Abstract: The present invention is directed to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, preferably the inhibition of tumor growth and its progression to metastatic sites, through the inhibition of the production of PTHrP, its isoforms or PTHrP signalling. The present invention is also directed to methods of inhibiting the PTHrP1-173 isoform through antagonists thereof, including monoclonal antibodies and siRNA directed there against. The invention may be applicable to many disease states, including but not limited to several types of cancer (such as breast, lung, prostate, melanoma and squamous) expressing PTHrP and its isoforms, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: It is herewith provided methods of obtaining circulating cancer cells (CCCs)-enriched cellular populations based on the removal of CD45-positive cells from an apheresis product. It is also provided methods of obtaining circulating stem cells (CSCs)-enriched cellular population from a CCCs-enriched cellular population based on a selection either using the specific cellular markers or through culture. It is further provided methods of obtaining circulating tumor cells (CTCs)-enriched cellular population from a CCCs-enriched cellular population based on a selection using the specific cellular markers. It is also provided screening assays for the selection of (chemo)therapeutic agent as well as personalized medicine application based on drug sensitivity/resistance or cancer markers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, preferably the inhibition of tumor growth and its progression to metastatic sites, through the inhibition of the action or production of PTHrP, its isoforms or PTHrP signalling. An aspect of the present invention is also directed to methods of inhibiting the PTHrP1-173 isoform through antagonists thereof, including monoclonal antibodies and siRNA directed there against. The invention may be applicable to many disease states, including but not limited to several types of cancer (including epithelial cancers such as breast, lung, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate and squamous as well as melanoma) expressing PTHrP and its isoforms, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, preferably the inhibition of tumor growth and its progression to metastatic sites, through the inhibition of the action or production of PTHrP, its isoforms or PTHrP signalling. An aspect of the present invention is also directed to methods of inhibiting the PTHrP1-173 isoform through antagonists thereof, including monoclonal antibodies and siRNA directed there against. The invention may be applicable to many disease states, including but not limited to several types of cancer (including epithelial cancers such as breast, lung, colon, pancreatic, ovarian, prostate and squamous as well as melanoma) expressing PTHrP and its isoforms, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, preferably the inhibition of tumor growth and its progression to metastatic sites, through the inhibition of the production of PTHrP, its isoforms or PTHrP signalling. The present invention is also directed to methods of inhibiting the PTHrP1-173 isoform through antagonists thereof, including monoclonal antibodies and siRNA directed there against. The invention may be applicable to many disease states, including but not limited to several types of cancer (such as breast, lung, prostate, melanoma and squamous) expressing PTHrP and its isoforms, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, preferably the inhibition of tumor growth and its progression to metastatic sites, through the inhibition of the production of PTHrP, its isoforms or PTHrP signalling. The present invention is also directed to methods of inhibiting the PTHrP1-173 isoform through antagonists thereof, including monoclonal antibodies and siRNA directed there against. The invention may be applicable to many disease states, including but not limited to several types of cancer (such as breast, lung, prostate, melanoma and squamous) expressing PTHrP and its isoforms, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device includes a plastically deformable metal strap for resisting the collapse of a steering column. The strap is initially deformable into one or more V-shaped wave formations by anvils to increase the energy required to advance the strap, thereby increasing the resistance to collapse of the steering column. One of the anvils may be removed to eliminate one of the wave formations and thereby reduce the amount of resistance to collapse of the steering column. Alternatively, the position of an anvil may be varied to vary the shape of a wave configuration from a deep V to a shallow V.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column has a rake adjustment mechanism which includes a rake bracket having a rake slot provided with rake slot teeth. A tooth lock is supported in the rake slot with teeth opposing the rake slot teeth. A rake bolt is rotatable to a first rotative position to move the tooth lock to a retracted position with the teeth of the tooth lock out of engagement with the rake slot teeth. The bolt is axially rotatable to a second rotative position permitting the tooth lock to be moved to a locking position by a spring in which the teeth of the tooth lock engage the rake slot teeth. The bolt, when in the second rotative position, is movable, in response to an application of an impact force on the steering column to collapse the steering column, into bearing engagement with the tooth lock to positively retain the tooth lock in the locking position. The steering column is also provided with a release mechanism having shear pins and an energy absorption mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column has a rake adjustment mechanism which includes a rake bracket having a rake slot provided with rake slot teeth. A tooth lock is supported in the rake slot with teeth opposing the rake slot teeth. A rake bolt is rotatable to a first rotative position to move the tooth lock to a retracted position with the teeth of the tooth lock out of engagement with the rake slot teeth. The bolt is axially rotatable to a second rotative position permitting the tooth lock to be moved to a locking position by a spring in which the teeth of the tooth lock engage the rake slot teeth. The bolt, when in the second rotative position, is movable, in response to an application of an impact force on the steering column to collapse the steering column, into bearing engagement with the tooth lock to positively retain the tooth lock in the locking position. The steering column is also provided with a release mechanism having shear pins and an energy absorption mechanism.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle includes an M-shaped plastically deformable strap for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision. An anvil adjusts the resistance to collapse imposed on the steering column by the strap. A controller produces a signal of a magnitude indicative of an amount of resistance needed to be imposed on the steering column by the strap to better protect from injury a driver seated behind the steering column at the time of the collision. An actuator receives the signal and actuates the anvil to adjust the amount of resistance imposed by the strap in accordance with the magnitude of the signal.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column has a rake adjustment mechanism which includes a rake bracket having a rake slot provided with rake slot teeth. A tooth lock is supported in the rake slot with teeth opposing the rake slot teeth. A rake bolt is rotatable to a first rotative position to move the tooth lock to a retracted position with the teeth of the tooth lock out of engagement with the rake slot teeth. The bolt is axially rotatable to a second rotative position permitting the tooth lock to be moved to a locking position by a spring in which the teeth of the tooth lock engage the rake slot teeth. The bolt, when in the second rotative position, is movable, in response to an application of an impact force on the steering column to collapse the steering column, into bearing engagement with the tooth lock to positively retain the tooth lock in the locking position. The steering column is also provided with a release mechanism having shear pins and an energy absorption mechanism.

