Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods employ betalains for treatment of various conditions, and especially osteoarthritis, sinusitis, contact dermatitis, acne, an allergic condition, reduced mental alertness, reduced physical strength, reduced physical endurance, and/or impaired mood.

Abstract: Solid, free-flowing, and substantially completely dissolvable preparations with high betalain content are presented. Most typically, the betalain profile of the preparations is near natural and includes betalains in an amount of between 10-40 wt %. As the preparations of the inventive subject matter maintain chemical stability and flowability over extended periods of time, it should be noted that the betalain preparations are now amenable to compounding in small and measured quantities. Furthermore, new biological activities of betalains are shown, and especially include significant induction of SIRT and reduction of serum triglyceride.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods employ betalains for treatment of various conditions, and especially osteoarthritis, sinusitis, contact dermatitis, acne, an allergic condition, reduced mental alertness, reduced physical strength, reduced physical endurance, and/or impaired mood.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods are drawn to use of various boron-containing compounds to temporarily and transiently increase endogenous blood calcitriol concentration. The boron-containing compound is preferably a carbohydrate-boron complex having sufficient stability to achieve measurable quantities of the complex in blood upon oral administration of the complex.

Abstract: Contemplated boro-carbohydrate compounds are demonstrated to modulate the blood concentrations of various polypeptides associated with metabolic syndrome by administration of a tetrahedral, and under-carboxylated osteocalcin, adiponectin, and YKL-40. Use of such compounds in oral administration is especially preferred and may be effective to address one or more components of metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods are drawn to use of various boron-containing compounds to temporarily and transiently increase endogenous blood calcitriol concentration. The boron-containing compound is preferably a carbohydrate-boron complex having sufficient stability to achieve measurable quantities of the complex in blood upon oral administration of the complex.

Abstract: Complex metal-containing matrices, and especially chromium-containing matrices are produced from a water soluble preparation that is derived from an item suitable for animal (and most typically human) consumption. In particularly contemplated aspects, the water soluble preparation is an extract or filtrate of disintegrated brewer's yeast, and the so prepared complex mixture is combined with a chromium-3+ ions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosis and/or analysis of a condition in a mammal are disclosed in which RNA from microvesicles is enriched and differentiated to so obtain a result that is indicative of the condition of tissue or organ from which the microvesicle originated. In especially preferred embodiments, the condition is a neoplastic disease of a human and can be identified and staged by differential analysis of one or more distinct RNAs, optionally together with identification and analysis of a non-RNA component of the microvesicle.

Abstract: Dicot, and especially Brassicaceae sprout preparations are employed as a dietary agents that significantly reduce oxidized species in human serum. In one especially preferred aspect, contemplated compositions are employed to reduce serum oxLDL and to increase serum HDL levels.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosis and/or analysis of a condition in a mammal are disclosed in which RNA from microvesicles is enriched and differentiated to so obtain a result that is indicative of the condition of tissue or organ from which the microvesicle originated. In especially preferred embodiments, the condition is a neoplastic disease of a human and can be identified and staged by differential analysis of one or more distinct RNAs, optionally together with identification and analysis of a non-RNA component of the microvesicle.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions include compounds with cytokinin activity to modulate glucose and/or lipid metabolism in a mammal. Especially preferred compounds include those comprising a purine scaffold, and it is further preferred that contemplated compositions are employed to prevent and/or treat various diseases, including pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes, Syndrome X, and dyslipidemia. In still further preferred aspects, compounds with cytokinin activity are used to activate AMPK and/or Akt. Consequently, various diseases associated with dysregulation of AMPK and/or Akt may be treated using the compounds of the present inventive subject matter.

Abstract: Compositions and methods of SIRT activation are presented in which one or more vitamin compounds, and especially vitamin B compounds are used to significantly increase SIRT activity in vitro and in vivo. In especially preferred compositions, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin B2 are present in synergistic quantities.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods are directed to the use of microvesicles from an optionally recombinant donor cell to impart a desirable effect to a recipient cell. In certain preferred aspects, RNA of the microvesicles is employed to achieve the desirable effect. For example, microvesicles are used in vitro to increase the number of passages of a cell growing in a medium, reduce serum and/or growth factor requirements of a cell growing in a medium, and/or delay differentiation of a cell growing in a medium. Further preferred aspects include use of the microvesicles as therapeutic agents in which RNA, a membrane protein, and/or a cytosolic protein encapsulated in or coupled to the microvesicle provide a therapeutic effect. Additionally, diagnostic methods are contemplated in which RNA of a microvesicle isolated from a mammal is associated with a condition of the mammal.

Abstract: Various compositions and methods are provided to alleviate one or more symptoms associated with hyposalivation or xerostomia. Preferred compositions and methods employ one or more plant extracts and/or a proanthocyanidin at a concentration effective to reduce or eliminate the symptoms. Especially preferred extracts are isolated from a fruit and/or seed (e.g., grape, cranberry, blue berry, black berry, etc.), and where a second extract is present, such extract is preferably isolated from a citrus fruit (e.g., lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, mandarin orange, ugli fruit, etc.).

Abstract: Complex metal-containing matrices, and especially chromium-containing matrices are produced from a water soluble preparation that is derived from an item suitable for animal (and most typically human) consumption. In particularly contemplated aspects, the water soluble preparation is an extract or filtrate of disintegrated brewer's yeast, and the so prepared complex mixture is combined with a chromium-3+ ions.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosis and/or analysis of a condition in a mammal are disclosed in which RNA from microvesicles is enriched and differentiated to so obtain a result that is indicative of the condition of tissue or organ from which the microvesicle originated. In especially preferred embodiments, the condition is a neoplastic disease of a human and can be identified and staged by differential analysis of one or more distinct RNAs, optionally together with identification and analysis of a non-RNA component of the microvesicle.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods employ betalains for treatment of various conditions, and especially osteoarthritis, sinusitis, contact dermatitis, acne, an allergic condition, reduced mental alertness, reduced physical strength, reduced physical endurance, and/or impaired mood.

Abstract: Contemplated compositions and methods are drawn to use of various boron-containing compounds to temporarily and transiently increase endogenous blood calcitriol concentration. The boron-containing compound is preferably a carbohydrate-boron complex having sufficient stability to achieve measurable quantities of the complex in blood upon oral administration of the complex.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for diagnosis and/or analysis of a condition in a mammal are disclosed in which RNA from microvesicles is enriched and differentiated to so obtain a result that is indicative of the condition of tissue or organ from which the microvesicle originated. In especially preferred embodiments, the condition is a neoplastic disease of a human and can be identified and staged by differential analysis of one or more distinct RNAs, optionally together with identification and analysis of a non-RNA component of the microvesicle.

Abstract: Solid, free-flowing, and substantially completely dissolvable preparations with high betalain content are presented. Most typically, the betalain profile of the preparations is near natural and includes betalains in an amount of between 10-40 wt %. As the preparations of the inventive subject matter maintain chemical stability and flowability over extended periods of time, it should be noted that the betalain preparations are now amenable to compounding in small and measured quantities. Furthermore, new biological activities of betalains are shown, and especially include significant induction of SIRT and reduction of serum triglyceride.