The present disclosure relates to multivalent pneumococcal vaccine compositions comprising capsular pneumococcal polysaccharide serotypes each individually conjugated to carrier proteins. When conjugated, the combination of the capsular pneumococcal polysaccharide serotype and the carrier protein is referred to herein as a polysaccharide-protein conjugate. The pneumococcal vaccine compositions may further comprise one or more of the following; a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, a buffer, a preservative, a stabilizer, an adjuvant, and/or a lyophilization excipient. Methods of making and administering the pneumococcal vaccine compositions described herein are also provided.

The present invention provides bicyclic heterocyclyl kinase enzyme inhibitor compounds of formula (I), which are therapeutically useful as kinase inhibitors, particularly IRAK4 inhibitors. ##STR00001##
wherein A, Y, Z, X.sub.1, X.sub.2, X.sub.3, R.sub.1, R.sub.3, ‘m’, ‘n’ and ‘p’ have the meanings given in the specification and pharmaceutically acceptable salt or stereoisomer thereof that are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases or disorder, in particular their use in diseases or disorder mediated by kinase enzyme, particularly IRAK4 enzyme. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one of the compounds of compound of formula (I) together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient therefor.

Disclosed herein are methods for otoprotection against platinum-based antineoplastic agents by administering a thiosulfate salt to a subject in need thereof. Typically, the thiosulfate salt is administered to the subject scheduled to be administered a platinum-based antineoplastic agent within 4 hours. Alternatively, the thiosulfate salt is administered within 7 hours after the administration of a platinum-based neoplastic agent.

Disclosed herein are methods for otoprotection against platinum-based antineoplastic agents by administering a thiosulfate salt to a subject in need thereof. Typically, the thiosulfate salt is administered to the subject scheduled to be administered a platinum-based antineoplastic agent within 4 hours. Alternatively, the thiosulfate salt is administered within 7 hours after the administration of a platinum-based neoplastic agent.

Methods for generating cells of the inner ear, e.g., hair cells and supporting cells, from stem cells, e.g., mesenchymal stem cells, are provided, as well as compositions including the inner ear cells. Methods for the therapeutic use of the inner ear cells for the treatment of hearing loss are also described.

A composition for preventing or treating hearing loss, containing a Vitis vinifera leaf extract as an active ingredient, is disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating hearing loss, containing the extract (a Vitis vinifera leaf extract) as an active ingredient, protects auditory hair cells in the cochlea and spiral ganglion cells from damage caused by noise and the like and effectively reduces the hearing threshold measured in the auditory nerves, thereby being usable as an agent for preventing or treating hearing loss.

A composition for preventing or treating hearing loss, containing a Vitis vinifera leaf extract as an active ingredient, is disclosed. A pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating hearing loss, containing the extract (a Vitis vinifera leaf extract) as an active ingredient, protects auditory hair cells in the cochlea and spiral ganglion cells from damage caused by noise and the like and effectively reduces the hearing threshold measured in the auditory nerves, thereby being usable as an agent for preventing or treating hearing loss.

The present invention relates to nucleic acids of the general formula (I): (N.sub.uG.sub.lX.sub.mG.sub.nN.sub.v).sub.a and derivatives thereof as an immunostimulating agent/adjuvant and to compositions containing same, optionally comprising an additional adjuvant. The present invention furthermore relates to a pharmaceutical composition or to a vaccine, each containing nucleic acids of formula (I) above and/or derivatives thereof as an immunostimulating agent, and optionally at least one additional pharmaceutically active component, e.g. an antigenic agent. The present invention relates likewise to the use of the pharmaceutical composition or of the vaccine for the treatment of cancer diseases, infectious diseases, allergies and autoimmune diseases etc. Likewise, the present invention includes the use of nucleic acids of the general formula (I): (N.sub.uG.sub.lX.sub.mG.sub.nN.sub.v).sub.a and/or derivatives thereof for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of such diseases.

The present disclosure provides a composition containing a sweet potato stem and/or leaf extract for prevention, alleviation, or treatment of an ear disease. The composition according to the present disclosure can suppress hearing loss by effectively inhibiting the increase in hearing threshold due to hearing loss and the damage to hair cells, and is useful for the prevention or treatment of an ear disease, such as hearing loss or ringing in the ears, by having effects of reducing abnormal behavior caused by ringing in the ears and of returning the hearing amplitude to normal, and therefore, the composition can be advantageously used as a pharmaceutical composition or a health functional food.

The present disclosure provides a composition containing a sweet potato stem and/or leaf extract for prevention, alleviation, or treatment of an ear disease. The composition according to the present disclosure can suppress hearing loss by effectively inhibiting the increase in hearing threshold due to hearing loss and the damage to hair cells, and is useful for the prevention or treatment of an ear disease, such as hearing loss or ringing in the ears, by having effects of reducing abnormal behavior caused by ringing in the ears and of returning the hearing amplitude to normal, and therefore, the composition can be advantageously used as a pharmaceutical composition or a health functional food.