Abstract: A crutch container includes a container housing having a rear wall opposite a front wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls extending therebetween. The container housing includes an open upper end opposite a closed lower end defining an interior volume. A height of the rear wall is greater than a height of the front wall and the pair of lateral sidewalls defining an upper panel. A strap is affixed to a rear surface of the rear wall along the upper panel, wherein each of a first end and a second end of the strap are removably securable to a front surface of the rear wall along the upper panel. A wedge extends from the rear surface of the rear wall adjacent to the closed lower end, wherein the wedge frictionally engages between a pair of inwardly tapering posts of a crutch.

Abstract: An example embodiment may involve receiving, by a first mobile application executing on a mobile device, a selection of a uniform resource locator (URL) related to an application server device; transmitting, by the first mobile application, a first request to the application server device, wherein the first request is directed to the application server device by way a virtual private network (VPN) or proxy session between the mobile device and a VPN server device or proxy server device, and wherein the first request contains the URL; receiving, by the mobile device, a push notification from a scanning server device associated with the VPN server device or proxy server device, wherein the push notification contains the URL or a different URL; providing, by the mobile device, the URL from the push notification to a second mobile application executing on the mobile device; and transmitting, by the second mobile application, a second request to the application server device, wherein the second request contains th

Abstract: A two layer non-latex balloon in which a portion of the two layers is heat-sealed together to form a pocket which does not inflate. A slot made in a portion of the pocket allows items to be inserted. After inflation, the balloon appears to be a picture frame surrounding the item inserted in the pocket.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for verifying the integrity of data written onto a memory device under test. A pseudo random number generator generates data patterns based on a known ‘seed’ that includes a date and time. A data storage system writes the data patterns onto the memory device under test and a reference drive. The data storage system then reads the data patterns from the memory device under test and the reference drive. Alternatively, the seed value is stored in the second memory device instead of the data pattern, and subsequently, the data storage system reads the seed value from the second memory device and regenerates the data pattern. The expected data patterns from the reference drive are compared to the data read from the memory device under test to verify whether the data storage system is operating properly.

Abstract: A non-latex balloon has at least two outer balloon layers of a polymer such as nylon, with an inner layer of heat-sealable material. A self-sealing valve is heat-sealed to the inner surface of one of the outer layers. An inner balloon layer is placed adjacent the outer balloon layers and heat-sealed to one of them to form an enclosed pocket. Two inner balloon layers may be used to form two pockets. The seal of the pockets may be releasable by the user to put a sundry item into the pocket or the sundry item may be manufactured into the pocket. A method of manufacture of a balloon product includes the steps of: placing a valve between two outer sheets of heat-sealable material; placing an inner sheet of material between the two outer sheets; and heat-sealing the valve to the outer sheets and heat-sealing the inner sheet to an outer sheet to form a sealed balloon with a pocket between the inner sheet and the outer sheet. Two pockets may be produced by using a second inner sheet.

Abstract: An adjustable balloon weight attached to a balloon. The balloon weight is a ribbon having a length of sufficient weight in itself to prevent the balloon from flying away. The balloon weight includes a snap-on connector integral with the ribbon and attaching the balloon to the ribbon. The balloon weight is adjusted by cutting the ribbon.

Abstract: An adaptor for a standard balloon cup with a stem with a hollow core having an inside diameter and that receives a straw. The adaptor allows the use of a straw with an outside diameter different from the inside diameter of the balloon cup stem core. The adaptor has a first portion engaging the stem core and a second portion receiving the straw. The straw may be either larger or smaller in diameter than the balloon cup stem core.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method for decreasing C-reactive protein levels (CRP) in a mammal in need thereof. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a non-antibacterial tetracycline formulation, to the mammal. In one embodiment, the non-antibacterial tetracycline formulation is a non-antibacterial amount of an antibacterial tetracycline. In another embodiment, the non-antibacterial tetracycline formulation is a non-antibacterial tetracycline.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for verifying the integrity of data written onto a memory device under test. A pseudo random number generator generates data patterns based on a known ‘seed’ that includes a date and time. A data storage system writes the data patterns onto the memory device under test and a reference drive. The data storage system then reads the data patterns from the memory device under test and the reference drive. Alternatively, the seed value is stored in the second memory device instead of the data pattern, and subsequently, the data storage system reads the seed value from the second memory device and regenerates the data pattern. The expected data patterns from the reference drive are compared to the data read from the memory device under test to verify whether the data storage system is operating properly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decreasing elevated serum/plasma LDL-cholesterol levels or LDL-cholesterol levels and CRP levels in a mammal in need thereof. The methods comprises administering an effective amount of a tetracycline formulation. In one embodiment, the tetracycline formulation is a non-antibacterial tetracycline. In another embodiment, the tetracycline formulation is an antibacterial tetracycline at a sub-antibacterial amount.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for decreasing elevated serum/plasma LDL-cholesterol levels or LDL-cholesterol levels and CRP levels in a mammal in need thereof. The methods comprises administering an effective amount of a tetracycline formulation. In one embodiment, the tetracycline formulation is a non-antibacterial tetracycline. In another embodiment, the tetracycline formulation is an antibacterial tetracycline at a sub-antibacterial amount.

