Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for obtaining and purifying regulatory T cells from thymic tissue (or thyTreg cells), which makes it possible to obtain more than 10 billion cells from a single thymus. These thyTregs obtained in the invention have a purity of more than 95% and very high suppressive capacity, survival and viability, in addition to being safe from a clinical viewpoint. The foregoing would not require the use of massive ex vivo cell expansion protocols. The transfer of these thyTreg cells to patients enables immune tolerance induction. Thus, said cells may be used as cell therapy to induce immune tolerance in the treatment and/or prevention of transplant rejections and in autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A protective face guard apparatus includes a transparent shield, head strap and temperature measuring mechanism. The shield has top, side and bottom edges, and the head strap is connected with the shield. Preferably, the shield has an arcuate configuration. The temperature measuring mechanism includes a temperature indicator that is connected with the shield or head strap such that when the face guard is worn on the head of an individual and the temperature measuring mechanism measures a temperature of the individual, the indicator displays an indication of the temperature. Preferably, the head strap includes a flexible portion having a generally semicircular or circular configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides an in vitro method for obtaining and purifying regulatory T cells from thymic tissue (or thyTreg cells), which makes it possible to obtain more than 10 billion cells from a single thymus. These thyTregs obtained in the invention have a purity of more than 95% and very high suppressive capacity, survival and viability, in addition to being safe from a clinical viewpoint. The foregoing would not require the use of massive ex vivo cell expansion protocols. The transfer of these thyTreg cells to patients enables immune tolerance induction. Thus, said cells may be used as cell therapy to induce immune tolerance in the treatment and/or prevention of transplant rejections and in autoimmune diseases.

Abstract: A method and system for the decontamination of poultry houses between flocks where the building is evacuated of all animals and people, and the poultry house, in particular the bedding, is saturated with high levels of ozone, preferably using a portable and transportable ozone supply and delivery system. A tarp may be used over top of the bedding and the ozone delivered beneath the tarp to concentrate the ozone to the bedding. The system may also be used to decontaminate water lines in the poultry house.

Abstract: A gun sight base which is designed to allow the user to quickly adjust the elevation of the attached gun sight as a means to affect the trajectory of a projectile discharged from the host firearm. Provided is a removable, pre-calibrated adjustment cam which is in operational contact with the attached gun sight. A distance indicator is visible to the user to allow for rapid elevation adjustments without the need for tools.

Abstract: A gun sight base which is designed to allow the user to quickly adjust the elevation of the attached gun sight as a means to affect the trajectory of a projectile discharged from the host firearm. Provided is a removable, pre-calibrated adjustment cam which is in operational contact with the attached gun sight. A distance indicator is visible to the user to allow for rapid elevation adjustments without the need for tools.

Abstract: A gun sight base which is designed to allow the user to quickly adjust the elevation of the attached gun sight as a means to affect the trajectory of a projectile discharged from the host firearm. Provided is a removable, pre-calibrated adjustment cam which is in operational contact with the attached gun sight. A distance indicator is visible to the user to allow for rapid elevation adjustments without the need for tools.

Abstract: A self adjusting throw lever and rail clamp system for use with sighting equipment where there is a need to efficiently remove or interchange sighting equipment on a host mounting surface. The throw lever self adjusts to compensate for variations in the host mounting surface, such as an angular rail, and utilizes a buffer to prevent the surface of the mounting surface from becoming marred. No tool is required to adjust the throw lever releasable mounting system as the system has an internal means to self adjust to fit the mounting surface. Once the throw lever is secured in the closed position, tension placed by a thru shaft on the housing of the throw lever prevents free movement of the throw lever.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the detection and treatment of melanoma and skin cancers. More particularly, the invention discloses that BCSC-1 expression is altered in melanoma and skin cancer cells, allowing the design of effective detection methods and kits for such conditions. The invention also shows that restoring or increasing expression of BCSC-1 in melanoma and skin cancer cells suppresses tumorigenicity and represents a novel and effective approach for the treatment of melanoma and skin cancers. The invention may be used to detect the presence, stage or type of melanoma and skin cancers, as well as any predisposition thereto. The invention may be used in any mammalian subject, particularly human subjects.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly lifts the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure. The injection assembly is sprayed with a sanitizing solution at the same time that the injected eggs are moved from the injection section to the transfer section.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure deposited thereon, and a closed bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor, which includes a liquid and vapor barrier covering the ground surface. Blowers in an attic plenum can discharge warm air through hanging pleated conduit tubes into the floor plenum to provide heat through the ventilated floor. A plurality of indirect evaporative coolers and associated air blowers in the facility walls force outside air, cooled or uncooled, into the growth facility, and create higher pressure in the growth facility than the pressure in the floor plenum. Vacuum blowers associated with the floor plenum cause the flow of air and air-borne contaminates through the floor and exhaust same from the plenum to outside the facility which dries manure on the floor and reduces ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for improving the hatchability of avian eggs which are vaccinated or otherwise injected in-ovo, especially in automated egg injection machines. The method injects the avian eggs during a specific period of time of between about 19 days post-fertilization to about 19 days, 8 hours, post-fertilization, and preferably between about 19 days, 4 hours, and about 19 days, 12 hours, post-fertilization. This specific time frame from in-ovo injection has been found to provide a significant increase in hatchability of eggs when compared with eggs injected at 18 days post-fertilization or after 19 days, 8 hours, post-fertilization.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for injecting eggs of varying sizes and different orientations in an incubating tray that includes a substantially horizontal support plate with vertical openings therethrough, and vertical injectors resting in the openings and able to slide therein with respect to the plate such that the injectors can move vertically in the openings while remaining engaged with the support plate so as to maintain their vertical orientation throughout an injection sequence. For each opening, an expandable ring is positioned in the plate and pneumatically expanded to tighten around its respective injector after the injector has adjusted vertically in its respective opening to the height of an associated egg in order to maintain the injectors in their vertical orientation for injection of their associated eggs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method to reduce or eliminate bacteria and fungus on surfaces, equipment or vehicles in poultry processing facilities without the use of antibiotics or antiseptics. The invention provides a cycling system and method which utilize ultraviolet light of a preferred wavelength (UV-C) to reduce or eliminate bacteria and fungus on surfaces, equipment or vehicles in poultry processing facilities and which can be used in poultry processing facilities without harm to the poultry or workers.

Abstract: A pneumatically operated egg injection machine includes a sealed frame structure with a pair of in line parallel tracks through an injection section and a transfer section in series. An injection assembly over one parallel track includes a plurality of injectors gripped in a support plate to simultaneously inject vaccine into the same injection region irrespective of egg height and orientation. Fluid delivery systems meter prescribed vaccine dosages to the injecting needles with reduced turbulence, friction, heat and residence time to increase the delivered titer to the injected eggs. A transfer assembly includes a plurality of transfer suction cups which lift the injected eggs by causing a reduced pressure in a ring around the injection hole while maintaining the injection hole at atmospheric pressure, thus avoiding negative pressure in the egg. Once the eggs are lifted, the plate and suction cups move horizontally across the machine over to the other parallel track to deposit the injected eggs.