Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for characterizing a condition of spinal deformities are contemplated. Mobile devices that incorporate inclinometers or accelerometers (e.g., a smart phone) are held securely in a supporting structure that renders it useful to characterize spinal deformities such as scoliosis and/or kyphosis. Supporting structures can include features that secure the mobile device (for example, chamfered surfaces, high friction surfaces, pliant projections, straps, hook and loop enclosures, tensioning devices, detents, etc.) in an upper portion and a lower portion that includes at least one, but preferably two or more rollers, and an interposing centrally placed notch dimensioned to permit the assembled device (supporting structure and mobile device) to span the width of a typical human spinal column. At least one roller includes an encoder (e.g.

Abstract: Sprayable aqueous pharmaceutical compositions containing granisetron or a pharmaceutically salt thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable inactive ingredients, including tonicity agents, preservatives, and water soluble polymers with bioadhesive properties and/or capable of changing the rheological behavior in relation to ions, pH and temperature. The compositions are intranasally administered to a subject in need thereof in the rapid management and or prevention of nausea and/or vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. The composition has the advantages of rapid absorption and onset of action, prolonged drug plasma concentration and pharmacological effects comparable to intravenous infusion, as well as reduced nasal stinging sensation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are presented in which recombinant IL-11 is PEGylated to achieve improved half-life in serum while having desirable therapeutic activity and presenting less side-effects. Most preferably, the IL-11 is an N-terminally truncated human or humanized IL-11 and has a 20 Kd or 40 Kd branched PEG moiety, Y- or comb-shaped in particular, coupled to the N-terminal amino group. Such compounds are characterized by substantially increased stability in serum and sustained biological activity while exhibiting significantly reduced plasma expansion.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for a live, attenuated influenza vaccine suitable for nasal administration. The vaccine utilizes a cold adapted influenza virus that lacks virulence factor, and includes mutations that provide replicative ability sufficient for vaccine manufacture. Vaccines so produced provide significant cross protection for non-vaccinating strains. The vaccine is safe for children under the age of 2 and adults over 49 years of age. In addition, the cold adapted, virulence factor deleted influenza virus can be adapted to provide immunity to non-influenza pathogens.

Abstract: The inventive subject matter provides compositions and methods for producing high dose, high bioavailability oral taxane compositions. Oral taxanes are prepared as an amorphous solid dispersion, and can be provided in a compressed tablet form. Surprisingly oral bioavailability of taxanes prepared and provided in this matter is high, even in the absence of surfactants.

Abstract: Therapy for influenza using a combination of a neuraminidase inhibitor, a macrolide antibiotic, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug has been found to provide improved clinical outcomes and reduced incidence of viral quasispecies compared to conventional treatment with neuraminidase inhibitors alone. Effective treatment schedules are also provided. The drug combination can be used in concert with a proton-pump inhibitor and/or an additional antibacterial antibiotic.

Abstract: The application pertains to methods of treating and/or preventing actinic keratosis, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of KX-01, to a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are described in which the topical application of a toll-like receptor 7 agonist or a toll-like receptor 9 agonist at or near a subdermal vaccination site provides an enhanced response to the vaccination. The enhanced response can be an elevated antibody titer relative to an untreated but vaccinated subject, and/or development of cross-species immunity to species not present in the vaccinating composition.

Abstract: Highly conserved, short untranslated leader sequences have been identified in MERS-CoV and other human pathogenic Coronaviruses that provide the basis for highly sensitive and accurate assays for these viruses. Use of locked nucleic acids is shown to be useful in amplification reactions for these short sequences. RT-PCR using locked nucleic acids is shown to provide accurate detection of a variety of human pathogen Coronaviruses present at 10 copies per reaction or less.

Abstract: Sprayable aqueous pharmaceutical compositions containing granisetron or a pharmaceutically salt thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable inactive ingredients, including tonicity agents, preservatives, and water soluble polymers with bioadhesive properties and/or capable of changing the rheological behavior in relation to ions, pH and temperature. The compositions are intranasally administered to a subject in need thereof in the rapid management and or prevention of nausea and/or vomiting induced by cytotoxic chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. The composition has the advantages of rapid absorption and onset of action, prolonged drug plasma concentration and pharmacological effects comparable to intravenous infusion, as well as reduced nasal stinging sensation.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are presented in which recombinant IL-11 is PEGylated to achieve improved half-life in serum while having desirable therapeutic activity and presenting less side-effects. Most preferably, the IL-11 is an N-terminally truncated human or humanized IL-11 and has a 20 Kd or 40 Kd branched PEG moiety, Y- or comb-shaped in particular, coupled to the N-terminal amino group. Such compounds are characterized by substantially increased stability in serum and sustained biological activity while exhibiting significantly reduced plasma expansion.

