Abstract: Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Tetrapeptides consisting of (I or V)-X1-K-X2, where X1 can be selected from E, Q or K, and X2 can be selected from M, F, I, W, or V, exhibit diverse bioactivities. They are multi-functional effector molecules to stimulate keratinocytes migration; neutralize the proinflammatory effect of bacterial cell wall components such as lipoteichoic acids of the Gram-positive S. aureus; and induce angiogenesis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The downregulation of pro-inflammatory condition was also demonstrated using SOR-300-FT psoriasis skin model for representative peptide. The bioactivity was also supported by gene profiling study upon treatment of normal skin tissues using EPIDERM™ skin substitutes.

Abstract: Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Tetrapeptides consisting of (I or V)—X1-K—X2, where X1 can be selected from E, Q or K, and X2 can be selected from M, F, I, W, or V, exhibit diverse bioactivities. They are multi-functional effector molecules to stimulate keratinocytes migration; neutralize the proinflammatory effect of bacterial cell wall components such as lipoteichoic acids of the Gram-positive S. aureus; and induce angiogenesis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The downregulation of pro-inflammatory condition was also demonstrated using SOR-300-FT psoriasis skin model for representative peptide. The bioactivity was also supported by gene profiling study upon treatment of normal skin tissues using EPIDERM™ skin substitutes.

Abstract: Peptides having four to six amino acid residues are disclosed that possess biological activity. These peptides constitute short fragments of the peptide HB-107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN) (SEQ ID NO: 10), which itself is a fragment of the antimicrobial protein cecropin B, and exhibit cell stimulatory and migratory properties. The inventive peptides comprise four to six contiguous amino acid residues located between position 11 and 16 of HB107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN) (SEQ ID NO: 10), namely EKMGRN (SEQ ID NO: 1). The disclosed peptides comprise a useful agent for the medical treatment of injury to the skin, such as from diabetic ulcers. The peptides also are effective in preventing and reversing skin surface damage resulting from various environmental insults. Importantly, the therapeutic effects of the peptides manifest at concentrations equal to or greater than those of peptide HB-107 (SEQ ID NO: 10), and thus represent a less expensive, more versatile means for developing effective therapies.

Abstract: The invention relates to small molecules having biological and therapeutic activity. Particularly, the invention relates to small molecules having lipolytic and anti-adipogenic activity. Two examples of such molecules are 4-methyl-2-(octanoylamino) pentanoic acid and N-isopentyloctanamide. The invention further relates to methods of preventing or treating skin conditions such as cellulite using small molecules having lipolytic and anti-adipogenic activity.

Abstract: Peptides having four to six amino acid residues are disclosed that possess biological activity. These peptides constitute short fragments of the peptide HB-107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN) (SEQ ID NO: 10), which itself is a fragment of the antimicrobial protein cecropin B, and exhibit cell stimulatory and migratory properties. The inventive peptides comprise four to six contiguous amino acid residues located between position 11 and 16 of HB107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN) (SEQ ID NO: 10), namely EKMGRN (SEQ ID NO: 1). The disclosed peptides comprise a useful agent for the medical treatment of injury to the skin, such as from diabetic ulcers. The peptides also are effective in preventing and reversing skin surface damage resulting from various environmental insults. Importantly, the therapeutic effects of the peptides manifest at concentrations equal to or greater than those of peptide HB-107 (SEQ ID NO: 10), and thus represent a less expensive, more versatile means for developing effective therapies.

Abstract: Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are peptides having biological and therapeutic activity. Particularly disclosed are lipidated di- or tri-peptides analogs of KPV or KdPT that exhibit antimicrobial activity. In particular, the peptides of this invention provide enhanced anti-microbial activity over the base tri-peptides, lysine-proline-valine and lysine-d-proline-tyrosine. The disclosed peptides have the general formula of C12-18 lipid-KXZ-NH2i wherein K is lysine; X is proline, d-proline, histidine or arginine; Z is optional and if present Z is valine, threonine, alanine or leucine; and the terminal COOH is NH2 amidated. The C12-18 lipid is preferably the lipid moiety of lauric acid (C12), myristic acid (C14), pentadecanoic acid (C15), palmitic acid (C16), or stearic acid (C18). The invention is further related to methods of using of these peptides to treat various insults, inflammations or bacterial infections affecting the skin and other related mucosal body surfaces such as the oral cavity.

