Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating elastin fiber injuries. In additional preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to methods of validating candidate compounds for use in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory asthma, and other related diseases. Examples of such methods include determining if the candidate compound decreases the degradation of elastic fiber in a patient administered the candidate compound by measuring, using mass spectrometry employing an internal standard, a marker of elastic fiber degradation in a sample of a body fluid or a tissue of the patient. The invention provides that a decrease in the presence of the marker compared to a control validates that the candidate compound is effective to treat, prevent, or ameliorate the disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing, monitoring, and treating elastin fiber injuries. In additional preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to methods of validating candidate compounds for use in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory asthma, and other related diseases. Examples of such methods include determining if the candidate compound decreases the degradation of elastic fiber in a patient administered the candidate compound by measuring, using mass spectrometry employing an internal standard, a marker of elastic fiber degradation in a sample of a body fluid or a tissue of the patient. The invention provides that a decrease in the presence of the marker compared to a control validates that the candidate compound is effective to treat, prevent, or ameliorate the disease.

Abstract: Creatinine clearance is estimated in a patient by determining his or her body cell mass. In turn, the body cell mass of the patient is measured using bioimpedance analysis techniques. The patient's serum creatinine concentration is also measured. The body cell mass and the serum creatinine concentration provide an indication of actual creatinine clearance in the subject through use of a predictive formula. From this prediction, accurate dosages of potentially nephrotoxic medications can be appropriately prescribed.

Abstract: A method for predicting fat free mass (FFM) and total body water (TBW) of a prepubertal child infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) comprises the steps of measuring a child's height, measuring the child's total body resistance, and predicting fat free mass (FFM) and total body weight (TBW) of said child using the measured height and total body resistance.

Abstract: Creatinine clearance is estimated in a patient by determining his or her body cell mass. In turn, the body cell mass of the patient is measured using bioimpedance analysis techniques. The determined value of body cell mass is normalized by the height.sup.2 of the patient. The body cell mass or its normalized value provides an indication of actual creatinine clearance in the subject through use of a predictive formula. From this prediction, accurate dosages of potentially nephrotoxic medications can be appropriately prescribed.

Abstract: The inability to precisely estimate body composition using simple, inexpensive and easily applied techniques is an impediment to clinical investigations in nutrition. In this study, predictive equations for body cell mass (BCM), fat free mass (FFM), and total body water (TBW), were derived, using single frequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA), in 332 subjects, including white, black and hispanic men and women, both normal healthy controls and patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Preliminary studies demonstrated more accurate predictions of BCM when using parallel transformed values of reactance than the values reported by the bioimpedance analyzer. Modeling equations derived after logarithmic transformation of height, reactance and impedance were more accurate predictors than equations using height.sup.2 /resistance, and the use of gender-specific equations further impoved accuracy.