Abstract: The present invention relates to the preventive and therapeutic uses of acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors (FIASMAs) such as psychotropic medications and non-psychotropic compounds having FIASMA activity, for lowering the risk of death and/or intubation in patient suffering from a viral infection caused by at least one betacoronavirus, in particular by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2).

Abstract: Methods for applying a coating to a surface of a substrate for inhibition and prevention of implant-associated complications (including implant-associated infections), methods for inhibiting and preventing implant-associated complications (including implant-associated infections), implant-associated infection inhibiting coatings, and coated devices are provided. Coating processes include a) providing a saturated or supersaturated solution of an antibiotic in a fast-evaporating or medium-evaporating organic solvent; b) coating the surface of the substrate with at least one application of solution, each application followed directly by a solvent evaporation period.

Abstract: Methods for applying a coating to a surface of a substrate for inhibition and prevention of implant-associated complications (including implant-associated infections), methods for inhibiting and preventing implant-associated complications (including implant-associated infections), implant-associated infection inhibiting coatings, and coated devices are provided. Coating processes include a) providing a saturated or supersaturated solution of an antibiotic in a fast-evaporating or medium-evaporating organic solvent; b) coating the surface of the substrate with at least one application of solution, each application followed directly by a solvent evaporation period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing pathogenic infections in a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound. This method involves selecting a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound and administering to the selected subject a ceramidase under conditions effective to reduce ceramide and to treat or prevent the pathogenic infection. The method also involves the use of a ceramidase in combination with other drugs to reduce infection, reduce ceramide, or improve lung function in Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or open wound patients.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the prevention or treatment of infection by SARS-CoV-2. Some aspects provide administration of a sphingoid compound, optionally sphingosine, an active ingredient that activates generation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine; or an active agent that inhibits the degradation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine, to a subject such as a human. By increasing the local concentration of sphingosine in a subject or an area of a subject to which the composition is administered such as the airways, nose or interior of the nose or portion thereof, the ability or SARS-CoV-2 to infect the subject or cells thereof is reduced thereby treating of preventing infection by the virus.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the prevention or treatment of infection by SARS-CoV-2. Some aspects provide administration of a sphingoid compound, optionally sphingosine, an active ingredient that activates generation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine; or an active agent that inhibits the degradation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine, to a subject such as a human. By increasing the local concentration of sphingosine in a subject or an area of a subject to which the composition is administered such as the airways, nose or interior of the nose or portion thereof, the ability or SARS-CoV-2 to infect the subject or cells thereof is reduced thereby treating of preventing infection by the virus.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in a subject in need thereof, the method including administering to the subject an effective amount of an active agent that reduces an amount of ceramide in a peripheral compartment of the subject. Also provided are methods of reducing ceramide levels in neuronal tissue of a subject suffering from MDD, the method including peripherally administering to the subject an effective amount of an active agent that modulates ceramide; as well as methods of identifying a candidate agent to treat MDD.

Abstract: Methods, additive kits and storage compositions for decreasing the deleterious effects of storage on pRBCs, for improving the aging process of stored pRBCs, and for preventing or ameliorating patient comorbidities following the transfusion or infusion of stored blood based on inhibiting acid sphingomyelinase during storage are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of treating major depressive disorder (MDD) in a subject in need thereof, the method including administering to the subject an effective amount of an active agent that reduces an amount of ceramide in a peripheral compartment of the subject. Also provided are methods of reducing ceramide levels in neuronal tissue of a subject suffering from MDD, the method including peripherally administering to the subject an effective amount of an active agent that modulates ceramide; as well as methods of identifying a candidate agent to treat MDD.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the prevention or treatment of viral infection in a subject. Some aspects provide administration of a sphingoid compound, optionally sphingosine, an active ingredient that activates generation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine; or an active agent that inhibits the degradation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine, to a subject such as a human. By increasing the local concentration of sphingosine in a subject or an area of a subject to which the composition is administered such as the nose or interior of the nose or portion thereof, the ability of viruses to infect the subject or cells thereof is reduced thereby treating of preventing infection by the virus.

