Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and an apparatus that includes obtaining a database and metadata associated with the database in response to a request for data masking. Next, the obtained metadata is compared with the received request to determine when the obtained metadata validates the received request. A data masking operation is performed on the obtained database at a column level when the determination indicates the received request is validated. A record of the performance of the data masking operation on the obtained database at the column level is stored.

Abstract: Methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and an apparatus that includes obtaining a database and metadata associated with the database in response to a request for data masking. Next, the obtained metadata is compared with the received request to determine when the obtained metadata validates the received request. A data masking operation is performed on the obtained database at a column level when the determination indicates the received request is validated. A record of the performance of the data masking operation on the obtained database at the column level is stored.

Abstract: A device for collecting a biological sample from a semi-solid surface. The device has a shaft with a proximate end and a distal end and a tip integrated with the shaft at the proximate end. The tip has a surface adapted to collect microorganisms thereon or release microorganism from, or both, wherein the adapted surface comprises at least one feature of a recess or extension to increase surface area of the tip and collect microorganisms thereon. Examples of such features include microfeatures with dimensions of about 1000 ?m or less. Other examples include a pipette tip.

Abstract: A system and method of performing a procedure for decompression of a spine that includes arranging instrumentalities for performing percutaneous lateral and caudal neural adhesiolysis before or during percutaneous decompression of the spine; and converting high pressure veins to low pressure veins thereby preventing hematoma formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and system for providing threaded feedback, in the form of a two way conversation between a teacher and a student. In one method, conversation data about a topic inputted by a first authorized user is received and that conversation data is transmitted to a second authorized user for display. In another method, conversation data about a topic inputted by a first authorized user is received from a central server and additional conversation data about the topic inputted by a second authorized user is transmitted to the central server. Systems to carry out these methods are also disclosed. The first and second authorized users include a teacher and/or a student. The conversation data includes rich media, and wherein the topics of conversation or feedback include at least educational targets or attainment of educational targets.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine ?8 (CK?8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-? and chemokine ?1 (CK?1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine ?8 (CK?8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-? and chemokine ?1 (CK?1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine ?8 (CK?8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-? and chemokine ?1(CK?1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A method to increase the efficiency of transduction of hematopoietic and other cells by retroviruses includes infecting the cells in the presence of fibronectin or fibornectin fragments. The fibronectin and fibronectin fragments significantly enhance retroviral-mediated gene transfer into the cells, particularly hematopoietic cells including committed progenitors and primitive hematopoietic stem cells. The invention also provides improved methods for somatic gene therapy capitalizing on enhanced gene transfer, hematopoietic cellular populations, and novel constructs for enhancing retroviral-mediated DNA transfer into cells and their use.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine ?8 (CK?8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-? and chemokine ?1(CK?1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to deletion and substitution mutant polypeptides of human chemokine ?-7 (Ck?-7), as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides and processes for producing such polypeptides using recombinant techniques. In one aspect, the invention also relates to uses of the full-length and mature forms of Ck?-7, as well as deletion and substitution mutants, in medical treatment regimens. In particular, the Ck?-7 polypeptides described herein may be employed to treat a variety of conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, respiratory diseases, allergy, and IgE-mediated allergic reactions.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine ?8 (CK?8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-? and chemokine ?1 (CK?1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-&ggr; chemokine &bgr;1(CK&bgr;1 or ckb-1)), as well as ioslated nucleic acid molecules encoding M-CIF, and vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine &bgr;8 (CK&bgr;8 or ckb-8)); a human monocyte-colony inhibitory factor (M-CIF) polypeptide (previously termed MIP1-&ggr; and chemokine &bgr;1 (CK&bgr;1 or ckb-1)), and a macrophage inhibitory protein-4 (MIP-4), as well as MPIF-1, M-CIF and/or MIP-4 polypeptides themselves, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.

Abstract: There are disclosed therapeutic compositions and methods using isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding a human myeloid progenitor inhibitory factor-1 (MPIF-1) polypeptide (previously termed MIP-3 and chemokine &bgr;8 (CK&bgr;8 or ckb-8)), as well as MPIF-1 polypeptide itself, as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A recognition light includes a reflector having an axis and first and second annular semi-parabolic reflective surfaces which have respective focal points axially spaced apart from one another, and first and second annular lamps respectively disposed at the focal points. A cover surrounds the reflector and lamps and includes a lens for focusing the light along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector, the lens including first and second Fresnel lens portions each including a convex lens and a prism lens, the convex lenses being disposed adjacent one another and transaxially aligned with the first and second lamps, respectively. A light detector detects light emitted from at least one of the lamps, a monitor circuit provides a fail signal when a characteristic of the light output of at least one of the lamps does not satisfy a specified criteria, and a control circuit first activates the first lamp and then the second lamp in response to receipt of the fail signal of the monitor circuit.