Abstract: A method for treating mammals suffering from conditions associated with excess phospholipase A.sub.2 activity and/or production comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a non-antimicrobial tetracycline sufficient to inhibit excess phospholipase A.sub.2 activity and/or production is disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a method of enhancing endogenous interleukin-10 production in mammalian cells and tissues, which includes administering an effective amount of a tetracycline derivative. The method also includes enhancing interleukin-10 production by administering an effective amount of the tetracycline derivative to a mammal. Preferred tetracycline compounds are tetracycline compounds which have been modified to reduce or eliminate their antimicrobial activity. The method can be used to treat medical conditions in mammals characterized by excessive IL-1 and TNF .alpha. production.

Abstract: The invention is a method of inhibiting the production of nitric oxide (NO) in an in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo biological system. The method employs a tetracycline compound to inhibit the production of NO and/or to inhibit the expression or activity of an inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Preferably, the tetracycline compound has inhibitory activity for metalloproteinases. Also it is preferred that the tetracycline compound is provided to the biological system in an amount which has little or no antibacterial activity in the system. Accordingly, preferred tetracycline compounds are tetracycline compounds which have be modified to reduce or eliminate their antimicrobial activity. The method can be used to treat medical conditions in mammals characterized by NO production mediated by iNOS, including, for example, inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for inhibiting endogenous production of nitric oxide (NO) in an in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo mammalian system. The method employs a tetracycline compound to inhibit production of NO and/or to inhibit the expression or activity of an inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Preferably, the tetracycline compound has inhibitory activity for metalloproteinases. Also it is preferred that the tetracycline compound is provided to the mammalian system in an amount which has little or no antibacterial activity in the system. Accordingly, preferred tetracycline compounds are tetracycline compounds which have be modified to reduce or eliminate their antimicrobial activity. The method can be used to treat medical conditions in mammals characterized by NO production mediated by iNOS, including, for example, inflammatory conditions.

Abstract: A method for treating mammals suffering from conditions associated with excess phospholipase A.sub.2 activity and/or production comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a non-antimicrobial tetracycline sufficient to inhibit excess phospholipase A.sub.2 activity and/or production is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating mammals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and other tissue-destructive (chronic inflammatory or other) conditions associated with excess metalloproteinase activity comprising administering to the mammal an amount of a tetracycline that is effectively anti-metalloproteinase, but that is not effectively antimicrobial, and an amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent which, when combined with the effectively anti-metalloproteinase amount of tetracycline, results in a significant reduction of tissue destruction and/or bone loss.

Abstract: A method for treating mammals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and other tissue-destructive (chronic inflammatory or other) conditions associated with excess metalloproteinase activity comprising administering to the mammal an amount of a tetracycline that is effectively anti-metalloproteinase, but that is not effectively antimicrobial, and an amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent which, when combined with the effectively anti-metalloproteinase amount of tetracycline, results in a significant reduction of tissue destruction and/or bone loss.

Abstract: A method for treating mammals suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, other tissue-destructive conditions, and chronic inflammatory or other conditions associated with excess metalloproteinase activity comprising administering to the mammal an amount of a tetracycline that is effectively anti-metalloproteinase, but that is not effectively antimicrobial, and an amount of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent which, when combined with the effectively anti-metalloproteinase amount of tetracycline, results in a significant reduction of tissue destruction and/or bone loss.

Abstract: Provided is a method of treating humans or animals suffering from a condition or disease characterized by excessive collagen destruction, which comprises administering to said human or animal an effective amount of a 12a-deoxytetracycline represented by the following general formula ##STR1## The method is effective in the treatment of various articular diseases characterized by excessive collagen destruction.