The present invention is related to a ribonucleic acid comprising a double stranded structure whereby the double-stranded structure comprises a first strand and a second strand, whereby the first strand comprises a first stretch of contiguous nucleotides and whereby said first stretch is at least partially complementary to a target nucleic acid, and the second strand comprises a second stretch of contiguous nucleotides whereby said second stretch is at least partially identical to a target nucleic acid, and whereby the double stranded structure is blunt ended.

A method of moisturizing skin of a person is disclosed. The method can include topically applying to the skin of the person a composition comprising an effective amount of an aqueous, alcoholic, or aqueous-alcoholic extract from Parkia biglobosa, wherein the composition moisturizes the skin.

The present invention relates to particularly stable and soluble scFv antibodies and Fab fragments specific for TNF, which comprise specific light chain and heavy chain sequences that are optimized for stability, solubility, in vitro and in vivo binding of TNF, and low immunogenicity. The antibodies are designed for the diagnosis and/or treatment of TNF-mediated disorders. The nucleic acids, vectors and host cells for expression of the recombinant antibodies of the invention, methods for isolating them and the use of the antibodies in medicine are also described.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for promoting stem cell and/or progenitor cell proliferation and/or differentiation. The provided compositions may be useful in treating a disease or condition that is related to mucosal barrier function, e.g., wound healing, treating skin conditions (e.g., atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, bed sores, or condition related to the aging of skin), treating a lung disorders (e.g., asthma), a condition related to improving mucosal barrier function, and/or treating injury to GI mucosa in a subject in need thereof. The present disclosure also provides methods for promoting the proliferation and/or differentiation of stem cells and/or the progenitor cells in a subject in need of such treatment by administering a composition. The ability to stimulate the proliferation and/or differentiation of stem cells and/or the progenitor cells in vivo, ex vivo and/or in vitro provides tremendous benefit. The present disclosure can be used to increase stem cell populations in in vivo, ex vivo and/or in vitro. Stem cell transplantation provides treatments and/or cures of many disease states, degeneration and/or injury.

The present invention relates to the compound of the formula: ##STR00001##
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as well as compositions containing the same, processes for the preparation of the same, and therapeutic methods of use therefore in promoting hydration of mucosal surfaces and the treatment of diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, bronchiectasis, acute and chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, and pneumonia.

The present invention relates to a skin administration system capable of improving the efficiency of skin delivery of an ingredient for controlling release of neurotransmitters and, particularly, to a microneedle containing an ingredient for controlling release of neurotransmitters.

The present invention relates to sustained-release formulations and dosage forms of ruxolitinib, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which are useful in the treatment of Janus kinase-associated diseases such as myeloproliferative disorders.

Suggested is a method for making and using an extract of halophytes or psammophilous plants comprising the steps of contacting the plant materials with a solvent, re moving the dissolved extract from the residue, recovering the extract and topically or orally administering the extract to a patient in need of dysfunctions of skin and hair.

The present invention generally relates to the field of skin care. More particularly, the invention relates to a cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprising live bacteria of at least one Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) strain in combination with a filler that specifically supports their viability during storage and/or their ability to replicate after application to the skin. Preferably, the cosmetic or therapeutic skin care composition comprises bacteria of at least one C. acnes strain selected from the group consisting of D1, A5, C1, C3, H1, H2, H3, K1, K2, K4, K6, K8, K9, L1, and F4. The invention also provides a method for treating or preventing acne by applying the skin care composition of the invention to a skin area in need of treatment. The invention also relates to the use of a skin care composition of the invention for treating or preventing acne.

Genetically engineered bacteria, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treating or preventing autoimmune disorders, inhibiting inflammatory mechanisms in the gut, and/or tightening gut mucosal barrier function are disclosed.