Abstract: A process and system for indirect seawater, and other contaminated waters, electrolysis are provided. The system includes a pressure retarded osmosis unit including a semipermeable membrane, and a high pressure electrolyzer unit including an anode and a cathode, with an osmotic agent solution being circulated at high pressure between the draw side of the pressure retarded osmosis unit and the electrolyzer unit. The osmotic agent solution is diluted in the PRO unit as molecular water is drawn into it from the feed solution side through the semipermeable PRO membrane, and it is concentrated in the electrolyzer unit as molecular water is removed by electrolysis. The PRO process supplies the electrolyzer with the required molecular water for electrolysis and maintains a high pressure of the electrolyzer feed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using PRG4 glycoprotein, also known as lubricin, to reduce, inhibit, or down-regulate pro-inflammatory pathways in patients at risk of or suffering from an inflammatory response or allergy symptom through CD44 antagonization, regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibiting NF-?B translocation and/or facilitating removal of inflammation-inducing cellular or matrix debris or allergens.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating gout in a subject and methods of reducing joint pain in a subject with gout or pseudogout, comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising PRG4 or a biologically active fragment thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using PRG4 glycoprotein, also known as lubricin, to reduce, inhibit, or down-regulate pro-inflammatory pathways in patients at risk of or suffering from an inflammatory response or allergy symptom through CD44 antagonization, regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibiting NF-?B translocation and/or facilitating removal of inflammation-inducing cellular or matrix debris or allergens.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using PRG4 glycoprotein, also known as lubricin, to reduce, inhibit, or down-regulate pro-inflammatory pathways in patients at risk of or suffering from an inflammatory response or allergy symptom through CD44 antagonization, regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibiting NF-?B translocation and/or facilitating removal of inflammation-inducing cellular or matrix debris or allergens.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of treating gout in a subject and methods of reducing joint pain in a subject with gout or pseudogout, comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising PRG4 or a biologically active fragment thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using PRG4 glycoprotein, also known as lubricin, to reduce, inhibit, or down-regulate pro-inflammatory pathways in patients at risk of or suffering from an inflammatory response or allergy symptom through CD44 antagonization, regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production, inhibiting NF-?B translocation and/or facilitating removal of inflammation-inducing cellular or matrix debris or allergens.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for preserving, prolonging, or augmenting joint lubrication by contacting a tissue of a joint such as a knee, elbow, or other articulating joint, with a tribonectin and an inhibitor of a proinflammatory mediator.

Abstract: The invention features pharmaceutical compositions that include lubricin, a compound that inhibits an enzyme selected from the group consisting of neutrophil elastase, cathepsin B, cathepsin K, cathepsin L, cathepsin S, papain, trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin, pepsin, bromelain, ficin, Protease A, Protease B, Protease D, granzyme A, granzyme B, granzyme K, pepsin, thermolysin, pronase, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, and pancreatin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Another aspect of the invention features methods of lubricating a joint in a mammal by contacting the joint with a pharmaceutical composition of the invention. The invention also features methods of inhibiting adhesion formation between a first surface and a second surface in a mammal (e.g., between injured tissues or between injured tissue and an artificial device).

Abstract: An improved retractor comprising one or more cheek positioning members and one or more lip positioning members has been developed. This retractor makes it possible to conduct X-ray CT or similar scans of the jaw and to construct anatomically accurate models of bone, teeth and gingival tissue. What is provided is an improved retractor useful when conducting CT scans of the jaw of an individual requiring a dental implant and models to be constructed that are anatomically accurate with respect to bone, teeth and gingival (soft) tissue. Drill guides, and prostheses are constructed with the jaw models.