Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of bacteriology. In particular, the present invention provides compositions (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of treating (e.g., killing or inhibiting growth of) bacteria. For example, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compounds (e.g., comprising a lantibiotic and mupirocin or gentamicin) and methods of using the same in research, therapeutic and drug screening applications.

Abstract: Compounds of Formula I are antagonists of VLA-4, and as such are useful in the inhibition or prevention of cell adhesion and cell-adhesion mediated pathologies. These compounds may be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions and are suitable for use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Abstract: The invention relates to SAEP II peptide dimers that mimic polymyxin B i.a. in its ability to bind non-covalently the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Gram-negative bacteria with high affinity, and therefore to detoxify LPS. The dimeric structure is maintained by a pair of disulphide bonds between two cystein residues present in the peptide sequence, which does not exceed 17 amino acids and essentially comprises cationic and hydrophobic amino acid residues. The peptides in the dimers may have a parallel or anti-parallel orientation. SAEP II dimers are useful for treating or preventing septic shock and related disorders generated by Gram-negative bacteria infection. The invention also relates to LPS-peptide complexes in which LPS and SAEP II diners are non-covalently bound together. These complexes are useful as vaccinal agents against Gram-negative bacteria infection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a peptide sequence, a phage, an artificial protein or a chimeric molecule having a binding ability to titanium, silver, silicon, necessary to confer higher capacity of titanium, silver, silicon material with the use of soft matters, or to provide a complex of a peptide, a phage, an artificial protein or a chimeric molecule, and titanium, having the peptide sequence and functional peptide sequence. By bringing into contact a population of phage wherein said phage of said population collectively express a library of different peptide sequence, recovering titanium bound to phage particles via peptide sequence by centrifugation, proliferating the obtained phage particles in bacteria, and repeating panning operation and concentrating titanium binding phage clones. Among the phage clones, peptide RKLPDAPGMHTW (SEQ ID NO: 3) and the like is identified.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by the formula (I): (wherein R1 is a lower alkyl substituted by a lower alkoxy or a heterocyclic group, or a heterocyclic group; R2 is a lower alkyl optionally substituted by a phenyl; and R3 is a lower alkyl optionally substituted by a halogen, a lower alkoxy or a phenyl, or a fused polycyclic hydrocarbon group), which is well absorbed orally, exhibits durability of good blood level and has potent calpain inhibitory activity.

Abstract: The invention describes for the first time the preclinical/cellular and clinical relevance of VIP, PACAP as well as of substances with the same biological activity as VIP and PACAP for the treatment of interstitial lung infections such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hypersensitive pneumonia or diffused panbronchiolitis. VIP and PACAP are synthesised in different areas of the central nervous system, e.g. in specific cerebral areas such as the hippocampus and the cortex, as well as in the peripheral ganglia. VIP is also released by immune cells.

Abstract: The invention provides novel peptide prodrugs which contain cleavage sites specifically cleaved by prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA). These prodrugs are useful for substantially inhibiting the non-specific toxicity of a variety of therapeutic drugs. PSMA is secreted by prostatic glandular cells. Upon cleavage of the prodrug by PSMA, the therapeutic drug are activated and exert their toxicity. Sesquiterpene-?-lactones form part of the prodrugs, and are designed to be linked to carrier moieties such as the peptides of the invention. Methods for treating cell proliferative disorders are also featured in the invention.

Abstract: Analogs of 6-monoacetyl morphine (6-MAM) are described. These include analogs derivatized at either the C-3 position, the C-6 position, or the nor position of the molecule. These analogs allow for elaboration with linkers terminated by a functional group such as an activated ester, the functional groups being useful for attaching the molecule to other entities such as proteins, polysaccharides, and reporter groups.

Abstract: A modular process for organosolv fractionation of lignocellulosic feedstocks into component parts and further processing of said component parts into at least fuel-grade ethanol and four classes of lignin derivatives. The modular process comprises a first processing module configured for physico-chemically digesting lignocellulosic feedstocks with an organic solvent thereby producing a cellulosic solids fraction and a liquid fraction, a second processing module configured for producing at least a fuel-grade ethanol and a first class of novel lignin derivatives from the cellulosic solids fraction, a third processing module configured for separating a second class and a third class of lignin derivatives from the liquid fraction and further processing the liquid fraction to produce a distillate and a stillage, a fourth processing module configured for separating a fourth class of lignin derivatives from the stillage and further processing the stillage to produce a sugar syrup.

Abstract: A formulation of octreotide or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which provides controlled release of a therapeutically effective amount of octreotide for a period of at least about two months. Methods of treating acromegaly, decreasing growth hormone, decreasing IGF-1, and treating conditions associated with carcinoid tumors and VIPomas by administering a controlled release formulation of octreotide are provided herein.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a lipid membrane bound structure, the method comprising the steps of providing the structure to be processed in a liquid medium; and heating the liquid medium containing the structure at a rate and through a range sufficient to cause a discrete phase transition in at least one of the membranes, such that the membranes fuse. The method may be used to fuse the structure with another structure, or to reduce the integrity of the structure. The apparatus atomizes a medium containing the structure into small droplets and subjects them to an environment containing steam vapor while moving at high velocity, to rapidly increase the droplet temperature to the steam temperature by release of the latent heat of vaporization.

