Abstract: An animal model has been developed based the understanding that a central mechanism in patients with CTRF is that chemotherapy and/or radiation initiates canonical pathways leading to the development of disrupted sleep architecture, resulting in disruption of REM sleep and fatigue and cognitive dysfunction. Drugs that restore the activity patterns and levels towards normal and/or decrease the pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with the disrupted sleep, should be effective in alleviating one or more symptoms of CTRF. Pentoxifylline was demonstrated to improve activity levels in animals treated with etoposide.

Abstract: A method and system for characterizing tissue includes a probe connected to a red LASER source and a Raman spectroscope. The probe includes at least excitation fiber and one or more emission fibers that connect the probe with the LASER source and the Raman spectroscope. The excitation fiber is connected to the red LASER source and terminates in the first end of the probe adjacent the tip of the probe. The emission fibers are connected to the Raman spectroscope and terminate in the first end of the probe adjacent the tip of the probe. In one embodiment, the excitation fiber extends through the central portion of the probe and one or more emission fibers are arranged around the excitation fiber. The tip of the probe is intended to come in contact with the tissue to be examined. The tip includes a central opening to allow red LASER radiation to project out of the end of the red excitation fiber on to the tissue and to permit Raman spectra to enter the emission fiber(s) and travel to the Raman spectroscope.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating inflammatory oral diseases, involving administration of combinations of inhibitors of TNF-? and immunosuppressive agents.

Abstract: Overall and constituent oral mucositis assessment scale scores are generated by the use of a probe to obtain moisture measurements at a particular site. A control collects data samples.