The present invention relates in part to the discovery that benzodiazepines can be used to reactivate latent HIV-1 virus that is integrated into human genome. In other embodiments, the benzodiazepine is used in combination with a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), such as but not limited to SAHA (also known as N-hydroxy-N-phenyl-octanediamide, Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, Vorinostat). In yet other embodiments, the combination of benzodiazepine and the HDACi synergistically reactivates latent HIV-1 virus that is integrated into human genome, with minimal or no significant toxicity associated with the dose of either agent.

Provided are a cognitive function improving agent effective for improving cognitive function such as memory and learning ability, and a method for evaluating or selecting the cognitive function improving agent. The cognitive function improving agent comprises a GIP function inhibitor as an active ingredient.

Provided are a cognitive function improving agent effective for improving cognitive function such as memory and learning ability, and a method for evaluating or selecting the cognitive function improving agent. The cognitive function improving agent comprises a GIP function inhibitor as an active ingredient.

There is provided a composition comprising a plurality of particles of a weight-, number-, or volume-, based mean diameter that is between amount 10 nm and about 700 .Math.m, which particles are made up of: (a) a solid core, which solid core preferably comprises a biologically active agent; (b) one or more discrete layers surrounding said core, said one or more layer s each comprising at least one separate coating material; and (c) a final overcoating layer of a coating material, which overcoating layer surrounds, encloses and/or encapsulates said core and said previously-applied layers of coating material, and which final layer is of a thickness that is less than said previously-applied layers. Said layers (b) and (c) are preferably applied by way of a gas phase coating technique, such as atomic layer deposition. When the cores comprise biologically active agent, the compositions may provide for the delayed or sustained release of said active agent without a burst effect.

There is provided a composition comprising a plurality of particles of a weight-, number-, or volume-, based mean diameter that is between amount 10 nm and about 700 .Math.m, which particles are made up of: (a) a solid core, which solid core preferably comprises a biologically active agent; (b) one or more discrete layers surrounding said core, said one or more layer s each comprising at least one separate coating material; and (c) a final overcoating layer of a coating material, which overcoating layer surrounds, encloses and/or encapsulates said core and said previously-applied layers of coating material, and which final layer is of a thickness that is less than said previously-applied layers. Said layers (b) and (c) are preferably applied by way of a gas phase coating technique, such as atomic layer deposition. When the cores comprise biologically active agent, the compositions may provide for the delayed or sustained release of said active agent without a burst effect.

Provided herein are compounds, derivatives thereof, composition comprising one or more of said compounds and derivatives prevention and/or treatment of microbial infections and/or related diseases or conditions. The present compounds and/or derivatives thereof can be represented by Formula (I):

##STR00001##

In one embodiment, said microbial infections are bacterial infections. More specifically, said bacterial infections are staphylococcal infections.

Provided herein are compounds, derivatives thereof, composition comprising one or more of said compounds and derivatives prevention and/or treatment of microbial infections and/or related diseases or conditions. The present compounds and/or derivatives thereof can be represented by Formula (I):

##STR00001##

In one embodiment, said microbial infections are bacterial infections. More specifically, said bacterial infections are staphylococcal infections.

The present disclosure relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating statin-induced adverse effects or a pharmaceutical composition for co-administration with statin, the pharmaceutical composition containing, as an active ingredient, at least one selected from the group consisting of an isoprenoid-based compound, zaragozic acid, terbinafine, and ketoconazole. The pharmaceutical composition according to the present disclosure may prevent and/or treat adverse statin effects that can be induced by statin, that is, can be induced at any time by oxisterols present at abnormal levels in the body. The pharmaceutical composition can not only treat but also prevent the adverse effects of various statin therapeutics whose use has recently increased rapidly, and thus it is expected that the pharmaceutical composition can be widely used for various diseases and the utilization thereof can further be increased.

The present disclosure relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating statin-induced adverse effects or a pharmaceutical composition for co-administration with statin, the pharmaceutical composition containing, as an active ingredient, at least one selected from the group consisting of an isoprenoid-based compound, zaragozic acid, terbinafine, and ketoconazole. The pharmaceutical composition according to the present disclosure may prevent and/or treat adverse statin effects that can be induced by statin, that is, can be induced at any time by oxisterols present at abnormal levels in the body. The pharmaceutical composition can not only treat but also prevent the adverse effects of various statin therapeutics whose use has recently increased rapidly, and thus it is expected that the pharmaceutical composition can be widely used for various diseases and the utilization thereof can further be increased.

This document provides methods and materials related to determining whether or not a human receiving a therapy (e.g., an anti-VEGF therapy such as a bevacizumab therapy) has developed or is at risk for developing proteinuria. For example, methods and materials for detecting urinary podocytes to determine whether or not a human receiving anti-VEGF therapy has or is at risk for developing proteinuria or kidney injury are provided.