Abstract: The present invention provides a tablet comprising a compressed tablet core which comprises at least about 80% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer. The invention also provides a method of producing a tablet core comprising at least about 80% by weight of an aliphatic amine polymer resin. The method comprises the step of compressing the aliphatic amine polymer to form the tablet core. The tablet core can further include one or more excipients. In this embodiment, the method of producing the tablet core comprises the steps of: (1) hydrating the aliphatic amine polymer to the desired moisture level; (2) blending the aliphatic amine polymer with the excipients in amounts such that the polymer comprises at least about 80% by weight of the resulting blend; and (3) compressing the blend to form the tablet core. The present invention further relates to a coated tablet comprising an aliphatic amine polymer core wherein the coating is a water based coating.

Abstract: Methods to elevate progenitor and stem cell counts in animal subjects using compounds which bind to the chemokine receptor CXCR4 are disclosed. Preferred embodiments of such compounds are of the formula Z-linker-Z???(1) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A method of treating a glomerular disease selected from the group consisting of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, collapsing glomerulopathy, proliferative lupus nephritis, crescentic glomerulonephritis and membranous nephropathy in a subject comprises administering to the subject an effective amount of a glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention provides viscosupplementation methods for treating osteoarthritis and joint injury with HA-based viscosupplements, particularly viscosupplements with an intra-articular residence half-life shorter than 3 weeks. Viscosupplements for use in the methods of the invention may be further characterized in that they contain less than 20 mg/ml HA, at least 5% (w/w) of which is in a gel form, such as, e.g., hylan B. In an illustrative embodiment, hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc®) is administered in a single intra-articular knee injection of 6±2 ml.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to methods of embolizing a vascular site in a mammal comprising introducing into the vasculature of a mammal a composition comprising an inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, which composition may be injected through a small catheter, and which compositions gel at or below body temperature. In certain embodiments of the methods of embolization, said composition further comprises a marker molecule, such as a dye, radiopaque, or an MRI-visible compound.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of occluding a vascular site in a mammal, comprising the step of introducing into the vasculature of a mammal at or proximal to a surgical site, a composition comprising at least one optionally purified inverse thermosensitive polymer, wherein said inverse thermosensitive polymer gels in said vasculature, thereby temporarily occluding a vascular site of said mammal, wherein said temporarily occluded vasculature site is kept in a substantially cylindrical shape.

Abstract: The present invention improves significantly the success rate of lithotripsy and reduces the risk of tissue damage, by injecting a temporary plug in front, and optionally behind a concretion (for extracorporeal lithotripsy) or behind a concretion (for intracorporeal lithotripsy). One aspect of the present invention relates to injecting an inverse thermosensitive polymer solution into a lumen, thereby preventing the migration of a concretion, or its fragments, upon extracorporeal or intracorporeal lithotripsy.

Abstract: A method for treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) with Campath-1H with significant efficacy and a favourable safety profile is described, which offers an acceptable benefit/risk ratio. Especially described is the use of Campath-1H (alemtuzumab) for the production of a medicament for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS), comprising a first treatment cycle followed by at least one further treatment cycle of Campath-1H (alemtuzumab), in which each treatment cycle comprises 1-5 daily doses which are applied on consecutive days, wherein the daily dose is >0 and ?12 mg, and wherein each treatment cycle is separated from the next cycle by at least 1-24 months. Also described are treatment regimens comprising the administration of less than 12 mg/day of Campath-1H for a period of 1-5 consecutive days.

Abstract: A method for identifying a patient that is at risk for developing a thyroid disorder that occurs subsequent to treatment with a regimen that depletes lymphocytes, comprising determining whether antibodies directed against thyroid peroxidase or thyroid microsomes are present in the patient, wherein if the antibodies are present in the patient then the patient is at increased risk for developing a thyroid disorder. A particular embodiment is a method for identifying a patient with multiple sclerosis that is at risk for developing a thyroid disorder that occurs subsequent to treatment with a regimen that depletes CD52-positive cells, comprising determining whether antibodies directed against thyroid peroxidase or thyroid microsomes are present in the patient, wherein if the antibodies are present in the patient then the patient is at risk for developing the thyroid disorder.

Abstract: Described herein are cannulas having a stepped exterior. Also described are methods of making and using these cannulas, for example to deliver one or more materials to the central nervous system of an animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to dose escalation enzyme replacement therapy using acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) for the treatment of human subjects having acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), and, in particular, patients with non-neurological manifestations of Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD), and in certain embodiments, NPD type B.

Abstract: The invention relates to dose escalation enzyme replacement therapy using acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) for the treatment of human subjects having acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD), and, in particular, patients with non-neurological manifestations of Niemann-Pick Disease (NPD), and in certain embodiments, NPD type B.

Abstract: Surgical prostheses and methods of using and making surgical prostheses are disclosed.