Abstract: The invention relates to peptide compositions for use in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions against hepatitis C virus, as well as corresponding methods.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery of the epitope in the Stx1 protein for the 13C4 antibody. The invention features non-full length Stx1 polypeptides that include the epitope for the 13C4 monoclonal antibody epitope. The invention also features methods of producing anti-Stx1 antibodies specific for the 13C4 epitope of the Stx1 protein. Additionally, the invention features methods for treating a subject having, or at risk of developing, a Shiga toxin associated disease (e.g., hemolytic uremia syndrome and diseases associated with E. coli and S. dysenteriae infection) with a polypeptide that includes the 13C4 epitope or with an anti-Stx1 antibody developed using the methods of the invention. Furthermore, the invention features the detection of Stx1 in a sample using the antibodies developed using the methods of the invention.

Abstract: This invention features bis-amides of pyrophosphoric acid and bisphosphonic acids, their preparation, and their use in synthesis of P1,P4-dinucleoside tetraphosphates, tetraphosphonates, and related compounds.

Abstract: An in vitro method of determining activation or inactivation of the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) hormonal systems, the method comprising simultaneously detecting the presence or amount of atrial and brain natriuretic peptide prohormones (proANP and proBNP) or fragments thereof in a sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing DCs, which comprise the step of culturing DC precursor cells in the presence of multiple cytokines, dendritic cells produced thereby, and uses thereof. The methods of the present invention enable production of large quantities of DC precursors with a high ability to differentiate into DCs. The present invention enables one to obtain large quantities of DCs from a small number of DC precursor cells, and therefore makes it easier to increase the number of DCs for administration in DC-based anti-tumor immunotherapy, treatment of infection, and such. Thus, an enhancement is expected for the effect of DC vaccines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a colorectal cancer marker for diagnosing colorectal cancer based on ESM-I overexpression in tissues, cells or body fluids of colorectal cancer patients. Disclosed also is the use of the colorectal cancer marker in the development of therapeutic agents for cancer and in the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or formulations thereof. Compounds of Formula I inhibit HIV-integrase enzyme and are useful for preventing and treating of HIV infection, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-related complex (ARC), hepatitis C, and other diseases and conditions caused or mediated by HIV infection.

Abstract: The invention features a series of heterocyclic derivatives that inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) induced necroptosis. The heterocyclic compounds of the invention are described by Formulas (I) and (Ia)-(Ie) and are shown to inhibit TNF-? induced necroptosis in FADD-deficient variant of human Jurkat T cells. The invention further features pharmaceutical compositions featuring the compounds of the invention. The compounds and compositions of the invention may also be used to treat disorders where necroptosis is likely to play a substantial role.

Abstract: Described herein is a method for modulating an immune reaction between lymphocytes and a body recognized by the lymphocytes as foreign. The method exploits the immunomodulating activity of a new class of progenitor cells termed HUCPVCs derived from the perivascular region of human umbilical cord. The method can also employ soluble factors exuded by cultured HUCPVCs. The method is useful to treat immune disorders including graft versus host disease, autoimmune disorders, and the like.

Abstract: Viable progenitor cells are extracted from frozen umbilical cord tissue. In embodiments, the umbilical cord tissue is a blood vessel bearing perivascular Wharton's jelly, and the extracted progenitor cells are HUCPVCs.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods for treating diseases associated with apoptotic degeneration in ocular tissue cells by effective administration of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF). The present inventors studied PEDF as a means to prevent ganglion cell death, the final pathology of glaucoma. The present invention is particularly focused on SIV vectors for effective methods for delivering PEDF, and constructed an SIV-PEDF vector. When the SIV-PEDF vector was administered subretinally to an ischemia reperfusion model and NMDA-induced model, a significant suppression effect on ganglion cell death was observed. The present inventors therefore discovered that the SIV-PEDF vector is an effective pharmaceutical agent for treating diseases associated with apoptotic degeneration in ocular tissue cells, such as glaucoma.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing bioethanol from biomass. The feedstock for preparation of bioethanol, i.e. the biomass, is pretreated by a combination of chemical and physical methods. The method is advantageous in that detoxification is unnecessary since the substances that inhibit fermentation are not produced and acid reconcentration for recycling is not needed. Further, since the sonication makes saccharification easier, removal of lignin (delignification), which interferes with the saccharification of cellulose, is unnecessary. Accordingly, the present disclosure allows to produce bioethanol with high yield and at low cost in an environment-friendly manner.

