Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved method of preparing fetuin by using a chelating agent to remove inorganic ions, such as zinc, calcium, and barium, from fetuin. Then, reloading the “naked” fetuin with Zinc Acetate to form a product that is mainly Fetuin-Zinc. This improved method of preparing Fetuin-Zinc or supercharged zinc fetuin increases the effectiveness of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by three to four times.

Abstract: A support apparatus includes a first tube, a second tube pivotally connected with the first tube, a rod telescopically connected with the first tube and a positioning device for retaining the rod in position relative to the first tube. The positioning device includes a mount secured to the first tube and a latch movably mounted on the mount between an engaging position where the latch engages with the rod and a releasing position where the latch releases the rod. The mount includes two lateral portions secured to the first tube. The latch is pivotally mounted on the lateral portions of the mount. Each of the lateral portions of the mount defines an aperture. The latch defines an aperture. A bolt is inserted through the aperture defined in each of the lateral portions of the mount and the aperture defined in the latch. The mount includes an intermediate portion formed between the lateral portions.

Abstract: This invention characterizes the specific peptide fragment derived from specially prepared zinc charged fetuin and a method of preparation thereof, wherein the fragment was found to contain an apoptosis-inducing activity. Specifically, the amino acid sequence of this peptide is H-T-F-S-G-V-A-S-V-E and correlates to amino acid no. 300-309 of fetuin, referred to herein as Fetuin Peptide Fragment (FPF 300-09). FPF 300-09 strongly induced apoptosis in LNCaP (prostate cancer) and HT-29 (colon cancer) cells without affecting CCD 18 Co (normal colon) cells. The in vitro tissue culture study demonstrated that the FPF 300-09 is more potent than the parent molecule (full-length zinc charged fetuin) in inducing apoptosis. FPF 300-09 has a LD50 of 0.3-0.4 &mgr;M, while the LD50 for zinc-charged fetuin is 3-10 &mgr;M.

Abstract: A support apparatus includes a first tube, a second tube pivotally connected with the first tube, a rod telescopically connected with the first tube and a positioning device for retaining the rod in position relative to the first tube. The positioning device includes a mount secured to the first tube and a latch movably mounted on the mount between an engaging position where the latch engages with the rod and a releasing position where the latch releases the rod. The mount includes two lateral portions secured to the first tube. The latch is pivotally mounted on the lateral portions of the mount. Each of the lateral portions of the mount defines an aperture. The latch defines an aperture. A bolt is inserted through the aperture defined in each of the lateral portions of the mount and the aperture defined in the latch. The mount includes an intermediate portion formed between the lateral portions.

Abstract: This invention characterizes the selective apoptotic activity of specially prepared Alpha2 and fragments thereof. Specifically, Alpha2 which has been overloaded with zinc, as well as fragments thereof, selectively induce apoptosis in HT-29 (colon cancer), LNCaP (prostate cancer), and Hep G2 (Hepatoma) cells, while having no affect on CCD 18 Co (normal colon) cells.

Abstract: This invention characterizes the specific peptide fragment derived from specially prepared zinc charged fetuin and a method of preparation thereof, wherein the fragment was found to contain an apoptosis-inducing activity. Specifically, the amino acid sequence of this peptide is H-T-F-S-G-V-A-S-V-E and correlates to amino acid no. 300-309 of fetuin, referred to herein as Fetuin Peptide Fragment (FPF 300-09). FPF 300-09 strongly induced apoptosis in LNCaP (prostate cancer) and HT-29 (colon cancer) cells without affecting CCD 18 Co (normal colon) cells. The in vitro tissue culture study demonstrated that the FPF 300-09 is more potent than the parent molecule (full-length zinc charged fetuin) in inducing apoptosis. FPF 300-09 has a LD50 of 0.3-0.4 &mgr;M, while the LD50 for zinc-charged fetuin is 3-10 &mgr;M.

