Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring respiratory activity of a patient. The system includes a first sensor for sensing the acoustics of the patient during breathing and a second sensor for sensing chest wall motion of the patient during breathing. Specific aspects of the patient's breathing can be determined based on the sensor readings. This may include whether the patient is experiencing regular breathing, slow breathing (hypopnea), fast breathing (tachypnea), no breathing (apnea), or obstructed breathing. The methods and devices may further be configured to trigger an alarm in predetermined situations.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for modulating the activity of macrophage and macrophage-like cells, particularly by modulating the peptidase activity of such cells. In certain aspects, methods are provided for enhancing or suppressing the immune function of a host by increasing or decreasing, respectively, expression of a target peptidase in host macrophage and macrophage-like cells. Such methods for enhancing or suppressing the immune function of a host by increasing or inhibiting (suppressing or silencing) expression of a target peptidase in host macrophage and macrophage-like cells find use in methods for treating and/or preventing a number of diseases and conditions, including cancer, viral and/or bacterial infection, Alzheimer's disease, tissue transplant rejection, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: This invention is comprised of a golf club molded in a single piece including grip, shaft and head, preferably in the form of a putter or a wedge or in an alternative embodiment a golf club employing a flexible plastic shaft with a conventional grip and club head. These clubs are molded out of rubber or a flexible plastic material with appropriate physical properties to approximate the appearance and feel of a conventional golf club. However, the characteristics of rubber or rubber like material permit the club to be bent, twisted or deformed by violent contact with the ground or other objects. The material of construction permits a club after such distortion to be returned to its initial shape. These characteristics are designed primarily to permit a frustrated golfer to vent his feelings of frustration or dissatisfaction in a way that is non-destructive of his equipment.