Abstract: Compositions and methods for decreasing the viability of cells, particularly aberrant non-healthy cells, and most particularly cancer cells, are disclosed. The primary agent that causes cell death is a toxic metal atom or ion. Embodiments of the invention provide compositions and methods to ensure that the toxic metal is directed to the desired cell or tissue. In one embodiment, the metal is bound to a sulfur-rich peptide or protein carrier containing a targeting moiety. Such metal-protein complex is targeted to the selected cells or tissues to enrich the cell or tissue site with the metal-containing peptide or protein molecules followed by administering a dithiocarbonyl which carries the metal from the protein inside the cells to induce cell death.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using human placental alkaline phosphatase or an active derivative to reduce blood glucose level in a mammal. Treatment regimens provided by the invention may be used to control Type I and Type II forms of diabetes in humans. The methods and treatment regimens may be effective to maintain the human's blood glucose level below about 10 mM, and preferably within the normal range of 4 mM to 7 mM. The methods and treatment regimens may be used in combination with administration of known anti-diabetic medicaments. The invention also provides a preparation for administration to a human, the preparation comprising homogeneous purified human placental alkaline phosphatase in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using human placental alkaline phosphatase or an active derivative to reduce blood glucose level in a mammal. Treatment regimens provided by the invention maybe used to control Type 1 and Type 2 forms of diabetes in humans. The methods and treatment regimens maybe effective to maintain the human's blood glucose level below about 10 mM, and preferably within the normal range of 4 mM to 7 mM. The methods and treatment regimens may be used in combination with administration of known anti-diabetic medicaments. Also provided by the invention is a method for inducing weight loss or reducing an expected weight gain caused by or associated with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. The invention further provides a preparation for administration to a human, the preparation comprising homogeneous purified human placental alkaline phosphatase in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: It has been found that placental alkaline phosphatase interacts synergistically with growth factors and corresponding serum factors to stimulate the proliferation of adult fibroblast cells. Furthermore, this stimulation of fibroblast proliferation does not result in a corresponding stimulation of collagen synthesis. Thus, wound healing compositions can be formulated that improve wound healing without increasing scar formation. Compositions for wound healing can include placental alkaline phosphatase and a gel-forming material. In some embodiments, compositions include placental alkaline phosphatase and serum/growth factors. In addition to wound healing applications, compositions with placental alkaline phosphatase can also be used in cell culturing of adult fibroblast cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using human placental alkaline phosphatase or an active derivative to reduce blood glucose level in a mammal. Treatment regimens provided by the invention may be used to control Type 1 and Type 2 forms of diabetes in humans. The methods and treatment regimens may be effective to maintain the human's blood glucose level below about 10 mM, and preferably within the normal range of 4 mM to 7 mM. The methods and treatment regimens may be used in combination with administration of known anti-diabetic medicaments. Also provided by the invention is a method for inducing weight loss or reducing an expected weight gain caused by or associated with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. The invention further provides a preparation for administration to a human, the preparation comprising homogeneous purified human placental alkaline phosphatase in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: Methods for stimulating proliferation of cells in the epidermis and dermis of mammalian skin are disclosed. The methods comprise the step of administering to an area of the skin a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of human placental alkaline phosphatase, or an active derivative. The composition can be administered topically or by injection. The invention also provides a regimen for restoring or maintaining the strength and thickness of aging skin, comprising periodically administering a composition by topical application. The invention further provides methods for stimulating proliferation of cells in the epidermis and dermis of transplanted skin. A composition for topical application is also provided by the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for altering the viability of cells, particularly cancers in animals and humans are disclosed. The compositions of the present invention are formed from a set of components comprising one or more of the following: a dithiocarbonyl, preferably dithiocarbamate, compound; a divalent metal ion; a modulator of cellular glutathione levels; and an inhibitor of the phosphorylation of choline. The compositions described herein induce a relatively selective and rapid effect on the viability of cancer cells by inducing a mixture of apoptotic and necrotic cell death, with the dominant pathway being apoptosis. Particularly preferred active compositions comprise all four components, although combinations of fewer components can be fully effective in certain tumors.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for altering the viability of cells, particularly cancers in animals and humans are disclosed. The compositions of the present invention are formed from a set of components comprising one or more of the following: a dithiocarbonyl, preferably dithiocarbamate, compound; a divalent metal ion; a modulator of cellular glutathione levels; and an inhibitor of the phosphorylation of choline. The compositions described herein induce a relatively selective and rapid effect on the viability of cancer cells by inducing a mixture of apoptotic and necrotic cell death, with the dominant pathway being apoptosis. Particularly preferred active compositions comprise all four components, although combinations of fewer components can be fully effective in certain tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using human placental alkaline phosphatase or an active derivative to reduce blood glucose level in a mammal. Treatment regimens provided by the invention maybe used to control Type 1 and Type 2 forms of diabetes in humans. The methods and treatment regimens maybe effective to maintain the human's blood glucose level below about 10 mM, and preferably within the normal range of 4 mM to 7 mM. The methods and treatment regimens may be used in combination with administration of known anti-diabetic medicaments. Also provided by the invention is a method for inducing weight loss or reducing an expected weight gain caused by or associated with obesity or Type 2 diabetes. The invention further provides a preparation for administration to a human, the preparation comprising homogeneous purified human placental alkaline phosphatase in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for using human placental alkaline phosphatase or an active derivative to reduce blood glucose level in a mammal. Treatment regimens provided by the invention may be used to control Type I and Type II forms of diabetes in humans. The methods and treatment regimens may be effective to maintain the human's blood glucose level below about 10 mM, and preferably within the normal range of 4 mM to 7 mM. The methods and treatment regimens may be used in combination with administration of known anti-diabetic medicaments. The invention also provides a preparation for administration to a human, the preparation comprising homogeneous purified human placental alkaline phosphatase in a physiologically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A boat cleat with retractable line. A retractable line is wound around a spool that is rotatably mounted within a line encasing. A cleat is rigidly attached to the outside surface of the line encasing. A spring is operably coupled to the spool and urges rotation of the spool in a line take-up direction. In a preferred embodiment, a locking device is connected to the spool for preventing unwanted rotation of the spool.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for altering the viability of cells, particularly cancers in animals and humans are disclosed. The compositions of the present invention are formed from a set of components comprising one or more of the following: a dithiocarbonyl, preferably dithiocarbamate, compound; a divalent metal ion; a modulator of cellular glutathione levels; and an inhibitor of the phosphorylation of choline. The compositions described herein induce a relatively selective and rapid effect on the viability of cancer cells by inducing a mixture of apoptotic and necrotic cell death, with the dominant pathway being apoptosis. Particularly preferred active compositions comprise all four components, although combinations of fewer components can be fully effective in certain tumors.

