Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for reducing stroke rate, methods for preventing atrial remodeling, and methods for reversing atrial remodeling by administering budiodarone to reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) episode duration and an anticoagulant (AC). According to some methods of the invention, the average AF episode duration can be reduced to less than about 24, 5, 3 or 1 hour(s), and the maximum AF episode duration may be reduced to less than about 20, 10 or 5 hours. According to some methods of the invention, the reduced stroke rate upon administration of budiodarone and AC is less than the age-adjusted overall stroke rate. Further, some methods provide that patients who were refractory to one or more anti-arrhythmic drugs prior to administration of budiodarone may also be treated. Some methods provide for prevention of atrial remodeling and others provide for the reversal of atrial remodeling, including methods to quantify the reversal of atrial remodeling.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for reducing stroke rate, methods for preventing atrial remodeling, and methods for reversing atrial remodeling by administering budiodarone to reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) episode duration and an anticoagulant (AC). According to some methods of the invention, the average AF episode duration can be reduced to less than about 24, 5, 3 or 1 hour(s), and the maximum AF episode duration may be reduced to less than about 20, 10 or 5 hours. According to some methods of the invention, the reduced stroke rate upon administration of budiodarone and AC is less than the age-adjusted overall stroke rate. Further, some methods provide that patients who were refractory to one or more anti-arrhythmic drugs prior to administration of budiodarone may also be treated. Some methods provide for prevention of atrial remodeling and others provide for the reversal of atrial remodeling, including methods to quantify the reversal of atrial remodeling.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for reducing atrial fibrillation (AF) episode duration, methods for reducing stroke rate, methods for increasing time in normal sinus rhythm (NSR), methods for preventing atrial remodeling, and methods for reversing atrial remodeling, all comprising administering an amount of budiodarone effective to reduce AF episode duration.

Abstract: The subject invention provides methods for reducing stroke rate, methods for preventing atrial remodeling, and methods for reversing atrial remodeling by administering a multiple ion channel blocker anti-arrhythmic to reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) episode duration and an anticoagulant (AC). According to some methods of the invention, the average AF episode duration can be reduced to less than about 24, 5, 3 or 1 hour(s), and the maximum AF episode duration may be reduced to less than about 20, 10 or 5 hours. According to some methods of the invention, the reduced stroke rate upon administration of multiple ion channel blocker and AC is less than the age-adjusted overall stroke rate. Further, some methods provide that patients who were refractory to one or more anti-arrhythmic drugs prior to administration of the multiple ion channel blocker may also be treated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound comprising a PYY peptide or a functional derivative thereof, which is coupled to a reactive group. Such a reactive group is capable of reacting on a blood component so as to form a stable covalent bond therewith. The present invention also relates to a conjugate comprising such a compound which is covalently bonded to a blood component. Moreover, the invention also relates to a method of enhancing, in a patient, the anti-obesity activity of a PYY peptide or functional derivative thereof.

Abstract: Peptides exhibiting anti-viral and anti-fusogenic activity are modified to provide greater stability and improved half-life in vivo. The selected peptides include fusion inhibitors DP178 and DP107 and related peptides and analogs thereof. The modified peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components, preferably a mobile blood component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound comprising a PYY peptide or a functional derivative thereof, which is coupled to a reactive group. Such a reactive group is capable of reacting on a blood component so as to form a stable covalent bond therewith. The present invention also relates to a conjugate comprising such a compound which is covalently bonded to a blood component. Moreover, the invention also relates to a method of enhancing, in a patient, the anti-obesity activity of a PYY peptide or functional derivative thereof.

Abstract: Peptides exhibiting anti-viral and anti-fusogenic activity are modified to provide greater stability and improved half-life in vivo. The selected peptides include fusion inhibitors DP178 and DP107 and related peptides and analogs thereof. The modified peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components, preferably a mobile blood component.

Abstract: A method for protecting a peptide from peptidase activity in vivo, the peptide being composed of between 2 and 50 amino acids and having a C-terminus and an N-terminus and a C-terminus amino acid and an N-terminus amino acid is described. In the first step of the method, the peptide is modified by attaching a reactive group to the C-terminus amino acid, to the N-terminus amino acid, or to an amino acid located between the N-terminus and the C-terminus, such that the modified peptide is capable of forming a covalent bond in vivo with a reactive functionality on a blood component. In the next step, a covalent bond is formed between the reactive group and a reactive functionality on a blood component to form a peptide-blood component conjugate, thereby protecting said peptide from peptidase activity. The final step of the method involves the analyzing of the stability of the peptide-blood component conjugate to assess the protection of the peptide from peptidase activity.

