The invention concerns a paralytic shellfish poison for the treatment of itching in a human being or another mammal.

The present invention relates to methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, in recombinant cells such as yeast or plant cells. Also provided are recombinant cells or plants which produce long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a group of new enzymes which possess desaturase or elongase activity that can be used in methods of synthesizing long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.

A compound having an URAT1 inhibitory activity, and an URAT1 inhibitor, a blood uric acid level-reducing agent and a pharmaceutical composition containing the compound. More specifically, a compound represented by the formula (I):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is -Q.sup.1-A.sup.1 or the like; R.sup.2 is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group or the like; W.sup.1, W.sup.2, W.sup.3 and W.sup.4 are each independently a nitrogen atom or a methine group optionally having substituents, or the like; X and Y are each a single bond, an oxygen atom or the like; Z is a hydroxyl group or COOR.sup.3 or the like.

A solid dispersion containing Desmodium Styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. flavonoids, method of preparing same and use thereof. The Desmodium Styracifolium (Osb.) Merr. flavonoids are alcohol extract of Desmodium Styracifolium (Osb.) Merr., and the solid dispersion is used for preparing a drug for treating urinary tract calculi.

The present invention relates to specific doses of and dosing regimens for using a 1,2,4-oxadiazole benzoic acid compound in treating or preventing diseases associated with nonsense mutations. In particular, the invention relates to specific doses and dosing regimens for the use of 3-[5-(2-fluoro-phenyl)-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-benzoic acid in mammals having diseases associated with nonsense mutations.

The present invention provides a compound having a superior serotonin 5-HT.sub.2C receptor activating action. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (1) ##STR00001##
wherein ring A is an aromatic carbocycle optionally having substituent(s) or an aromatic heterocycle optionally having substituent(s), X is N(R.sup.1), O or the like, when ring A is an aromatic carbocycle optionally having substituent(s), then R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s), or the like, and when ring A is an aromatic heterocycle optionally having substituent(s), then R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group optionally having substituent(s), a cycloalkyl group optionally having substituent(s), or the like, is a single bond or a double bond, and n is an integer of 0, 1 or 2, or a salt thereof.

The present invention relates to a multivitamin formulation for reducing the risk of kidney stone formation. Such formulations comprise a reduction or elimination in one or more of one or more of vitamin C, vitamin D3, and/or calcium. The multivitamin formulations of the present invention may further include magnesium citrate, inositol hexaphosphate (IP-6), and/or banana stem extract. Also provided is a method for customizing a multivitamin formulation for reducing the risk of kidney stone formation in a patient. The method comprises assessing one or more criteria selected from history and physical exam, serum studies, spot urine parameters or 24 hour urine collections. Based on this assessment, a custom multivitamin formulation can be administered in accordance with the formulations described herein.

The present invention relates to furazidin for vaginal use in the treatment of a bacterial vaginal infection. Preferably, the bacterial vaginal infection is caused by Gardnerella vaginalis and/or Atopobium vaginae bacteria.

The present invention provides methods, compositions, devices, and kits for treating cystinuria or related disorders, in which tiopronin is administered to a patient according to a modified-release strategy that releases tiopronin in critically-spaced, repeated pulses over time, to provide lower peak plasma levels but consistently higher urine levels of the drug for binding cystine. In particular, use of the present modified-release formulations and systems reduce side effects of tiopronin, thereby increasing patient compliance and quality of life, as well as achieving efficacy with less frequent administrations and/or lower total dosages.

The present invention provides methods, compositions, devices, and kits for treating cystinuria or related disorders, in which tiopronin is administered to a patient according to a modified-release strategy that releases tiopronin in critically-spaced, repeated pulses over time, to provide lower peak plasma levels but consistently higher urine levels of the drug for binding cystine. In particular, use of the present modified-release formulations and systems reduce side effects of tiopronin, thereby increasing patient compliance and quality of life, as well as achieving efficacy with less frequent administrations and/or lower total dosages.