Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered multivalent and multispecific binding proteins, methods of making, and specifically to their uses in the prevention and/or treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory and other diseases.

Abstract: The invention pertains to novel cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (cdks) and specifically, but not exclusively, as inhibitors of cdk/cyclin complexes. As described herein, the inhibitors of this invention are capable of inhibiting the cell-cycle machinery and consequently may be useful in modulating cell-cycle progression, ultimately controlling cell growth and differentiation. Such compounds would be useful for treating subjects having disorders associated with excessive cell proliferation.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polymer magnetic particles, which comprises: providing a water phase containing magnetic components homogeneously dispersed therein, wherein the water phase is contacted with or further contains a polymerisable metal-containing or organic monomer which is soluble in the water phase, and polymerizing the monomer in the presence of the magnetic components so as to form polymer magnetic particles in which the magnetic components are substantially uniformly distributed; wherein at least a part of the polymerizing step is carried out in a water-in-oil emulsion in which the water phase containing the magnetic components homogenously dispersed therein is present as a discontinuous phase in a continuous oil phase.

Abstract: The invention comprises peptidyl analogs that possess agonist or antagonist ghrelin activity, along with therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a series of somatostatin-dopamine chimeric analogs which retain both somatostatin and dopamine activity in vivo. An example is: 6-n-propyl-8?-ergolinglmethylthioacetyl-D-Phe-c-(Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Abu-Cys)-Thr-NH2.

Abstract: Disclosed is a series of somatostatin-dopamine chimeric analogs which retain both somatostatin and dopamine activity in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery in eukaryotic cells, particularly human cells, of novel protein-protein interactions between certain cellular proteins, referred to herein as “E6AP-binding proteins” or “E6AP-BPs”, and the cellular protein E6AP, the latter of which is a component of a ubiquitin-ligase (E3) enzyme. The association of E6AP and the subject E6AP-binding proteins implicates the E6AP-binding proteins in a number of basic cellular functions, such as regulation of gene expression, regulation of the cell-cycle, modification of cell surface receptors, biogenesis of ribosomes, and DNA repair. One of the E6AP-binding proteins shares certain homology with the papillomavirus E6 protein, which also binds E6AP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide compositions which bind to cell surface epitopes and, in multivalent forms, cause or lead to the killing of cells including lymphoid tumor cells, and in the case of monovalent forms, cause immunosuppression or otherwise inhibit activation of lymphocytes. The invention further relates to nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, methods for the production of the polypeptides, methods for killing cells, methods for immunosuppressing a patient, pharmaceutical, diagnostic and multivalent compositions and kits comprising the polypeptides and uses of the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to peptide analogues of glucagon-like peptide-1, the pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, to methods of using such analogues to treat mammals and to pharmaceutical compositions useful therefor comprising said analogues.

