Abstract: This invention discloses CN2097-like compositions that facilitate the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). In one embodiment the method comprises inducing long-term potentiation in a subject by the method of administering a therapeutically effective dose of a CN2097-like compound.

Abstract: An isolated, pure homogeneous population of mammalian astrocyte restricted precursor cells which is CD44 immunoreactive and which generate astrocytes but not oligodendrocytes is provided. Methods for isolating and using these mammalian astrocyte restricted precursor cells are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a modified viral strain of a virus which is a member of the Reoviridae family and, in particular, relates to vaccinal viral strains of the Orbivirus genus.

Abstract: The present invention identifies that glomeruli express many neuron-specific and especially synapse-specific protein similarities. In particular, the present invention identifies Rab3A expression, including the expression of altered forms, as well as expression of other synapse-specific proteins including neurotransmitter receptors. The invention further identifies that modulation of the activity of these synapse-specific proteins results in modulation of podocytes.

Abstract: Methods and therapeutic agents are disclosed for treating neurodegenerative disorders by depletion of CD8 positive T cells by using antibodies, FAb fragments of antibodies or similar agents that sequester, neutralize or deplete the CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.

Abstract: A method of detecting MSDX Complex-1, the method introducing a first antibody to a sample to create an antibody-sample mixture, wherein the first antibody is specific for one of fibrinogen, fibronectin, or fibulin-1, the first antibody having a label molecule; providing a well coated with a second antibody, the second antibody is specific for one of fibrinogen, fibronectin, or fibulin-1; introducing the antibody-sample mixture to the well; and introducing a substrate to the antibody-sample mixture in the well, wherein the label molecule and the substrate interact to provide a signal, wherein when the signal is detected then MSDX Complex-1 is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for conveniently producing a protein formulation in which viruses are inactivated, without impairing the quality of the obtained protein formulation, characterized by including the step of exposing the protein formulation contaminated with the viruses to a 0.1-2M aqueous solution of arginine, an arginine derivative, or a mixture thereof, the aqueous solution being adjusted to pH 3.5 to 5. The present invention also provides a virus inactivation method characterized by including the step of contacting a virus-containing object with a 0.1-2M aqueous solution of arginine, an arginine derivative, or a mixture thereof, the aqueous solution being adjusted to pH 3.5 to 5.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic conjugates having the general formula: M2e-Cys-S—CH2—C(O)—NH—CH2—CH2-C(O—)NH-Lys-Pr, were M2e is the influenza M2 ectodomain (M2e) peptide; Cys is a cysteine amino acid residue present in the M2e peptide; S the sulfur present in the cysteine amino acid residue; CH2-CO—NH—CH2-CH2-CO the linking group; NH the amine group present in a lysine residue of the carrier; Lys is a lysine amino acid residue and Pr the carrier protein. Also disclosed are isolated immunogens that include an immunogenic fragment of an influenza HA protein including the polybasic cleavage site, wherein the immunogenic fragment of the influenza HA protein has been modified to remove an N-terminal leader amino acid sequence and a C-terminal transmembrane domain. Also disclosed are methods producing an influenza vaccine specific for an identified influenza strain.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved vaccines comprising an isolated viral antigenic peptide and a synthetic peptide derived from a T cell epitope of HSP60. The invention includes mixtures where the peptide serves as an adjuvant as well as conjugates where the peptide is covalently linked to the viral antigen. The known synthetic peptide carrier, p458, provides significantly improved immunogenicity for synthetic viral epitopes and analogs. Ec27 is a novel peptide derived from HSP60 which increases the immunogenicity substantially of the viral antigen both as a mixture or a covalent conjugate. Some of the isolated viral epitopes are novel and are claimed for diagnostic as well as therapeutic or prophylactic uses.

Abstract: The present invention is related to methods and pharmaceutical compositions for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of diseases and disorders which are caused by or associated with neurofibrillary tangles. In particular, the invention relates to pharmaceutical composition comprising an antigenic peptide, particularly an antigenic phospho-peptide mimicking a major pathological phospho-epitope of protein tau, for the therapeutic and diagnostic use in the treatment of tauopathies including Alzheimer's Disease.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which employ chimeric polypeptides having at least one heterologous epitope for a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) neutralizing antibody. These chimeric polypeptides behave as molecular scaffolds which are capable of presenting the various heterologous HIV-1 epitopes. The invention demonstrates that a heterologous epitope recognized by the HIV-1 neutralizing antibody can be more fully exposed to neutralizing antibodies when presented within the backbone of the chimeric polypeptide than when the epitope is presented within the context of an HIV-1 backbone. Polynucleotides encoding these chimeric polypeptides are also provided. Immunogenic compositions are provided which comprise a chimeric polypeptide having at least one heterologous epitope that interacts with an HIV-1 neutralizing antibody. Immuno genie compositions comprising chimeric polynucleotides encoding the chimeric polypeptides of the invention are also provided.

