Abstract: Substantially pure peptides containing between 13 and 20 amino acids, inclusive, having the amino acid sequence: R1-R2-R3-R4-R5-R6-R7-R8-R9-R10-R11-R12-R13-R14-R15-R16-R17-R18-R19-R20-R21-R22-R23, where R1 is Asp or is absent; R2 is Ser or is absent; R3 is His or is absent; R4 is Ala; R5 is Lys, Gln, Arg, or another basic amino acid; R6 is Arg, Gln, Lys, or another basic amino acid; R7 is His, Phe, Tyr, Leu, or another hydrophobic amino acid; R8 is His, Phe, Tyr, Leu, or another hydrophobic amino acid; R9 is Gly, Lys, Arg, or another basic amino acid; R10 is Tyr; R11 is Lys, His, Phe, or another hydrophobic amino acid; R12 is Arg, Gln, Lys, or another basic amino acid; R13 is Lys, Gln, Arg, another basic amino acid, or is absent; R14 is Phe or is absent; R15 is His, Phe, Tyr, Leu, another hydrophobic amino acid, or is absent; R16 is Glu or is absent; R17 is Lys or is absent; R18 is His or is absent; R19 is His or is absent; R20 is Ser or is absent; R21 is His or is absent; R22 is Arg or is absent; and R23 is

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant expression constructs comprising nucleic acid encoding mammalian melanocortin receptors, and mammalian cells into which said recombinant expression constructs have been introduced that express functional mammalian melanocortin receptors. The invention provides a panel of such transformed mammalian cells expressing melanocortin receptors for screening compounds for receptor agonist and antagonist activity. The invention also provides methods for using such panels of melanocortin receptor-expressing mammalian cells to specifically-detect and identify agonists and antagonists for each melanocortin receptor, as well as patterns of agonist and antagonist activity of said compounds for the class of melanocortin receptors. Such screening methods provide a means for identifying compounds with patterns of melanocortin agonist and antagonist activity which is associated with the capacity to influence or modify metabolism and behavior, particularly feeding behavior.

Abstract: This invention is directed to cyclic and acyclic analogs of hPTH(1-34) and hPTHrP(1-34), to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these peptide compounds, and to a method of treating diseases associated with calcium regulation in the body.

Abstract: Receptors are peptides and peptide mimetics that bind to and activate the thrombopoietin receptor. Such peptides and peptide mimetics are useful in methods for treating hematological disorders and particularly, thrombocytopenia resulting from chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or bone marrow transfusions as well as in diagnostic methods employing labeled peptides and peptide mimetics.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides comprising a cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV, and compositions comprising such cyclic peptides, are provided. Methods for using such peptides for modulating cadherin-mediated cell adhesion in a variety of contexts are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to insoluble compositions containing acylated proteins selected from the group consisting of acylated insulin, acylated insulin analog, and acylated proinsulin, and formulations thereof. The formulations are suitable for parenteral delivery or other means of delivery, to a patient for extended control of blood glucose levels. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprised of an acylated protein complexed with zinc, protamine, and a phenolic compound such that the resulting microcrystal is analogous to the neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin crystal form. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that compositions of such acylated proteins have therapeutically superior subcutaneous release pharmacokinetics, and more extended and flatter glucodynamics, than presently available commercial preparations of NPH insulin.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions of biologically active surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C of high purity and high-yield methods for isolating SP-B and SP-C.

Abstract: Peptide antagonists of zonulin are disclosed, as well as methods for the use of the same. The peptide antagonists bind to the zonula occludens receptor, yet do not physiologically modulate the opening of mammalian tight junctions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel human secreted proteins and isolated nucleic acids containing the coding regions of the genes encoding such proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing human secreted proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating disorders related to these novel human secreted proteins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide compound of formula Z1—K—A—Q—X1—K—K—N—K—H—R—H—S—X2—T—Z2 (SEQ ID NO:1) where: X1 represents S or Y, X2 represents T or I, Z1 represents the N terminus of the peptide, or from 1 to 47 amino acids, Z2 represents the C terminus of the peptide, a terminal amide group, or from 1 to 77 amino acids; or a variant of this peptide which contains one or more internal deletions, insertions or substitutions and which substantially retains anti-coagulant properties of apoB-100.

Abstract: A composition and method of using extracts to form a compound or compounds of what are termed food supplements, which comprise in combination (i) essential antioxidant ingredients and materials characterized by their stability for an extended period of time while in the dry state and under ambient conditions; (ii) said antioxidant ingredients and materials are selected from a group consisting of extracts of animal tissue and/or plant tissue; (iii) in an orally ingestible carrier such as capsules, tablets, a dried form as in a tea, a diluent, or any other delivery system, for (iv) the treatment of animals, including humans, to ameliorate the effects of lung conditions or other degenerative conditions due to aging.

Abstract: Satiety inducing composition comprises Neuropeptide Y analogues which are effective for inducing satiety and for treating diseases and conditions associated with a lacking of, or having lowered, satiety.

Abstract: Methods for increasing Schwann cell survival are disclosed. The methods of the invention are useful for the treatment of conditions such as peripheral neuropathies, including diabetic neuropathies.

Abstract: Agents that inhibit the development of cancer and tumor growth are provided. Such agents comprise a classical cadherin CAR sequence HAV within a cyclic peptide ring, and may be used to prevent or treat cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conjugate comprising an active substance and a compound having a binding site for metallic compounds. In addition, this invention relates to a process for the preparation of such a conjugate and its use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for transporting neurologic therapeutic agents to the brain by means of the olfactory neural pathway and a pharmaceutical composition useful in the treatment of brain disorders.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided conjugates of nitric oxide scavengers (e.g., dithiocarbamates, or “DC”) and pharmacologically active agents (e.g., NSAIDs). Invention conjugates provide a new class of pharmacologically active agents (e.g., anti-inflammatory agents) which cause a much lower incidence of side-effects due to the protective effects imparted by modifying the pharmacologically active agents as described herein. In addition, invention conjugates are more effective than unmodified pharmacologically active agents because cells and tissues contacted by the pharmacologically active agent(s) are protected from the potentially damaging effects of nitric oxide overproduction induced thereby as a result of the co-production of nitric oxide scavenger (e.g., dithiocarbamate), in addition to free pharmacologically active agent, when invention conjugate is cleaved.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to novel methods for treating autoimmune-related diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS). One embodiment of the method of the invention comprises administering interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-&bgr;), in combination, to a person afflicted with or predisposed to an autoimmune disease. When administered in combination, these cytokines act in a synergistic manner as suppressor factors to inhibit the activation of self-reactive T cells that are involved in autoimmune disease.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of conantokin peptides, conantokin peptide derivatives and conantokin peptide chimeras, referred to collectively as conantokins, having 10-30 amino acids, including preferably two or more &ggr;-carboxyglutamic acid residues, for the treatment of neurologic and psychiatric disorders, such as anticonvulsant agents, neuroprotective agents or analgesic agents.

Abstract: This invention features permeability enhancer molecules, and methods, to increase membrane permeability of negatively charged polymers thereby facilitating cellular uptake of such polymers.