Abstract: Disclosed are hydrogel composition, method for preparing the same and use thereof. The hydrogel composition comprises a guar gum derivative which is crosslinked, a mint-based component, water, and optionally, an amphiphilic core-shell nanoparticle having a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell, wherein the amount of the mint-based component is in the range of 1-6 wt % and the amount of the water is in the range of 65-95 wt %, based on the total weight of the hydrogel composition. The hydrogel composition is safe and can provide symptomatic relief for patients with symptoms such as severe and intractable pruritus associated with hypertrophic scars. The symptomatic relief effect of the hydrogel composition is reproducible, and is independent of the etiology of the burn trauma, extent of the scarring and duration of the scar formation, while tachyphylaxis is not observed. Also disclosed is a medical device comprising the hydrogel composition.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprises a taxane (e.g., paclitaxel, docetaxel, cabazitaxel, larotaxel, ortataxel, and/or tesetaxel) in a mixture of first and second surfactants. The absorption of the taxane is increased from the pharmaceutical composition is greater than the sum of the absorption of docetaxel from either the first or the second surfactant. The increase in absorption is especially enhanced when the ratio of the first surfactant to the second surfactant in the pharmaceutical composition is between 60:40 and 85:15 by weight, and the total surfactant weight does not exceed 98% of the total weight. Polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20, and caprylocaproyl polyoxylglycerides serve as suitable first surfactants, and polysorbate 80 or polyethyoxylated castor oil serve as suitable second surfactants. The stability of the pharmaceutical composition may be enhanced by further including a stabilizer (e.g., citric acid and/or ascorbic acid).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ophthalmic composition, method for preparing the same, and use of the same. The ophthalmic composition includes a mixture of lipid nano-dispersion and gel substrate, wherein the lipid nano-dispersion includes a first lipid, a second lipid, and emulsifier; in which the first lipid exists in form of solid lipid as staring material, and the second lipid exists in form of liquid lipid as staring material. The ophthalmic composition can better reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and is safe, convenient and economical to use, and can be used during daytime without blocking of vision.

Abstract: An effective dose of a pharmaceutically acceptable phenylbutyrate salt such as sodium phenylbutyrate applied to human ocular tissues or through injection or other means prevents ocular hypertension and treats glaucoma in humans, leading to a new medical therapy for lowering the intraocular pressure via a mechanism different from the existing glaucoma medications. This compound can be formulated in combination with topical or other forms of steroids in prevention and treatment of steroid induced ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Abstract: An effective dose of a pharmaceutically acceptable phenylbutyrate salt such as sodium phenylbutyrate applied to human ocular tissues or through injection or other means prevents ocular hypertension and treats glaucoma in humans, leading to a new medical therapy for lowering the intraocular pressure via a mechanism different from the existing glaucoma medications. This compound can be formulated in combination with topical or other forms of steroids in prevention and treatment of steroid induced ocular hypertension and glaucoma.

Abstract: This invention relates to the stimulation of a specific combination of 5 acupuncture points including EX-HN5 (taiyang), BL59 (fuyang), BL2 (cuanzhu), GV20 (baihui), and LI4 (hegu) and its effectiveness in improving vision in the treatment of anisometropic amblyopia.

Abstract: Various methods for treating a patient with neoplasia are disclosed, in particular, methods using topoisomerase Ila-preferential poisons, methods using a combination of a topoisomerase Illi-preferential inhibitor and a topoisomerase II poison, and methods using a combination of a topoisomerase II poison and a proteasome inhibitor are disclosed. Novel topoisomerase Ila-preferential poisons are disclosed, particularly, several novel 13-carboline derivatives are identified. Methods for identifying the novel topoisomerase Ila-preferential poisons and methods for identifying the novel topoisomerase EP-preferential inhibitors are also provided herein.