Abstract: A surgical instrument comprises a body, shaft, and end effector. The shaft couples the end effector and body together. The end effector comprises an anvil and lower jaw configured to receive a surgical staple cartridge. The anvil is configured to pivot toward and away from the staple cartridge and lower jaw. The shaft assembly comprises a knife member configured to longitudinally translate to thereby substantially simultaneously cut clamped tissue and staple the severed tissue. The end effector may comprise lockout features configure to prevent longitudinal translation of the knife member. The end effector or staple cartridge may comprise lockout bypass features configured to prevent lockout of the knife member. These lockout bypass features may operate to permit longitudinal translation of the knife member once or multiple times. The end effector may comprise features configured to ensure proper alignment of the anvil relative to the staple cartridge.

Abstract: Implantable medical systems enter an exposure mode of operation, either manually via a down linked programming instruction or by automatic detection by the implantable system of exposure to a magnetic disturbance. A controller then determines the appropriate exposure mode by considering various pieces of information including the device type including whether the device has defibrillation capability, pre-exposure mode of therapy including which chambers have been paced, and pre-exposure cardiac activity that is either intrinsic or paced rates. Additional considerations may include determining whether a sensed rate during the exposure mode is physiologic or artificially produced by the magnetic disturbance. When the sensed rate is physiologic, then the controller uses the sensed rate to trigger pacing and otherwise uses asynchronous pacing at a fixed rate.

Abstract: A transplantation method to increase the establishment rate of human tumors in immunodeficient mice. A pocket is created in the mouse and the tumor and surrounding tissues are implanted in the pocket. The pocket is left open to oxygenate the tumor and surrounding tissues.

Abstract: A composition and method for reversing or preventing age-related metabolic and tissue degenerative changes in individuals. The method includes administering, orally, an effective amount of a first composition having methioninase enzyme. The method further includes administering, by a route other than the oral route, such as a parenteral route, an effective amount of a second composition having methioninase enzyme. The method further includes the steps of orally and/or parentally administering pyridoxal-L-phosphate.

Abstract: A composition and method for lowing serum and plasma levels of methionine by oral administration. The composition includes a recombinant methioninase enzyme and a cofactor (pyridoxal-L-phosphate). Methods of use describe methods for treatment of cancer, including malignant melanoma, by oral administration of the methioninase composition. Methods for chronic suppressive therapy of melanoma and other cancers are described. Because reduction of plasma methionine levels is effective in treating other conditions, including diabetes and conditions associated with aging, the use of the methods described herein includes treatment of these and other conditions.

Abstract: A composition and method for lowing serum and plasma levels of methionine by oral administration. The composition includes a recombinant methioninase enzyme and a cofactor (pyridoxal-L-phosphate). Methods of use describe methods for treatment of cancer, including malignant melanoma, by oral administration of the methioninase composition. Methods for chronic suppressive therapy of melanoma and other cancers are described. Because reduction of plasma methionine levels is effective in treating other conditions, including diabetes and conditions associated with aging, the use of the methods described herein includes treatment of these and other conditions.

Abstract: A composition and method for lowing serum and plasma levels of methionine by oral administration. The composition includes a recombinant methioninase enzyme and a cofactor (pyridoxal-L-phosphate). Methods of use describe methods for treatment of cancer, including malignant melanoma, by oral administration of the methioninase composition. Methods for chronic suppressive therapy of melanoma and other cancers are described. Because reduction of plasma methionine levels is effective in treating other conditions, including diabetes and conditions associated with aging, the use of the methods described herein includes treatment of these and other conditions.

Abstract: A composition and method for lowing serum and plasma levels of methionine by oral administration. The composition includes a recombinant methioninase enzyme and a cofactor (pyridoxal-L-phosphate). Methods of use describe methods for treatment of cancer, including malignant melanoma, by oral administration of the methioninase composition. Methods for chronic suppressive therapy of melanoma and other cancers are described. Because reduction of plasma methionine levels is effective in treating other conditions, including diabetes and conditions associated with aging, the use of the methods described herein includes treatment of these and other conditions.

