Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic compositions for inducing an immune response to HIV comprising combinations of two, three, or four plasmids, where each plasmid is expressing a defined antigen, which may be a single antigen or a fusion of two or three antigens.

Abstract: An aircraft medical emergency treatment system includes an elongate frame that defines a seating arrangement having a seating area shaped to support multiple seated users or a prone user. The seating arrangement includes one or more drawers that movably cooperate with the frame to expose medical accessories such as one or more medical gas cylinders, a gas pump, a power source, a heater, etc. The system includes a container and a stretcher that each removably cooperates with the frame and is stowable in other areas of an aircraft remote from the seating arrangement. The container and stretcher may be shaped to be received between a pair of arms disposed at opposite ends of the seating arrangement and constructed such that the stretcher can be supported by the container when the container is supported by the seating area of the seating arrangement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of inhibiting angiogenesis using chlorotoxin agents. In some embodiments, the inventive methods include intravenous, intraocular, intravitreal, subjunctival injection, and/or topical administration of a chlorotoxin agent that may or may not be labeled. In some embodiments, the inventive methods allow treatment and/or amelioration of ocular diseases characterized by neovascularization, such as wet macular degeneration. In some embodiments, neovascularization is inhibited and/or newly formed vessels are caused to regress.

Abstract: A method of inducing an antigen-specific immune response in a mammalian subject includes the steps of administering to the subject an effective amount of a first composition comprising a DNA plasmid comprising a DNA sequence encoding an antigen under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof in a mammalian or vertebrate cell. The method also includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a second composition comprising a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the antigen under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof in the mammalian or vertebrate cell. The rVSV is in one embodiment replication competent. Kits for use in immunizations and therapeutic treatments of disease include the components and instructions for practice of this method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an osteotomy in bone. The osteotomy opening is formed in a bone with a keyhole. A similarly configured implant is inserted into the opening with a key configured to engage the keyhole to provide stability and support to the osteotomy opening.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and methods for the treatment, inhibition and/or reduction, and detection of metastatic tumors. In some embodiments, the inventive methods include systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration of a chlorotoxin agent that may or may not be labeled. In some embodiments, the inventive methods allow treatment, inhibition and/or reduction, and detection of metastases in the brain. In some embodiments, neovascularization is inhibited and/or newly formed vessels are caused to regress.

Abstract: Methods are described for preventing or reducing edema related to ischemia-reperfusion by treating the organ or tissue being transplanted with an aminoalkyl glucosaminide phosphate.

Abstract: The invention relates to immunogenic compositions for inducing an immune response to HIV comprising combinations of two, three, or four plasmids, where each plasmid is expressing a defined antigen, which may be a single antigen or a fusion of two or three antigens.

Abstract: A support arrangement for use in supporting a bone during a surgical operation. The arrangement includes one or more supports located by a guide means, each support including means to fit around and support said bone during said operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a toxin moiety (e.g., a chlorotoxin moiety) as a carrier for therapeutic agents, e.g., therapeutic agents that require intracellular uptake to exert their effects. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention provides conjugates comprising a toxin (e.g., a chlorotoxin) moiety and an anti-cancer moiety and methods for using such conjugates to increase cellular uptake and/or increase specificity for cancer cells of the anti-cancer drug. In some embodiments, the present invention provides conjugates comprising a toxin moiety (e.g., a chlorotoxin moiety) and a nucleic acid agent. Also provided are methods of treatment involving administration of such conjugates, and pharmaceutical compositions and kits useful for carrying out such methods of treatment.

Abstract: Methods are described for preventing or reducing cytoskeletal rearrangement and intercellular gap formation by contacting cells with an aminoalkyl glucosaminide phosphate. In particular, the disclosed methods can be used to prevent or reduce actin cytoskeletal rearrangement and/or intracellular gap formation related to ischemic or ischemia-reperfusion events and to prevent or alleviate diseases or conditions related to increased actin cytoskeletal rearrangement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel methods of inhibiting angiogenesis using chlorotoxin agents. In some embodiments, the inventive methods include intravenous, intraocular, intravitreal, subjunctival injection, and/or topical administration of a chlorotoxin agent that may or may not be labeled. In some embodiments, the inventive methods allow treatment and/or amelioration of ocular diseases characterized by neovascularization, such as wet macular degeneration. In some embodiments, neovascularization is inhibited and/or newly formed vessels are caused to regress.

