Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for identifying a candidate agent that can treat or ameliorate the effects of a heart condition caused by the effects of abnormal beta-adrenergic receptor activation on calcium levels in cardiomyocytes in a subject. Compositions that include the candidate agents identified by the methods disclosed, and methods of treating or ameliorating the effects of a heart condition in a subject by administering to the subject the candidate agents identified by the methods disclosed, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods for identifying a candidate agent that can treat or ameliorate the effects of a heart condition caused by the effects of abnormal beta-adrenergic receptor activation on calcium levels in cardiomyocytes in a subject. Compositions that include the candidate agents identified by the methods disclosed, and methods of treating or ameliorating the effects of a heart condition in a subject by administering to the subject the candidate agents identified by the methods disclosed, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds that are improved potassium channel agonists. Pharmaceutical compositions including a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of the present invention are also provided. Methods and kits for treating or ameliorating the effects of heart failure syndrome, high blood pressure and diabetes also are provided. Methods, kits and compositions which include compounds of the present invention also are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods and compositions for treating or ameliorating the effects of a disease characterized by altered smooth muscle contractility, such as e.g., asthma.

Abstract: A thin metal workpiece is subjected to a low temperature diffusion-based surface treatment to produce a thin metal product in which at least one property of the thin metal product, as a whole, is enhanced by at least 10% as compared with an otherwise identical product not subjected to such surface treatment.

Abstract: A plastics waste processor is provided for efficiently compacting and melting plastics waste, so as to form easily disposable compact plastic units having a volume considerably smaller than the unprocessed plastics waste. The plastics waste processor has a waste containment chamber, a rotating chamber door, a jam breaker bar to facilitate opening of the door when jammed by melted plastic waste, pneumatically driven waste compaction means with plastic shedding rams, a waste containment chamber heating system, a processor temperature monitoring means, a cooling means, and a control means. Further a cable and hose management system is provided for protection of moving cables and hoses, as well as a washdown system for automatic cleaning of the processor.

Abstract: Formulations containing a Vitamin D compound or analog, such as paricalcitol (Zemplar™) are useful for shortening hospital stays in chronic kidney disease patients with or without hyperparathyroidism. Also disclosed are methods of shortening hospital stays for chronic kidney disease patients with or without hyperparathyroidism, and methods for determining reduction length of hospital stay in chronic kidney disease patients with or without hyperparathyroidism. Titration to serum calcium or serum PTH is avoided by use of the invention.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to methods of using Vitamin D compounds such as, for example, paricalcitol and calcitriol, in the treatment of patients undergoing hemodialysis. More specifically, administration of Vitamin D compounds appears to reduce the incidence of hospitalization, length of days spent in the hospital and morbidity in treated patients.