Abstract: Novel airway devices and methods address complications of ventilating a patient with a mask; placing an endotracheal tube in an awake patient; and need for a bite block during flexible bronchoscopy and gastroscopy. The airway device features notches for engaging maxillary and mandibular teeth in a manner protracting the patient's mandible relative to the maxilla to open up the airway. This way, an open airway is easily maintained simply by holding the jaw closed against the device with the same hand used to operate a bag ventilator. A longitudinal channel in the device features a downwardly curved end wall for improved guidance of the endoscope into position. The channel is open sided at the top or bottom to allow rolling of the airway device off the endoscope into an offset position serving as a protective bite block and allowing feeding of the endotracheal tube along the endoscope.

Abstract: Novel airway devices and methods address complications of ventilating a patient with a mask; placing an endotracheal tube in an awake patient; and need for a bite block during flexible bronchoscopy and gastroscopy. The airway device features notches for engaging maxillary and mandibular teeth in a manner protracting the patient's mandible relative to the maxilla to open up the airway. This way, an open airway is easily maintained simply by holding the jaw closed against the device with the same hand used to operate a bag ventilator. A longitudinal channel in the device features a downwardly curved end wall for improved guidance of the endoscope into position. The channel is open sided at the top or bottom to allow rolling of the airway device off the endoscope into an offset position serving as a protective bite block and allowing feeding of the endotracheal tube along the endoscope.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical preparations comprising cannabinoid resins encapsulated in liposomes are provided. The preparations are characterised by particular molar ratios of carboxyl containing cannabinoids to their decarboxylated counterparts. Also provided are methods of preparing the pharmaceutical preparations and their use in the treatment of disease or disorders.

Abstract: A system for identifying which of a plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties are present on an item of interest. The system includes nucleic acid tag varieties each including a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, the nucleic acid molecule including a first and a second universal primer region common to all nucleic acid tag varieties, and a first and a second unique primer region unique to each nucleic acid tag variety. The system also includes a first primer set with a first primer complementary to the first universal primer region and a second primer complementary to the second universal primer region, as well as a second primer set with a first primer complementary to the first unique primer region of one of the nucleic acid tag varieties and a second primer complementary to the second unique primer region of the same nucleic acid tag variety.

Abstract: A method for detecting and identifying nucleic acid tags. A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule is created or selected and then immobilized on or in an item, or seeded within an area of interest. Samples are obtained from the surface of an item that has potentially been labeled, and an initial screen is conducted using universal primers to determine which samples contain nucleic acid tag. A multiplex screen is conducted on samples testing positive for nucleic acid tag in order to identify which of a plurality of nucleic acid tags are present on or in the item of interest.

Abstract: A method for detecting and identifying nucleic acid tags. A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule is created or selected and then immobilized on or in an item, or seeded within an area of interest. Samples are obtained from the surface of an item that has potentially been labeled, and an initial screen is conducted using universal primers to determine which samples contain nucleic acid tag. A multiplex screen is conducted on samples testing positive for nucleic acid tag in order to identify which of a plurality of nucleic acid tags are present on or in the item of interest.

Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for reducing, treating or preventing pain and/or inflammation in a patient in need of such treatment, the methods and compositions comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a statin or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a target tissue site beneath the skin.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for reducing, treating or preventing pain and/or inflammation in a patient in need of such treatment, the methods and compositions comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a statin or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a target tissue site beneath the skin.

Abstract: Methods of expressing LIM mineralization protein in non-osseous mammalian cells, such as stem cells or intervertebral disc cells (e.g., cells of the annulus fibrosus, or cells of the nucleus pulposus) are described. The methods involve transfecting the cells with an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a LIM mineralization protein operably linked to a promoter. Transfection may be accomplished ex vivo or in vivo by direct injection of virus or naked DNA, or by a nonviral vector such as a plasmid. Expression of the LIM mineralization protein can stimulate proteoglycan and/or collagen production in cells capable of producing proteoglycyan and/or collagen. Methods for treating disc disease associated with trauma or disc degeneration are also described.

Abstract: Methods of inducing the expression of a proteoglycan such as aggrecan in a cell are described. A method is described which includes transfecting a cell with an isolated nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a LIM mineralization protein operably linked to a promoter. The LIM mineralization protein can be rLMP, hLMP-1, hLMP-1s, or hLMP-3. Transfection maybe accomplished ex vivo or in vivo by direct injection of virus or naked DNA, or by a nonviral vector such as a plasmid. The method can be used to induce proteoglycan synthesis in osseous cells or to stimulate proteoglycan and/or collagen production in cells capable of producing proteoglycan and/or collagen (e.g., intervertebral disc cells including cells of the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus).

Abstract: Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of at least analgesic and/or at least one anti-inflammatory agent at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat inflammation and pain.

Abstract: Effective treatments of acute pain for extended periods of time are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of dexamethasone at or near a target site, one can relieve pain cause by diverse sources, including but not limited to spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. When appropriate formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers, this relief can be continued for at least twenty-five days. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least fifty days, at least one hundred days, at least one hundred and thirty-five days or at least one hundred and eighty days.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for reducing, treating or preventing pain and/or inflammation in a patient in need of such treatment, the methods and compositions comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a statin or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a target tissue site beneath the skin.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for reducing, treating or preventing adhesions in a patient in need of such treatment, the methods and compositions comprising administering one or more biodegradable drug depots comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a glucocorticoid or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a target tissue site beneath the skin, wherein the drug depot releases an effective amount of the glucocorticoid or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to prevent in-growth of scar tissue and formation or reformation of adhesions at or near the target tissue site while an injured tissue heals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the methods and compositions for the treatment of subjects having compromised bone conditions. Specifically, the invention relates to combinatorial therapeutic strategies including small molecules and peptide mimics of LIM mineralization proteins, particularly LMP-1, to overcome the dose-related translational barriers for BMP-2 therapeutics.

Abstract: A brush assembly includes a handle and a brush head attached to the handle. The brush head includes a base with a plurality of integral bristles and a matrix. The matrix is made of sponge, foam or other compressible material. As the brush is used on a person or an animal skin or scalp, the hair or fur causes the matrix to compress and expose the bristles. When the brush is removed, the matrix springs back and removes any hair, fur, or other material entangled in the hair. Optionally a vibrating device is incorporated into the brush to provide massaging of the skin and/or scalp.

Abstract: A brush for hygienic purposes includes a handle with a lower and an upper portion and a head. The upper portion is sized and shaped to capture the head. Preferably the head is a removable cartridge and includes a flexible base with a plurality bristles and a pad with holes disposed over the bristles. The pad could be a foam or sponge matrix or could be a stack of sheets removable one at a time. Upper portion of the handle is curved to provide a predetermined shape to the head. Optionally, a vibrating device is incorporated in the brush so that the brush can be used as to massage the skin or scalp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting stains, urine, odor and feces, and more particularly, the combination of a black light detector and a liquid reservoir and/or trigger pump dispensing vehicle for containing stain removing chemicals is provided. The black light is selectively and removably mounted or positioned in the body of the dispensing vehicle.

Abstract: A brush for hygienic purposes includes a handle with a lower and an upper portion and a head. The upper portion is sized and shaped to capture the head. Preferably the head is a removable cartridge and includes a flexible base with a plurality bristles and a pad with holes disposed over the bristles. The pad could be a foam or sponge matrix or could be a stack of sheets removable one at a time. Upper portion of the handle is curved to provide a predetermined shape to the head. Optionally, a vibrating device is incorporated in the brush so that the brush can be used as to massage the skin or scalp.