Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are described comprising at least one Y2 receptor-binding peptide, such as peptide YY(PYY), Neuropeptide Y (NPY) or Pancreatic Peptide (PP) and one or more mucosal delivery-enhancing agents for enhanced nasal mucosal delivery of the peptide YY, for treating a variety of diseases and conditions in mammalian subjects, including obesity.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are described comprising at least one Y2 receptor-binding peptide, such as peptide YY(PYY), Neuropeptide Y (NPY) or Pancreatic Peptide (PP) and one or more mucosal delivery-enhancing agents for enhanced nasal mucosal delivery of the peptide YY, for treating a variety of diseases and conditions in mammalian subjects, including obesity.

Abstract: The present invention provides analogues of autoinducer molecules that are derivatized to allow their attachment to other molecules and surfaces. Libraries of the autoinducer analogues are also contemplated. Also provided are methods for using the compounds of the invention to produce compositions, such as immunoconjugates, antibodies and vaccines, which are useful for treating and preventing disease states in a subject. The compositions of the invention are also useful in various assays, including assessing the autoinducer load in a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods are described comprising at least one peptide YY compound and one or more intranasal delivery-enhancing agents for enhanced nasal mucosal delivery of the peptide YY, for treating a variety of diseases and conditions in mammalian subjects, including obesity. In one aspect, the intranasal delivery formulations and methods provide enhanced delivery of peptide YY to the blood plasma or central nervous system (CNS) tissue or fluid, for example, by yielding a peak concentration (Cmax) of the peptide YY in the blood plasma or CNS tissue or fluid of the subject that is 20% or greater compared to a peak concentration of the peptide YY in the blood plasma or CNS tissue or fluid of the subject following administration to the subject of a same concentration or dose of the peptide YY to the subject by subcutaneous injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for administering a taxane composition for the treatment of cancer. In one aspect, the compositions are not diluted prior to administration. Some embodiments provide methods for administering a taxane as a bolus injection or an intravenous infusion in less than about 30 minutes. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for administering a taxane to provide high concentrations of the taxane in blood or in tumors. Another aspect provides methods for administering a taxane to provide anti-tumor activities against solid tumors. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against tumors that were resistant to conventional taxane administration methods. In some embodiments, the methods provide anti-tumor activities against colorectal tumors.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided that include a biologically active agent and a permeabilizing agent effective to enhance mucosal delivery of the biologically active agent in a mammalian subject. The permeabilizing agent reversibly enhances mucosal epithelial paracellular transport, typically by modulating epithelial junctional structure and/or physiology at a mucosal epithelial surface in the subject. This effect typically involves inhibition by the permeabilizing agent of homotypic or heterotypic binding between epithelial membrane adhesive proteins of neighboring epithelial cells. Target proteins for this blockade of homotypic or heterotypic binding can be selected from various related junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs), occludins, or claudins. The permeabilizing agent is typically a peptide or peptide analog or mimetic, often selected or derived from an extracellular domain of a mammalian JAM, occludin or claudin protein.

Abstract: Agents for use in ultrasound contrast include protein microspheres in which a gas such as perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane or perfluoropentane is contained.

Abstract: The present invention provides analogues of autoinducer molecules that are derivatized to allow their attachment to other molecules and surfaces. Libraries of the autoinducer analogues are also contemplated. Also provided are methods for using the compounds of the invention to produce compositions, such as immunoconjugates, antibodies and vaccines, which are useful for treating and preventing disease states in a subject. The compositions of the invention are also useful in various assays, including assessing the autoinducer load in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for intranasal delivery of interferon-&bgr; yielding improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic results. In certain aspects of the invention, the interferon-&bgr; is delivered to the intranasal mucosa along with one or more intranasal delivery-enhancing agent(s) to yield substantially increased absorption and/or bioavailability of the interferon-&bgr; and/or a substantially decreased time to maximal concentration of interferon-&bgr; in a tissue of a subject as compared to controls where the interferon-&bgr; is administered to the same intranasal site alone or formulated according to previously disclosed reports. The enhancement of intranasal delivery of interferon-&bgr; according to the methods and compositions of the present invention allows for the effective pharmaceutical use of these agents to treat a variety of diseases and conditions in mammalian subjects.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical formulations are described comprising at least one dopamine receptor agonist and one or more mucosal delivery-enhancing agents for enhanced mucosal delivery of the dopamine receptor agonist. In one aspect, the mucosal delivery formulations and methods provide enhanced delivery of the dopamine receptor agonist to the central nervous sytstem (CNS), for example by yielding dopamine receptor agonist concentrations in the cerebral spinal fluid of 5% or greater of the peak dopamine agonist concentrations in the blood plasma following administration to a mammalian subject. Exemplary formulations and methods within the invention utilize apomorphine as the dopamine receptor agonist. Other exemplary methods and formulations focus in intranasal administration of a dopamine receptor agonist.

Abstract: Biological samples of mammary fluid or components thereof are obtained using a breast pump device coupled with a solid phase sample collection medium, alternatively facilitated by administering oxytocin to the subject. The breast pump device stimulates expression of mammary fluid and provides for collection of diagnostic samples to evaluate breast disease, including cancer. The biological sample may include whole cells or cellular components, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents comprising a breast disease marker. Methods, kits and adapter devices relating to the breast pump device are also provided. Yet additional methods, devices, accessories, and materials are provided for laboratory handling and processing of breast fluid samples and for related diagnostic methods.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: An emulsion of tocopherol incorporating a co-solvent and, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans by various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed that provide acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of diseases and disorders of the central nervous system, including dementia such as Alzheimer's disease, to the central nervous system via intranasal delivery. The methods and compositions of the present invention provide therapeutic concentrations of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in the cerebrospinal fluid of a mammal without the attendant disadvantages, risks and side effects of oral or injection delivery.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods are provided for obtaining biological samples of mammary fluid or mammary fluid components by administering oxytocin to a patient to stimulate expression of mammary fluid. During or after mammary fluid expression, a biological sample is collected in the form of whole mammary fluid, whole cells or cellular components, other selected liquid or solid fractions of the mammary fluid, purified or bulk proteins, glycoproteins, peptides, nucleotides or other desired constituents of mammary fluid. Methods and kits are also provided for determining the presence or amount of a breast disease marker in biological samples of mammary fluid or mammary fluid components obtained according to the above sample collection methods. Also provided within the invention are novel breast pump and breast pump adapter devices which incorporate a solid phase sample collection medium integrated within the breast pump or adapter or otherwise fluidly connected therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are agents for enhancing the contrast in an ultrasound image. These agents are extremely small bubbles, or “microbubbles,” comprised of specially selected gases. The microbubbles described herein exhibit long life spans in solution and may be produced at a size small enough to traverse the lungs, thus enabling improved ultrasound imaging of the cardiovascular system and other vital organs. Also disclosed herein is a method for selecting gases from which contrast agents may be produced. The method is based on calculations using inherent physical properties of gases and describes a means to associate the properties of a gas with the time for dissolution of microbubbles comprised of the gas.

Abstract: An emulsion of &agr;-tocopherol, stabilized by biocompatible surfactants, as a vehicle or carrier for therapeutic drugs, which is substantially ethanol free and which can be administered to animals or humans various routes is disclosed. Also included in the emulsion is PEGylated vitamin E. PEGylated &agr;-tocopherol includes polyethylene glycol subunits attached by a succinic acid diester at the ring hydroxyl of vitamin E and serves as a primary surfactant, stabilizer and a secondary solvent in emulsions of &agr;-tocopherol.