Abstract: A method for preparing a neutral alcoholic malt base is disclosed. The method includes the steps of combining malt extract, which can be derived from malted grains containing gluten, or from those that are gluten-free, fermentable sugar in liquid or solid form, and water to form a fermentable medium having a density of greater than 20° Plato, wherein a ratio of the malt extract to the fermentable sugar in the fermentable medium is from 5:95 to 0.1:99.9; and fermenting the fermentable medium with a yeast that can tolerate an alcohol concentration of at least 10% by volume thereby preparing the neutral alcoholic malt base. A flavored malt beverage can include the neutral alcoholic malt base, water, at least one flavoring, a food grade acid, a sweetening agent, and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for preparing a neutral alcoholic malt base is disclosed. The method includes the steps of combining malt extract, which can be derived from malted grains containing gluten, or from those that are gluten-free, fermentable sugar in liquid or solid form, and water to form a fermentable medium having a density of greater than 20° Plato, wherein a ratio of the malt extract to the fermentable sugar in the fermentable medium is from 5:95 to 0.1:99.9; and fermenting the fermentable medium with a yeast that can tolerate an alcohol concentration of at least 10% by volume thereby preparing the neutral alcoholic malt base. A flavored malt beverage can include the neutral alcoholic malt base, water, at least one flavoring, a food grade acid, a sweetening agent, and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for liquefying the vitreous humor of an eye. The process includes the steps of delivering plasmin into the vitreous of the eye and incubating the vitreous and plasmin together for a period of time. Plasmin may be introduced through injection or a sustained release device. Plasmin may be used to treat a pathological condition of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy, macular hole, macular pucker, intraocular infection, foreign intraocular material and retinal detachment.

Abstract: A method for rapid purification of a blood component from blood is described in which the blood plasma is first separated from the cellular blood elements by any conventional means, such as centrifugation. An affinity cartridge is then activated with a molecule, such as an amino acid, which binds with a blood component such as plasminogen. The separated blood plasma is then passed through the affinity cartridge such that the blood component is retained by the affinity cartridge. Thereafter, the blood component is eluted from the affinity cartridge by passing a buffer solution containing a releasing agent through the affinity cartridge. This releasing agent disengages the blood component from the affinity cartridge. The releasing agent is then separated from the eluted solution by passing the eluted solution through a device, such as an ion exchange, gel filter, or size exclusion device. The isolated plasminogen solution is then concentrated by a factor of from 2 to 10. The separated blood component, e.g.

Abstract: Methods of modifying total MMP activity levels in the vitreous of an eye are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method results in reduced MMP activity and comprises introducing plasmin into the vitreous of the eye. Enzyme assisted vitrectomy procedures are also provided, and comprise introducing plasmin into the vitreous in an amount sufficient to induce posterior detachment of the vitreous, mechanically detaching the vitreous from the eye, introducing a replacement fluid into the eye, and introducing plasmin into the eye in an amount sufficient to decrease the total MMP activity in vitreous. Considering the purported roles of MMPs in a variety of vitreal pathologies, the present invention provides methods of inhibiting the progression of various disease conditions, including prolifertaive diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: A method for rapid purification of a blood component from blood is described in which the blood plasma is first separated from the cellular blood elements by any conventional means, such as centrifugation. An affinity cartridge is then activated with a molecule, such as an amino acid, which binds with a blood component such as plasminogen. The separated blood plasma is then passed through the affinity cartridge such that the blood component is retained by the affinity cartridge. Thereafter, the blood component is eluted from the affinity cartridge by passing a buffer solution containing a releasing agent through the affinity cartridge. This releasing agent disengages the blood component from the affinity cartridge. The releasing agent is then separated from the eluted solution by passing the eluted solution through a device, such as an ion exchange, gel filter, or size exclusion device. The isolated plasminogen solution is then concentrated by a factor of from 2 to 10. The separated blood component, e.g.

Abstract: Methods of modifying total MMP activity levels in the vitreous of an eye are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the method results in reduced MMP activity and comprises introducing plasmin into the vitreous of the eye. Enzyme assisted vitrectomy procedures are also provided, and comprise introducing plasmin into the vitreous in an amount sufficient to induce posterior detachment of the vitreous, mechanically detaching the vitreous from the eye, introducing a replacement fluid into the eye, and introducing plasmin into the eye in an amount sufficient to decrease the total MMP activity in vitreous. Considering the purported roles of MMPs in a variety of vitreal pathologies, the present invention provides methods of inhibiting the progression of various disease conditions, including prolifertaive diabetic retinopathy.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for liquefying the vitreous humor of an eye. The process includes the steps of delivering plasmin into the vitreous of the eye and incubating the vitreous and plasmin together for a period of time. Plasmin may be introduced through injection or a sustained release device. Plasmin may be used to treat a pathological condition of the eye such as diabetic retinopathy, macular hole, macular pucker, intraocular infection, foreign intraocular material and retinal detachment.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for creating a separation of posterior cortical vitreous from the retina of the eye. The method includes the step of introducing plasmin into the vitreous humor of the eye. The plasmin may be introduced either by injection or through a sustained release device. Optionally, other enzymes, polysaccharides, and/or glycoproteins are intermixed with the plasmin.

Abstract: A method for rapid purification of a blood component from blood is described in which the blood plasma is first separated from the cellular blood elements by any conventional means, such as centrifugation. An affinity cartridge is then activated with a molecule, such as an amino acid, which binds with a blood component such as plasminogen. The separated blood plasma is then passed through the affinity cartridge such that the blood component is retained by the affinity cartridge. Thereafter, the blood component is eluted from the affinity cartridge by passing a buffer solution containing a releasing agent through the affinity cartridge. This releasing agent disengages the blood component from the affinity cartridge. The releasing agent is then separated from the eluted solution by passing the eluted solution through a device, such as an ion exchange or size exclusion device. The separated blood component, e.g.

