Abstract: Methods and kits are provided for manipulating and predicting the reproductive capacity of a female subject. The presence of endogenous neurotrophins and addition of exogenous neurotrophins, particularly BDNF, NT-4/5, and NGF, increase the reproductive capacity of a female patient by binding to receptors on the oocytes and stimulating maturation of the oocytes. Administration of antagonists act as a contraceptive because the antagonists prevent the neurotrophins from binding to oocyte receptors. Neurotrophins may also be used to stimulate the maturation of oocyte in vitro.

Abstract: A method of treatment of neurodegenerative diseases using neuronal cell transplants is provided. The growth, survival and integration of the transplanted neuronal cells is enhanced by a method of culturing the neuronal cells with drugs having an affinity for immunophilins. Immunophilin binding drugs are optionally administered to the patient during transplantation and/or post-operatively. Neurotrophic factors can also be administered to the neuronal cells in vitro, or to the patient during the transplantation procedure and/or post-operatively.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses three full length nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for PolyValent Cation-Sensing Receptors (PVCR) in Atlantic Salmon. These PVCR have been named SalmoKCaR#1, SalmoKCaR#2, and SalmoKCaR#3. The present invention includes homologs thereof, antibodies thereto, and methods for assessing SalmoKCaR nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. The present invention further includes plasmids, vectors, host cells containing the nucleic acid sequences of SalmoKCaR #1,2 and/or 3.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses three full length nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for PolyValent Cation-Sensing Receptors (PVCR) in Atlantic Salmon. These PVCR have been named SalmoKCaR#1, SalmoKCaR#2, and SalmoKCaR#3. The present invention includes homologs thereof, antibodies thereto, and methods for assessing SalmoKCaR nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. The present invention further includes plasmids, vectors, host cells containing the nucleic acid sequences of SalmoKCaR #1,2 and/or 3.

Abstract: Methods of screening candidate drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are provided. Employing tissue slices of mutant mouse hippocampal cells having an extra copy of a mutant form of the presenilin-1 gene, it is found that these cells have enhanced potentiation to tetanic stimuli. By subjecting both wild-type and mutant hippocampal cells to tetanic stimuli in the presence of a candidate drug, reduction of the enhanced potentiation of the mutant cells without significant change in the potentiation of the wild-type cells indicates a successful candidate.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses three full length nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for PolyValent Cation-Sensing Receptors (PVCR) in Atlantic Salmon. These PVCR have been named SalmoKCaR#1, SalmoKCaR#2, and SalmoKCaR#3. The present invention includes homologs thereof, antibodies thereto, and methods for assessing SalmoKCaR nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides. The present invention further includes plasmids, vectors, host cells containing the nucleic acid sequences of SalmoKCaR #1, 2 and/or 3.

Abstract: The invention provides a variety of therapeutic uses for CXCR4 antagonists. In various embodiments. CXCR4 antagonsits may be used as therapeutically as follows, or to manufacture a medicament for such therapeutic treatments: reducing interferon gamma production by T-cells, treatment of an autoimmune disease, treatment multiple sclerosis, treatment of cancer, inhibition of angiogenesis. The invention provides corresponding methods of medical treatment, in which a therapeutic dose of a CXCR4 antagonist is administered in a pharmacologically acceptable formulation. Accordingly, the invention also provides therapeutic compositions comprising a CXCR4 antagonist and a pharmacologically acceptable excipient or carrier. The CXCR4 antagonists for use in the invention may be peptide compounds comprising a substantially purified peptide fragment, modified fragment, analogue or pharmacologically acceptable salt of SDF-1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new means for the treatment of focal ischemic cerebral infarction (ischemic stroke). It has been found that reduction of ?2-antiplasmin leads to a significantly smaller focal cerebral infarct size. The invention therefore provides the use of compounds that reduce ?2-antiplasmin concentration or activity in vivo, for the preparation of a therapeutical composition for the treatment of focal cerebral ischemic infarction (ischemic stroke).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds and their pharmaceutical or diagnostic use, or use as a pharmacological target. More particularly, the present invention describes the identification of partners of the FE65 protein and the use of these partners, or of any compound which is capable of modulating, at least partially, their interaction with FE65, for regulating the activity of FE65, and in particular the phenomenon of intracellular transport or of endocytosis of the APP.

Abstract: The invention provides an essentially pure preparation of human adult astrocytes, and a method of producing same. The purified astrocytes are useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders or trauma to the central nervous system.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, familial amyloid neuropathies and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions include immunologically reactive amounts of amyloid fibril components, particularly fibril-forming peptides or proteins. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods which use immune reagents that react with such fibril components.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of treating conditions requiring removal or destruction of harmful or unwanted cells in a patient, such as benign and malignant tumors, using peptides derived from the amino acid sequences of neural thread proteins and related molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric protein containing an intramolecular chaperone (IMC) like sequence linked to a target protein, preferably an insulin precursor. The present invention also relates to a process for obtaining a correctly folded insulin-precursor-contain chimeric protein, comprising, inter alia, contacting an incorrectly folded chimeric protein containing an IMC like sequence linked to an insulin precursor with at least one chaotropic auxiliary agent. The present invention further relates to an assay for screening an amino acid sequence for the ability to improve folding of an insulin precursor using a chimeric protein containing an IMC like sequence linked to an insulin precursor.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, familial amyloid neuropathies and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions include immunologically reactive amounts of amyloid fibril components, particularly fibril-forming peptides or proteins. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods which use immune reagents that react with such fibril components.

Abstract: A method of immunizing against plaque forming diseases using display technology is provided. The method utilize novel agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases which rely upon presentation of an antigen or epitope on a display vehicle. The method further includes agents, or pharmaceutical compositions for vaccination against plaque forming diseases, which rely upon presentation of an antibody, or an active portion thereof, on a display vehicle. Whether antigens or antibodies are employed, disaggregation of plaques results from the immunization.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, prion diseases, familial amyloid neuropathies and the like. The pharmaceutical compositions include immunologically reactive amounts of amyloid fibril components, particularly fibril-forming peptides or proteins. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions and methods which use immune reagents that react with such fibril components.

Abstract: A method for screening substances which are useful as effective components of prophylactic or therapeutic drug for neurodegenerative diseases caused by the binding of an aberrant protein and a valosin-containing protein, wherein the aberrant protein and the valosin-containing protein and the candidate substance are made to coexist, and the substance that shows inhibitory action on the binding of the aberrant protein and the valosin-containing protein is identified, is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides improved agents and methods for treatment of diseases associated with amyloid deposits of A? in the brain of a patient. Such methods entail administering agents that induce a beneficial immunogenic response against the amyloid deposit. The methods are useful for prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Preferred agents including N-terminal fragments of A? and antibodies binding to the same.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a use of colostrinin, a constituent peptide thereof, and/or an analog thereof as an immunological regulator and as a blood cell regulator in animals including humans.

Abstract: Human semaphorin 6A-1, a novel gene involved in neuronal development and regeneration mechanisms, is described.