Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, nanoparticle compositions including a plurality of nanoparticles, each of which is comprised of a biodegradable or biocompatible polymer arranged in a nanoparticle structure defining an internal lumen and an external surface and one or more of a preparation of hydrophilic cellular components and a preparation of hydrophobic cellular components. In some embodiments, the preparation of hydrophilic cellular components is encapsulated within the internal lumen and the preparation of hydrophobic cellular components is associated with the external surface. Various methods of making and using disclosed nanoparticle compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, nanoparticle compositions including a plurality of nanoparticles, each of which is comprised of a biodegradable or biocompatible polymer arranged in a nanoparticle structure defining an internal lumen and an external surface and one or more of a preparation of hydrophilic cellular components and a preparation of hydrophobic cellular components. In some embodiments, the preparation of hydrophilic cellular components is encapsulated within the internal lumen and the preparation of hydrophobic cellular components is associated with the external surface. Various methods of making and using disclosed nanoparticle compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, methods of treatment of donor and/or host subjects prior to, during, and/or after transplantation of donor tissue into the host subject with nanoparticle compositions encapsulating tissue components to usefully manage immune responses associated with transplantation. In some embodiments, methods include administering to a recipient organism who has received or will receive a transplant of one or more heterologous tissue components from a donor organism a composition including encapsulated donor organism tissue components. In some embodiments, methods include administering to a donor organism from which one or more donor tissue components are to be transplanted into a recipient organism a composition including one or more encapsulated recipient tissue components.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, nanoparticle compositions including a plurality of nanoparticles, each of which is comprised of a biodegradable or biocompatible polymer arranged in a nanoparticle structure defining an internal lumen and an external surface and one or more of a preparation of hydrophilic cellular components and a preparation of hydrophobic cellular components. In some embodiments, the preparation of hydrophilic cellular components is encapsulated within the internal lumen and the preparation of hydrophobic cellular components is associated with the external surface. Various methods of making and using disclosed nanoparticle compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf club design and method of designing a golf club or a plurality of golf clubs encompassing irons, woods and putters for a golfer. The golf club includes a shaft joined to a club head with a hosel. The club head has a sole and a club face adapted to strike a golf ball. A lie, a design loft, a length and an offset for the club are typical design parameters of the club. When the club is oriented at its design loft, a lean angle, defined as the angle between (i) a projection of the centerline of the shaft onto a vertical plane, the plane being along an intended line of play and (ii) a vertical line in such vertical plane, is tailored based upon the design loft, at least one of the lie, length and offset of the club and at least one swing characteristic of the golfer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating or preventing allergic reactions, particularly anaphylactic reactions. Methods of the present invention involve administering microorganisms to allergic subjects, where the microorganisms contain a recombinant version of the protein allergen. The recombinant version can be wild-type or may include mutations within IgE epitopes of the protein allergen. Preferably the compositions are administered rectally. Particularly preferred microorganisms are bacteria such as E. coli. Any allergen may be used in the inventive methods. Particularly preferred allergens are anaphylactic allergens including protein allergens found in foods, venoms, drugs and latex. The inventive compositions and methods are demonstrated in the treatment of peanut-induced anaphylaxis.

Abstract: A method and device for marking golf balls that allows for the placement of a putting directional indicator (PDI) along the dynamic axis of a ball. While golfers could use the device to mark individual balls after they have been purchased (i.e. after they already have marks on them from the manufacturer), in preferred embodiments, the PDI is applied at the manufacturing stage and/or before the ball has other markings placed upon it. While the PDI could simply consist of one or more lines, in a preferred embodiment, the putting directional indicator may serve as an identifying mark for a manufacturer, distributor or consumer and may be designed to incorporate letters, words, symbols, short sentences, names, initials, numbers, images and photographs.

Abstract: A method and device for marking golf balls that allows for the placement of a putting directional indicator (PDI) along the dynamic axis of a ball. While golfers could use the device to mark individual balls after they have been purchased (i.e. after they already have marks on them from the manufacturer), in preferred embodiments, the PDI is applied at the manufacturing stage and/or before the ball has other markings placed upon it. While the PDI could simply consist of one or more lines, in a preferred embodiment, the putting directional indicator may serve as an identifying mark for a manufacturer, distributor or consumer and may be designed to incorporate letters, words, symbols, short sentences, names, initials, numbers, images and photographs.

