Abstract: A game board includes concentric circular areas (outer, middle, and center) each having a respective subset of piece locations. A barrier separates locations in the outer and middle areas and/or in the middle and center areas. Outer and middle area locations and some center area locations are disposed in a ring. Other center area locations are disposed inside the center ring. The barrier has two to four openings for pieces to pass through. A barrier separating the center and middle areas has at most four openings, preferably two aligned on a single diameter. Outer area locations have at least two different visual identifiers. A game includes providing a playing piece set to players, each set having one special piece and different other pieces identical to one another. Each player takes turns to prevent an opponent's special piece from being able to move without elimination of any piece during the game.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of exploiting a novel apolipoprotein-B (apoB) degradation pathway to regulate plasma levels of apoB to treat cardiovascular or metabolic disorders or syndromes, a method of exploiting a novel apolipoprotein-B (apoB) degradation pathway to screen for drugs to treat cardiovascular or metabolic disorders or syndromes, and a method of exploiting a novel apolipoprotein-B (apoB) degradation pathway to screen for genes for diagnosing cardiovascular or metabolic disorders or syndromes.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for treating a subject suffering from a condition associated with an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a zinc sphingomyelinase inhibitor effective to decrease extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the subject and thereby treat the subject.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor includes a first treatment procedure using a conventional cancer treatment technique, and a second treatment procedure which includes administering an effective amount of squalamine. Synergistically effective amounts are preferred. The first treatment procedure may be a treatment with one or more conventional cytotoxic chemical compounds. As examples, the cytotoxic chemical compound may be a nitrosourea (such as BCNU), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel and its derivatives, cisplatin or other platinum containing cancer treating agents. Alternatively, the first treatment may be a treatment with one or more conventional anti-hormonal agents. As examples, the anti-hormonal agents may be a LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) agonist or an anti-androgen such as flutamide, biclutamide, nilutamide, and luprolide. These conventional cancer treatments compounds and the squalamine may be administered by any suitable route.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for treating a subject suffering from a condition associated with an extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity which comprises administering to the subject an amount of a zinc sphingomyelinase inhibitor effective to decrease extracellular zinc sphingomyelinase activity in the subject and thereby treat the subject.

Abstract: An improved method of updating parameters stored in memory of mobile telecommunications stations. An object model represents all the parameters that can be modified in an IS-683A mobile station. The details of the physical location of each parameter are defined in this mobile object model. Advantageously, when any parameter is changed or added, it is necessary to provide the computer system, which generates messages to be transmitted to the mobile station, only the identification and value of the parameter to be added or changed. The computer system then generates a message sequence that defines the memory location in the mobile station to be changed, and the new value of the data for that memory location. Advantageously, this arrangement sharply reduces the total number of airwave messages transmitted to the mobile station in order to change or add a parameter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liposomal composition for treating dislipidemias in human subjects, a method of using a liposomal composition, and devices and modes of operation of the devices and of the compositions, and kits related thereto. The invention provides for the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in a warm blood mammal while controlling plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations, including LDL concentrations. A method described above and mode of operation of the devices includes the step of administering an effective amount of a multiplicity of acceptors comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol. A method described above optionally includes the step of periodically assaying atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to the profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to said profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations.