Abstract: It has been found that placental alkaline phosphatase interacts synergistically with growth factors and corresponding serum factors to stimulate the proliferation of adult fibroblast cells. Furthermore, this stimulation of fibroblast proliferation does not result in a corresponding stimulation of collagen synthesis. Thus, wound healing compositions can be formulated that improve wound healing without increasing scar formation. Compositions for wound healing can include placental alkaline phosphatase and a gel-forming material. In some embodiments, compositions include placental alkaline phosphatase and serum/growth factors. In addition to wound healing applications, compositions with placental alkaline phosphatase can also be used in cell culturing of adult fibroblast cells.

Abstract: Directed energy conversion of semiconductors by the directed energy fusion of a selective region of a semiconductor layer to provide a conductive path through the layer. A conductive path is formed through a semiconductive layer through opposed electrodes by conversion of the semiconductive region, for example, by laser energy applied to change the structure in the region extending between the electrodes. The change in conductivity of the path is monitored and used to control the formation of the conductive path by controlling the directed energy source.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a slurry into phases containing larger and smaller grains has an upright tank in which a plurality of downwardly extending inlet pipes open at their lower ends between outlets for the coarse and fine phases located at the bottom and top of the tank, respectively. At the lower end of each inlet pipe, an upwardly widening frustoconical cup is provided with a bottom confronting the open end of the inlet pipe to deflect the slurry upwardly and outwardly. Within the cup swirl vanes impart a swirl to the slurry.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for continuous plasma CVD deposition in and through a vacuum system, box carriers are provided to carry both the substrates and the plasma exciting electrodes through the system. Contamination of the system and cross doping of the applied coatings are reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the volume rate of flow of flowing fluids by means of a flow meter, called rotameter, in which a linear light source and a plurality of light sensing means are engaged along diametrically opposing generatrices of the transparent measuring tube of the rotameter, and the float in the measuring tube intercepts the light path so that the state of illumination of the light sensing means corresponds to the position of the float in the rotameter tube, and the outputs of the light sensing means are combined in a logical circuit to produce a signal combination representing said float position.

Abstract: An instrumental measuring method for determining the size-distribution of grained material is described in which the material is evenly distributed in a fluid then the fluid is let in rest state when the materials gets sedimenting, and during sedimentation the hydrostatic pressure is continuously measured in at least two height regions of the fluid preferably by appropriate pressure sensitive transistors and the difference of the measured hydrostatic pressures is characteristic of the size-distribution of the grained material on the basis of the well-known Stokes' relation.