Abstract: This patent document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for enhancing detection of pulmonary edema using, in addition to thoracic impedance, one or a combination of: physiologic information about a subject, at least one statistical parameter, a user-programmable detection level, at least one parameter associated with a previous pulmonary edema event, and patient symptom information about the subject. In one example, a (base) thoracic impedance threshold is modified to an adjusted thoracic impedance threshold. The adjusted thoracic impedance threshold provides an increased sensitivity of pulmonary edema detection as compared to the base thoracic impedance threshold. In another example, an alert is provided to a subject, a caregiver, or other user based on a pulmonary edema indication determined by the present systems, devices, and methods. In a further example, a therapy (provided to the subject) is adjusted or initiated in response to the pulmonary edema indication.

Abstract: A uterine contraction sensor device for non-invasively monitoring uterine contractions passing through an abdomen includes a base including a top wall, a bottom wall and a perimeter wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall to define an interior space. The base is positionable on an abdomen. A tube is positioned in the interior space of the base and is coupled to the bottom wall. The tube is filled with a low viscosity fluid. A first end of the tube is closed to inhibit the low viscosity fluid exiting the first end. A second end of the tube extends upwardly from the top wall to be engage by a fetal monitor. A diaphragm is coupled to the tube adjacent the second end of the tube and is engaged by the fetal monitor to transfer vibrations passing through the low viscosity fluid to the fetal monitor.

Abstract: A biopsy device is provided. The biopsy device can include a cutter which is advanced through a first portion of its stroke by a differential fluid pressure acting on a piston. A mechanical drive can be used to translate and rotate the cutter during tissue severing.

Abstract: A guide wire comprises a core member, and a coil covering at least a distal end side portion of the core member. The guide wire comprises a coil fixing member which is fixed to the distal end side portion of the core member and which is adapted to fix the coil concentrically with the core member at an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the coil, with the coil being fixed to the coil fixing member. The coil can be disposed concentrically with the core member, with the distal end portion of the guide wire undergoing generally uniform favorable deformations at the time of insertion into a living body, thus providing relatively excellent operationality.

Abstract: A urological instrument (1) for assessing a urine flow, includes a receiving member (5) for the urine flow which, at least during operation, is in open liquid communication with a urine guide (6). The urine guide (6) leads to an inlet of flow indicator element (7) for assessing at least a magnitude of the urine flow. The receiving member (5) has a first, relatively compact storage state and a second, expanded ready-to-use state and is designed and adapted to allow it to be brought manually from the storage state to the ready-to-use state. At least in the ready-to-use state the receiving member comprises a cavity open on at least one side for receiving the urine flow therein.

Abstract: Muscle fatigue measuring equipment is provided by which one can know muscle fatigue status objectively and easily. Embodiments include equipment for performing the steps of substituting a myoelectric value based on a measured myoelectric potential and a stored myoelectric value into an arithmetic expression for determining a myoelectric change; and substituting an extracellular fluid measured using biological impedance and a stored extracellular fluid value into an arithmetic expression for determining a change in extracellular fluid. The presence or absence of muscle fatigue, the equilibrium state of muscle fatigue, and the progress of muscle fatigue is determined using the determined myoelectric change and extracellular fluid change.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that PPAR&ggr; is expressed consistently in each of the major histologic types of human liposarcoma. It has further been discovered that maximal activation of PPAR&ggr; with exogenous ligand (a thiazolidinedione or derivative thereof) promotes terminal differentiation of primary human liposarcoma cells. It has still further been discovered that RXR-specific ligands are also potent adipogenic agents in cells expressing the PPAR&ggr;/RXR&agr; heterodimer, and that simultaneous treatment of liposarcoma cells with a thiazolidinedionyl moiety (a PPAR&ggr;-selective class of compounds) and an RXR-specific ligand results in an additive stimulation of differentiation. Accordingly, according to the invention, there have been identified compositions which are useful for the treatment of liposarcomas.

Abstract: 2,3,2 Tetramine (3,7-diazanonane-1,9-diamine) is propounded for treatment of Parkingson's Disease and dementias characterized by mitochondrial damage in view of this compound's ability to completely neutralize the dopamine-depriving effect of MPTP in laboratory animals up to 12 hours post MPTP injection, and to retain partial protection at suboptimal tissue levels for up to 36 hours.

Abstract: This invention discloses an orally administered pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of elevated levels of cholesterol and related conditions comprising a statin and fenofibrate in the form of microparticles of solid fenofibrate that are stabilized by phospholipid as a surface active substance, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of the composition provides the statin and a quantity of fenofibrate to a fasted human patient that is greater than 80% of the quantity of fenofibrate provided by the same amount of the composition when administered to the same patient who has been fed a high fat meal.

