Abstract: The subject invention involves pharmaceutical compositions in dosage unit form, for peroral administration of bisacodyl to a human or lower animal having a gastrointestinal tract, with a lumen therethrough, with a small intestine and a colon with a junction therebetween, comprising:(a) a safe and effective amount of rapidly-dissolving bisacodyl means; and(b) a delivery means which prevents the release of bisacodyl from the dosage form into the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract during transport of the dosage form through the lumen until the dosage form is near the junction between the small intestine and the colon or in the colon, and which then releases the bisacodyl in the lumen near the junction between the small intestine and the colon or within the colon,The subject invention also involves methods for providing laxation for humans and lower animals in need thereof by peroral administration of such compositions.

Abstract: The subject invention involves methods of treating nasal congestion comprising administration, to a human or lower animal in need of such treatment of a safe and effective amount of a compound having the following structure: ##STR1## wherein: (a) R is unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanyl or alkenyl; and(b) R' is selected from hydrogen; unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkanyl or alkenyl; unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkylthio or alkoxy; hydroxy; thiol; cyano; and halo.The subject invention also involves the use of such compounds for preventing or treating other respiratory, ocular and/or gastrointestinal disorders. The subject invention also involves novel compounds having the above structure wherein R' is hydrogen or fluoro or cyano.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods and kits for detecting or evaluating risk of presently or later developing active periodontitis, comprising: (a) collecting gingival crevicular fluid; (b) measuring the amount in the gingival crevicular fluid of IgA; (c) measuring the amount in the gingival crevicular fluid of a marker for polymorphonuclear leukocytes; (d) comparing a ratio of the amounts obtained from steps (b) and (c) to a standard.