Abstract: The invention is directed to the treatment of degenerative diseases of tissues which have lost melanin and which share a common embryological basis as tissues of the nervous system by the administration of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the tissue. Such active substances include melanin, melanin variants, melanin analogs, melanin derivatives, tyrosinase, tyrosinase gene, melanin-concentrating hormone and combinations thereof. Examples of such diseases include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, retinitis pigmentosa, schizophrenia and dementia. The invention is also useful in assisting in the repair of neurons in a mammal having neuron damage by administering an effective amount of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the neuron to aid in nerve repair.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the treatment of degenerative diseases of tissues which have lost melanin and which share a common embryological basis as tissues of the nervous system by the administration of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the tissue. Such active substances include melanin, melanin variants, melanin analogs, melanin derivatives, tyrosinase, tyrosinase gene, melanin-concentrating hormone and combinations thereof. Examples of such diseases include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, retinitis pigmentosa, schizophrenia and dementia. The invention is also useful in assisting in the repair of neurons in a mammal having neuron damage by administering an effective amount of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the neuron to aid in nerve repair.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the treatment of degenerative diseases of tissues which have lost melanin and which share a common embryological basis as tissues of the nervous system by the administration of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the tissue. Such active substances include melanin, melanin variants, melanin analogs, melanin derivatives, tyrosinase, tyrosinase gene, melanin-concentrating hormone and combinations thereof. Examples of such diseases include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, retinitis pigmentosa, schizophrenia and dementia. The invention is also useful in assisting in the repair of neurons in a mammal having neuron damage by administering an effective amount of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the neuron to aid in nerve repair.

Abstract: A reusable security package is disclosed that includes a closure mechanism for closing a container and for determining whether the container has been opened.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the treatment of degenerative diseases of tissues which have lost melanin and which share a common embryological basis as tissues of the nervous system by the administration of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the tissue. Such active substances include melanin, melanin variants, melanin analogs, melanin derivatives, tyrosinase, tyrosinase gene, melanin-concentrating hormone and combinations thereof. Examples. of such diseases include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, retinitis pigmentosa, schizophrenia and dementia. The invention is also useful in assisting in the repair of neurons in a mammal having neuron damage by administering an effective amount of an active substance which causes an increased concentration of melanin in the neuron to aid in nerve repair.

Abstract: A plurality (e.g. a pair) of misaligned, fastened articles with structured surfaces is disclosed. The structured surfaces have elements which may bend and twist during attachment resulting in a higher peel strength than when the articles are aligned. A method of attaching a pair of articles is also disclosed.

Abstract: A therapeutic eye shield comprising from about 50% to about 80% collagen and from about 20% to about 50% glucan is disclosed. The collagen acts as a drug delivery system for the therapeutic agent, glucan. The therapeutic eye shields are useful for prophylaxis and treatment of eye infections particularly following ophthalmic surgery or wounding.

Abstract: A tapered rotary valve plug is provided with an operating head and handle assembly for rotating and axially shifting the valve plug relative to its seat. Cam means is provided to shift the operating head and valve plug axially as a unit as the head is rotated. The operating head and handle assembly are coupled for movement as a unit. The handle assembly is provided with a manually actuated locking pin whereby the handle assembly and operating head may selectively engage the valve plug for rotation to either open or closed position. When the locking pin is disengaged from the valve plug, the handle assembly remains coupled to the operating head enabling rotation of the head independently of the plug and through the aforesaid cam means the plug may be either displaced from its seat to facilitate rotation to the desired valving position or forced into a positive tight sealing engagement with its seat after movement of the plug to the desired valving position.

Abstract: A valve body includes flow passageways across which a gate is movable with the gate having a central block sandwiched between outer seal blocks and a gate conduit alignable with the flow passageways of the valve body. Camming means along the edges of opposite faces of the central gate block cooperate with camming means on the seal blocks so that relative vertical movement between the central gate block and the seal block causes the seal blocks to expand outwardly into sealing contact with seal means on the ends of the passageway facing the gate. A main stem moves the entire gate as a unit with a coaxial cam drive shaft in the main stem having first and second oppositely threaded sections respectively engaged with the main stem and the central gate block to rapidly effect vertical movement of the central gate block upon rotation of the cam drive shaft.

Abstract: A rotary, segmented, expansible valve comprising a valve body having a fluid passage and a body opening intersecting the fluid passage, a valve member rotatably mounted in the valve body opening and divided into four quarter segments, the valve member having an opening to register with the fluid passage of the valve body, the valve member opening extending through one opposed pair of the quarter segments, the other opposed pair of the quarter segments being solid and forming fluid stops when registered with the fluid passage, a tube lining the valve member opening, the one opposed pair of quarter segments being slidably mounted on the tube and sealed with respect thereto, a valve stem and handle for rotating the valve member between open and closed positions, valve seats in the valve body opening where the opening intersects the fluid passage, and an expander for selectively expanding the opposed pairs of quarter segments outwardly against the valve seats to form a fluid seal between the expanded quarter segm

Abstract: A tapered rotary valve plug fits into a tapered valve chamber and is rotated by an operating head or cap. Cam means are provided to automatically shift the operating head and valve plug axially as the head is rotated. A pin-and-slot connection between the operating head and valve plug is provided whereby rotation of the plug is delayed until the plug has been lifted from its seat, after which rotation of the plug takes place as rotation of the head is continued. Spring means, tensioned during the initial relative rotation of the operating head and plug, are provided for restoring head and plug to their original position relative to each other as soon as the valve plug has been loosened from its seat. Means are also provided for positively stopping rotation of the plug at full open or closed positions.