Abstract: This invention provides certain compounds, methods of their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and their use in treating human or animal disorders. The compounds of the invention are useful as modulators of the interaction between the receptor for advanced glycated end products (RAGE) and its ligands, such as advanced glycated end products (AGEs), S100/calgranulin/EN-RAGE, ?-amyloid and amphoterin, and for the management, treatment, control, or as an adjunct treatment for diseases in humans caused by RAGE. Such diseases or disease states include acute and chronic inflammation, the development of diabetic late complications such as increased vascular permeability, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and retinopathy, the development of Alzheimer's disease, erectile dysfunction, and tumor invasion and metastasis.

Abstract: This invention provides certain compounds, methods of their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, their use in treating human or animal disorders. The compounds of the invention are useful as modulators of the interaction between the receptor for advanced glycated end products (RAGE) and its ligands, such as advanced glycated end products (AGEs), S100/calgranulin/EN-RAGE, ?-amyloid and amphoterin, and for the management, treatment, control, or as an adjunct treatment for diseases in humans caused by RAGE. Such diseases or disease states include acute and chronic inflammation, the development of diabetic late complications such as increased vascular permeability, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and retinopathy, the development of Alzheimer's disease, erectile dysfunction, and tumor invasion and metastasis.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds which are useful as inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). As inhibitors of PTPases the compounds of the invention are useful for the management, treatment, control and adjunct treatment of diseases in mammals mediated by PTPase activity. Such diseases include type I diabetes, type II diabetes, immune dysfunction, AIDS, autoimmunity, glucose intolerance, obesity, cancer, psoriasis, allergic diseases, infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, diseases involving the modulated synthesis of growth hormone or the modulated synthesis of growth factors or cytokines which affect the production of growth hormone, or Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: This invention provides compounds which are useful as inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). As inhibitors of PTPases, the compounds of the invention are useful for the management, treatment, control and adjunct treatment of diseases mediated by PTPase activity. Such diseases include type I diabetes, type II diabetes, immune dysfunction, AIDS, autoimmunity, glucose intolerance, obesity, cancer, psoriasis, allergic diseases, infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases, diseases involving the modulated synthesis of growth hormone or the modulated synthesis of growth factors or cytokines which affect the production of growth hormone, or Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Provided are methods to detect of modulators of the Receptor for Advanced Glycated Endproducts (RAGE). The invention comprises a method for detection of RAGE modulators comprising: adsorbing a RAGE ligand onto a solid surface; adding a compound of interest and a protein comprising RAGE or fragment thereof, to the preadsorbed ligand; adding an antibody which binds to RAGE or fragment thereof and a secondary antibody which binds to the anti-RAGE antibody; measuring the secondary antibody bound to the anti-RAGE antibody; and comparing the amount of RAGE bound to the ligand in the presence of varying amounts of the compound of interest. In an embodiment, the fragment of RAGE is sRAGE. In one aspect, the invention use of compounds detected by the method for treatment of AGE-related syndromes including complications associated with diabetes, kidney failure, lupus nephritis or inflammatory lupus nephritis, amyloidoses, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, inflammation, and erectile dysfunction.

Abstract: An automated weighing station is provided which is advantageous for automatically weighing samples generally disposed in containers in an array of racks. The weighing station comprises a sample handling assembly which is operably connected to a balance, allowing a moveable sample carrier to bring samples into position beneath the balance and sample handling assembly, thereby minimizing the movement of individual samples in order to accomplish weighing. A weighing system that provides flexibility and convenience in generating and transforming a variety of data sets associated with measurements accomplished using the weighing apparatus is also provided. Also disclosed is an automated liquid dispensing system for dispensing liquid into sample containers. The liquid dispensing system may operate independently or in conjunction with the weighing system in a synchronized fashion.

Abstract: This invention provides certain compounds, methods of their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, their use in treating human or animal disorders. The compounds of the invention are useful as modulators of the interaction between the receptor for advanced glycated end products (RAGE) and its ligands, such as advanced glycated end products (AGEs), S100/calgranulin/EN-RAGE, &bgr;-amyloid and amphoterin, and for the management, treatment, control, or as an adjunct treatment for diseases in humans caused by RAGE. Such diseases or disease states include acute and chronic inflammation, the development of diabetic late complications such as increased vascular permeability, nephropathy, atherosclerosis, and retinopathy, the development of Alzheimer's disease, erectile dysfunction, and tumor invasion and metastasis.

Abstract: An automated weighing station is provided which is advantageous for automatically weighing samples generally disposed in containers in an array of racks. The weighing station comprises a sample handling assembly which is operably connected to a balance, allowing a moveable sample carrier to bring samples into position beneath the balance and sample handling assembly, thereby minimizing the movement of individual samples in order to accomplish weighing. A weighing system that provides flexibility and convenience in generating and transforming a variety of data sets associated with measurements accomplished using the weighing apparatus is also provided.