Abstract: Cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical compositions containing quaternary ammonium compounds, particularly for hair-treatment, require low setting points, good solubility and dispersibility in aqueous media and a low flash point. It has now been found that such compositions can be formulated with quaternary ammonium compounds essentially free of short-chain alcohols such as isopropanol. The novel composition comprises: a) at least one quaternary ammonium compound and b) at least one branched alcohol having 8 to 36 carbon atoms or a mixture of at least one branched alcohol and at least one unbranched alcohol having 8 to 36 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A chemokine receptor binds to MCP-1, MIP-1? and/or RANTES. It can be used in screening for agents which act as antagonists to MCP-1, MIP-1? and/or RANTES. Such agents may be useful in treating various disorders, including allergies, atheromas and diseases mediated by viruses. They may also be useful in preventing graft rejection and in protecting stem cells from potentially damaging effects of chemotherapy.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical or cosmetic carrier or composition for topical application characterized by rheological properties which render the carrier or composition semi-solid at rest and a liquid upon application of shear forces thereto. The composition or carrier are prepared by mixing 1-25 percent of a solidifying agent and 75-99 percent of a hydrophobic solvent, by weight, wherein at least one of them has therapeutic or cosmetic benefits, in the presence or absence of a biologically active substance.

Abstract: Coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The coatings can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases isolated from megakaryocytes (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: The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for topical application to the keratinous surface which comprises a alignment agent for promoting the orderly arrangement of a feature enhancing component for enhancing the lengthening of the eyelashes and/or the covering of wrinkles on the skin surface. The feature enhancing component can be a fibrous component and can include a variety of types of fibers including wicking fibers, evaporating fibers, or a combination of both. The feature enhancing component can also be inert fillers such as platelet materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of identifying whether a candidate compound is a modulator of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). In preferred embodiments, the GPCR is human. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is coupled to Gi and lowers the level of intracellular cAMP. In other preferred embodiments, the GPCR is expressed endogenously by adipocytes. In further preferred embodiments, the GPCR inhibits intracellular lipolysis. In other further preferred embodiments, the GPCR is a nicotinic acid receptor. The present invention also relates to methods of using a modulator of said GPCR. Preferred modulator is agonist. Agonists of the invention are useful as therapeutic agents for the prevention or treatment of metabolic-related disorders, including dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, stroke, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

Abstract: The present application relates to nucleotide sequences which regulate the biosynthesis of the flagella proteins Helicobacter pylori, to the proteins encoded by these sequences and to a aflagellate bacterial strains. The invention also relates to the use of these means for detecting an infection due to H.pylori or for protecting against such an infection.

Abstract: Sunscreen compositions including a dibenzoylmethane derivative, such as avobenzone, that are made more stable by the addition of (a) an ?-cyano-?,?-diphenylacrylate compound, e.g., octocrylene and (b) a diester or polyester of naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate), having a weight ratio of (a)/(b) of at least 0.95, preferably at least about 1.0. More particularly, the invention relates to sunscreen compositions which utilize a combination of octocrylene and diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate to stabilize other photoactive compounds present in a sunscreen composition and, in particular, to stabilize dibenzoylmethane derivatives, without, or with levels less than 0.5% by weight of, a methoxy-substituted benzophenone derivative, such as benzophenone-3.

Abstract: Analogs of regulators of complement activation (RCA) proteins which have altered specificities and affinities for the targets C3b and/or C4b are described. These analogs are obtained by substituting amino acids which affect the complement inhibitory activities of these proteins, substituting, rearranging or adding SCRs (short consensus repeats) or SCR regions to the proteins, deleting amino acid sequences, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of Slo3, a pH sensitive potassium channel expressed in sperm; antibodies to Slo3; methods of screening for Slo3 inhibitors; and methods of screening for Slo3 homologs.

Abstract: The pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration according to the invention contain 0.5% to 20% of N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methylpyrazole-3-carboxamide in microcrystalline form, and pharmaceutical excipients; they are formulated by wet granulation.

Abstract: Sunscreen compositions, including a mixture of a dibenzoylmethane derivative, and low and very low levels of an ?-cyano-?,?-diphenylacrylate compound and, optionally, together with one or more diesters and polyesters of naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and a methoxy-substituted benzophenone.

Abstract: A liquid, propellant-free pharmaceutical preparation comprising: (a) a first active substance comprising a tiotropium salt, in a concentration based on tiotropium of between 0.0005% and 5% by weight; (b) a second active substance selected from the group consisting of: an antiallergic, antihistamine, steroid, and leukotriene antagonist; (c) a solvent selected from water or a water/ethanol mixture; and (d) a pharmacologically acceptable preservative, wherein the pH of the preparation is adjusted to between 2.0 and 4.5 with an acid and the tiotropium salt is dissolved in the solvent, optionally including a pharmacologically acceptable complexing agent, stabilizer, a pharmacologically acceptable cosolvent, or other pharmacologically acceptable adjuvants and additives; a method for administering a pharmaceutical preparation by nebulizing the pharmaceutical preparation in an inhaler, and a method of treating asthma or COPD in a patient using the pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: Disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions and methods for preventing or treating a number of amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer's disesase, 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 high molecular weight (“HMW”) protein of Chlamydia, the amino acid sequence thereof, and antibodies that specifically bind the HMW protein are disclosed as well as the nucleic acid sequence encoding the same. Also disclosed are prophylactic and therapeutic compositions, comprising the HMW protein, a fragment thereof, or an antibody that specifically binds the HMW protein or a protein thereof, or the nucleotide sequence encoding the HMW protein or a fragment thereof, including vaccines.

Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds which are capable to stimulate the proliferation or/and the outgrowth from cells presenting the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM). Additionally, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions, medicaments and methods for treatment of normal, degenerated and damaged NCAM presenting cells.

Abstract: Interleukin-10 for producing a population of cells which are capable of inhibiting or suppressing reactions to alloantigens, for example in graft-versus-host disease or tissue rejection, is described. Interleukin-10 for reducing responses in mixed lymphocyte response (MLR) is also described. Exogenous or induced endogenous IL-10 may be used for the inhibition or suppression of the reactions to alloantigens.

Abstract: A therapeutic dry powder preparation and a method of administering such a preparation are disclosed for effectively de-aggregating and dispersing into air a dose of medication powder in an administration the dose to a user. The present dry powder preparation and method do not require other sources of energy besides the power of an inhalation effort by a user to produce a very high degree of de-aggregation and efficient dispersal into air of the dry powder medication dose. Utilizing an effort of sucking air through a nozzle, the particles of the therapeutic powder dose, made available to the nozzle, are gradually de-aggregated and dispersed into a stream of air entering the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel Neutrokine-alpha, and a splice variant thereof designated Neutrokine-alphaSV, polynucleotides and polypeptides which are members of the TNF family. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided encoding the human Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides, including soluble forms of the extracellular domain. Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV polypeptides are also provided as are vectors, host cells and recombinant methods for producing the same. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of Neutrokine-alpha and/or Neutrokine-alphaSV activity. Also provided are diagnostic methods for detecting immune system-related disorders and therapeutic methods for treating immune system-related disorders.