Disubstituted octahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole compounds are described, which are useful as orexin receptor modulators. Such compounds may be useful in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of diseased states, disorders, and conditions mediated by orexin activity, such as insomnia.

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical and/or dietetic composition for increasing the impact of the immune defense of higher living beings, wherein bacteria of the species Lactobacillus fermentum from at least one of the strains K1-Lb1 or K1-Lb6 or K2-Lb4 or K6-Lb4 or K7-Lb1 or K8-Lb1 or K9-Lb6 are contained in order to control the adaptive and natural immune defense by means of T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells and/or bacteria of the species Lactobacillus fermentum from at least one of the strains K2-Lb6 or K11-Lb3 are contained in order to strengthen the native immune defense.

Provided herein are methods for identifying compounds that are inhibitors of a calcium-activated chloride channel. Aminothiophene and aminothiazole compounds, and compositions comprising these compounds, described herein that inhibit efflux of chloride through a calcium-activated chloride channel are useful for treating diseases, disorders, and sequelae of diseases, disorders, and conditions that are associated with aberrantly increased chloride and fluid secretion, for example, secretory diarrhea.

Provided are therapeutic compositions containing combinations of bacteria, for the maintenance or restoration of a healthy microbiota in the gastrointestinal tract of a mammalian subject, and methods for use thereof.

The invention refers to the use of a sigma ligand, particularly a sigma ligand of formula (I) to prevent and/or treat type-2 diabetes-associated pain and related symptoms. ##STR00001##

Oxalate decarboxylase crystals, including stabilized crystals, such as cross-linked crystals of oxalate decarboxylase, are disclosed. Methods to treat a disorder associated with elevated oxalate concentration using oxalate decarboxylase crystals are also disclosed. Additionally disclosed are methods of producing protein crystals.

According to the invention there is provided a compound of formula A1 which may be useful in the treatment of a condition or disorder ameliorated by the inhibition of the A.sub.1-A.sub.21, or, particularly, the A.sub.2, receptor wherein the compound of formula A1 has the structure, wherein, A represents Cy.sup.1 or Het.sup.A; Cy.sup.1 represents a 5- to 14-membered aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated carbocylic ring system comprising one, two or three rings, which Cy.sup.1 group is optionally substituted by one or more R.sup.4a substituents; Het.sup.A represents a 5- to 14-membered heterocyclic group that may be aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated, and which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, which heterocyclic group may comprise one, two or three rings and which HetA group is optionally substituted by one or more R4b substituents; B represents a Cy.sup.2 or Het.sup.B; Cy.sup.2 represents a 3- to 10-membered aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated carbocyclic ring system comprising one or two rings, which Cy.sup.2 group is optionally substituted by one or more R.sup.4c substituents; Het.sup.B represents a 3- to 10-membered heterocyclic group that may be aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated, and which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, which heterocyclic group may comprise one or two rings and which Het.sup.B group is optionally substituted by one or more R.sup.4d substituents.

##STR00001##

This disclosure relates to compositions, kits and methods for non-surgical reduction of localized subcutaneous fat such as that associated with a cosmetic fat accumulation. The methods employ compositions having specific concentrations of a salt of deoxycholic acid which provides a superior fat cell necrosis with modest adverse effects. Examples of localized subcutaneous fat are found in the submental area, in particular under the chin.

A composition having a normalizing action for infradian rhythm and/or a synchronization promoting action for circadian rhythm (biological clock) containing arachidonic acid and/or an arachidonic acid-containing compound.

Disclosed are novel Lactobacillus plantarum strains as well as a composition containing the novel Lactobacillus plantarum strains or a culture thereof.