Abstract: The present invention provides methods treating multiple sclerosis (MS) in a patient in need of treatment thereof. The methods comprise co-administering to the patient a fumarate or pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, and at least one sulfonylurea or pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, where the amount of the fumarate is administered at a dose lower than the therapeutically effective dose if the fumarate is administered alone.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods treating multiple sclerosis (MS) in a patient in need of treatment thereof. The methods comprise co-administering to the patient a fumarate or pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, and at least one sulfonylurea or pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, where the amount of the fumarate is administered at a dose lower than the therapeutically effective dose if the fumarate is administered alone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic compounds, treatment methods, and kits affecting the NCCa-ATP channel of neural tissue, including neurons, glia and blood vessels within the nervous system, and methods of using same. The NCCa-ATP channel is newly expressed in neural tissue following injury such as ischemia, and is regulated by the sulfonylurea receptor SUR1, being inhibited by sulfonylurea compounds, e.g., glibenclamide and tolbutamide, and opened by diazoxide. Antagonists of the NCCa-ATP channel, including SUR1 antagonists, are useful in the prevention, diminution, and treatment of injured or diseased neural tissue, including astrocytes, neurons and capillary endothelial cells, that is due to ischemia, tissue trauma, brain swelling and increased tissue pressure, or other forms of brain or spinal cord disease or injury. Agonists of the NCCa-ATP channel may be are useful in the treatment neural tissue where damage or destruction of the tissue, such as a gliotic capsule, is desired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to therapeutic compositions targeting the NCCa-ATP channel of an astrocyte, neuron or capillary endothelial cell and methods of using same. More specifically, antagonists of the NCCa-ATP channel are contemplated. The compositions are used to prevent cell death and to treat secondary damage associated with spinal cord injury.

Abstract: A composition comprising a novel Ca2+-activated, [ATP]i-sensitive nonspecific cation (NCCa-ATP) channel is described. The channel is found in mammalian neural cells and exhibits a different sensitivity to block by various adenine nucleotides, and is activated by submicromolar [Ca]i. The NCCa-ATP channel is activated under conditions of ATP depletion, which causes severe cell depolarization, followed by cell swelling. The NCCa-ATP channel is regulated by a sulfonylurea receptor and is inhibited by sulfonylurea compounds glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Methods employing compositions comprising the NCCa-ATP channel to screen for compounds that block the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described. In addition, methods employing compositions comprising the Kir2.3 channel to screen for compounds that open the channel and the use of such antagonists as therapeutics in preventing brain swelling and damage are described.

Abstract: A method of encryption features the steps of first encrypting a message and then hiding (embedding) it within a digital image carrier. This is accomplished by only slightly changing the gray levels of the image carrier. The changes are imperceptible to the human eye, because they appear as random thermal noise that is commonly present in digitized images.

Abstract: A timer for use in determining rate of spread of a forest fire utilizing an uninsulated case with a clock circuit operated by a temperature-operated switch, preferably a solder switch, and a method for determining the rate of spread of a forest fire utilizing said timers and computing the rate of spread of a forest fire from the time differences and the pattern of deployment of said timers on the floor of the forest.