Abstract: An articulating surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft extending distally from the housing, an end effector assembly, and an articulating component interconnecting the shaft and end effector assembly. The articulating component includes a proximal disk connected to the shaft, a distal disk connected to the end effector assembly, an intermediate disk, a first flexible interconnect connecting the proximal and intermediate disks, and a second flexible interconnect connecting the intermediate and distal disks. The first flexible interconnect defines a single plane of bending to enable articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft within a first plane. The second flexible interconnect defines a single plane of bending substantially perpendicular to the single plane of bending of the first flexible interconnect to enable articulation of the end effector assembly relative to the shaft within a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

Abstract: Described are methods of reducing liver Z-AAT protein levels in a human subject with a PiZZ genotype of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) by using pharmaceutical compositions that include AAT RNAi agents. The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein that include AAT RNAi agents, when administered to a human subject with a PiZZ mutation, lead to a reduction in liver Z-AAT protein levels, including both soluble and insoluble Z-AAT protein. Such reductions can lead to the treatment of liver diseases associated with AAT deficiency such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, transaminitis, cholestasis, fibrosis, fulminant hepatic failure, and other liver-related diseases.

Abstract: Described are methods for treating alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) in a human patient in need of treatment, using pharmaceutical compositions that include AAT RNAi agents. The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein that include AAT RNAi agents, when administered to a human patient in need thereof, treat liver diseases associated with AAT deficiency such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, transaminitis, cholestasis, fibrosis, fulminant hepatic failure, and other liver-related diseases.

Abstract: Described are methods for treating diseases and disorders that can be mediated in part by a reduction in APOC3 gene expression in a human subject in need of treatment, using pharmaceutical compositions that include APOC3 RNAi agents. The disclosed pharmaceutical compositions that include APOC3 RNAi agents, when administered to a human subject in need thereof according to the methods disclosed herein, treat diseases and disorders associated with elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, such as familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS), hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, abnormal lipid and/or cholesterol metabolism, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease, hypertriglyceridemia induced pancreatitis, metabolic syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus, chylomicronemia, multifactorial chylomicronemia, or lipodystrophy syndromes including familial partial lipodystrophy.

Abstract: Described are methods for inhibition of Hepatitis B virus gene expression or treating symptoms and/or diseases associated with Hepatitis B virus infection. Dosing regimens for administering these RNAi agents are also described. RNA interference (RNAi) agents for inhibiting the expression of Hepatitis B virus gene are described. The HBV RNAi agents disclosed herein may be targeted to cells, such as hepatocytes, for example, by using conjugated targeting ligands. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more HBV RNAi agents optionally with one or more additional therapeutics are also described. Delivery of the described HBV RNAi agents to infected liver in vivo provides for inhibition of HBV gene expression and treatment of diseases and conditions associated with HBV infection.

Abstract: A hulling apparatus having a main frame, a moveable support frame, a rotatable drum fixed in position relative to the main frame, a housing supported by the moveable support frame and a hulling chamber formed by the placement of the drum inside the housing. A contact element having one or more brush assemblies is attached to the drum such that the bristles project into the hulling chamber to engage walnuts, pecans or other food products and remove the outer hull therefrom. The walls of the housing are formed from one or more screened panels having openings therein to pass the removed hull material and spiral members thereon to help guide the food products through the apparatus. The housing moves up and down to increase or decrease the size of the hulling chamber. The apparatus speeds the process of hulling walnuts and pecans and more effectively utilizes the brush assemblies.

Abstract: A capsule mixing device which comprises a motor suitable for powering a vibrating mixing arm with vibrating device connected to the motor having at one end thereof an arm for holding a capsule in place during mixing, and card actuator suitable for activating and controlling the motor at a predetermined speed for a predetermined length of time whereby materials contained within the capsule are mixed to a predetermined desired state by action of the vibrating device on the arm.

Abstract: A method of forming a two step dental impression which comprises applying a light curable impression material to a portion of the oral cavity of interest to form an initial impression while exposing said impression material to a source of activating light to set said impression material followed by applying a chemically cured impression material over said light cured impression material and allowed said chemically cured impression material to set and bond with said light curable material and removing the resulting composite impression from said oral cavity.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is directed to a method of restoring a tooth with a light cured composite which comprises utilizing a light transparent impression or matrix which constitutes a negative reproduction of the occlusal surface of the tooth. The matrix is made by contacting the tooth surface with a polymeric impression material which when cured is light transparent and flexible. The polymeric impression material is allowed to set and then is stripped away from the tooth surface. A cavity preparation is then made in the tooth surface and treated in the usual manner. A light cured composite is then injected into the cavity preparation. The previously formed matrix is then placed over the light cured composite and pressure applied to the matrix. The composite is then cured by exposure to photopolymerizing light which passes through the transparent matrix. Following light curing, the matrix is stripped away from the tooth surface leaving a restored tooth with the original occlusal anatomy reproduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for covering on a tennis shoe the worn area resulting from dragging the rear foot when hitting the ball and moving into the play, the device comprising a side wall having a curve generally conforming to the side and front of the shoe adjacent the big toe of the wearer and an integral bottom member that extends under the worn part of the sole, the device being fabricated from a tough material more flexible than the shoe whereby in conjunction with the shape of the device it will conform more easily to various different sizes of shoes having the worn area in various locations mainly beneath and forward of the big toe.