Abstract: The disclosure provides products and methods of treating diseases and disorders involving microbial pathogens, such as intestinal microbial pathogens, e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, by administering an effective amount of a phosphorylated polyethylene glycol compound of defined structural organization. Those diseases and disorders characterized by an epithelium attacked by a microbial pathogen are contemplated, including gastrointestinal infections and inflammation, e.g., treatment of intestinal or esophageal anastomosis or treatment or suppression of anastomotic leakage.

Abstract: The disclosure provides products and methods of treating diseases and disorders involving microbial pathogens, such as intestinal microbial pathogens, e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, by administering an effective amount of a phosphorylated polyethylene glycol compound of defined structural organization. Those diseases and disorders characterized by an epithelium attacked by a microbial pathogen are contemplated, including gastrointestinal infections and inflammation, e.g., treatment of intestinal or esophageal anastomosis or treatment or suppression of anastomotic leakage.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is the de novo synthesis of phosphorylated polyethylene glycol compounds with three defined ABA (hydrophilic/-phobic/-philic) structures: ABA-PEG10k-Pi10, ABA-PEG16k-Pi14, and ABA-PEG20k-Pi20 and linear polymer PEG20k-Pi20 absent of hydrophobic block. The disclosure also provides materials and methods for treating or reducing the risk or likelihood of developing, anastomotic leak or other microbe-mediated disorders by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a plasminogen inhibitor such as tranexamic acid and/or a phosphate-loaded polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of protecting irradiated eukaryotic cells such as irradiated mammalian epithelial cells, from the deleterious effect of microbial pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The invention also provides methods of protecting irradiated organisms from such deleterious effects, resulting in reduced mortality and morbidity. Further provided are kits containing relatively high molecular weight biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol, optionally supplemented with a protective polymer such as dextran and/or essential pathogen nutrients such as L-glutamine, along with instructions for administration to organisms to be exposed to radiation.

Abstract: The disclosure provides products and methods of treating diseases and disorders involving microbial pathogens, such as intestinal microbial pathogens, e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, by administering an effective amount of a phosphorylated polyethylene glycol compound of defined structural organization. Those diseases and disorders characterized by an epithelium attacked by a microbial pathogen are contemplated, including gastrointestinal infections and inflammation, e.g., treatment of intestinal or esophageal anastomosis or treatment or suppression of anastomotic leakage.

Abstract: A medical system for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube and a control module connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preventing and treating anastomotic leaks are disclosed. Data establishes that pathogenic microbes interfere with establishing epithelial cell barriers in anastomoses and, more generally, with the reconnection of any two portions of like or different tissues comprising epithelia. Suitable prophylactic and therapeutic composition comprise, e.g., a phosphorylated high molecular weight polyethylene glycol compound.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions in the form of relatively high molecular weight biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol, optionally supplemented with a protective polymer such as dextran and/or essential pathogen nutrients such as L-glutamine. Also provided are methods for preventing or treating gut-derived sepsis attributable to intestinal pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by administering high molecular weight polyethylene glycol as well as methods for monitoring the administration of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, such as in methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating microbe-induced epithelial disorders, as exemplified by gut-derived sepsis. Frequently, gut-derived sepsis arises as a complication in mammals recovering from surgical intervention or suffering from a disease or disorder, providing indications of suitable animals to receive preventative treatment.

Abstract: A medical system for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube and a control module connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions in the form of relatively high molecular weight biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol, optionally supplemented with a protective polymer such as dextran and/or essential pathogen nutrients such as L-glutamine. Also provided are methods for preventing or treating gut-derived sepsis attributable to intestinal pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by administering high molecular weight polyethylene glycol as well as methods for monitoring the administration of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, such as in methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating microbe-induced epithelial disorders, as exemplified by gut-derived sepsis. Frequently, gut-derived sepsis arises as a complication in mammals recovering from surgical intervention or suffering from a disease or disorder, providing indications of suitable animals to receive preventative treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions in the form of relatively high molecular weight biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol, optionally supplemented with a protective polymer such as dextran and/or essential pathogen nutrients such as L-glutamine. Also provided are methods for preventing or treating gut-derived sepsis attributable to intestinal pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa by administering high molecular weight polyethylene glycol as well as methods for monitoring the administration of high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, such as in methods of preventing, ameliorating or treating microbe-induced epithelial disorders, as exemplified by gut-derived sepsis. Frequently, gut-derived sepsis arises as a complication in mammals recovering from surgical intervention or suffering from a disease or disorder, providing indications of suitable animals to receive preventative treatment.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preventing and treating anastomotic leaks are disclosed. Data establishes that pathogenic microbes interfere with establishing epithelial cell barriers in anastomoses and, more generally, with the reconnection of any two portions of like or different tissues comprising epithelia. Suitable prophylactic and therapeutic composition comprise, e.g., a phosphorylated high molecular weight polyethylene glycol compound.

Abstract: A medical system for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube and a control module connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.

Abstract: A medical system for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube and a control module connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.

Abstract: The invention provides prophylactic and therapeutic methods for administering a ?-opioid receptor antagonist, e.g., N-methylnaltrexone or a salt thereof, to treat cell barrier diseases and disorders, such as endothelial and epithelial cell barrier diseases and disorders, e.g., sepsis. Methods of reducing at least a symptom of sepsis and the risk of developing sepsis are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides prophylactic and therapeutic methods for administering a ?-opioid receptor antagonist, e.g., N-methylnaltrexone or a salt thereof, to treat cell barrier diseases and disorders, such as endothelial and epithelial cell barrier diseases and disorders, e.g., inflammatory bowel disease. Methods of reducing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of protecting irradiated eukaryotic cells such as irradiated mammalian epithelial cells, from the deleterious effect of microbial pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The invention also provides methods of protecting irradiated organisms from such deleterious effects, resulting in reduced mortality and morbidity. Further provided are kits containing relatively high molecular weight biocompatible polymers such as polyethylene glycol, optionally supplemented with a protective polymer such as dextran and/or essential pathogen nutrients such as L-glutamine, along with instructions for administration to organisms to be exposed to radiation.

Abstract: A medical system for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube and a control module connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of screening for modulators of microbial PA-I lectin/adhesin activity, including modulators of PA-I expression, as well as the modulators so identified, pharmaceutical compositions and kits containing such modulators. These modulators include soluble and membrane-bound bacterial signaling compounds produced by cells of a host containing a microbial pathogen. Methods for preventing and treating cell disorders, such as epithelial cell disorders including gut-derived sepsis, a burn injury, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, severe neutropenia, toxic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, enteropathy, transplant rejection, pouchitis, pig belly, Pseudomonas-mediated opthalmologic infection, Pseudomonas-mediated otologic infection and Pseudomonas-mediated cutaneous infection, using the modulators are contemplated, as are methods for ameliorating a symptom associated with such a disorder.

Abstract: A medical system (100) for the treatment of morbid obesity comprising an inflatable balloon (110) implanted in a gastric cavity, a percutaneous fillant delivery tube (120) and a control module (130) connected to the tube for regulating the inflation and deflation of the balloon. The balloon may be individually contoured and inflated to occupy a large volume of the gastric cavity to provide a feeling of satiety. The balloon may also be deflated to give the gastric cavity lining a rest during less critical time.