Abstract: A retaining device (1) is disclosed. The retaining device is for selectively attaching an electronic toll transponder to a motorcycle, and it includes retaining means (2) for retaining the transponder, and a magnet (3) coupled to the retaining means for magnetically engaging with a portion of the motorcycle for selectively attaching the retaining device thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and methods for the treatment, inhibition and/or reduction, and detection of metastatic tumors. In some embodiments, the inventive methods include systemic (e.g., intravenous) administration of a chlorotoxin agent that may or may not be labeled. In some embodiments, the inventive methods allow treatment, inhibition and/or reduction, and detection of metastases in the brain. In some embodiments, neovascularization is inhibited and/or newly formed vessels are caused to regress.

Abstract: A device for accessing and distending a joint comprises a distraction structure having a generally tapered distal portion adapted to penetrate a tissue region and create an access space within a joint. The distraction structure also includes a lumen extending from a proximal surface to a distal portion. The device further includes a distention structure deployable through the lumen and adapted to exert a force between a first joint surface and a second joint surface and create a working space. The distention structure may, in some embodiments, include an elongate member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending along at least a portion of the length of the elongate member, a first expandable region deployable from a first substantially collapsed position to a second substantially expanded position, the first expandable region adapted to exert a force between the first joint surface from the second joint surface.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for reinforcing a femoral neck bone comprises a support structure deployable from a first substantially collapsed position to a second substantially expanded position within a cancellous bone area of the femoral neck. The support structure compresses at least a portion of the cancellous bone upon expansion. A cavity created by the expansion is adapted to receive a filler material such as, but not limited to, bone cement. Upon final positioning and curing, the support structure and any filler material is adapted to interact with the healthy cortical bone and/or compressed cancellous bone and receive at least a portion of a load placed on the femoral neck bone.

Abstract: A gauge for use in a surgical procedure, including a body with a plumb bob mounted to the body. The plumb bob hangs from the body under the influence of a local gravitational field. More particularly, the plumb bob is rotatable relative to the body in both a first plane and a second plane, said planes being orthongonal to each other. In use, a connector allows the gauge to be connected to various surgical implements. The position of the indicator needle on the plumb bob is noted with reference to two sets of markings on the body to allow a surgeon to determine a first angle in a first plane and a second angle in a second plane. In one exemplary application of the invention, the first and second angles are anatomical angles associated with the surgical insertion of prosthetic components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soil-less sand based root zone medium for the production of sod. The present invention is also directed to a method for the production of sod using a soil-less sand based root zone medium and a sod mat produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a DNA plasmid comprising: (a) a first transcriptional unit comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a first polypeptide operably linked to regulatory elements including a first promoter and a first polyadenylation signal; (b) a second transcriptional unit comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a second polypeptide operably linked to regulatory elements including a second promoter and a second polyadenylation signal; (c) a third transcriptional unit comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a third polypeptide operably linked to regulatory elements including a third promoter and a third polyadenylation signal; and wherein said first, said second and said third promoters are each derived from different transcriptional units; and wherein said first, said second and said third polyadenylation signals are each derived from different transcriptional units.

Abstract: A method of inducing an antigen-specific immune response in a mammalian subject includes the steps of administering to the subject an effective amount of a first composition comprising a DNA plasmid comprising a DNA sequence encoding an antigen under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof in a mammalian or vertebrate cell. The method also includes administering to the subject an effective amount of a second composition comprising a recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the antigen under the control of regulatory sequences directing expression thereof in the mammalian or vertebrate cell. The rVSV is in one embodiment replication competent. Kits for use in immunizations and therapeutic treatments of disease include the components and instructions for practice of this method.