Abstract: A device separates a needle from a syringe before subsequent separate handling of the needle and the rest of the syringe. The needles are accumulated in a container made of stainless steel which is then put into a smelting furnace, thereby preventing the worker from being pricked and thus infected by the used needles. The plastic portions of the syringes are accumulated in another container for further handling.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by administering an extract of Melothria indica Lou to the cancer cells. The invention also includes a method of using an extract of Melothria indica Lou to induce apoptosis in cancer cells by administering the extract to the cancer cells. The cancer cells can be leukemia cells and prostate cancer cells. Further included in the invention is a method for purifying the Melothria indica Lou into an extract used for inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved method of preparing fetuin by using a chelating agent to remove inorganic ions, such as zinc, calcium, and barium, from fetuin. Then, reloading the “naked” fetuin with Zinc Acetate to form a product that is mainly Fetuin-Zinc. This improved method of preparing Fetuin-Zinc or supercharged zinc fetuin increases the effectiveness of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by three to four times.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells by administering an extract of Melothria indica Lou to the cancer cells. The invention also includes a method of using an extract of Melothria indica Lou to induce apoptosis in cancer cells by administering the extract to the cancer cells. The cancer cells can be leukemia cells and prostate cancer cells. Further included in the invention is a method for purifying the Melothria indica Lou into an extract used for inducing apoptosis in cancer cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides the methods to isolate the proteins specifically induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in prostate cancer cells (LNCAP), leukemia cells (HL-60), and breast cancer cells (MCF-70), but without effect in normal human lung fibroblast cells (CCD 39 Lu). P-1 has no effect on breast cancer cells. Five proteins have been isolated from the conditioned media of culture cells: (1) Apogen P-1: the proteins (Apogen P-1a, Apogen P-1b and Apogen P-1c) isolated from the conditioned medium of XC cells are able to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (LNCAP) without effect in normal human lung fibroblast (CCD 39 Lu), colon cancer (T84), breast cancer (MCF-7) and leukemia (HL-60) cells. (2) Apogen P-2: the protein isolated from the conditioned medium of C3H1OT1/2 cells is able to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (LNCAP) and breast cancer (MCF-7) without effect in normal human lung fibroblast (CCD 39 Lu) and colon cancer (T84) cells.

Abstract: The method to isolate a protein, designated as p10, which strongly inhibits the activity of H-Ras bound to GTP in vitro while in the presence of cAMP, which inactivates the biological function of Ras is provided. Protein p10 also inhibits intrinsic GTPase activity of Ras without affecting GTP binding activity in vitro, which keeps Ras in its active form and activates Ras biologically. The invention activates or inhibits Ras in a cAMP dependent manner leading to the stimulation or inhibition of cell proliferation.

Abstract: The present invention provides the methods to isolate the proteins specifically induced apoptosis (programmed cell death) in prostate cancer cells (LNCAP), leukemia cells (HL-60), and breast cancer cells (MCF-70), but without effect in normal human lung fibroblast cells (CCD 39 Lu). P-1 has no effect on breast cancer cells. Five proteins have been isolated from the conditioned media of culture cells: (1) Apogen P-1: the proteins (Apogen P-1a, Apogen P-1b and Apogen P-1c) isolated from the conditioned medium of XC cells are able to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (LNCAP) without effect in normal human lung fibroblast (CCD 39 Lu), colon cancer (T84), breast cancer (MCF-7) and leukemia (HL-60) cells. (2) Apogen P-2: the protein isolated from the conditioned medium of C3H10T1/2 cells is able to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells (LNCAP) and breast cancer (MCF-7) without effect in normal human lung fibroblast (CCD 39 Lu) and colon cancer (T84) cells.

Abstract: A digital measurement device including a personal computer on which a four port multiplexer is mounted to provide connections to a vernier calliper, an inside calliper, an outside calliper and a height gage. A central processing unit based communication interface card is mounted in the personal computer to be in electrical connection with the multiplexer for serving as a transducer to receive output signals from the vernier calliper, inside calliper, outside calliper and height gage and transmit the signals to the personal computer to have the signals processed in the personal computer.