Abstract: The invention describes a new class of crystalline silica material having two levels of porosity and structural order. At the first level, building units are nanoslabs of uniform size having zeolite framework. At the second structural level, nanoslabs are assembled, e.g. linked through their corners, edges or faces following patterns imposed by interaction with cationic surfactant or triblock copolymer molecules. After evacuation of these molecules, microporosity is obtained inside the nanoslabs, and a precise mesoporosity between the nanoslabs depending on the tiling pattern of the zeolite nanoslabs, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction. These materials are useful for the fixation of biologically active species, such as poorly soluble drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition for inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating a bone metabolism disorder, which comprise D-pinitol as an active ingredient. The present compositions have an inhibitory activity on the differentiation of osteoclast and are useful in the prevention or treatment of a bone metabolism disorder resulting from overactivity or hyper-proliferation of osteoclasts.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids encoding PARP fusion proteins, PARP fusion proteins, antibodies that bind to one or more of these PARP fusion proteins, and transgenic cells expressing one or more PARP fusion proteins. The invention also provides methods for identifying an agent as a specific PARP inhibitor or activator requiring contacting one or more PARP fusion proteins with a labeled nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide substrate and the agent and measuring the amount of labeled of ADP-ribose covalently attached to the one or more PARP fusion proteins. The invention also provides methods for identifying an agent that specifically binds to one or more PARP fusion proteins and methods for quantitating the level of one or more PARP proteins in a sample.

Abstract: Pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine or pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridine compounds having the general formula (A), wherein the dashed lines, X, Y and R1 through R5 are as defined in the specification. The compounds are useful in the prophylaxis or treatment of viral infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite yeast suitable for high concentration alcohol fermentation from sugar-containing raw materials, characterizing in that the composite yeast comprises any kind of dried yeast selected from Brewers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, grape wine yeast Saccharomyces uvarum Beijerinek, and nutritious materials which are necessary for yeast growth, the nutritious materials include: the dried yeast 40-70 parts by weight, a nitrogen source 20-40 parts by weight, a phosphorous source 5-10 parts by weight, an other inorganic salt 2.5-5 parts by weight, a trace vitamin 1-2.5 parts by weight and a bacteriostatic 0.5-1.2 parts by weight. The present invention further relates to a method for preparation of the composite yeast suitable for high concentration alcohol fermentation from sugar-containing raw materials.

Abstract: GLP-2 analogues are disclosed which comprise one of more substitutions as compared to [hGly2]GLP-2 and which improved biological activity in vivo and/or improved chemical stability, e.g., as assessed in in vitro stability assays. More particularly, preferred GLP-2 analogues disclosed herein comprise substitutions at one or more of positions 8, 16, 24 and/or 28 of the wild-type GLP-2 sequence, optionally in combination with further substitutions at position 2 (as mentioned in the introduction) and one or more of positions 3, 5, 7, 10 and 11, and/or a deletion of one or more of amino acids 31 to 33 and/or the addition of a N-terminal or C-terminal stabilizing peptide sequence. The analogues are particularly useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of stomach and bowel-related disorders and for ameliorating side effects of chemotherapy. Also disclosed are methods and kits for selecting a patient from populations suited for treatment with GLP-2 analogues.

Abstract: The invention is directed to peptide modulators of Pin1 and Pin1-related proteins and the use of such modulators for treatment of Pin1 associated states, e.g., for the treatment of cancer or neurodegenerative disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hyperthermophilic DNA polymerase and a preparation method thereof. The invention provides a novel hyperthermophilic DNA polymerase isolated from a Thermococcus sp. strain, a functional equivalent thereof, a protein having the amino acid sequence thereof, and a preparation method thereof. The DNA polymerase according to the invention is a DNA polymerase, which is hyperthermophilic and has an elongation ability and fidelity higher than those of prior commercial DNA polymerases. Thus, the DNA polymerase according to the invention will be useful in precision analysis, precision diagnosis, identification and the like, which require accurate PCR.