Abstract: A system for steering the wheels of a vehicle. The system includes a steering gear provided with a steering rack reciprocable in a power cylinder. A steering shaft has a pinion meshing with the steering rack. A hydraulic fluid system assists the reciprocation of the steering rack. The hydraulic fluid system includes a power piston reciprocable in the power cylinder. A control valve directs hydraulic fluid from a pump to the power cylinder at one side or the other of the piston, depending on the direction of rotation of the steering shaft. A lock valve is operable when closed to lock the rack against reciprocation to prevent steering of the wheels by preventing fluid flow in the hydraulic fluid system. The lock valve is controlled by a solenoid-operated electronic controller.

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the lower bearing adapter and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: The steering column tilt assembly has a tilt housing that is pivotally attached to a fixed housing. A fixed shoe is attached to the fixed housing. A pivoted shoe is pivotally attached to the tilt housing. A shoe release lever has a wedge surface that holds the pivoted shoe in engagement with a fixed shoe when in a locked position. The shoe release lever has two trunions that are received in bores in the tilt housing. A release lever slot between the bores receive the pivot end shank portion. An open quadrant of the lower bore portion permits the shank portion to be moved into the slot. A spring urges the shoe release lever toward the locked position.

Abstract: A system for steering the wheels of a vehicle. The system includes a steering gear provided with a steering rack reciprocable in a power cylinder. A steering shaft has a pinion meshing with the steering rack. A hydraulic fluid system assists the reciprocation of the steering rack. The hydraulic fluid system includes a power piston reciprocable in the power cylinder. A control valve directs hydraulic fluid from a pump to the power cylinder at one side or the other of the piston, depending on the direction of rotation of the steering shaft. A lock valve is operable when closed to lock the rack against reciprocation to prevent steering of the wheels by preventing fluid flow in the hydraulic fluid system. The lock valve is controlled by a solenoid-operated electronic controller.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device includes a plastically deformable metal strap for resisting the collapse of a steering column. The strap is initially deformable into one or more V-shaped wave formations by anvils to increase the energy required to advance the strap, thereby increasing the resistance to collapse of the steering column. One of the anvils may be removed to eliminate one of the wave formations and thereby reduce the amount of resistance to collapse of the steering column. Alternatively, the position of an anvil may be varied to vary the shape of a wave configuration from a deep V to a shallow V.

Abstract: An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle includes an M-shaped plastically deformable strap for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision. An anvil adjusts the resistance to collapse imposed on the steering column by the strap. A controller produces a signal of a magnitude indicative of an amount of resistance needed to be imposed on the steering column by the strap to better protect from injury a driver seated behind the steering column at the time of the collision. An actuator receives the signal and actuates the anvil to adjust the amount of resistance imposed by the strap in accordance with the magnitude of the signal.

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the column support bracket and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle steering column has a rake adjustment mechanism which includes a rake bracket having a rake slot provided with rake slot teeth. A tooth lock is supported in the rake slot with teeth opposing the rake slot teeth. A rake bolt is rotatable to a first rotative position to move the tooth lock to a retracted position with the teeth of the tooth lock out of engagement with the rake slot teeth. The bolt is axially rotatable to a second rotative position permitting the tooth lock to be moved to a locking position by a spring in which the teeth of the tooth lock engage the rake slot teeth. The bolt, when in the second rotative position, is movable, in response to an application of an impact force on the steering column to collapse the steering column, into bearing engagement with the tooth lock to positively retain the tooth lock in the locking position. The steering column is also provided with a release mechanism having shear pins and an energy absorption mechanism.

Abstract: A steering column shaft assembly for an automotive vehicle includes an upper shaft and a lower shaft coupled by a universal joint having a yoke secured to one of the shaft ends and a cage pivoted to the other shaft end and accommodated within the yoke. The yoke and cage have aligned bores in which a set of trunion pins are received to provide a pivot connection between the yoke and cage. The portion of the trunion pins received in the yoke bores are formed with screw threads that engage threaded walls of the bores. The bores of the cage are unthreaded and receive unthreaded bearing portions of the trunion pins. The threaded connection between the trunion pins and yoke support the trunion pins against axial movement and ejection from the bores during operation of the shaft assembly, particularly under heavy torsional loads. Mechanical interference structure may also be provided to act on the trunion pins to prevent their rotation and thus removal once installed.