Abstract: The invention relates to at least one probiotic strain chosen from Lactobacillus, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of osteoarthritis in a mammal. In particular, the present invention relates to at least one probiotic strain chosen from Lactobacillus, for use in the treatment and/or prevention of osteoarthritis in a mammal, wherein the treatment and/or prevention of osteoarthritis is by treating and/or preventing one or more of cartilage damage, bone damage at a joint, and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain aryl sulfonamides and related compounds (collectively referred to herein as ‘BPSAAA compounds’), as described herein, and including, for example, biphenyl-4-sulfonic acid (hydroxyalkyl-phenyl)-amides and related compounds.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to compounds of the following formula (wherein RP, r, q, RN, Ralk, and Q are as defined herein) and compositions comprising those compounds. The compounds may be used to inhibit osteoclast survival, formation, and/or activity; to inhibit conditions mediated by osteoclasts and/or characterised by bone resorption; in the treatment of bone disorders such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer associated bone disease, Paget's disease; and/or in the treatment of conditions associated with inflammation or activation of the immune system.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain aryl sulfonamides and related compounds (collectively referred to herein as ‘BPSAAA compounds’), as described herein, and including, for example, biphenyl-4-sulfonic acid (hydroxyalkyl-phenyl)-amides and related compounds.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain 2?,4?-dichloro-biphenyl-4-yl-hydroxy-ketones and related compounds (collectively referred to herein as “DCBP compounds”), and more particularly to compounds selected from compounds of the following formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof: wherein: n is independently 1, 2, 3, or 4; W is independently —C(?O)—, —CH(OH)—, or —C(?NOROX)—; ROX is independently —H or C1-3alkyl; J is independently: —H, —RE1, —C(?O)—RE2, —C(?O)—O—RE3, —C(?O)—O—S(?O)2ORE4, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—C(?O)ORE5, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—NRNE1RNE2, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—NRNE3—C(?O)RE6, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—C(?O)—NRNE4RNE5, or —P(?O)(ORE7)(ORE8); wherein each of RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, RE5, RE6, and RE7 is independently: —H, C1-3alkyl, -Ph, or —CH2-Ph.

Abstract: The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain 2?,4?-dichloro-biphenyl-4-yl-hydroxy-ketones and related compounds (collectively referred to herein as “DCBP compounds”), and more particularly to compounds selected from compounds of the following formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and hydrates thereof: wherein: n is independently 1, 2, 3, or 4; W is independently —C(?O)—, —CH(OH)—, or —C(?NOROX)—; ROX is independently —H or C1-3alkyl; J is independently: —H, —RE1, —C(?O)—RE2, —C(?O)—O—RE3, —C(?O)—O—S(?O)2ORE4, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—C(?O)ORE5, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—NRNE1RNE2, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—NRNE3—C(?O)RE6, —C(?O)—(CH2)n—C(?O)—NRNE4RNE5, or —P(?O)(ORE7)(ORE8); wherein each of RE1, RE2, RE3, RE4, RE5, RE6, and RE7 is independently: —H, C1-3alkyl, -Ph, or —CH2-Ph.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to certain aryl alkyl sulfonamides and derivatives thereof which, inter alia, inhibit osteoclast survival, formation, and/or activity; and/or inhibit bone resorption, and more particularly to compounds of the formula: wherein: Ar1 is independently C5-20aryl (e.g., biphenyl, phenanthryl, fluorenyl, or carbazolyl, most preferably biphenyl), and is optionally substituted; RN is independently —H, acyl, C5-20aryl-C1-7alkyl, C3-20heterocyclyl, or C1-7alkyl, and is optionally substituted; Ralk is a C2-10alkylene group, and is optionally substituted; and Q is independently —H or an organic group having from 1 to 30 atoms selected from carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine (e.g., an oxy-type group, an amine-type group, etc.); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, amides, esters, ethers, chemically protected forms, and prodrugs thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of diagnosis of certain disease states, such as osteoporosis, that are associated with polymorphisms in an IL-6 gene, comprising determining the genotype of an IL-6 gene. The invention is also directed to methods of identifying an individual predisposed or susceptible to certain disease states, such as osteoporosis, associated with polymorphisms of an IL-6 gene, comprising determining the genotype of an IL-6 gene in the affected individual. The invention is further directed to compositions useful for determining the genotype of an IL-6 gene, to kits and diagnostic apparatuses comprising such compositions, and to methods of treatment of diseases associated with IL-6 genetic polymorphisms.

Abstract: Diagnostic means that determines the genotype of a collagen gene of an individual is described. A polymorphism in the collagen gene correlates with predisposition to osteoporosis, so diagnosis of a predisposition is achieved using the diagnostic means. An isolated gene comprising the nucleotide substitution of the polymorphism is also described, as is a method of diagnosis based on the presence or absence of the polymorphism.