The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I):

##STR00001##

and to salts thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and Q have any of the values defined in the specification, and compositions and uses thereof. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of bromodomains. Also included are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and methods of using such compounds and salts in the treatment of various bromodomain-mediated disorders.

Methods and kits for the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA). In particular, the use of a new diagnostic parameter that is composed of the ratio between the Ang II level, in particular the steady state equilibrium Ang II level, and the aldosterone level in a biological sample, such as e.g. plasma. The ratio of the two measured parameters is used to diagnose PHA in patients and has clear advantages over currently used diagnostic methods.

A method of expanding TCRalpha deficient T-cells by expressing pTalpha or functional variants thereof into said cells, thereby restoring a functional CD3 complex. This method is particularly useful to enhance the efficiency of immunotherapy using primary T-cells from donors. This method involves the use of pTalpha or functional variants thereof and polynucleotides encoding such polypeptides to expand TCRalpha deficient T-cells. Such engineered cells can be obtained by using specific rare-cutting endonuclease, preferably TALE-nucleases. The use of Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR), especially multi-chain CAR, in such engineered cells to target malignant or infected cells. The invention opens the way to standard and affordable adoptive immunotherapy strategies for treating cancer and viral infections.

Ophthalmically therapeutic materials, such as liquid-containing compositions and polymeric drug delivery systems, include a therapeutic component that includes an Glucocorticoid Derivative which, upon delivery to the posterior segment of a mammalian eye, does not significantly diffuse to the anterior segment of said eye. Methods of making and using the present materials are also described.

The invention relates to the use of gelsolin to treat inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) and to the use of gelsolin to diagnose, monitor, and evaluate therapies of inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis).

Methods for treating inflammation-mediated conditions of the eye are described, comprising: implanting into the vitreous of the eye of an individual a bioerodible implant comprising a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent and a bioerodible polymer, wherein the implant delivers the agent to the vitreous in an amount sufficient to reach a concentration equivalent to at least about 0.05 μg/ml dexamethasone within about 48 hours and maintains a concentration equivalent to at least about 0.03 μg/ml dexamethasone for at least about three weeks.

The subject matter herein is directed to carbazole-containing sulfonamide derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof of structural formula I wherein the variable R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, A, B, C′, D, E, F, G, H′, a, and b are accordingly described. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I to treat a Cry-mediated disease or disorder, such as diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, and glaucoma. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to novel somatostatin analogs, dimers thereof, and methods of using the same to treat various diseases. Naturally occurring somatostatins (SSTs), which are also known as somatotropin release-inhibiting factors (SRIFs), have diverse biological effects in many cells and organs 10 throughout the body. They are produced by normal endocrine, gastrointestinal, immune and neuronal cells, as well as by certain tumors (Patel, Y. C, Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 20(3): 157-198 (1999); Froidevaux, et al., Biopolymers, 66(3): 161-83 (2002)).

The present invention relates to a method of cultivating stem/progenitor cells of the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord that comprises obtaining a tissue explant from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and cultivating the tissue explant in suitable cultivation media and cultivation conditions over a suitable period of time. The method may include isolating the stem/progenitor cells from the tissue cultures. The stem cells may be epithelial or mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. The isolated stem cell cells can have embryonic stem cell-like properties and can be used for various therapeutic purposes.

Disclosed are small molecule non-peptidic compounds, as well as methods and compositions for the treatment of angiotensin-related diseases and disorders, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, renal diseases, inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, neurological diseases, bone marrow diseases and cancer.