Abstract: A specimen retrieving needle is in the form of an elongated body having a closed lead end. At least one cutting blade may be formed on the body. The blade may have a sharpened edge so as to remove a specimen from an internal organ. The needle is ultrathin with an outside diameter of less than 1.0 mm to minimize tissue trauma and to reduce the risk of pain, hemorrhage and organ damage.

Abstract: A specimen retrieving needle is in the form of an elongated body having a closed lead end. At least one cutting blade is formed on the body. The blade has a sharpened edge so as to remove a specimen from an internal organ. The needle is ultrathin to minimize tissue trauma and to reduce the risk of hemorrhage and organ damage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of induction of a cellular stress response and a protected phenotype using heavy metal ions. The invention relates to methods of protecting a mammal against injury caused by a noxious condition by administering to the mammal a heavy metal in sufficient quantity and under appropriate conditions to induce a sufficient cellular stress response to provide protection (partial or complete) against injury caused by a noxious condition. The invention also relates to methods of inducing a cellular stress response in a mammal by administering a heavy metal in sufficient quantity and under appropriate conditions to induce a cellular stress response to protect the mammal against injury caused by a noxious condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods of production of stress proteins using tin or zinc metal ions. The invention relates to methods of protecting a mammal against injury caused by a noxious condition by administering to the mammal tin or zinc metal ions in sufficient quantity and under appropriate conditions to induce production of stress proteins at sufficient levels to provide partial or complete protection against injury caused by a noxious condition which occurs subsequent to stress protein production. The invention also relates to methods of inducing stress protein production in a mammal by administering tin or zinc metal ions in sufficient quantity and under appropriate conditions to induce production of stress proteins to protect the mammal against injury caused by a noxious condition.