Abstract: A combination drug therapy is disclosed for the treatment of a patient, such as a human, with a glycopeptide antibiotic. The methods can include subcutaneous administration to a patient of a therapeutically effective amount of a glycopeptide antibiotic, for example, vancomycin, and a compound belonging to the cromones class of anti-inflammatory agents such as cromolyn sodium. The present teachings also provide a therapeutic combination and a kit including the therapeutic combination.

Abstract: Biomarkers and methods are disclosed for diagnosing the risk of a myocardial infarction in an individual by measuring the levels of a set of biomarkers in a sample from an individual. A risk score is calculated for the individual by weighting the measured levels of the biomarkers. The risk score then is used to identify whether the individual is likely to experience a myocardial infarction. In addition, kits are disclosed that include a set of reagents for specifically measuring biomarker levels in a sample from an individual.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to liquid pharmaceutical formulations of furosemide, where the pharmaceutical formulations include a molar excess of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane to furosemide, have a pH in the range of 7 to 8.5, and a concentration of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane greater than or equal to about 50 mM. The present teachings can improve the stability of liquid pharmaceutical formulations including furosemide and the suitability of such pharmaceutical formulations for subcutaneous administration or delivery.

Abstract: Methods are provided for diagnosing the risk of a cardiovascular event in a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring the level of proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) in a sample obtained from a patient and comparing the measured level of PCSK9 to a control. Also provided are methods of selecting a therapy for a patient prior to administration of the therapy. In some embodiments, the method includes measuring a PCSK9 blood concentration in a sample from a patient to determine the presence or absence of a PCSK9 blood concentration indicative of responsiveness to an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase. Further provided are methods for assessing the efficacy of a therapy being administered to a patient. In certain embodiments, the method includes detecting a change in a PCSK9 blood concentration in a sample from a patient, wherein a change in detected levels is indicative of whether the therapy is efficacious.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for monitoring and predicting a heart failure patient's physiological response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to the endogenous protein galectin-3 and its use in monitoring progression of disease in a patient undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy, and as a predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Abstract: Described herein are materials and methods for predicting and/or monitoring preeclampsia and related conditions, including eclampsia, HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome, left ventricular dysfunction, and heart failure, in a pregnant or post-partum woman. More specifically, use of the endogenous protein galectin-3 in predicting and/or monitoring preeclampsia and related conditions in a pregnant or post-partum woman is described. Also described are methods of preventing and/or treating preeclampsia and related conditions by inhibiting galectin-3.

Abstract: Biomarkers, methods, systems, and related teachings are disclosed for diagnosing the risk of an adverse event in a human, where the adverse event can be unstable angina, ischemic stroke, non-ischemic stroke, all-cause stroke, heart failure, all-cause death, and being a candidate for coronary revascularization surgery.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and compositions for inhibiting galectin-3 in a subject. Also described are methods and compositions for treating heart failure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for predicting the risk of heart failure in a subject with Acute Coronary Syndrome. The invention further relates to monitoring the efficacy of treatment for heart failure in a subject with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Abstract: Described herein are materials and methods for predicting and monitoring a heart failure patient's physiological response to treatment with a statin. More specifically, the present invention relates to the endogenous protein galectin-3 and its use as a predictor of response to treatment with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase inhibitors, or statins.

Abstract: Biomarkers and methods are disclosed for diagnosing the risk of a myocardial infarction in an individual by measuring the levels of a set of biomarkers in a sample from an individual. A risk score is calculated for the individual by weighting the measured levels of the biomarkers. The risk score then is used to identify whether the individual is likely to experience a myocardial infarction. In addition, kits are disclosed that include a set of reagents for specifically measuring biomarker levels in a sample from an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for monitoring and predicting a heart failure patient's physiological response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to the endogenous protein galectin-3 and its use in monitoring progression of disease in a patient undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy, and as a predictor of response to cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to a method of assessing the probability of a major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event in a human. The method can include measuring a concentration, in a blood-based sample of a human, of a set of analytes, for example, alpha-fetoprotein, cancer antigen 125, glutathione S-transferase, and tissue factor. The method also can include determining a MACCE index for the set of analytes and identifying the human as having an increased likelihood of a major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event if the MACCE index is greater than zero, or a decreased likelihood of a major adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular event if the MACCE index is less than or equal to zero.

Abstract: Methods are provided for assessing a patient being treated with a peroxisome-proliferator-activator-receptor-? (PPAR-?) agonist or a thiazolidinedione (TZD), or having a condition treatable with a peroxisome-proliferator-activator-receptor-?agonist or a thiazolidinedione. Methods include measuring a galectin-3 concentration or a change in a galectin-3 concentration in a body fluid of a patient being treated with a peroxisome-proliferator-activator-receptor-? agonist or a thiazolidinedione. A comparison to galectin-3 levels or changes in comparable patients provides information indicative of congestive heart risk.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for specifically and quantitatively detecting galectin-3 in a sample. Embodiments of the invention include a detection assay in which a capture binding moiety and a labeled binding moiety specifically recognize non-overlapping epitopes on the N-terminus of galectin-3. Further embodiments are directed to a method for establishing ranges of galectin-3 concentrations indicative of the presence and severity of heart failure in a subject and a method for predicting the clinical outcome of a subject based upon galectin-3 concentration.

Abstract: A therapy pillow comprising a wedge-shaped resilient foam element having a planar recess in the medial portion of the top surface thereof. A flexible plastic container adapted to be sealingly filled with a fluid snugly fits into the planar recess of the foam element so as to be substantially coplanar with the top surface thereof when filled with a suitable fluid such as water.