Abstract: Compositions and methods of use thereof for the treatment of psoriasis and related skin ailments are disclosed. The compositions include topical skin formulations of glucosamine in an emollient base such as moisturizing cream. In addition to glucosamine, the formulations may include keratolytic substances such as coal tar extract or salicylic acid. The formulations may also include glucosamine and antioxidant anti-inflammatory herbal extracts such as oleuropein and berberine in an emollient base.

Abstract: Existence of human trophoblast stem (hTS) cells has been suspected but unproved. The isolation of hTS cells is reported in the early stage of chorionic villi by expressions of FGF4, fgfr-2, Oct4, Thy-1, and stage-specific embryonic antigens distributed in different compartments of the cell. hTS cells are able to derive into specific cell phenotypes of the three primitive embryonic layers, produce chimeric reactions in mice, and retain a normal karyotype and telomere length. In hTS cells, Oct4 and fgfr-2 expressions can be knockdown by bFGF. These facts suggest that differentiation of the hTS cells play an important role in implantation and placentation. hTS cells could be apply to human cell differentiation and for gene and cell-based therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and procedures for evaluating the prognosis of patients suffering from acute coronary syndromes. In particular, the level of BNP, or a marker related to BNP, in a patient sample, alone or in combination with one or more other prognostic markers, provides prognostic information useful for predicting near-term morbidity and/or mortality across the entire spectrum of acute coronary syndromes, including unstable angina, non-ST-elevation non-Q wave myocardial infarction, ST-elevation non-Q wave MI, and transmural (Q-wave) MI.

Abstract: Assay systems and specialized antibodies for the detection and quantitation of troponin I and troponin T in body fluids as an indicator of myocardial infarction. Since troponin I and T exist in various conformations in the blood, the ratios of the monomeric troponin I an T and the binary and ternary complexes, as well as which form of troponin present in the blood, may be related to the metabolic state of the heart. Disclosed is a system to determine the presence of a troponin form or a group of troponin forms in a sample of whole blood, serum or plasma. Disclosed is a stabilized composition of troponin; the stabilized composition can comprise a stabilized composition of troponin I, wherein the troponin I is oxidized, the troponin I can be unbound or the troponin I can be in a complex.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a kit and a device for controlling the flux of penetrants across an adaptable semi-permeable porous barrier, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a formulation by suspending or dispersing said penetrants in a polar liquid in the form of fluid droplets surrounded by a membrane-like coating of one or several layers, said coating comprising at least two kinds of forms of amphiphilic substances with a tendency to aggregate, said penetrants being able to transport agents through the pores of said barrier or to enable agent permeation through the pores of said barrier after penetrants have entered the pores, selecting a dose amount of said penetrants to be applied on a predetermined area of said barrier to control the flux of said penetrants across said barrier, and applying the selected dose amount of said formulation containing said penetrants onto said area of said porous barrier.

Abstract: An assay device and method for measuring the concentration of HDL-associated cholesterol in a blood-fluid sample are described. The assay design is such that removal of non-HDL lipoproteins from a sample and assay of HDL cholesterol in the sample occur without interruption of the assay. The device also prevents interference by reagents used for the HDL assay with other assays carried out on the same sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that enables a user to sort data from one or more sample lots, which may be obtained via a network, such as the Internet, into a composite parameter structure. The composite parameter structure is a function of one or more parameters corresponding to one or more characteristics associated with one or more sample lots. The composite parameter structure representation may be printed, stored, or transmitted to another location. A server device that is coupled and working in conjunction with a client device may implement the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for evaluating nucleic acids, methods of preparing such compositions, and applications and business methods employing such compositions and methods. In particular, the present invention provides business methods for operating a gene expression measurement service.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods designed to determine the presence or amount of natriuretic peptides, or their fragments, in a sample. The degradation of natriuretic peptides is an ongoing process that may be a function of, inter alia, the elapsed time between onset of an event triggering natriuretic peptide release into the tissues and the time the sample is obtained or analyzed; the quantity of proteolytic enzymes present; etc. This degradation can produce circulating amounts of natriuretic peptides having reduced or lost biological function. The present invention provides, inter alia, assays designed to accurately measure biologically active natriuretic peptides, and compositions to inhibit a previously unknown pathway for degradation of natriuretic peptides.

Abstract: The invention describes novel formulations of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) based on complex aggregates with at least three amphipatic components suspended in a suitable, e.g. pharmaceutically acceptable, polar liquid medium. A suitably ionised NSAID is one of the two, amongst said three, components that tends to destabilise lipid membranes, the other system component with such activity being typically a surfactant. In contrast, the remaining amongst said at least three amphipatic components typically forms a stable lipid membrane on it's own. An essential characteristics of the resulting, relatively large, aggregates is an improved ability to penetrate pores, in a semi-permeable barrier, at least 30%, and often much smaller than the average diameter of the complex aggregate. This enables said aggregates to mediate NSAID transport through semi-permeable barriers including mammalian skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a kit and a device for controlling the flux of penetrants across an adaptable semi-permeable porous barrier, the method comprising the steps of: preparing a formulation by suspending or dispersing said penetrants in a polar liquid in the form of fluid droplets surrounded by a membrane-like coating of one or several layers, said coating comprising at least two kinds of forms of amphiphilic substances with a tendency to aggregate, said penerants being able to transport agents through the pores of said barrier or to enable agent permeation through the pores of said barrier after penetrants have entered the pores, selecting a dose amount of said penetrants to be applied on a predetermined area of said barrier to control the flux of said penetrants across said barrier, and applying the selected dose amount of said formulation containing said penetrants onto said area of said porous barrier.

Abstract: Composition comprising a rubber or plastic material and a zeolite. The composition may be foamed or not. The composition may absorb water or other chemicals, and has characteristics making it useful in the manufacture of a variety of products.