Abstract: Peptides having four to six amino acid residues are disclosed that possess biological activity. These peptides constitute short fragments of the peptide HB-107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN), which itself is a fragment of the antimicrobial protein cecropin B, and exhibit cell stimulatory and migratory properties. The inventive peptides comprise four to six contiguous amino acid residues located between position 11 and 16 of HB107 (MPKEKVFLKIEKMGRNIRN), namely EKMGRN. The disclosed peptides comprise a useful agent for the medical treatment of injury to the skin, such as from diabetic ulcers. The peptides also are effective in preventing and reversing skin surface damage resulting from various environmental insults Importantly, the therapeutic effects of the peptides manifest at concentrations equal to or greater than those of peptide HB-107, and thus represent a less expensive, more versatile means for developing effective therapies. Methods for the production and use of these peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.

Abstract: Short peptides having biological and therapeutic activity are disclosed. Specifically, the activity of the disclosed peptides is directed to reducing or protecting against mutagen-induced cellular/tissue toxicity (i.e., chemopreventive). For example, the disclosed peptides protect against skin toxicity and/or mutagenesis that occurs from ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The disclosed peptides also block the activation of certain cell cycle regulatory proteins such as Chk2. An example of such a peptide is Ser-Leu-Tyr-Gln-Ser (SEQ ID NO: 10). The disclosed peptides are also useful for methods of reducing or protecting against cellular toxicity and mutation accumulation that would otherwise occur following mutagen exposure. One such method is drawn to applying a peptide to the skin to prevent or reduce mutagenic damage resulting from UV light (e.g., sunlight) exposure.

Abstract: A vascular testing system includes a first pressure cuff assembly positionable about a limb of a patient and a controller. The first pressure cuff assembly includes a pressure bladder and a first array of acoustic sensors, the first array including a plurality of acoustic sensor elements arranged circumferentially relative to the pressure bladder. The controller is configured to concurrently sense vascular data at two or more discrete testing locations utilizing at least two different sets of the acoustic sensors of the first array each positioned at or near one of the discrete testing locations. Each set of the acoustic sensors includes one or more of the plurality of acoustic sensor elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to small molecules having biological and therapeutic activity. Particularly, the invention relates to small molecules having lipolytic and anti-adipogenic activity. Two examples of such molecules are 4-methyl-2-(octanoylamino) pentanoic acid and N-isopentyloctanamide. The invention further relates to methods of preventing or treating skin conditions such as cellulite using small molecules having lipolytic and anti-adipogenic activity.

Abstract: A system includes a test device at a test location, a recipient computer at a diagnosis center, and a server operatively connected to the test device and the recipient computer remote from the test location and diagnosis center at a different facility. The test device can generate test data. The recipient computer is configured to receive the patient data from the test device and display the test data to a medical specialist for entry of a diagnosis. The server can send a signal to the recipient computer after the test device produces test data, and further transmit input indicative of the diagnosis to the computer at the test location. The billing computer is configured to receive billing information from the test device and recipient computer, and transmit signals conveying information indicative of billing signals to a payer computer selected as a function of insurance information contained in the patient record.

Abstract: Short peptides having biological and therapeutic activity are disclosed. Specifically, the activity of the disclosed peptides is directed to reducing or protecting against mutagen-induced cellular/tissue toxicity (i.e., chemopreventive). For example, the disclosed peptides protect against skin toxicity and/or mutagenesis that occurs from ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The disclosed peptides also block the activation of certain cell cycle regulatory proteins such as Chk2. An example of such a peptide is Ser-Leu-Tyr-Gln-Ser (SEQ ID NO: 10). The disclosed peptides are also useful for methods of reducing or protecting against cellular toxicity and mutation accumulation that would otherwise occur following mutagen exposure. One such method is drawn to applying a peptide to the skin to prevent or reduce mutagenic damage resulting from UV light (e.g., sunlight) exposure.

Abstract: A system for testing and diagnosis of a medical condition includes a test device located at a test location and configured to perform a medical testing protocol for generating test data, and a recipient computer for receiving the patient data from the test device. The test device includes a computer and memory module for storing a patient record containing test data and a communications module for sending the patient record to a medical specialist. The test data comprises vascular test data. The recipient computer displays the test data to the medical specialist at a diagnosis center located remote from the test location. The recipient computer includes an input device configured to enter input indicative of a diagnosis by the medical specialist as a function of medical analysis of the test data. The input indicative of the diagnosis includes an electronic signature executed by the medical specialist.