Abstract: A method for rapid purification of a blood component from blood is described in which the blood plasma is first separated from the cellular blood elements by any conventional means, such as centrifugation. An affinity cartridge is then activated with a molecule, such as an amino acid, which binds with a blood component such as plasminogen. The separated blood plasma is then passed through the affinity cartridge such that the blood component is retained by the affinity cartridge. Thereafter, the blood component is eluted from the affinity cartridge by passing a buffer solution containing a releasing agent through the affinity cartridge. This releasing agent disengages the blood component from the affinity cartridge. The releasing agent is then separated from the eluted solution by passing the eluted solution through a device, such as an ion exchange or size exclusion device. The separated blood component, e.g.

Abstract: A work space management system including freestanding walls and a freestanding cabinet integrated into the wall system and separate from the wall system. The cabinet comprises side wall and back wall channels having vertically spaced openings therein and a connector means to mount the cabinet to a vertical frame member of the freestanding walls or to another cabinet through the indented channel openings. The cabinet further comprises rear frame members having vertically spaced openings for hanging shelving or other articles. The cabinet is also adaptable for having horizontal work accessory support rails. The sides of the cabinet are mounted onto a rigid framework. Wire management capability is provided in the cabinet to interface with wire management in the freestanding walls.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for selectively altering the functional characteristics of a data processing system without physical or mechanical manipulation. A data processing system is first manufactured having a predetermined set of functional characteristics. A multibit alterable code which includes a functional characteristic definition is then initially loaded into physically secure, nonvolatile memory within the data processing system, utilizing an existing bus, or a fusible link which may be opened after loading is complete. The functional characteristic definition is loaded from nonvolatile memory into a nonscannable register within a secure portion of a control logic circuit each time power is applied to the data processing system and the definition is then utilized to enable only selected functional characteristics.

Abstract: Electrical characteristics of the inputs to VLSI semiconductor chips can be modified after the chips are fabricated and mounted into multichip modules (packages), at which time the required characteristics are known accurately. The changes are accomplished by incorporating special circuitry at the chip inputs during their design combined with the use of `boundary-scan` type circuitry that has recently been put in place for device testing. The circuitry allows the impedance characteristics of the chip's receiver to be modified to match that of the driving source and the wiring interconnections between the chip and source. The test circuitry is used to provide the logical signals to selectively switch the circuits to the proper configuration. This enables optimally designed interconnections between the input and output circuitry on the chips and thereby avoids the necessity for costly re-designs.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical cart for retaining a plurality of dispensing bins on shelves is provided with cooperating horizontal and vertical locking bars to provide easy access to each of the individual bins and a simplified locking mechanism which prevents bins from being removed when in a locked position. The cart is equipped with a plurality of cassettes, each having a pair of spaced-apart parallel shelves, and a plurality of dispensing bins disposed side-by-side on the shelves and slidably removable from the front of the cart. The horizontally extending locking bar, which has an elongated cross section, extends frontally to the lower part of bins on the upper shelf and the upper part of bins on the lower shelf. The locking bar is pivotally attached to the walls of the cassette and may be rotated to a horizontal position for removal of individual ones of the bins.

Abstract: A method for performing a vitrectomy on an eye is disclosed for removing the vitreous humor from the eye. The method comprises the first step of introducing plasmin into the vitreous humor in order to induce a posterior vitreous detachment. Thereafter, the vitreous is removed by conventional methods and replaced with a sterile saline solution.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical cart for retaining a plurality of dispensing bins on shelves is provided with cooperating horizontal and vertical locking bars to provide easy access to each of the individual bins and a simplified locking mechanism which prevents bins from being removed when in a locked position. The cart is equipped with a plurality of cassettes, each having a pair of spaced-apart parallel shelves, and a plurality of dispensing bins disposed side-by-side on the shelves and slidably removable from the front of the cart. The horizontally extending locking bar, which has an elongated cross section, extends frontally to the lower part of bins on the upper shelf and the upper part of bins on the lower shelf. The locking bar is pivotally attached to the walls of the cassette and may be rotated to a horizontal position for removal of individual ones of the bins.

Abstract: A work space management system including free-standing walls and a freestanding cabinet integrated into the wall system and separate from the wall system. The cabinet comprises side wall and back wall channels having vertically spaced openings therein and a connector means to mount the cabinet to a vertical frame member of the freestanding walls or to another cabinet through the indented channel openings. The cabinet further comprises rear frame members having vertically spaced openings for hanging shelving or other articles. The cabinet is also adaptable for having horizontal work accessory support rails. The sides of the cabinet are mounted onto a rigid framework. Wire management capability is provided in the cabinet to interface with wire management in the freestanding walls.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical cart for retaining a plurality of dispensing bins on shelves is provided with cooperating horizontal and vertical locking bars to provide easy access to each of the individual bins and a simplified locking mechanism which prevents bins from being removed when in a locked position. The cart is equipped with a plurality of cassettes, each having a pair of spaced-apart parallel shelves, and a plurality of dispensing bins disposed side-by-side on the shelves and slidably removable from the front of the cart. The horizontally extending locking bar, which has an elongated cross section, extends frontally to the lower part of bins on the upper shelf and the upper part of bins on the lower shelf. The locking bar is pivotally attached to the walls of the cassette and may be rotated to a horizontal position for removal of individual ones of the bins.