Abstract: Particle induced inflammatory diseases are treated by administration of an effective dose of an inhibitor of MyD88 adaptor protein.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating or preventing a disease in an animal associated with one or more self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s), or -peptide(s) that is present or involved in a non-physiologic process in the animal comprising administering to the animal a self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) associated with the disease. Administration of the self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) modulates an immune response to the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) expressed from administration of the self-vector.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for prognostic classification of autoimmune disease patients into subtypes, which subtypes are informative of the patient's probability of developing clinical symptoms or severe disease. The patterns of circulating blood levels of serum cytokines provides for a signature pattern that can discriminate patients that have a high probability of developing disease from those that have a low probability of developing disease. Assessment of this signature pattern in a patient thus allows improved methods of care and intervention. In one embodiment of the invention, the autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosing and treating autoimmune disease, e.g., acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), are described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating inflammatory diseases by administering to the subject an effective amount of an agent that provides alpha B-crystallin activity, where the dose is effective to suppress or prevent initiation, progression, or relapses of disease, including the progression of established disease. In some embodiments, the methods of the invention comprise administering to a subject having a pre-existing inflammatory disease condition, an effective amount of alpha B-crystallin protein, to suppress or prevent relapses of the disease.

Abstract: Insect pests can be transported around the world in wooden shipping containers. To prevent the spread of woodborne insect pests, it is necessary to kill insects within the wood. The wood is placed in a vacuum container having a flexible wall. The flexible wall presses against the wood and enables the wood to be heated by conduction. The wood and flexible wall can to be heated by contact with ambient or heated air, for example. Desiccant or dry air can be used to increase the rate of dehydration. Insects in the wood are typically killed after losing 25-50% of their body weight by dehydration. This technique will kill beetle larvae, nematodes and other invasive and destructive insects that live inside solid wood, and is particularly applicable for rendering wood acceptable for use in pallets and other containers shipped internationally.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of treating or preventing a disease in an animal associated with one or more self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s), or -peptide(s) that is present or involved in a non-physiologic process in the animal comprising administering to the animal a self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) associated with the disease. Administration of the self-vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) modulates an immune response to the self-protein(s), -polypeptide(s) or -peptide(s) expressed from administration of the self-vector.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for determining the antibody specificity profile in an individual. This specificity profile reveals the individual's immune response to multiple antigens and/or epitopes of autoantigens, allergens, graft antigens, etc. The antibody specificity profile is determined through the binding of patient samples comprising antibodies to the arrays. The array can comprises antigens and epitopes. The invention also provides the means and methods for determining antigen or epitope specificity profiles that can be used in the development of either generic and individualized diagnosis and treatment for immune related diseases, including autoimmune disease, allergy and graft rejection.

Abstract: Means are provided for adjustably setting and determining the time duration of flow of a purge gas through process gas supply conduits which supply process gases to semiconductor manufacturing operations. These features are used advantageously to facilitate the changing of certain components of the system, such as a tank of toxic process gas, and/or a filter. A plurality of gas storage and distribution cabinets can be controlled from a single remote personal computer. Alternatively, each individual unit can be controlled by means of its own control system. Setpoints defining, for example, time intervals and pressures to be used in controlling the functions of the gas cabinets may be selected and entered through a front panel on the gas cabinet, or through the remote terminal. A print-out of the selected setpoints is provided by the terminal for improved record keeping of safety procedures used.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing switch closure control inputs to a joystick control port of a video console comprising a pair of gloves having separate finger and thumb portions with electrical contacts mounted on the palm surfaces thereof adjacent to the finger and thumb tips. The electrical contacts are connected to selected terminals of a connector adapted for removable insertion into the console control port. Physical contact between the finger and thumb tips obtains electrical connection between associated contacts so as to provide switch closure control inputs to associated terminals of the control port.

Abstract: A container and closure assembly wherein the container is adapted to be initially closed by a sealing means such as a vacuum disc. The closure has two positions of attachment to a bead encircling the container. In the first position of attachment, which accommodates the aforementioned sealing means, the container bead is engaged in an annular notch located in the inside wall of a closure skirt. The notch weakens the skirt so as to allow a distal end of the skirt to be torn from a remaining portion of the closure to free the remaining portion of the closure from attachment to the container bead. This exposes the sealing means so as to allow a removal thereof and access to the contents of the container. The remaining portion of the closure is then reattachable to the container bead at a second position of attachment rendered accessible by removal of the sealing means for reclosure of the container. In a first embodiment, the closure has retention ribs permitting preassembly of the sealing means to the closure.