Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel anti-inflammatory immunomodulators including creatinine or a creatinine salt, for example, creatinine hydrochloride. The present invention is also directed to methods for treating inflammation and inducing an immunomodulatory response. In particular, the anti-inflammatory immunomodulators are useful for treating an inflammatory condition or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to pirfenidone (5-methyl-1-phenyl-2-(1H)-pyridone) and its derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, use of these compounds as a medicament, and for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or delaying the onset or development of pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract: Provided herein are indole-2-carboxamide compounds useful for the treatment of non-tuberculosis bacterial infections. Exemplary compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment of non-tuberculosis mycobacterial infections. Methods for preparing the indole-2-carboxamide compounds are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating cardiomyopathies. The disclosed methods and pharmaceutical compositions may be used for treating lamin A/C (LMNA)-related dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM) in a subject in need thereof. The disclosed methods may utilize and the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions may include an effective amount of a modulator of microtubule polymerization such as colchicine.

Abstract: An antiretroviral composition that gels upon heating and can be administered prophylactically prior to exposure to a retrovirus following sexual intercourse, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel anti-inflammatory immunomodulators including creatinine or a creatinine salt, for example, creatinine hydrochloride. The present invention is also directed to methods for treating inflammation and inducing an immunomodulatory response. In particular, the anti-inflammatory immunomodulators are useful for treating an inflammatory condition or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and pharmaceutical compositions for treating cardiomyopathies. The disclosed methods and pharmaceutical compositions may be used for treating lamin A/C (LMNA)-related dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM) in a subject in need thereof. The disclosed methods may utilize and the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions may include an effective amount of a modulator of microtubule polymerization such as colchicine.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel anti-inflammatory immunomodulators including creatinine or a creatinine salt, for example, creatinine hydrochloride. The present invention is also directed to methods for treating inflammation and inducing an immunomodulatory response. In particular, the anti-inflammatory immunomodulators are useful for treating an inflammatory condition or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of treating acquired sensorineural hearing loss and/or ototoxicity in mammals by administering quinoxaline or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof. In implementations, quinoxaline and its derivatives can decrease cochlear hair cell damage and/or stimulate cochlear hair cell proliferation. In some implementations, quinoxaline can be administered as a pre-treatment prior to, or in conjunction with, exposure to ototoxic pharmaceutical agent(s) and/or acoustic trauma to prevent or decrease cochlear hair cell cytotoxicity and/or stimulate cochlear hair cell proliferation. In other implementations, quinoxaline can be administered as a treatment following exposure to ototoxic pharmaceutical agent(s) and/or acoustic trauma to stimulate cochlear hair cell proliferation.

Abstract: A method and a composition are utilized to affect mitochondrial functions on a seizure-genic brain region. In one aspect, the disclosure comprises methods of treating seizures. Seizures are a transient symptom of abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain. Seizures may manifest as a wild thrashing movement, a brief loss of awareness, an alteration in mental state, tonic or clonic movements, convulsions, a full body slump, and various other psychic symptoms such as déjà vu or jamais vu. Recurrent, unprovoked seizures are medically known as epilepsy. In one implementation, the method of treating a seizure includes administering a composition that restores mitochondrial function to a seizure-genic brain region. In some embodiments, the composition can include ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and pyruvate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to novel anti-inflammatory immunomodulators including creatinine or a creatinine salt, for example, creatinine hydrochloride. The present invention is also directed to methods for treating inflammation and inducing an immunomodulatory response. In particular, the anti-inflammatory immunomodulators are useful for treating an inflammatory condition or an autoimmune disease.

Abstract: System and methods to evaluate and administer drugs. The present invention instantaneously identifies the effects that drugs, including appetite-affecting agents, have on animals. Data is collected automatically and analyzed and further organized to identify feeding patterns and the effect an appetite-affecting agent has on those feeding patterns. The present invention includes a system for data management, including a program with a data acquisition phase and a data analyzing phase to determine the feeding patterns of animals to aid in the evaluation of appetite-affecting drug efficacy.

Abstract: A bite block 20 for use during transoral medical procedures has a main lumen 42 and a side mount 110 for receiving a separately inserted airway 160. The airway 110 may be a commercially available nasopharangeal airway which is inserted in mount 110 and extends into the oral cavity so as to effectively function as oral pharangeal airway.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastrointestinal procedures is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body defining an endoscope lumen. The body is adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes at least one side disposed suction cavity and a cutting device configured to excise a surface layer from the tissue that is captured in the suction cavity. One or more needles are also provided in the working portion, which can be used to apply suture to the captured tissue and/or to inject fluid into the captured tissue prior to excision. Particular applications may be to treat Barrett's esophagus, to treat GERD, or for performing gastroplasty in the stomach.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanoparticles and methods for using nanoparticles. The nanoparticles include at least three antiretroviral agents. When introduced to cells the nanoparticles cause an increase in the intracellular concentration of the antiretroviral agents to a level that is at least the IC50 against HIV-I or HIV-2. This concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the cells are contacted with the nanoparticle. When administered to a subject the nanoparticles cause the concentration of the antiretroviral agents to increase to at least 100 ng/ml in the serum of the subject, at least 0.5 ?g/gram tissue in an organ of the subject, or a combination thereof. Such a concentration may be maintained for at least 21 days after the administration.

Abstract: Bite blocks providing an instrument lumen 62 for use during transoral medical procedures may be made from a material having a Shore D hardness less than 60 for improved patient comfort. An air way lumen 64 may be provide in side by side arrangement to the instrument lumen 62 for maintaining the patient's airway. The air way 70 may have a concave guiding channel 72 for helping to guide the instruments down the esophagus.

Abstract: Among other things, embodiments of devices (and parts thereof) are disclosed that can be used in treating Barrett's esophagus. Embodiments may have a suction cavity or window portion having elongated planar floor and ramped end surfaces with suction holes on one or both end surfaces. Examples include one or more fluid injection needles and parts for controlling fluid injection rate based on the rate of needle withdrawal. Embodiments can include one or more injection needles and receiving holes, with the ability to allow injectate to flow into tissue before withdrawing the needle(s), and/or lockout mechanism to prevent resection of tissue by a cutting mechanism prior to injection of fluid. Methods for treatment are also disclosed, and can include inserting a needle completely through tissue, and injecting fluid into tissue while withdrawing the needle back through the tissue, and/or injecting fluid into tissue while moving the needle forward through tissue.

Abstract: Dental restorative composites having self-healing capabilities to repair discontinuities in the composite are provided. Dental restorative composites according to the present invention include a microsphere that encapsulates a monomer. When a fracture occurs, the microsphere is ruptured and the monomer fills the fracture. Depending on the monomer present in the microsphere, it is polymerized by a polymerization initiator or by an olefin metathesis catalyst present in the dental restorative composite. Self-healing dental restorative composites provide increased resistance to fracturing, and thus remain substantially intact for a longer period of time, preserving the remedial integrity of the dental repair or reconstruction.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of imaging dental tissue. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of imaging dental caries by administering a topical intra-oral composition that provides enhanced radiographic imaging.

Abstract: A surgical system for performing gastroplasty is disclosed. The system includes an elongated body adapted to be inserted into the esophagus with a proximal end extending from a body orifice. A working member includes a pair of elongated suction cavities that capture and excise portions of the anterior and posterior stomach walls and apply sutures to the captured tissue, which, when drawn tight, serve to create a modified lumen in the stomach.