Abstract: Immunogenic compositions and broad-spectrum vaccines containing newly identified isolates of canine distemper virus (CDV) collected from a geographic area are provided. The newly identified isolates exhibit attributes of both European wildlife lineage CDV and one or both of Arctic and American-2 lineage CDV. Therefore, the vaccines are broadly protective against infection with European wildlife lineage CDV and either Arctic lineage CDV or American-2 lineage CDV, or both Arctic and American-2 lineage CDV.

Abstract: Candidate compounds for use in neuro-protection and repair in neurological disorders involving Tau dysfunction (including Alzheimer's disease) are identified from a direct interaction between proteins FKBP52 and Tau. The method for screening a drug for the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders involving Tau dysfunction includes determining the ability of a candidate compound, to modulate binding between a Tau polypeptide and a FKBP52 polypeptide, and selecting positively the candidate compound that modulates binding.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the use of an envelope polypeptide or a functional variant thereof from a lentivirus that is not HIV-1 as a molecular scaffold for HIV-1 epitopes. The HIV-1 epitopes can be recognized by HIV-1 binding antibodies, HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and/or CD4-induced antibodies. Thus, methods are provided for detecting HIV-1 binding antibodies in a subject infected with HTV-1. Further provided are methods to determine an epitope for an HIV-1 binding antibody; methods to assay for an HIV-1 binding antibody; methods to identify a soluble CD4 mimic; methods to neutralize an non-HIV-1 virus; diagnostic assays to monitor HIV disease in a subject or to monitor the subject's response to immunization by a HIV vaccine; and methods to alter the neutralization potential of an HIV-1 derived CD4-induced antibody. Chimeric polypeptides, chimeric polynucleotides, kits, cells and viruses are also provided.

Abstract: Novel compounds which are antagonists or inverse agonists at one or more of the opioid receptors, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation.

Abstract: Antibodies and fragments thereof have high affinity for human ?-synuclein protofibrils and low binding of ?-synuclein monomers, wherein the antibodies or fragments have specified Complementarity Determining Region (CDR) sequences. Compositions comprise such an antibody or fragment and methods of detecting ?-synuclein protofibrils use such an antibody or fragment. In further embodiments, methods of preventing, delaying onset of or treating a neurodegenerative disorder with ?-synuclein pathology comprise administering such an antibody or fragment, and such an antibody or fragment is used in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for treatment of a neurodegenerative disorder with ?-synuclein pathology. Such an antibody or fragment is used in the diagnosis or monitoring of the development of a neurodegenerative disorder with ?-synuclein pathology, and in methods for reducing or inhibiting ?-synuclein aggregation by administration of such an antibody or fragment.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a safe and effective method for enhancing an immune response and a medicament for preventing or treating Alzheimer disease comprising amyloid ? peptide that induces an enhanced immune response. An amyloid ? peptide or a portion thereof with addition or insertion of cysteine and a method for enhancing an immune response using the peptide or a method for enhancing an immune response using the peptide together with an adjuvant. A medicament for preventing or treating Alzheimer disease comprising an amyloid ? peptide or a portion thereof that induces an enhanced immune response. A DNA vaccine, that may have the same effect, comprising the gene encoding an amyloid ? peptide or a portion thereof that induces an enhanced immune response with addition or insertion of cysteine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel uses of a construct consisting of virus-like particle (VLP) structure chemically coupled to a fragment of the A beta-1-42 peptide and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts (hereinafter CONSTRUCT), in particular to dosage regimens, modes of and dosage forms for the administration of a CONSTRUCT for the treatment of patients suffering from dementia, in particular dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for restoring fast axonal transport in a cell which expresses a pathological synuclein protein and for treating a synucleinopathy using a Protein Kinase C mu or Src-Family Tyrosine Kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present inventors identified a selective marker 65B13 for GABA neuron progenitor cells of the spinal dorsal horn and cerebellum, and successfully isolated GABA neuron progenitor cells using antibodies that bind to a protein encoded by the gene. 65B13 was demonstrated to be useful as a marker to isolate GABA-producing neuron progenitor cells in the spinal dorsal horn and cerebellum. GABA neuron progenitor cells can be efficiently identified or isolated by using the identified marker as an indicator.