Abstract: A transplantation method to increase the establishment rate of human tumors in immunodeficient mice. A pocket is created in the mouse and the tumor and surrounding tissues are implanted in the pocket. The pocket is left open to oxygenate the tumor and surrounding tissues.

Abstract: A composition and method for lowing serum and plasma levels of methionine by oral administration. The composition includes a recombinant methioninase enzyme and a cofactor (pyridoxal-L-phosphate). Methods of use describe methods for treatment of cancer, including malignant melanoma, by oral administration of the methioninase composition. Methods for chronic suppressive therapy of melanoma and other cancers are described. Because reduction of plasma methionine levels is effective in treating other conditions, including diabetes and conditions associated with aging, the use of the methods described herein includes treatment of these and other conditions.

Abstract: The present invention describes an in vitro test for drug sensitivity for each cancer patient that is performed with a patient's tumor tissue obtained by surgery or biopsy on an automated tissue processor using multi-well tissue-culture plates containing approximately 1 mm3 tumor tissue culture medium and cancer drug. The present invention will accurately identify both effective and in effective drugs for each patient.

Abstract: Methods using chemotherapy drugs promote targeting of S. typhimurium A1-R of melanoma, thereby enhancing efficacy against the melanoma PDOX. A metastatic melanoma obtained from the right chest wall of a patient was previously established orthotopically in the right chest wall of nude mice as a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model. We previously showed that the combination of tumor targeting Salmonella typhimurium A1-R (S. typhimurium A1-R) and chemotherapy was highly effective against the melanoma PDOX. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of the high efficacy of this combination. Combination therapy significantly increases S. typhimurium A1-R tumor targeting alone (S. typhimurium A1-R+TEM: p<0.01, S. typhimurium A1-R+VEM: p<0.01).

Abstract: An in vitro model system for viral infection and for immune response is comprised of a tissue block from adult tonsil or lymph node supported on a matrix which is flexible and porous and wherein the supported tissue block is cultured in a medium whose surface is congruent with the tissue block/matrix interface. The histoculture system can be used to screen for antiviral drugs, to monitor the course of viral diseases, and to monitor an immune response to antigen stimulation.

Abstract: An in vitro model system for viral infection is comprised of a tissue block from adult tonsil or lymph node supported on a matrix which is flexible and porous and wherin the supported tissue block is cultured in a medium whose surface is congruent with the tissue block/matrix interface. The histoculture system can be used to screen for antiviral drugs and to monitor the course of viral diseases.

Abstract: An in vitro model system for viral infection and for immune response is comprised of a tissue block from adult tonsil or lymph node supported on a matrix which is flexible and porous and wherein the supported tissue block is cultured in a medium whose surface is congruent with the tissue block/matrix interface. The histoculture system can be used to screen for antiviral drugs, to monitor the course of viral diseases, and to monitor an immune response to antigen stimulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a structural laminate having a plastic surface finish coat laminated to a structural base which has exceptional bond strength between the structural base and the plastic layer with which it interfaces. The structural base comprises a glass reinforced gypsum layer. The plastic laminate portion comprises a plastic surface finish coat, preferably a polyester gel coat or an acrylic resin, bonded to a reinforcing layer of curable polyester or epoxy resin reinforced with glass fibers. The reinforcing layer is adhered to a bonding layer which comprises glass fibers protruding from the reinforcing layer and coated with a limited amount of organic resin such as polyester or epoxy resin. The glass reinforced gypsum layer is applied to the protruding fibers of the bonding layer to form an interface having a bond strength of at least about 150 psi as determined by ASTM C297-68.

Abstract: A hair brush, particularly useful for blow waving has a back of open frame construction to facilitate the flow of hot air. Folded single bristles are inserted into holes on the front surface of the brush in a staggered relatively uniform arrangement. The bristles are relatively thick in diameter and include a bead at one end to avoid scratching the scalp. The thickness of the bristles enables them to withstand the heat of the air used in blow waving.