Abstract: A novel neurotrophic factor referred to as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been identified and isolated from serum free growth conditioned medium of B49 glioblastoma cells. Rat and human genes encoding GDNF have been cloned and sequenced. A gene encoding GDNF has been subcloned into a vector, and the vector has been used to transform a host cell in order to produce biologically active GDNF in a recombinant DNA process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a potent neurotrophin that exhibits a broad spectrum of biological activities on a variety of cell types from both the central and peripheral nervous systems. The present invention involves the cloning and characterization of receptors for GDNF. Nucleic acid and amino acid sequences are described for GDNFR protein products. A hydrophobic domain with the features of a signal peptide is found at the amino terminus, while a second hydrophobic domain at the carboxy terminus is involved in the linkage of the receptor to the cell membrane. The lack of a transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic region indicates that GDNFR requires one or more accessory molecules in order to mediate transmembrane signaling. GDNFR mRNA is widely distributed in both nervous system and non-neural tissues, consistent with the similar distribution found for GDNF.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of erectile dysfunction drugs through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing erectile dysfunction drugs that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an erectile dysfunction drug is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, wherein the composition comprises an erectile dysfunction drug, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles with less than 5% erectile dysfunction drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering an erectile dysfunction drug through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an erectile dysfunction drug composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to stable pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and administering such compositions. In one aspect, the invention features stabilized pharmaceutical compositions that include pharmaceutically active ingredients such as levothyroxine (T4) sodium and liothyronine (T3) sodium (thyroid hormone drugs), preferably in an immediate release solid dosage form. Also provided are methods for making and using such immediate release and stabilized compositions.

Abstract: A method of promoting bone marrow cell proliferation in a mammal by administering unglycosylated recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein is disclosed.

Abstract: According to the subject invention, dispersible dry powder pharmaceutical-based compositions are provided, including methods for their manufacture and dry powder dispersion devices. A dispersible dry powder pharmaceutical-based composition is one having a moisture content of less than about 10% by weight (% w) water, usually below about 5% w and preferably less than about 3% w; a particle size of about 1.0-5.0 ?m mass median diameter (MMD), usually 1.0-4.0 ?m MMD, and preferably 1.0-3.0 ?m MMD; a delivered dose of about >30%, usually >40%, preferably >50%, and most preferred >60%; and an aerosol particle size distribution of about 1.0-5.0 ?m mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD), usually 1.5-4.5 ?m MMAD, and preferably 1.5-4.0 MMAD. Such composition are of pharmaceutical grade purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of antihistamines through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing antihistamines that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, an antihistamine is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, wherein the composition comprises an antihistamine, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles with less than 5% antihistamine drug degradation products. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering an antihistamine through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of an antihistamine drug composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol.

Abstract: The invention provides a purified prostate-specific membrane antigen.

Abstract: A method for crystallizing a substance, especially an inhalable medicament, comprising the following steps: (a) dissolving said substance in a solvent, to produce a solution of said substance, (b) producing a segmented stream which consists of alternating segments of said solution of the substance and of a transport medium, (c) introducing said segmented stream into the first end of a retention stretch, which retention stretch has a first end and a second end, so that said segmented stream passes from said first end to said second end of said retention stretch, and exits from the second end of the retention stretch, (d) cooling the retention stretch, to thereby bring about crystallization of the substance in the segments of solution, in the segmented stream, as said segmented stream passes through the retention stretch, and (e) separating the crystals of material from the segmented stream as it exits from the second end of the retention stretch.

Abstract: A method of enhancing a culturing characteristic of fish larvae, including administering to said larvae in a nutritional diet essential fatty acids including DHA and AA in a ratio effective to enhance the culturing characteristic of such fish larvae relative to a corresponding nutritional diet lacking DHA and AA. The culturing characteristic may be at least one of stress resistance, immunoresistance, hatching rate, and growth rate. In a preferred aspect, the DHA and AA together comprise from about 10 to about 30% of total fatty acids in enrichment lipids, and the dietary ratio of DHA: AA is less than 10.

Abstract: DNAs encoding the human histamine H3 receptor have been cloned and characterized. The recombinant protein is capable of forming biologically active histamine H3 receptor protein. The cDNA's have been expressed in recombinant host cells which produce active recombinant protein. The recombinant protein is also purified from the recombinant host cells. In addition, the recombinant host cells are utilized to establish a method for identifying modulators of the receptor activity, and receptor modulators are identified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the delivery of compounds for the treatment of anxiety disorders and symptoms of such disorders through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, diazepam is administered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, comprising diazepam to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol with less than 5% of the drug degradation products.

Abstract: The present invention provides the enzyme and enzymatic procedures for cleaving the ? secretase cleavage site of the APP protein and associated nucleic acids, peptides, vectors, cell and cell isolates and assays. The invention further provides a modified APP protein and associated nucleic acids, peptides, vectors, cells, and cell isolates, and assays that are particularly useful for identifying candidate therapeutics for treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases isolated from megakaryoctyes (megakaryocyte kinases or MKKs) which are involved in cellular signal transduction pathways and to the use of these novel proteins in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The present invention further relates to specific megakaryocyte kinases, designated MKK1, MKK2, and MKK3, and their use as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Abstract: Hydrazino, oxyamino and carbonyl-based reagents and methods for incorporation into oligonucleotides during their solid phase synthesis are provided. Modified oligonucleotides are provided that incorporate the reagents provided herein. Immobilized oligonucleotides and oligonucleotide conjugates that contain covalent hydrazone or oxime linkages are provided. Methods for preparation of surface bound oligonucleotides are provided. Methods for the preparation of oligonucleotide conjugates are also provided.

Abstract: Reagents and compositions for use in reactions catalysed by luciferase enzymes, and in particular for use in luciferase-based gene reporter assays are described. The invention also provides methods and compositions for, inter alia, increasing the sensitivity and/or improving the kinetics of luciferase-catalysed reactions.

Abstract: Process for the industrial synthesis of the compound of formula (I)

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer are described, and, more preferably, to the treatment of cancers that do not express, or are otherwise deficient in, argininosuccinate synthetase, with enzymes that deplete L-Arginine in serum. In one embodiment, the present invention contemplates an arginase protein, such as a human Arginase I protein, comprising at least one amino acid substitution and a metal cofactor, said protein comprising an increased catalytic activity when compared with a native human Arginase I.

Abstract: This invention relates to substituted 4-pyridones of formula 1 and their use as inhibitors of neutrophil elastase activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of using the same as agents for treatment and/or prevention of pulmonary, gastrointestinal and genitourinary diseases, inflammatory diseases of the skin and the eye and other auto-immune and allergic disorders, allograft rejection, and oncological diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymes having xylanase, mannanase and/or glucanase activity, e.g., catalyzing hydrolysis of internal ?-1,4-xylosidic linkages or endo-?-1,4-glucanase linkages; and/or degrading a linear polysaccharide beta-1,4-xylan into xylose. Thus, the invention provides methods and processes for breaking down hemicellulose, which is a major component of the cell wall of plants, including methods and processes for hydrolyzing hemicelluloses in any plant or wood or wood product, wood waste, paper pulp, paper product or paper waste or byproduct. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases, mannanases and/or glucanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.