Abstract: The invention features somatostatin-dopamine chimeric analogs and methods relating to their therapeutic use for the treatment of neoplasia, acromegaly, and other conditions.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting rejection of tissues transplanted into a mammalian host is disclosed. Treatment of the tissues with an enzyme or combination of enzyme, particularly papain, to eliminate cell surface structures necessary for recognition by the host's immune system, particularly MHC Class I molecules, avoids or reduces the attack of the host's immune system on the transplanted tissues. Tissues that are enzymatically shaved of MHC Class I antigens and/or other critical adhesion molecules can be rendered at least temporarily resistant or immune to attack by cytolytic T lymphocytes, helper T lymphocytes, antibodies, or other effector cells of a host's immune system, thereby enhancing the survivability of the tissues in the host after transplant.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptide and peptidomimetic compounds generally according to formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are useful as GHRP analogs: R1-A2-A3-A4-A5-R2 (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: A1 is Aib, Apc or Inp; A2 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A3 is D-Bal, D-Bip, D-Bpa, D-Dip, D-1Nal, D-2Nal, D-Ser(Bzl), or D-Trp; A4 is 2Fua, Om, 2Pal, 3Pal, 4Pal, Pff, Phe, Pim, Taz, 2Thi, 3Thi, Thr(Bzl); A5 is Apc, Dab, Dap, Lys, Orn, or deleted; R1 is hydrogen, (C1-6)alkyl, (C5-14)aryl, (C1-6)alkyl(C5-14)aryl, (C3-8)cycloakyl, or (C2-10)acyl; and R2 is OH or NH2; and pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: We describe a regulated antigen delivery system (RADS) that has (a) a vector that includes (1) a gene encoding a desired gene product operably linked to a control sequence, (2) an origin of replication conferring vector replication using DNA polymerase III, and (3) an origin of replication conferring vector replication using DNA polymerase I, where the second origin of replication is operably linked to a control sequence that is repressible by a repressor. The RADS microorganism also has a gene encoding a repressor, operably linked to an activatible control sequence. The RADS described provide high levels of the desired gene product after repression of the high copy number origin of replication is lifted. The RADS are particularly useful as live bacterial vaccines. Also described is a delayed RADS system, in which there is a delay before the high copy number origin is expressed after the repression is lifted. The delayed RADS is also particularly useful for live bacterial vaccines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the human cellular protein glutathione peroxidase-gastrointestinal as a target for medical intervention against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for the detection of compounds useful for prophylaxis and/or treatment of Hepatitis C virus infections and a method for detecting Hepatitis C virus infections in an individual or in cells. Also compositions, compounds, nucleic acid molecules (such as aptamers), mono- or polyclonal antibodies are disclosed which are effective for the treatment of HCV infections, and methods for prophylaxis and/or treatment of Hepatitis C virus infections or for the regulation of Hepatitis C virus production are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the depolymerization of glycosaminoglycanes characterized by the use of electron beam radiation, optionally in the presence of an organic compound selected from the group consisting of ethers, alcohols, aldehydes, amides and formic acid. The invention also relates to the intermediate depolymerized heparin obtained by the process. The intermediate depolymerized heparin can be dissolved in a buffer solution and fractionated by gel permeation for obtaining the desired molecular weight.

Abstract: Claimed are a series of somatostatin agonists and uses thereof, according to formula (I), A1-cyclo[Cys-A2-D-Trp-A3-A4-Cys]-A5-Y1, ??(I) wherein A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and Y1 are as defined in specification provided that the amine nitrogen of at least one peptide bond is substituted with a methyl group or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions for isolating and/or stabilising nucleic acids in materials of biological origin. The compositions comprise as an essential ingredient a cationic compound of general formula Y+R1R2R3R4X? wherein Y may represent nitrogen or phosphorus R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently of one another may represent a branched or unbranched C1-C20-alkyl group and/or a C6-C20-aryl group as well as a C6-C26-aralkyl group and X? may represent an anion of an inorganic or organic, mono- or polybasic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a peptide having at least 3 amino acids comprising an amino acid sequence selected from a) X1SM [SEQ.ID.NO.:1] b) LX2HK [SEQ.ID.NO.:2] c) PSGX3ARA [SEQ.ID.NO.:9] d) SX4RSMNF [SEQ.ID. NO.:16] e) LX5HKSMP [SEQ.ID.NO.:18] in which X is a basic amino acid residue, X1 is Q or P, X2 is A or T, X3 is an acidic amino acid residue and X4 is P or Q, the invention further provides non-viral cell-targeting vector complexes and methods associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel class of cyclic polypeptides of the formula: (R1)a-AA1-cyclo[AA2-AA3-AA4-AA5-AA6-Cys]-AA7-R2, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the variables are as defined in the specification, which inhibit the effects of urotensin-II and are useful for treating a variety of diseases and/or conditions characterized by an excess of urotensin-II including ischaemic heart disease, congestive heart failure, portal hypertension, variceal bleeding, hypotension, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ulcers, anxiety, schizophrenia, manic depression, delirium, dementia, mental retardation and/or dyskinesias.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the targeted transfection of cells, compositions which may be used for such processes, and corresponding pharmaceutical compositions for gene therapy. In particular, the invention relates to a process for introducing nucleic acid into cells comprising the steps of (a) mixing a nucleic acid with a dendrimer, in which a proportion of the dendrimer molecules are biotinylated; (b) mixing the resulting complex of nucleic acid and dendrimer with a second complex consisting of avidin or streptavidin and a biotinylated target-specific binding molecule; and (c) incubating the complex formed in step (b) with cells. Dendrimers which are well suited to the present invention include, for example, partially solvolysed polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. Target-specific binding molecules are, in particular, cell-type-specific markers of the cell surface of the target cells.