Abstract: Genes and polypeptides encoded thereby of human chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase are provided. Vectors and host cells comprising these genes and transgenic animals capable of expressing them are also provided. In addition, methods of identifying polymorphic chondroitin 6-sulfotransferase in humans and activators or inhibitors of this enzyme are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition consisting essentially of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol. The composition forces the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo. The invention further provides a method of treating atherosclerosis in a subject comprising the step of administering a liposome composition to the subject. The liposome composition is selected from the group consisting of unilamellar liposomes and multilamellar liposomes and the liposomes have an average diameter of about 50-150 nanometers. LDL levels in said subject do not increase with utilization of the method. The invention also provides a method of controlling cholesterol metabolism in hepatic parenchymal cells in a subject in vivo through cell-cell communication from Kupffer cells to the parenchymal cells. The method includes the step of administering a liposome composition to a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides various methods, systems and compositions for forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations, and other significant components of living biological systems. The method comprises the step of parenterally administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period whereby said liposomes pick-up said cholesterol during said treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during said treatment period to asess said plasma LDL concentrations and obtain an LDL profile, and adjusting said parenteral administration in response to said LDL profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to said profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to said profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor includes a first treatment procedure using a conventional cancer treatment technique, and a second treatment procedure which includes administering an effective amount of squalamine. Synergistically effective amounts are preferred. The first treatment procedure may be a treatment with one or more conventional cytotoxic chemical compounds. As examples, the cytotoxic chemical compound may be a nitrosourea (such as BCNU), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel and its derivatives, cisplatin or other platinum containing cancer treating agents. Alternatively, the first treatment may be a treatment with one or more conventional anti-hormonal agents. As examples, the anti-hormonal agents may be a LHRH (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone) agonist or an anti-androgen such as flutamide, biclutamide, nilutamide, and luprolide. These conventional cancer treatments compounds and the squalamine may be administered by any suitable route.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to said profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to said profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations.

Abstract: A method and an ignition interlock for preventing operation of equipment when an operator's blood-alcohol content is above a threshold value. The interlock has a blood-alcohol detector that measures intensities of wavelengths of light emerging from a finger. A microprocessor correlates these intensities with the finger's blood-alcohol content, determines whether this content is above a threshold level, and prevents the equipment from operating unless the blood-alcohol content is below the threshold. The interlock also has a fingerprint image generator which reflects light of the finger and scans the fingerprint to form a scanned image. The microprocessor compares this scanned image to a prestored image of a principal operator and compares the two images to determine whether the images match. The fingerprint and blood-alcohol analyses occur substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for treating a tumor includes a first treatment procedure using a conventional cancer treatment technique, and a second treatment procedure which includes administering an effective amount of squalamine. The first treatment procedure may be a treatment with one or more conventional cytotoxic chemical compounds. As examples, the cytotoxic chemical compound may be a nitrosourea (such as BCNU), cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel and its derivatives, cisplatin or other platinum containing cancer treating agents. The cytotoxic chemical compound and the squalamine may be administered by any suitable route. The first treatment procedure may take place prior to the second treatment procedure, after the second treatment procedure, or the two treatment procedures may take place simultaneously. In one example, the first treatment procedure (e.g., a one time intravenous dosage of BCNU) is completed before the second treatment procedure with squalamine begins.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved mode of operation of an apparatus for angioplasty or cardiac catheterization, apparatus for angioplasty and cardiac catheterization, and method of angioplasty or cardiac catheterization. The improvement and improved mode of operation includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid acceptor during angioplasty or cardiac catheterization of a subject with the apparatus or component thereof. The lipid acceptor is selected from the group consisting of a large liposome comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol and small acceptors. The effective period of time is in the range of about less than 1 minute to about two years from the time of the angioplasty or cardiac catheterization. The improved angioplasty or cardiac catheterization apparatus includes means for administering a therapeutically effective amount of a lipid acceptor, and optional co-administration means for administering the lipid acceptor and a diagnostic agent.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition, kit, and method of forcing the reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver in vivo while controlling plasma LDL concentrations. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a multiplicity of large liposomes comprised of phospholipids substantially free of sterol for a treatment period. The method optionally includes the step of periodically assaying plasma LDL concentrations with an assay during the treatment period to assess plasma atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations and obtain an atherogenic lipoprotein profile, and adjusting the administration in response to said profile. The large liposomes are dimensioned larger than fenestrations of an endothelial layer lining hepatic sinusoids in the liver so that the liposomes are too large to readily penetrate the fenestrations. The therapeutically effective amounts are in the range of about 10 mg to about 1600 mg phospholipid per kg body weight per dose.