The invention relates to the use of at least one inhibitory structural analog or inhibitory functional analog of a coenzyme (such as thiamine for example) of an enzyme group, the enzyme members of which catalyze anabolic and/or catabolic and/or energy-releasing metabolic reactions that are of essential significance for the functionality of the overall metabolism of cells, in particular mammalian cells. The invention is used to treat patients in order to produce a general successive (in particular also continuous) slowing down of the metabolic processes of endogenous cells and exogenous cells in the body of the patient and thus achieve a slowing down of disease-causing processes in particular.

Disclosed herein are monomeric and oligomeric compound embodiments for use as contraceptive agents. Monomeric compound embodiments disclosed herein comprise substituents that facilitate the ability of the compounds to exhibit progestogenic, androgenic, and estrogenic activity, which can prevent or inhibit bone density loss in subjects. Oligomeric compound embodiments disclosed herein provide the ability to control receptor activation and/or treatment by incorporating a tunable linker group which couples steroidal-based compounds to one another or with therapeutic agents and facilitates selective cleavage of the monomeric components of the oligomeric compound.

The present invention relates to prime-boost regimens that involve the administration of at least one mRNA construct, such as the use of such constructs in “boost” administration subsequently to “prime” administration of certain other antigenic composition(s). Such inventive regimens may, in particular, be useful for the induction of an immune response in a subject, and/or the vaccination of such subject against infection from one or more pathogens, and/or the treatment or prevention of one or more diseases or conditions, including a tumour or cancer, allergy or autoimmune conditions, and/or a disease or condition associated with infection from a pathogen. The present invention further describes methods, uses, vaccination compositions, kits and packaged vaccine components related to or useful for one or more of such regimens.

The present invention relates to antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to PD-1, and to methods of using such antibodies and antigen-binding fragments. For example, the present invention provides humanized anti-PD-1 antibodies and methods of use thereof.

Disclosed are methods of treating obesity or an obesity-related condition comprising administering an effective amount of soluble (pro)renin receptor (sPRR) to a subject that is obese or having an obesity-related condition. In some instances, obesity-related conditions can be, but are not limited to, steatosis, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, chronic renal disease. Disclosed are methods of reducing body weight comprising administering an effective amount of sPRR to a subject in need thereof. Disclosed are methods of treating fatty liver in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of sPRR to a subject in need thereof. Disclosed are methods of treating a fluid and electrolyte disorder comprising administering an effective amount of sPRR to a subject diagnosed with a fluid and electrolyte disorder.

Dental devices are described that include isolated, non-pathogenic, hydrogen peroxide-producing bacterial strains and genetically engineered LDH-deficient bacterial strains, which can be used to whiten teeth and treat periodontal disease.

The invention provides compositions featuring chitosan and methods for using such compositions for the local delivery of biologically active agents to an open fracture, complex wound or other site of infection. Advantageously, the degradation and drug elution profiles of the chitosan compositions can be tailored to the needs of particular patients at the point of care (e.g., in a surgical suite, clinic, physician's office, or other clinical setting).

The instant invention provides various formulations comprising combinations of immunostimulating oligonucleotides, polycationic carriers, sterols, saponins, quaternary amines, TLR-3 agonists, glycolipids, and MPL-A or analogs thereof in oil emulsions, use thereof in preparations of immunogenic compositions and vaccines, and use thereof in the treatment of animals.

In one aspect, described herein is an intronic recognition element for splicing modifier (iREMS) that can be recognized by a compound provided herein. In another aspect, described herein are methods for modulating the amount of a product of a gene, wherein a precursor RNA transcript transcribed from the gene contains an intronic REMS, and the methods utilizing a compound described herein. More particularly, described herein are methods for modulating the amount of an RNA transcript or protein product encoded by a gene, wherein a precursor RNA transcript transcribed from the gene comprises an intronic REMS, and the methods utilizing a compound described herein. In another aspect, provided herein are artificial gene constructs comprising an intronic REMS, and uses of those artificial gene constructs to modulate protein production. In another aspect, provided herein are methods for altering endogenous genes to comprise an intronic REMS, and the use of a compound described herein to modulate protein produced from such altered endogenous genes.

Provided is a novel compound that has an excellent β-lactamase inhibitory effect. More specifically, provided is a compound represented by formula (1a), (1b) or (11) having an excellent β-lactamase inhibitory effect or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. By using this compound either in combination with a β-lactam drug or alone, a useful preventive or therapeutic agent for bacterial infections is provided. Also provided are useful preventive or therapeutic agents for treating various diseases with the combined use of the aforesaid compound and β-lactam drugs.