The present invention relates to methods and systems for predicting the likelihood of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adult subjects. The invention further relates to methods of treatment and identification of subjects with an increased likelihood of developing ARDS as determined by the disclosed methods.

The disclosure provides biomarkers for ALS. The disclosure also provides various methods of using the biomarkers, including methods for diagnosis of ALS, methods of determining predisposition to ALS, methods of monitoring progression/regression of ALS, methods of assessing efficacy of treatment modalities for treating ALS, methods of screening compositions for activity in modulating biomarkers of ALS, methods of treating ALS, as well as other methods based on biomarkers of ALS. The disclosure also provides various methods of treating other diseases, disorders, and conditions. One method includes analyzing levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT, also known as AAT or PI), encoded by the serpinA1 gene or protein as a biomarker indicative of ALS. The levels or concentrations of the biomarkers can be used to determine the onset of ALS, monitor the progression of ALS, or monitor the progression of a treatment for ALS.

The disclosure provides biomarkers for ALS. The disclosure also provides various methods of using the biomarkers, including methods for diagnosis of ALS, methods of determining predisposition to ALS, methods of monitoring progression/regression of ALS, methods of assessing efficacy of treatment modalities for treating ALS, methods of screening compositions for activity in modulating biomarkers of ALS, methods of treating ALS, as well as other methods based on biomarkers of ALS. The disclosure also provides various methods of treating other diseases, disorders, and conditions. One method includes analyzing levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT, also known as AAT or PI), encoded by the serpinA1 gene or protein as a biomarker indicative of ALS. The levels or concentrations of the biomarkers can be used to determine the onset of ALS, monitor the progression of ALS, or monitor the progression of a treatment for ALS.

The present invention relates to methods for preventing, reducing, or treating the incidence and/or severity of a disorder caused by stress-induced cellular damage in the ear of a subject, such as vestibular disorders, hearing impairment, and conditions related to hair cell degeneration or death. Specifically, this invention pertains to formulations comprising probucol or a probucol ester, a bioavailability-enhancing compound comprising a bile acid, and optionally a carrier. The administration of these formulations can treat hearing loss and/or hair cell degeneration or death.

The present invention relates to methods for preventing, reducing, or treating the incidence and/or severity of a disorder caused by stress-induced cellular damage in the ear of a subject, such as vestibular disorders, hearing impairment, and conditions related to hair cell degeneration or death. Specifically, this invention pertains to formulations comprising probucol or a probucol ester, a bioavailability-enhancing compound comprising a bile acid, and optionally a carrier. The administration of these formulations can treat hearing loss and/or hair cell degeneration or death.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one of depression, neurodegenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinocerebellar degeneration, Friedreich ataxia, ataxia-telangiectasia, progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington's disease, striatonigral degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Shy-Drager syndrome, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic-depression (bipolar) disorder, disturbed or abnormal circadian entrainment, childhood Alice in Wonderland syndrome, childhood acute cerebellar ataxia, and Alzheimer's disease. In some instances, methods include treating an addiction to a drug, such as alcohol addiction, cocaine addiction or amphetamine addiction. In practicing the subject methods, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S), 25-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (25HCDS), 27-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (27HC3S), 27-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (27HCDS), 24-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (24HC3S), 24-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (24HCDS), and 24,25-epoxycholesterol-3-sulfate, or salt thereof is administered to the subject.

Aspects of the present disclosure include methods for treating at least one of depression, neurodegenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinocerebellar degeneration, Friedreich ataxia, ataxia-telangiectasia, progressive supranuclear palsy, Huntington's disease, striatonigral degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Shy-Drager syndrome, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, manic-depression (bipolar) disorder, disturbed or abnormal circadian entrainment, childhood Alice in Wonderland syndrome, childhood acute cerebellar ataxia, and Alzheimer's disease. In some instances, methods include treating an addiction to a drug, such as alcohol addiction, cocaine addiction or amphetamine addiction. In practicing the subject methods, an effective amount of at least one compound selected from 25-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (25HC3S), 25-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (25HCDS), 27-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (27HC3S), 27-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (27HCDS), 24-hydroxycholesterol-3-sulfate (24HC3S), 24-hydroxycholesterol-disulfate (24HCDS), and 24,25-epoxycholesterol-3-sulfate, or salt thereof is administered to the subject.

The present invention provides an edible blended vegetable oil for reducing blood lipids and cholesterol. The trace elements in the edible blended vegetable oil include 15-300 mg/kg of polyphenols, 290-1700 mg/kg of β-sitosterol, 260-1500 mg/kg of campesterol, 150-1000 mg/kg of stigmasterol, 140-600 mg/kg of squalene, 50-160 mg/kg of parkerol, 40-120 mg/kg of γ-tocotrienol. The prepared edible blended vegetable oil of the present invention can achieve the effect of reducing blood lipids and cholesterol through a synergistic effect within the trace elements and a reasonable ratio within fatty acids. It is suitable for people with different health needs and has a broad market prospect and application value.

The present invention provides an edible blended vegetable oil for reducing blood lipids and cholesterol. The trace elements in the edible blended vegetable oil include 15-300 mg/kg of polyphenols, 290-1700 mg/kg of β-sitosterol, 260-1500 mg/kg of campesterol, 150-1000 mg/kg of stigmasterol, 140-600 mg/kg of squalene, 50-160 mg/kg of parkerol, 40-120 mg/kg of γ-tocotrienol. The prepared edible blended vegetable oil of the present invention can achieve the effect of reducing blood lipids and cholesterol through a synergistic effect within the trace elements and a reasonable ratio within fatty acids. It is suitable for people with different health needs and has a broad market prospect and application value.

The present invention provides food products, nutritional programs, and methods for meeting nutritional needs of subjects with dementia and related cognitive disorders. In one embodiment, the invention provides a food product comprising a reversibly sealed container and a soup, wherein the soup is in the container and comprises a total volume of 200-2000 mls, a vegetable or meat component, 300 to 2500 calories, a macronutrient caloric distribution comprising: 20-80% fat, 10-45% protein, and 10-65% carbohydrate, about 2% to about 40% medium chain triglycerides, omega 3 fatty acids in an amount of 100 to 2000 mg and less than 20 solid food particles having a volume greater than about 20 cm.sup.3. Such food products, when administered to affected subjects, can positively impact (i) nutritional status; (ii) quality of life; (iii) disease course; (v) the demand for assistance from a care giver; (vi) subject compliance with a nutritional plan using the food product, and (vii) ease of monitoring compliance by the caregiver for verification.