Abstract: Methods for applying a coating to a surface of a substrate for inhibition and prevention of implant-associated complications (including implant-associated infections), methods for inhibiting and preventing implant-associated complications (including implant-associated infections), implant-associated infection inhibiting coatings, and coated devices are provided. Coating processes include a) providing a saturated or supersaturated solution of an antibiotic in a fast-evaporating or medium-evaporating organic solvent; b) coating the surface of the substrate with at least one application of solution, each application followed directly by a solvent evaporation period.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the prevention or treatment of viral infection in a subject. Some aspects provide administration of a sphingoid compound, optionally sphingosine, an active ingredient that activates generation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine; or an active agent that inhibits the degradation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine, to a subject such as a human. By increasing the local concentration of sphingosine in a subject or an area of a subject to which the composition is administered such as the nose or interior of the nose or portion thereof, the ability of viruses to infect the subject or cells thereof is reduced thereby treating of preventing infection by the virus.

Abstract: Provided are processes for the prevention or treatment of viral infection in a subject. Some aspects provide administration of a sphingoid compound, optionally sphingosine, an active ingredient that activates generation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine; or an active agent that inhibits the degradation of a sphingoid base, optionally of sphingosine, to a subject such as a human. By increasing the local concentration of sphingosine in a subject or an area of a subject to which the composition is administered such as the nose or interior of the nose or portion thereof, the ability of viruses to infect the subject or cells thereof is reduced thereby treating of preventing infection by the virus.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition containing (1) a therapeutically effective amount of hepatocyte-derived exosomes; and (2) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier is provided. Also provided herein is a method of inducing liver regeneration in a patient in need thereof, the method including administering to the patient a therapeutic amount of hepatocyte-derived exosomes, wherein liver regeneration is induced. Methods for up-regulating synthesis of synthesis of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in a hepatocyte by contacting the hepatocyte with at least one vesicle containing sphingosine kinase 2, and, optionally, ceramide and neutral ceramidase, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing pathogenic infections in a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound. This method involves selecting a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound and administering to the selected subject a ceramidase under conditions effective to reduce ceramide and to treat or prevent the pathogenic infection. The method also involves the use of a ceramidase in combination with other drugs to reduce infection, reduce ceramide, or improve lung function in Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or open wound patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing pathogenic infections in a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound. This method involves selecting a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound and administering to the selected subject a ceramidase under conditions effective to reduce ceramide and to treat or prevent the pathogenic infection. The method also involves the use of a ceramidase in combination with other drugs to reduce infection, reduce ceramide, or improve lung function in Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or open wound patients.

Abstract: Methods for applying a sphingolipid aggregate coating to a surface of a substrate for inhibition and prevention of biofilm growth, methods for inhibiting and preventing biofilms, biofilm-inhibiting coatings and coated devices are provided. Coating processes include suspending an amount of sphingolipid in a medium-to-fast-evaporating organic solvent; b) applying energy to the suspension sufficient to create a colloidal dispersion of sphingolipid in the solvent; c) heating the dispersion sufficient to create a solution; and d) coating the surface of the substrate with at least one application of solution, each application followed directly by a complete solvent evaporation period. The resulting coatings exhibit aggregate architectures particularly effective for inhibition and prevention of biofilms.

Abstract: Methods, additive kits and storage compositions for decreasing the deleterious effects of storage on pRBCs, for improving the aging process of stored pRBCs, and for preventing or ameliorating patient comorbidities following the transfusion or infusion of stored blood based on inhibiting acid sphingomyelinase during storage are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing pathogenic infections in a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound. This method involves selecting a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound and administering to the selected subject a ceramidase under conditions effective to reduce ceramide and to treat or prevent the pathogenic infection. The method also involves the use of a ceramidase in combination with other drugs to reduce infection, reduce ceramide, or improve lung function in Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or open wound patients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating or preventing pathogenic infections in a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound. This method involves selecting a subject having Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or an open wound and administering to the selected subject a ceramidase under conditions effective to reduce ceramide and to treat or prevent the pathogenic infection. The method also involves the use of a ceramidase in combination with other drugs to reduce infection, reduce ceramide, or improve lung function in Cystic Fibrosis, COPD, and/or open wound patients.