Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method of treating an excitable cell-related disease or condition in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a vector comprising an expression cassette, wherein the expression cassette comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a subunit of a multimeric ion channel.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method of treating an excitable cell-related disease or condition in a mammal in need thereof, comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a vector comprising an expression cassette, wherein the expression cassette comprises a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a subunit of a multimeric ion channel.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for controllably managing unproductive cough in a patient having a tissue structure that has been genetically modified to have light sensitive protein, comprising: providing a light delivery element configured to direct radiation to at least a portion of a targeted tissue structure, a light source configured to provide light to the light delivery element, and a controller operatively coupled to light source; and operating the controller to illuminate the targeted tissue structure with radiation such that a membrane potential of cells comprising the targeted tissue structure is modulated at least in part due to exposure of the light sensitive protein to the radiation.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for controllably managing unproductive cough in a patient having a tissue structure that has been genetically modified to have light sensitive protein, comprising: a light delivery element configured to direct radiation to at least a portion of a targeted tissue structure; a light source configured to provide light to the light delivery element; and a controller operatively coupled to light source; wherein the controller is configured to be operated by an operator to illuminate the targeted tissue structure with radiation such that a membrane potential of cells comprising the targeted tissue structure is modulated at least in part due to exposure of the light sensitive protein to the radiation.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for managing unproductive cough in a patient, comprising: an applicator comprising a resistive heating element and being configured to be positioned adjacent a portion of a targeted nerve tissue for treatment; a power source configured to provide electrical current to the resistive heating element; and a current controller operatively coupled to the power source and configured to raise the temperature of the portion of the targeted nerve tissue to inhibit nerve conduction.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for managing unproductive cough in a patient, comprising: providing an applicator comprising a resistive heating element and being configured to be positioned adjacent a portion of a targeted nerve tissue for treatment; providing a power source configured to provide electrical current to the resistive heating element; providing a current controller operatively coupled to the power source and configured to raise the temperature of the portion of the targeted nerve tissue to inhibit nerve conduction; and modulating the temperature of the portion of the targeted nerve tissue to inhibit nerve conduction.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a system for treating hypertension within the eye of a patient, comprising a light delivery element optically intercoupled between a light source and a targeted tissue structure of the eye; wherein the targeted tissue structure has been genetically modified to have light sensitive protein; and wherein exposure of the genetically modified targeted tissue structure to radiation delivered through the light delivery element modulates the contractility of the genetically modified targeted tissue structure to reduce an intraocular pressure within the eye.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method for treating hypertension within the eye of a patient, comprising: delivering an effective amount of polynucleotide comprising an exogenous receptor genetic material which is expressed in a targeted tissue structure of the eye, wherein the targeted tissue structure has been genetically modified to have light sensitive protein; waiting for a period of time to ensure that sufficient portions of the targeted tissue structure of the eye will express the desired light sensitive protein; and causing controlled mechanical changes to the permeability of the eye by directing light to the targeted tissue structure through a light deliver element optically intercoupled between a light source and the targeted tissue structure of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the surprising and unexpected finding that biologically active thrombopoietin materials can be administered with substantial therapeutic effect at dosage rates commensurate with previously reported administration of such materials, but in a single or low-multiple daily administration. Thus, the predicate of the present invention relates to the reversal of thrombocytopenia by administering to a patient having or in need of such treatment a single or low-multiple daily dose of a therapeutically effective amount of a thrombopoietin. The preferable dose of the active material ranges from about 1 to about 10 .mu.g/kg body weight.