Abstract: A method and device for marking golf balls that allows for the placement of a putting directional indicator (PDI) along the dynamic axis of a ball. While golfers could use the device to mark individual balls after they have been purchased (i.e. after they already have marks on them from the manufacturer), in preferred embodiments, the PDI is applied at the manufacturing stage and/or before the ball has other markings placed upon it. While the PDI could simply consist of one or more lines, in a preferred embodiment, the putting directional indicator may serve as an identifying mark for a manufacturer, distributor or consumer and may be designed to incorporate letters, words, symbols, short sentences, names, initials, numbers, images and photographs.

Abstract: A block putter, usable with either a conventional or sidesaddle putting stance for a right-handed or left-handed golfer, having a head width in the range of about one half to about twice the width of a golf ball. The increased width and potentially increased weight of the putter head improve its performance both on the green and when hitting from the fringe, the fairway, or the rough, or out of the sand. The golfer may use the toe of the putter, rather than one of the faces, to strike the ball, for increased accuracy, especially on short putts. Alternatively, the golfer may putt in a sidesaddle stance with the traditional putter face using a putter having an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is of such a length as to allow for the end of the shaft to rest on the golfer's shoulder and help stabilize the putt.

Abstract: The holy grail of golf is to create a set of clubs that facilitate a consistent swing one where the golfer's tempo and/or ball striking accuracy remain relatively constant between clubs. The human body is such that tempo changes as shaft length and club head weight are varied. By measuring tempo at various length and weight combinations and forming a range of length/weight combinations that produce a consistent swing, it is possible to construct a set of golf clubs that meets target distances while maintaining tempo and accuracy.

Abstract: Compositions are administered to block IgE binding to receptors and ultimately displace native IgE from mast cells and related cell types, to prevent the activation of these cells during an allergic response. The compositions consist of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for systemic or local administration and an amount of compound binding specifically to the Fc&egr;RI IgE binding sites, and more preferably, Fc&egr;RI and Fc&egr;RII IgE binding sites, to prevent activation and degranulation of mast cells in response to exposure to allergens. The compounds can consist of IgE molecules and fragments and modifications thereof, such as IgE fragments, humanized or single chain IgE antibodies or fragments thereof, IgE with a modified Fab, non-crosslinkable IgE, or peptidomimetics which bind to the same site on the receptor as the IgE, jointly referred to herein as “IgE fragments” unless otherwise stated.

Abstract: A block putter, usable with either a conventional or sidesaddle putting stance for a right-handed or left-handed golfer, having a head width in the range of about one half to about twice the width of a golf ball. The increased width and potentially increased weight of the putter head improve its performance both on the green and when hitting from the fringe, the fairway, or the rough, or out of the sand. The golfer may use the toe of the putter, rather than one of the faces, to strike the ball, for increased accuracy, especially on short putts.

Abstract: A block putter, usable with either a conventional or sidesaddle putting stance for a right-handed or left-handed golfer, having a head width in the range of about one half to about twice the width of a golf ball. The increased width and potentially increased weight of the putter head improve its performance both on the green and when hitting from the fringe, the fairway, or the rough, or out of the sand. The golfer may use the toe of the putter, rather than one of the faces, to strike the ball, for increased accuracy, especially on short putts. Alternatively, the golfer may putt in a sidesaddle stance with the traditional putter face using a putter having an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is of such a length as to allow for the end of the shaft to rest on the golfer's shoulder and help stabilize the putt.

Abstract: IgE binding epitopes on allergens which induce allergic symptoms following surface contact, such as those associated with latex rubber and cat allergies, among others, can be blocked. Molecules which bind to these epitopes can be identified and synthesized and then formulated to coat or blend with the allergenic surface to prevent patient IgE from gaining access to the allergenic epitopes. In one embodiment, the molecules are antibodies or antibody fragments which selectively bind to the epitopes that elicit the allergic response. In another embodiment, the masking reagents are peptides which mimic antibody fragments and bind to the relevant epitopes on the allergens. In a third embodiment, the cDNAs encoding Fab fragments which bind to the relevant antigens are isolated and the Fab proteins encoded by these cDNAs are prepared.

Abstract: Compositions are administered to block IgE binding to receptors and ultimately displace native IgE from mast cells and related cell types, to prevent the activation of these cells during an allergic response. The compositions consist of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for systemic or local administration and an amount of compound binding specifically to the Fc&egr;RI IgE binding sites, and more preferably, Fc&egr;RI and Fc&egr;RII IgE binding sites, to prevent activation and degranulation of mast cells in response to exposure to allergens. The compounds can consist of IgE molecules and fragments and modifications thereof, such as IgE fragments, humanized or single chain IgE antibodies or fragments thereof, IgE with a modified Fab, non-crosslinkable IgE, or peptidomimetics which bind to the same site on the receptor as the IgE, jointly referred to herein as “IgE fragments” unless otherwise stated.