tipifarnib (Rl 15777) and tipifarnib derivatives such as R208176 can be administered at a dose efficacious in humans. This invention accordingly provides a method of inhibiting HDV replication in a human subject known to be co-infected with HBV and HDV by administering a therapeutically effective dose of tipifarnib, R208176 and other therapeutically effective tipifarnib derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and other forms.

Abstract: Methods of reducing hepatitis delta virus (HDV) viral loads in a patient are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises treating the patient with lonafarnib-ritonavir co-therapy. In some embodiments, the method further comprises treating the patient with an interferon.