The invention relates to an isotonic crystalloid aqueous solution of the type containing Na.sup.+, K.sup.+ and Cl.sup.−, and to the use thereof as a vasodilator.

Provided herein are methods for maintaining physiological levels of thiosulfate in a subject undergoing hemodialysis. Also provided herein are methods of administering pharmaceutically acceptable sodium thiosulfate to a subject undergoing hemodialysis.

Subject matter of the present invention is a method for predicting or diagnosing a refractory shock in a subject that either runs into shock or that has developed shock, wherein said method is comprising the steps: determining the level of DPP3 in a sample of bodily fluid of said subject; comparing said level of determined DPP3 to a predetermined threshold,
wherein said subject is predicted to run into refractory shock or is diagnosed as having refractory shock if said determined level of DPP3 is above said predetermined threshold.

Further subject matter relates to vasopressors, angiotensin-receptor agonists and/or precursors thereof, inhibitors of the activity of DPP3 and anti-ADM antibodies for use in therapy of shock in a subject that either runs into shock or that has developed shock.

Factor VIII variants and methods of use thereof are disclosed.

Described herein are heme-binding compositions and methods relating to their use, for example methods of treatment of sepsis and rhabdomyolysis.

A method to form a dialysis composition includes determining for a patient a prescribed calcium concentration for a dialysis fluid to be administered to the patient. The determination is made based on a non-citrate containing calcium dialysis fluid. 0.5 to 3 mM citrate and 1 to 5 mM total calcium are introduced to the dialysis fluid. The total calcium results in a calcium concentration that is 0.1 to 0.2 mM per 1 mM citrate greater than the prescribed calcium concentration. 0 to 1.5 mM total magnesium is introduced to the dialysis fluid.

The invention relates to a method of producing CD34+CD4.sup.dim megakaryocyte (MK) progenitor cells, and substantially pure cell population of megakaryocyte precursor cells obtained by said method. The invention also relates to a method of producing proplatelet-bearing MKs and/or platelets using the CD34+CD4.sup.dim cells.

H-NOX proteins are mutated to exhibit improved or optimal kinetic and thermodynamic properties for blood gas O.sub.2 delivery. The engineered H-NOX proteins comprise mutations that impart altered O.sub.2 or NO ligand-binding relative to the corresponding wild-type H-NOX domain, and are operative as physiologically compatible mammalian blood O.sub.2 gas carriers. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods that use wild-type or mutant H-NOX proteins for the treatment of any condition for which delivery of O.sub.2 is beneficial.

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition containing recombinant hemoglobin protein or tetramer or dimer or subunit for tissue oxygenation and treating cancer. The recombinant hemoglobin protein or tetramer or dimer or subunit-based therapeutic agent is also effective for treating cancer. The recombinant hemoglobin or tetramer or dimer or its subunit moiety can target cancer cells and the therapeutic moiety (i.e. active agent/therapeutic drug) can kill the cancer cells efficiently. The recombinant hemoglobin or tetramer or dimer or its subunit-based therapeutic agent used in the present invention can be used in the treatment of various cancers such as pancreatic cancer, leukemia, head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer and brain cancer. The composition can be used alone or in combination with other therapeutic agent(s) such as chemotherapeutic agent, radiotherapeutic agent, anti-cancer protein drug to give a synergistic effect on cancer treatment, inhibiting metastasis and/or reducing recurrence.

The present invention generally relates to the detection, treatment or prevention of disease states. Specifically, the present invention relates to the detection, treatment or prevention of amyloidosis or amyloid-associated diseases. The present invention further comprises methods and compositions comprising therapeutic vaccines, antisera and molecular constructs, comprising expression vectors and fusion proteins encoded therein.