Abstract: Methods for increasing urine flow are disclosed, comprising administration of an effective amount of GLP-1, an exendin, or an exendin or GLP-1 agonist. Methods for increasing urinary sodium excretion and decreasing urinary potassium concentration are also disclosed. The methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders associated with toxic hypervolemia, such as renal failure, congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis, pulmonary edema, and hypertension. The present invention also relates to methods for inducing an inotropic response comprising administration of an effective amount of GLP-1, an exendin, or an exendin or GLP-1 agonist. These methods are useful for treating conditions or disorders that can be alleviated by an increase in cardiac contractility such as congestive heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions for use in the methods of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical dosage forms for oral administration to a patient for the treatment of diabetes, comprising insulin and a delivery agent that facilitates insulin transport in a therapeutically effective amount to the bloodstream and that result in a lower incidence of vascular diseases associated with the repeated administration of insulin are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method of attenuating the undesirable incidence of diseases associated with chronic dosing of insulin is provided whereby the oral administration to a patient of insulin along with a suitable delivery agent that facilitates the absorption of insulin from the gastrointestinal tract of the patient in a therapeutically effective amount, for treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of one inhibitor or of several inhibitors of alanyl aminopeptidases and/or of enzymes having a similar substrate specificity for the induction of the production of TGF-?1 and of the expression of TGF-?1 in and/or on Treg cells and relates to the use for preventing and/or treating autoimmune diseases, allergies, arteriosclerosis and for suppressing graft rejection reactions. The invention furthermore relates to uses, wherein peptide fragments of pathogenic autoantigens or synthetic analogs and/or specific antigenic components of pathogenic microorganisms are used in addition.

Abstract: The invention relates to synthetic peptide amide ligands of the kappa opioid receptor and particularly to agonists of the kappa opioid receptor that exhibit low P450 CYP inhibition and low penetration into the brain. The synthetic peptide amides of the invention conform to the structure of formula I: Pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of pain and inflammation associated with a variety of diseases and conditions. Such treatable pain includes visceral pain, neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia. Inflammation associated with conditions such as IBD and IBS, ocular and otic inflammation, other disorders and conditions such as pruritis, edema, hyponatremia, hypokalemia, ileus, tussis and glaucoma are treatable or preventable with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for using are provided for restoring ?-cell mass and function in a mammal in need thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions have a biological response modifier and a ?-cell growth factor in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, adjuvant or vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for penetration of lipid bilayer membranes in order to insert at the tip of a hollow needle-shaped object, such as a micropipet-, into a container formed of a lipid bilayer membrane, wherein said container is placed between said needle-shaped object, with the tip of said needle-shaped object placed in contact with said conainer in such a way that it applies a mechanical force to the lipid membrane of said container, thus mechanically straining it, and a second electrode, whereupon a transient electric pulse of 1-to-103 V/cm is applied between the electrodes, resulting in a focused electrical field over said container C which induces a dielectric breakdown of the lipid bilayer causing the needle-shaped object to penetrate the container. Disclosed is also an electroinjection method based on the above method, wherein substances are introduced through the needle-shaped object and into the container after penetration of the needle-shaped object.

Abstract: The invention relates to peptides of formula (I) R-V1-Ala2-His3-X4-Y5-Trp5-NH2 wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or a protective group which can be chosen from among a benzoyl group, a tosyl group, a benzene sulfonyl group, a benzyloxycarbonyl group or a pyridinepropionyl group; V represents a natural amino acid or not chosen from among norleucine, norvaline and 2-N-Me-norleucine, X represents a natural amino acid or not having an aromatic character chosen from among phenylalanine, 1-naphtylalanine, 2-naphtylalanine, phenylglycine, benzothienylalanine, 4,4?-biphenylalanine, 3,3-diphenylalanine, homophenylalanine, indanylglycine, 4-methylphenylalanine, thienylalanine, p-nitrophenylalanine, halogenophenylalanine of configuration L or D; Y represents a natural amino acid of configuration L, having a basic character chosen from among arginine, lysine or ornithine, the enantiometers or diastercoisomers, and the mixtures thereof, including racemic mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous pharmaceutical preparation of oligopeptides comprising an oligopeptide of the formula I, cyclo-(n-Arg-nGly-nAsp-nD-nE), and a partially etherified ?-cyclodextrin having a water solubility of greater than 1.8 mg/ml of water, and to the preparation of the aqueous pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: The invention relates to preparations that are useful in maintaining mammalian blood glucose concentrations. These preparations contain insulin, and a polymeric matrix. The polymeric matrix has a core of biodegradable, hydrophobic polymer, and an outer shell of a biodegradable, hydrophobic polymer. Alternately, the formulations contain insulin, a polymeric matrix, and a histone.