Abstract: Disclosed are adenosine derivatives, methods for the synthesis thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases, comprising the same as an active ingredient. The adenosine derivatives have high binding affinity and selectivity for adenosine receptors, especially for A3 adenosine receptors and act as A3 adenosine receptor antagonists, and exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, the adenosine derivatives are useful in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: Provided are methods for reducing intraocular pressure in an individual having an ocular disorder causing elevated intraocular pressure, such as glaucoma. The method comprises administering to the individual an effective intraocular pressure-reducing amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising an A3 subtype adenosine receptor (A3AR) antagonist, including dihydropyridine, pyridine, pyridinium salt or triazoloquinazoline, and derivatives thereof expressly having A3AR antagonist activity, including, e.g., the nucleoside-based A3AR antagonist, MRS-3820. Further provided is a method for ensuring the delivery of a topically administered therapeutic composition for reducing intraocular pressure, wherein the method expressly requires physically opening a channel through the corneal barrier of the patient's eye by a microneedle or micropipette to permit transport of the topical composition to the anterior chamber of the eye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to allosteric modulation of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR) and provides for the use of an A3 adenosine receptor modulator (A3RM), for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions for modulating the A3AR in a subject, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and therapeutic methods comprising administering to a subject an amount of an A3RM, the amount being effective to modulate A3AR activity. The A3RM according to the invention are 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives. The invention also provides some of such novel 1H-Imidazo-[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine derivatives.

Abstract: Disclosed are conjugates comprising a dendrimer and a ligand, which is a functionalized congener of an agonist or antagonist of a receptor of the G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily, for example, wherein the functionalized congener is an A1 adenosine receptor agonist having a purine nucleoside moiety and a functional group at the N6 position of the purine nucleoside moiety, wherein the functional group has the formula (I): N6H—Ar1—CH2—C(?O)NH—R1 (I), wherein Ar1 and R1 as defined herein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treating various diseases, and a diagnostic method employing such conjugates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using an adenosine analog or derivative for treating heart failure, increasing cardiac muscle contractility, increasing cardiac diastolic relaxation, and increasing vasodilation.

Abstract: Disclosed are (N)-methanocarba adenine nucleosides of the formula: [Formula] as highly potent A3 adenosine receptor agonists, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such nucleosides, and a method of use of these nucleosides, wherein R1-R6 are as defined in the specification. These nucleosides are contemplated for use in the treatment a number of diseases, for example, inflammation, cardiac ischemia, stroke, asthma, diabetes, and cardiac arrhythmias. The invention also provides compounds that are agonists of both A1 and A3 adenosine receptors for use in cardioprotection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the amphiphilic pyridinium compounds, such as for suppressing IL-8 secretion and production. The present invention further provides methods of making and using such compounds for the treatment of the IL-8 related diseases, such as cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: Disclosed are purine nucleoside compounds that are selective to A3 adenosine receptors and are useful for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The compounds are shown by the following general formula (I), including isomers thereof: wherein X is sulfur or oxygen; R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, benzyl, halobenzyl, or phenylalkyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylthio, or thio; R3 and R3? are hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or alkylaminocarbonyl, whereas R3 and R3? do not have identical substituents simultaneously; and R4 is hydrogen or alkyl. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), an isomer, or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient and a method for preventing or treating various diseases, state, or condition, including asthma, inflammation, cerebral ischemia, heart diseases, and cancer.

Abstract: A pigment library and a method for preparing it are provided, which includes identifying a plurality of thermoplastic polymers and then selecting pigments useful in the plurality of thermoplastic polymers. The pigments are heat stable at the melt temperature of each of the plurality of thermoplastic polymers and are not chemically interactive or reactive with each of the polymers of the plurality of thermoplastic polymer. Further, each of the pigments in combination with each of the polymers of the plurality of thermoplastic polymers possesses the property of being lightfast, injection moldable, and fiber spinnable and also not crocking. A colorant database is then prepared using the pigment library. The colorant database is used with color matching software that predict formulations using the colorant database. The result is the development of formulations that minimize or eliminate metameric color effect under various lighting conditions across multiple polymers and end product types.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleoside and nucleotide derivatives that are useful agonist or antagonists of P1 and P2 receptors. For example, the present invention provides a compound of formula A-M, wherein A is modified adenine or uracil and M is a constrained cycloalkyl group. The adenine or uracil is bonded to the constrained cycloalkyl group. The compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of various diseases including airway diseases (through A2B, A3, P2Y2 receptors), cancer (through A3, P2 receptors), cardiac arrhythmias (through A1 receptors), cardiac ischemia (through A1, A3 receptors), epilepsy (through A1, P2X receptors), and Huntington's Disease (through A2A receptors).