Abstract: An antiviral agent which is characterized in containing at least one compound selected from a group consisting of 4,5-dihydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one represented by the following formula [I] and an optically active substance and a salt thereof as an effective component.

Abstract: Topical gelled compositions comprising a drug which causes vasodilation, and optionally prostaglandin E1, dispersed within a polymer matrix, and methods of treating sexual dysfunction, including both male and female sexual dysfunction, using said compositions.

Abstract: A formulation of a sparingly water-soluble, crystalline pharmaceutically active agent wherein the active agent is converted to and stabilized in its amorphous form as a solid solution of a normally hydrophobic vehicle is described. The amorphous state is stabilized by the composition of the formulation, providing long shelf life of the improved composition. This stabilized formulation also provides increased solubility and bioavailability of the active agent. Solutions of the active agent are stabilized by the composition, preventing recrystallization and precipitation of the less soluble, crystalline form of the active agent from aqueous solutions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating a subject infected with a mammalian pathogenic fungus which uses melanin in virulence, by administering to the subject an amount of glyphosate effective to treat the infection. The present invention further provides a method for inhibiting proliferation of a mammalian pathogenic fungus which uses melanin in virulence, by contacting the fungus with an amount of glyphosate effective to inhibit the proliferation of the fungus. Additionally, the present invention further provides a method for inhibiting melanogenesis in a microorganism which produces melanin, by contacting the microorganism with an amount of glyphosate effective to inhibit melanogenesis in the microorganism.

Abstract: A triple drug, pharmaceutical kit, composition, and method of treatment containing a combination of effective amounts of at least one anxiolytic agent, at least one centrally acting alpha antiadrenergic agent, and at least one central nervous system stimulant for the reduction or prevention of alcohol and narcotic withdrawal side effects of dizziness, drowsiness, depression, lethargy, orthostatic hypotension, weakness in the extremities, and difficulty in being mobile, caused by therapeutic agents utilized for the treatment of alcohol or narcotic withdrawal symptoms in patients overcoming alcohol or narcotic addiction.

Abstract: A formulation of a sparingly water-soluble, crystalline pharmaceutically active agent wherein the active agent is converted to and stabilized in its amorphous form as a solid solution of a normally hydrophobic vehicle is described. The amorphous state is stabilized by the composition of the formulation, providing long shelf life of the improved composition. This stabilized formulation also provides increased solubility and bioavailability of the active agent. Solutions of the active agent are stabilized by the composition, preventing recrystallization and precipitation of the less soluble, crystalline form of the active agent from aqueous solutions thereof.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one film-forming polymer and at least one water-superabsorbent polymer in the form of water-swelled particles, the mean size of which is at least about 0.5 mm. Procedures for making-up a keratinous material comprising applying the composition onto the keratinous material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a composition containing a cholesterol lowering component such as &bgr;-sitosterol and/or &bgr;-sitostanol in a monomolecular, low associated or “cluster” form, where a melt and/or solution of the said components are distributed, immobilised and stabilised in a matrix; food containing such a composition and a method of preparing this composition.

Abstract: The powdery bleaching composition has improved storage stability and contains from 25 to 70 percent by weight of at least one solid per-compound as effective bleaching agent and from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight of at least one cross-linked silicone elastomer. The at least one cross-linked silicone elastomer is made by cross-linking with an alpha, omega-diene or a vinyl-polysiloxane and preferably is a dimethicone/vinyl-dimethicone crosspolymer or a cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone crosspolymer. Simple methods of making the powdery cosmetic compositions are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides combinations of cardiovascular therapeutic compounds for the prophylaxis or treatment of cardiovascular disease including hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis, or hyperlipidemia. Combinations disclosed include a nicotinic acid derivative combined with a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for alleviating side effects caused by use of an anti-tumor agent, which contains 5-chloro-6-(2-iminopyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidi nedione (1) represented by formula (1): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The 5-chloro-6-(2-iminopyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof exhibit an inflammatory-suppressing action in the digestive tract and advantageously alleviate diarrhea and loss of body weight concomitant with administration of a chemical for treating cancer without suppressing the anti-tumor effect. Thus, the compounds of the present invention are of great value as agents for alleviating side effects caused by use of an anti-tumor agent, which enable not only the chemotherapy to be continuedly carried out, but also the body exhaustion to be effectively prevented.