Abstract: A clamping sling attachment is configured for use on a carbine or rifle such as the M4 having it's a butt stock mounted on a cylindrical proximally projecting buffer tube, where a distal end of the buffer tube is threaded into the rear of the rifle's receiver. The sling attachment is releasably mountable on the buffer tube as an openable spring-clamp like loop which can be opened enough to go around the buffer tube's cylindrical outer wall. The sling attachment also has a laterally or transversely projecting sling mount defining a substantially vertical, transverse sling-hook receiving through-bore on one side to which the lower end of a weapon sling is releasably attachable. The buffer tube's central axis is the same as the sling attachment loop's central axis and is substantially perpendicular to the sling attachment's transverse sling-hook receiving through-bore.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for readily propagating somatic hair follicle stem cells or melanocyte stem cells. The methods comprise enhancing guanine nucleotide (GNP) biosynthesis, thereby expanding guanine nucleotide pools. This in turn conditionally suppresses asymmetric cell kinetics in the explanted cells. The methods of the invention include pharmacological methods and genetic methods. For example, the resulting cultured somatic hair follicle stem cells can be used for a variety of applications including cell replacement therapies such as hair transplants, gene therapies, and tissue engineering applications, such as the generation of artificial skin and skin regeneration strategies including skin grafts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for readily propagating somatic hair follicle stem cells or melanocyte stem cells. The methods comprise enhancing guanine nucleotide (GNP) biosynthesis, thereby expanding guanine nucleotide pools. This in turn conditionally suppresses asymmetric cell kinetics in the explanted cells. The methods of the invention include pharmacological methods and genetic methods. For example, the resulting cultured somatic hair follicle stem cells can be used for a variety of applications including cell replacement therapies such as hair transplants, gene therapies, and tissue engineering applications, such as the generation of artificial skin and skin regeneration strategies including skin grafts.