Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17, IL-23 via it's p19 subunit or both IL-17 and IL-23 (via p19). IL-17 and IL-23 are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease.

Abstract: A handle for a utility knife includes a housing made up of two or more portions. In one embodiment, a manually operable member for use in releasing the blade is retained to at least one portion of the housing and does not become separated from the housing when the housing is in an open state. In another embodiment, a catch for engaging the blade extends from a support member that is slidably movable within the housing. In another embodiment, the housing is formed of metal and a nose portion is formed of a metal that is more wear resistant than the rest of the housing, in order to improve the durability of the nose portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a newly identified CD28 family member that functions as lymphocyte inhibitory receptor termed pG6b, which is expressed on T cells. Methods and compositions for modulating pG6b-mediated negative signaling and interfering with the interaction of its counter-receptor for therapeutic, diagnostic, and research purposes are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates antagonists of IL-17A and IL-17F. The antagonists of the invention are based on IL-17RC alone or on both IL-17RC and IL-17RA (“IL-17RC/IL-17RA”). Such antagonists serve to block, inhibit, reduce, antagonize or neutralize the activity of IL-17F, IL-17A, or both IL-17A and IL-17F. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. IL-17RA is a receptor for IL-17A and IL-17RC is a common receptor for both IL-17A and IL-17F. The present invention includes soluble IL-17A and IL-17F anatagonists, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates antagonists of IL-17A and IL-17F. The antagonists of the invention are based on IL-17RC alone or on both IL-17RC and IL-17RA (“IL-17RC/IL-17RA”). Such antagonists serve to block, inhibit, reduce, antagonize or neutralize the activity of IL-17F, IL-17A, or both IL-17A and IL-17F. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. IL-17RA is a receptor for IL-17A and IL-17RC is a common receptor for both IL-17A and IL-17F. The present invention includes soluble IL-17A and IL-17F antagonists, as well as methods for using the same.

Abstract: A tape measure housing is comprised of two asymmetrical housing portions. The first housing portion comprises a receptacle in which the tape measure components are located. The second housing portion comprises a cover that encloses the first portion along a seam that is asymmetrically disposed on the assembled housing. The housing portions are weighted such that the center of gravity of the housing is oriented so that the housing will assume a predetermined orientation when dropped from a height.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17F, IL-17A, or both IL-17A and IL-17F polypeptide molecules. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. IL-17RC is a common receptor for IL-17A and IL-17F. The present invention includes methods of using a soluble IL-17RC receptor, IL-17RCx4 for treating inflammation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17A alone, or both IL-17A and IL-17F polypeptide molecules. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. IL-17RA is a receptor for IL-17A and does also bind IL-17F. The present invention includes a truncated soluble IL-17RA, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17A or both IL-17A and IL-17F using such a truncated soluble receptor.

Abstract: The present invention relates IL-17RE antagonists, such as soluble receptors and anti-IL-17RE antibodies, that are useful in blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17C. IL-17C is a cytokine that is involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. IL-17RE is a receptor for IL-17C. The present invention includes soluble IL-17RE, anti-IL-17RE antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17C using such soluble receptors, antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: The tape measure may consist of a relatively large tape blade. To accommodate a large blade the tape measure housing is formed as a hollow annulus having an open central core where the blade is wound about the core of the annular housing. Because the housing has a central opening it can be easily carried in one hand. The device also includes a locking mechanism for locking the tape in an extended position and a rewind mechanism for rewinding the tape back into the housing. The rewind mechanism may comprise a belt drive, opposed springs with a cam lock, a linear spring compressed by a gear drive, a motor driven gear drive, a flat spring and gear drive or a magnetic drive.

Abstract: A tape measure blade having improved wear characteristics, a tape measure utilizing such a blade, and a method of manufacturing such a blade are provided. A clear film made of polyester, nylon or other flexible, strong and relatively thin material is provided with the measurement indicia, markings or other material printed on one side thereof. The film is attached to the blade with the printed side contacting and secured to the blade such that the side of the film without printing is the side of the film exposed to the environment. Because the film is transparent the printed indicia are visible through the film.

Abstract: The present invention provides a newly identified B7 receptor, zB7R1 that functions as lymphocyte inhibitory receptor, which is a PD-1-like molecule and is expressed on T cells. The present invention also provides the discovery of zB7R1's ability to bind to CD155. Methods and compositions for modulating zB7R1-mediated negative signaling and interfering with the interaction of its counter-receptor for therapeutic, diagnostic and research purposes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides pHHLA2 co-receptor polypeptides and functional fragments, antibodies to same, isolated polynucleotides encoding same, vectors containing the polynucleotides, cells containing the vectors. Methods of making and using these co-stimulatory pHHLA2 co-receptors molecules are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17F, IL-17A, or both IL-17A and IL-17F polypeptide molecules. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. ZcytoR14 is a common receptor for IL-17A and IL-17F. The present invention includes soluble ZcytoR14, anti-ZcytoR14 antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17F, IL-17A or both IL-17A and IL-17F using such soluble receptors, antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to blocking, inhibiting, reduceing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17F, IL-17A, or both IL-17A and IL-17F polypeptide molecules. IL-17A and IL-17F are cytokines that are involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. ZcytoR14 is a common receptor for IL-17A and IL-17F. The present invention includes soluble ZcytoR14, anti-ZcytoR14 antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17F, IL-17A or both IL-17A and IL-17F using such soluble receptors, antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: The present invention relates ZcytoR21 antagonists, such as soluble receptors and anti-ZcytoR21 antibodies, that are useful in blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17C. IL-17C is a cytokine that is involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. ZcytoR21 is a receptor for IL-17C. The present invention includes soluble ZcytoR21, anti-ZcytoR21 antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17C using such soluble receptors, antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: The present invention relates ZcytoR21 antagonists, such as soluble receptors and anti-ZcytoR21 antibodies, that are useful in blocking, inhibiting, reducing, antagonizing or neutralizing the activity of IL-17C. IL-17C is a cytokine that is involved in inflammatory processes and human disease. ZcytoR21 is a receptor for IL-17C. The present invention includes soluble ZcytoR21, anti-ZcytoR21 antibodies and binding partners, as well as methods for antagonizing IL-17C using such soluble receptors, antibodies and binding partners.

Abstract: Novel methods of using isolated polypeptides, isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions are disclosed for pNKp30 protein. The methods involved modulating the proliferation of T-cells in vitro and in vivo and modulation of immune response. The present invention also includes methods for producing pNKp30, including soluble molecules, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.

Abstract: An adjustable roller apparatus is described. The apparatus has a housing and a roller ball, rotatably mounted in the housing. There is also a base adjuster that is adapted to be moved from a first position to a second position and where one of the first and second positions of the base adjuster is a retracted position that permits the roller ball to contact a surface and rotate on the surface and the other position of the base adjuster is an extended position whereby the base adjuster contacts the surface.

Abstract: The present invention enables one to adjust the length of a door latch without removing any functionality from other areas of the door latch assembly. The improved door latch assembly includes a strike plate, adjustment head, adjustment stem, resilient member, and housing. The improved door latch utilizes a threaded adjustment head, which is screwed into an adjustment stem. The adjustment stem has a threaded aperture located on the front surface of a circular disc. The circular disc has at least one rib, which fits into the groove of a drum, this configuration prevents rotation of the circular disc when adjustment is necessary. The adjustment member and stem have apertures that allow one to thread the spindle of a door knob through the door latch assembly and to the other door knob.