Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating subjects with alveolar capillary membrane injury or methods of preventing alveolar capillary membrane injury in subjects, with the methods comprising administering to the subjects a therapeutically effective amount of ergothioneine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also relates to methods of screening candidate compounds for their ability to mitigate the effects of alveolar capillary membrane injury.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating subjects with alveolar capillary membrane injury or methods of preventing alveolar capillary membrane injury in subjects, with the methods comprising administering to the subjects a therapeutically effective amount of ergothioneine and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also relates to methods of screening candidate compounds for their ability to mitigate the effects of alveolar capillary membrane injury.

Abstract: In a serum measurement device, an analyte concentration measurement apparatus facilitates sampling and analysis of analytes in body fluid and includes an implantable serum sampling catheter comprising a biocompatible tubing enclosing a vacuum release lumen and a serum lumen that are interconnected by a port. The serum lumen is separated from the sampling catheter exterior by a membrane barrier. The sampling catheter is configured for drawing a serum sample from a body fluid compartment by creation of suction in the serum lumen.

Abstract: A lactate concentration measurement apparatus comprising a housing enclosing a sample chamber configured for holding a body fluid sample and measurement photo-optics that generate light and monitor light intensity along a plurality of optical paths in the sample chamber. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of optical filters aligned in respective optical paths of the optical path plurality comprising at least a first optical filter with light absorption by lactate and water and a second optical filter with light absorption to water alone. A logic determines lactate concentration based on a ratio of intensities detected at a first detector in an optical path intersected by the first optical filter and detected at a second detector in an optical path intersected by the second optical filter.

Abstract: A method for measuring concentration of an analyte in body fluid comprises acquiring a body fluid sample, emitting light into the body fluid sample, and detecting emitted light intensity on a plurality of optical paths through the body fluid sample. A plurality of optical filters are arranged in respective optical paths of the optical path plurality comprising at least a first optical filter with light absorption by an analyte and water and a second optical filter with light absorption to water alone. Light intensity passed through the first optical filter and passed through the second optical filter is measured and analyte concentration is determined based on a ratio of intensities detected at a detector in an optical path intersected by the first optical filter and detected at a detector in an optical path intersected by the second optical filter.

Abstract: A body fluid analysis apparatus comprises a unitary housing containing a single-celled chamber and having an entry portal for communicating body fluid between a patient body and the chamber. A barrier coupled at the entry portal prevents selected components of the body fluid from entering the chamber.

Abstract: In a tissue sensor, a plurality of emitters are configured to emit narrowband light into biological tissue at a plurality of selected wavelengths including one or more wavelengths indicative of a profile for one or more selected analytes and a reference wavelength at which absorbance for the selected analyte is negligible. The sensor further comprises a photo detector configured to detect light at wavelengths that emerge from the biological tissue.

Abstract: Glucose concentration is noninvasively measured by measuring a plurality of absorption values using at least one emitter operating at a corresponding plurality of emission wavelengths through a common optical sample volume and deriving glucose concentration from the absorption measurement values.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes an optical source capable of being positioned on a tissue and emitting near infrared light into the tissue at a plurality of selected wavelengths, and a photodetector capable of detecting reflected light from the tissue. The photodetector being positioned on the tissue removed from the optical source but sufficiently close in proximity to the optical source to contact the same general tissue. The optical sensor further includes an oscillator coupled to the optical source and capable of activating the optical source to emit the near infrared light, and a modulator coupled to the oscillator and capable of controlling radio frequency modulation of the optical source to emit a radio frequency component that is used to measure the optical path length and absorbance of an analyte of interest within the tissue.

Abstract: Formulations for pulmonary delivery that include a protein and a non-physiological surfactant at or above the CMC of the surfactant, and methods for preparing and using the same.

Abstract: Oxidative stress and inflammation often occur in the eye and often in association with aging or ocular disease. Increases in blood oxidative stress and inflammatory factors can be used to identify individuals with increased ocular oxidative stress and inflammation, select and guide appropriate interventions or treatments, identify selected patients for clinical study and/or determine the efficacy of various interventions or treatments. The present invention describes such factors and will improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ocular oxidative stress and/or inflammation and related ocular conditions.

Abstract: Plasminogen activator acts as an anti-inflammatory agent by inhibiting generation of superoxide anion by a mechanism that is not related to L-arginine, is not dependent on thrombolytic activity, and is not a function of oxygen free radical scavenging. Moreover, in in vivo models of inflammation, treatment with plasminogen activator reduces edema without inhibiting neutrophil infiltration in in vivo models of inflammation.

Abstract: The invention relates to the discovery that serum ferritin concentrations are elevated in patients at risk for the development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and who subsequently develop ARDS, as compared to at-risk patients who do not subsequently develop ARDS. Thus, the invention includes a method for determining ARDS development potential in an at-risk patient comprising the steps of determining the patient's serum concentration of ferritin and determining ARDS development potential from said serum concentration of ferritin.

Abstract: At the initial diagnosis of sepsis (6-24 h before the development of ARDS), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity level is increased in septic patients who subsequently develop ARDS compared to healthy patients and septic patients who do not develop ARDS. A method is disclosed for predicting the occurrence of ARDS in a septic patient from the patient's serum level of LDH activity, which method facilitates identification of subsets of patients destined to develop ARDS and allows prospective treatment of such septic patients.

Abstract: Macular degeneration is an age-related eye disease for which there is no known treatment to date that has been shown to be effective at treating or preventing the onset or progression of the disease. Current treatment of non-exudative (dry form) macular degeneration is limited to early diagnosis and careful followup, while symptomatic treatment of exudative (wet form) macular degeneration includes laser photocoagulation therapy, surgery, low dose radiation (teletherapy), and anti-oxidant or anti-inflammatory therapies. The present invention relates to a new method for treating or preventing the onset or progression of macular degeneration, comprising periodic administration of a glutathione (GSH) enhancing agent alone or in conjunction with at least one of an anti-oxidant or an anti-inflammatory therapy, and possibly in addition to one or more of the symptomatic treatments mentioned above.

Abstract: At the initial diagnosis of sepsis (6-24 h before the development of ARDS), serum manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) levels and catalase activities are increased in septic patients who subsequently developed ARDS compared to septic patients who did not develop ARDS. Increases in MnSOD and catalase may be used to predict the occurrence of ARDS in septic patients with the same sensitivity, specificity and efficiency as parallel assessments of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Factor VIII levels. Evaluation of serum MnSOD and catalase as well as these other accessible markers facilitates identification of subsets of patients and allows prospective treatment of septic patients who are destined to develop ARDS.