Abstract: Provided herein are methods of delivering therapeutic agents, such as synthetic circular DNA vectors, to target airway cells (e.g., airway epithelial cells). Such methods can be useful in treating respiratory diseases or disorders, such as cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: An aerosol preparation assembly includes an entrainment chamber defining an entrainment volume. The entrainment chamber includes a gas inlet port, an aerosol inlet port and an outlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that a velocity of a flow of a gas within the entrainment volume is less than a velocity of the flow of the gas within the gas inlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that at least a portion of inlet aerosol is entrained into the flow of the gas within the entrainment volume to produce an entrained aerosol flow at the outlet port. The particle selection chamber is configured to receive the entrained aerosol flow and produce an outlet aerosol flow. The particle selection chamber and nozzle are collectively configured such that a volumetric median diameter of the outlet aerosol flow is less than a volumetric median diameter of the inlet aerosol.

Abstract: A cable reel that has at least one support frame having an outwardly extending braking gear member, the outwardly extending gear member being located off-center on the frame; a first flange having a central opening and a first hub portion surrounding the central opening, the central opening having an internal braking gear member engaging the outwardly extending gear member of the frame, thereby rotatably coupling the at least one support frame and the first flange; and a second flange opposing the first flange, the second flange having a second hub portion, the first and second hub portions being configured to mate with one another to support cable, wherein the engagement of the gear members providing a friction for cable payoff.

Abstract: A method of installing cable on a cable reel that has the steps of providing a cable reel that includes first and second opposing flanges, the first flange having a first hub portion and the second flange having a second hub portion, the first hub portion being longer than the second hub portion, the first hub portion having a plurality of flexible segments; placing a cable coil over the first hub portion and on the first flange so that the first hub portion extends through the cable coil; and inserting the second hub portion inside of the first hub portion, thereby expanding the flexible segments so that flexible segments engage the cable coil.

Abstract: A cable reel that has first and second opposing flanges. The first flange has a first hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portion. The first and second hub portions are axial aligned and configured to mate with one another to support cable. The first hub portion includes an elongated wall extends from the first flange. The elongated wall is sized to support cable. The elongated wall defines an inner area that is configured to accept the second hub portion. The elongated wall includes a plurality of flexible segments. The second hub portion includes a truncated wall that is receivable in the inner area of the first hub portion. The truncated wall includes a tapered outer surface for engaging and expanding the plurality of flexible segments.

Abstract: A method of installing cable on a cable reel that has the steps of providing a cable reel that includes first and second opposing flanges, the first flange having a first hub portion and the second flange having a second hub portion, the first hub portion being longer than the second hub portion, the first hub portion having a plurality of flexible segments; placing a cable coil over the first hub portion and on the first flange so that the first hub portion extends through the cable coil; and inserting the second hub portion inside of the first hub portion, thereby expanding the flexible segments so that flexible segments engage the cable coil.

Abstract: A cable reel that has at least one support frame having an outwardly extending braking gear member, the outwardly extending gear member being located off-center on the frame; a first flange having a central opening and a first hub portion surrounding the central opening, the central opening having an internal braking gear member engaging the outwardly extending gear member of the frame, thereby rotatably coupling the at least one support frame and the first flange; and a second flange opposing the first flange, the second flange having a second hub portion, the first and second hub portions being configured to mate with one another to support cable, wherein the engagement of the gear members providing a friction for cable payoff.

Abstract: A cable reel that has first and second opposing flanges. The first flange has a first hub portion and the second flange has a second hub portion. The first and second hub portions are axial aligned and configured to mate with one another to support cable. The first hub portion includes an elongated wall extends from the first flange. The elongated wall is sized to support cable. The elongated wall defines an inner area that is configured to accept the second hub portion. The elongated wall includes a plurality of flexible segments. The second hub portion includes a truncated wall that is receivable in the inner area of the first hub portion. The truncated wall includes a tapered outer surface for engaging and expanding the plurality of flexible segments.

Abstract: An aerosol preparation assembly includes an entrainment chamber defining an entrainment volume. The entrainment chamber includes a gas inlet port, an aerosol inlet port and an outlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that a velocity of a flow of a gas within the entrainment volume is less than a velocity of the flow of the gas within the gas inlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that at least a portion of inlet aerosol is entrained into the flow of the gas within the entrainment volume to produce an entrained aerosol flow at the outlet port. The particle selection chamber is configured to receive the entrained aerosol flow and produce an outlet aerosol flow. The particle selection chamber and nozzle are collectively configured such that a volumetric median diameter of the outlet aerosol flow is less than a volumetric median diameter of the inlet aerosol.

