Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for modulating guanylyl cyclase signaling receptor (GC-C). Further disclosed are highly useful in vitro and in vivo screens for detecting compounds that modulate the GC-C receptor. The invention has a wide spectrum of useful applications including providing therapeutic compounds that can be employed to prevent and/or treat inner ear disorders and particularly Ménière's disease.

Abstract: A protective appliance to be worn by an individual for protecting a body part of the individual, which body part is covered by a piece of clothing, includes an inner shell part of a generally convex configuration to be arranged such that one side of the inner shell part is covered by the piece of clothing at the body part of the individual. The inner shell part includes opposite flange members and a central curved member integrally connected to the flange members which have configurations allowing the flange members to be arranged in facial contact with respective body surface parts adjacent to the body part of the individual as the central curved member bridges the flange members so as to cover the body part of the individual without contacting the body part, and as the flange members are arranged in facial contact with the body surface parts.