Abstract: Peptides exhibiting anti-viral and anti-fusogenic activity are modified to provide greater stability and improved half-life in vivo. The selected peptides include fusion inhibitors DP178 and DP107 and related peptides and analogs thereof. The modified peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components, preferably a mobile blood component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound comprising a PYY peptide or a functional derivative thereof, which is coupled to a reactive group. Such a reactive group is capable of reacting on a blood component so as to form a stable covalent bond therewith. The present invention also relates to a conjugate comprising such a compound which is covalently bonded to a blood component. Moreover, the invention also relates to a method of enhancing, in a patient, the anti-obesity activity of a PYY peptide or functional derivative thereof.

Abstract: Peptides exhibiting anti-viral and anti-fusogenic activity are modified to provide greater stability and improved half-life in vivo. The selected peptides include fusion inhibitors DP178 and DP107 and related peptides and analogs thereof. The modified peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components, preferably a mobile blood component.

Abstract: The subject invention provides useful and novel calcium channel blockers based upon mibefradil. The subject invention also provides methods for synthesizing the compounds of the invention. The invention also provides methods for the control or prevention of hypertension, angina pectoris, ischemia, arrhythmias, and cardiac insufficiency in a patient by administering a compound, or composition, of the invention to an individual in need of such treatment.

Abstract: A secretin or secretin derivative protected against peptidase activity. The secretin or derivative comprises a peptidic sequence and a reactive group selected from the group consisting of succinimidyl and maleimido groups capable of reacting with an amino group, hydroxyl group or thiol group on a blood component to form a stable covalent bond. The reactive group is attached at a position along the peptidic sequence that provides, when conjugated to a blood component, a higher stability against peptidase degradation than the unconjugated secretin or derivative, and therefore an increased maintenance of the therapeutic activity compared to the unconjugated secretin or derivative. Such a compound is thus effective to provide a source of secretin having a high stability against peptidases. A method for synthesizing such a compound is also described.

Abstract: Peptides exhibiting anti-viral and anti-fusogenic activity are modified to provide greater stability and improved half-life in vivo. The selected peptides include fusion inhibitors DP178 and DP107 and related peptides and analogs thereof. The modified peptides are capable of forming covalent bonds with one or more blood components, preferably a mobile blood component.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel compounds that are useful as ultrashort acting hypnotic barbiturates. Specifically exemplified are derivatives of barbituric and thiobarbituric acids. They are rapidly metabolized by blood and tissue enzymes to form polar metabolites with no hypnotic activity and which are rapidly eliminated.

Abstract: The subject invention provides pharmaceutical compounds useful in the treatment of Type II diabetes. These compounds are advantageous because they are readily metabolized by the metabolic drug detoxification systems. Particularly, thiazolidinedione analogs that have been designed to include esters within the structure of the compounds are provided. This invention is also drawn to methods of treating disorders, such as diabetes, comprising the administration of therapeutically effective compositions comprising compounds that have been designed to be metabolized by serum or intracellular hydrolases and esterases. Pharmaceutical compositions of the ester-containing thiazolidinedione analogs are also taught.

Abstract: The subject invention provides pharmaceutical compounds useful in the treatment of Type II diabetes. These compounds are advantageous because they are readily metabolized by the metabolic drug detoxification systems. Particularly, thiazolidinedione analogs that have been designed to include esters within the structure of the compounds are provided. This invention is also drawn to methods of treating disorders, such as diabetes, comprising the administration of therapeutically effective compositions comprising compounds that have been designed to be metabolized by serum or intracellular hydrolases and esterases. Pharmaceutical compositions of the ester-containing thiazolidinedione analogs are also taught.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel compounds that are useful as ultrashort acting hypnotic barbiturates. Specifically exemplified are derivatives of barbituric and thiobarbituric acids. They are rapidly metabolized by blood and tissue enzymes to form polar metabolites with no hypnotic activity and which are rapidly eliminated.

Abstract: The subject invention provides novel compounds and compositions for the safe and effective treatment of gastroesophageal reflux and related conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the subject invention comprise esterified cisapride derivatives. These compositions possess potent activity in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease and substantially reduce adverse effects associated with the administration of cisapride. These adverse effects include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and elevations of blood pressure and heart rate.