Abstract: An aerosol preparation assembly includes an entrainment chamber defining an entrainment volume. The entrainment chamber includes a gas inlet port, an aerosol inlet port and an outlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that a velocity of a flow of a gas within the entrainment volume is less than a velocity of the flow of the gas within the gas inlet port. The entrainment chamber is configured such that at least a portion of inlet aerosol is entrained into the flow of the gas within the entrainment volume to produce an entrained aerosol flow at the outlet port. The particle selection chamber is configured to receive the entrained aerosol flow and produce an outlet aerosol flow. The particle selection chamber and nozzle are collectively configured such that a volumetric median diameter of the outlet aerosol flow is less than a volumetric median diameter of the inlet aerosol.

Abstract: An adjustable and transportable scaffolding (10) is described. It comprises an adjustable leg support mechanism (20) for a scaffolding having vertical corner frame members (11) connected to horizontal frame members (12) and cross-braces (13). The mechanism (20) comprises an open-ended sleeve (21) adapted to receive a support rod (22) therethrough and wherein the support rod has at least a horizontal toothed edge section (23) adapted to secure to a bottom support foot (24). A tooth engaging member (25) is pivotally secured to the sleeve (21) and has a tooth engaging head (26) biased against the toothed edge (23) inside the sleeve (21) for supporting the sleeve about the support rod (22) while permitting upward displacement of the sleeve about the rod. The tooth engaging member (25) can be unbiased from the toothed edge (23) of the support rod (22) to permit downward displacement of the sleeve (21) about the rod (22).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating diseases ameliorated by increased mucociliary clearance and mucosal hydration by administering an effective amount of a sodium channel blocker as defined herein and an osmolyte to a subject to a subject in need of increased mucociliary clearance and mucosal hydration.

Abstract: A valve for use with a cap for a spill resistant cup, the cap including a spout to dispense the liquid and a valve mount extending from the spout to engage with the valve. The valve includes a generally cylindrical valve tower extending from a valve base to sealingly engage the valve mount and having an interior bore for the passage of liquid and a valve face sloping across an upper end of the valve tower bore from a higher first point on a first side of the valve tower and to a lower second point on a diametrically opposite second side of the valve tower. A valve mechanism is located in the valve face for controlling a flow of the liquid through the valve mechanism dependent upon a pressure differential across the valve face. The valve mechanism is a valve slit extending through the valve face perpendicular to a mouth opening in the spout and is S-shaped or straight.

Abstract: Chronic obstructive airway diseases are treated by administering an osmotically active compound such as a salt, sugar, sugar alcohol, or organic osmolyte to the afflicted airway surface. The compound may be administered as a liquid or dry powder aerosol formulation. Diseases that can be treated by the method include cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and ciliary dyskinesia. The formulations of the invention can also be used in conjunction with other active agents such as bronchodilators, sodium channel blockers, antibiotics, enzymes, or purinoceptor agonists on airway surfaces.

Abstract: Chronic obstructive airway diseases are treated by administering an osmotically active compound such as a salt, sugar, sugar alcohol, or organic osmolyte to the afflicted airway surface. The compound may be administered as a liquid or dry powder aerosol formulation. Diseases that can be treated by the method include cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, and ciliary dyskinesia. The formulations of the invention can also be used in conjunction with other active agents such as bronchodilators, sodium channel blockers, antibiotics, enzymes, or purinoceptor agonists on airway surfaces.

Abstract: A valve for use with a cap for a spill resistant cup, the cap including a spout to dispense the liquid and a valve mount extending from the spout to engage with the valve. The valve includes a generally cylindrical valve tower extending from a valve base to sealingly engage the valve mount and having an interior bore for the passage of liquid and a valve face sloping across an upper end of the valve tower bore from a higher first point on a first side of the valve tower and to a lower second point on a diametrically opposite second side of the valve tower. A valve mechanism is located in the valve face for controlling a flow of the liquid through the valve mechanism dependent upon a pressure differential across the valve face. The valve mechanism is a valve slit extending through the valve face perpendicular to a mouth opening in the spout and is S-shaped or straight.

Abstract: A collapsible container having a base and four side walls upstanding from the base, the side walls being hinged to the base so that they may occupy positions in which the side walls upstand from the base or in which they overlie the base by folding the side walls inwardly relative to the base. The side walls are molded separately from the base, and there are provided engaging means on sides of the base and lower parts of the side walls to enable the side walls to be secured to the base. Engagement of the side walls with the base is such that whilst the side walls may be relatively easily attached to the base, removal of the side walls from the base is hindered, for example by virtue of a snap fitting engagement.

Abstract: According to the invention there is drinking cup having a flat bottom and two large diametrically opposed handles. A removable lid with a drinking spout and an air vent is provided to prevent spillage. A separate weighted convex base is attached to the base of the cup to automatically right the cup under the force of gravity. The bottom of the cup and the top of the base are provided with a circular groove and a mating circular ridge. The ridge and the groove positively engaged to align the base horizontally in place on the bottom of the cup while permitting rotation of the base relative to the cup. Two diametrically opposed generally C-shaped clips are located on the edge of the base and extend upwards from the edge of the base and face in opposite directions in order to engaged the handles on the cup upon rotation of the base.