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleoside and nucleotide derivatives that are useful agonists or antagonists of P1 or P2 receptors. For example, the present invention provides a compound of formula A-M, wherein A is modified adenine or uracil and M is a constrained cycloalkyl group. The adenine or uracil is bonded to the constrained cycloakyl group. The compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of various diseases including airway diseases (through A2B, A3, P2Y2 receptors), cancer (through A3, P2 receptors), cardiac arrhythmias (through A1 receptors), cardiac ischemia (through A1, A3 receptors), epilepsy (through A1, P2X receptors), and Huntington's Disease (through A2A receptors).

Abstract: Disclosed are purine nucleoside compounds that are selective to A3 adenosine receptors and are useful for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases. The compounds are shown by the following general formula (I), including isomers thereof: wherein X is sulfur or oxygen; R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, benzyl, halobenzyl, or phenylalkyl; R2 is hydrogen, halogen, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylthio, or thio; R3 and R3? are hydrogen, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or alkylaminocabonyl, whereas R3 and R3? do not have identical substituents simultaneously; and R4 is hydrogen or alkyl. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), an isomer, or its pharmacologically acceptable salt as an active ingredient and a method for preventing or treating various diseases, state, or condition, including asthma, inflammation, cerebral ischemia, heart diseases, and cancer.

Abstract: A musician's chair that enhances the musician's posture when performing vocal or wind instruments. The music posture chair includes a seat and back that are mounted on a frame with respect to a floor to not only enhance diaphragmatic breathing of the musician but also to enhance the comfort of the musician.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel nucleoside and nucleotide derivatives that are useful agonists or antagonists of P1 or P2 receptors. For example, the present invention provides a compound of formula A-M, wherein A is modified adenine or uracil and M is a constrained cycloalkyl group. The adenine or uracil is bonded to the constrained cycloakyl group. The compounds of the present invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of various diseases including airway diseases (through A2B, A3, P2Y2 receptors), cancer (through A3, P2 receptors), cardiac arrhythmias (through A1 receptors), cardiac ischemia (through A1, A3 receptors), epilepsy (through A1, P2X receptors), and Huntington's Disease (through A2A receptors).

Abstract: Methods are provided for treating heart failure, increasing cardiac muscle contractility, increasing cardiac diastolic relaxation, and increasing vasodilation employing AMP, ADP, and ATP analogues.

Abstract: A method for decreasing intraocular pressure by administering an A3 subtype adenosine receptor antagonist, a calmodulin antagonist or an antiestrogen such as tamoxifen. These agents, by inhibiting influx or promoting efflux of aqueous humor, can be used to treat glaucoma.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing or preventing ischemic damage of the heart are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the simultaneous administration of specific A3/A1 receptor agonists, to patients suffering from ischemic damage or at risk for the same. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a binary conjugate which acts as an agonist for the A3 receptor and an antagonist at the A2a receptor, is administered to reduce or prevent ischemic damage to the heart.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying CFTR-binding compounds for treating cells having a reduced apical Cl− conductance, such as cystic fibrosis cells. This identification method involves the use of polypeptide I&agr;, which constitutes a portion of the CFTR protein. The present invention also provides a method of treating CF cells by contacting cells having a reduced apical Cl− conductance with a therapeutically effective quantity of a compound selected by the present inventive identification method. Preferred compounds for such treatment have little or no affinity for adenosine cell receptors. The present invention provides novel compounds useful in practicing the present inventive method, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for reducing or preventing ischemic damage of the heart are disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises the simultaneous administration of specific A3/A1 receptor agonists, to patients suffering from ischemic damage or at risk for the same. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a binary conjugate which acts as an agonist for the A3 receptor and an antagonist at the A2a receptor, is administered to reduce or prevent ischemic damage to the heart.

Abstract: Provided is a method for modulating, controlling or regulating intraocular pressure and secretion of the aqueous humor of the eye, in particular for treating or reducing elevated intraocular pressure or secretion, e.g., related to glaucomas. Selected combined drug therapy effectively and synergistically modulates intraocular pressure by either (1) double-blocking the uptake step, wherein both transporters in the first (entry step) of aqueous humor formation are blocked or inhibited; or (2) blocking the entry and exit steps, wherein the sodium-hydrogen (Na+/H+) exchanger underlying the entry step is blocked or inhibited, and also lowering or reducing the activity of the chloride (Cl−) channels involved in the second (exit) step of aqueous humor formation. By combining the selected drugs or compounds to produce a combined or synergistic modulating effect, control of IOP is achieved at very low concentrations, with fewer adverse side-effects on the patient.