Abstract: Disclosed is a human osteoclast-derived cathepsin (Cathepsin O) polypeptide and DNA(RNA) encoding such cathepsin O polypeptides. Also provided is a procedure for producing such polypeptide by recombinant techniques. The present invention also discloses antibodies, antagonists and inhibitors of such polypeptide which may be used to prevent the action of such polypeptide and therefore may be used therapeutically to treat bone diseases such as osteoporosis and cancers, such as tumor metastases. A patient is treated by administering an antibody produced against a polypeptide consisting of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: A method of improving sleep in a mammal having a sleep disorder is disclosed. The method includes identifying the mammal having a sleep disorder and then administering Lactobacillus acidophilus CNCM I-2274, Lactobacillus acidophilus CNCM I-2132, Lactobacillus helveticus CNCM I-2275, Streptococcus thermophilus CNCM I-1520, Streptococcus thermophilus CNCM I-2272 or mixtures thereof. The method increases the length of the non rapid eye movement sleep phase and decreases the length of the rapid eye movement sleep phase. The bacteria can be administered in an orally consumable food product or a dietary supplement.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reducing oxysterol buildup in the blood and normalizing cholesterol and blood pressure, in a mammal. The compositions comprise Morinda citrifolia extract, red wine extract, prune extract, blueberry extract, pomegranate extract, apple extract, and an enzyme mixture.

Abstract: A purified amino alcohol dehydrogenase which reductively converts a keto alcohol into an amino alcohol and oxidatively converts an amino alcohol into a keto alcohol is disclosed. The enzyme is NAD(H) dependent, has a molecular weight of 100,000 Da when determined by gel filtration, has a optimum temperature of about 30° C. in reductive amination, an optimum pH of 10.0 in an oxidative deamination and of 7.0 in a reductive amination and can be isolated from Steptomyces virginiae.

Abstract: A composition containing a stabilized form of conjugated linoleic acid is described. The conjugated linoleic acid is reacted with glycerol to form an ester, which is much more resistant to oxidation than the acid form of the conjugated linoleic acid. The composition can additionally contain antioxidants, such as rosemary leaf extract, tocopherols, chelating agents, ascorbic acid, the like. The composition can also contain a fatty acid and/or glycerol ingredient. A method for supplementing an individual's diet is also described.

Abstract: An isolated composition obtained by extracting Lepidium meyenii roots is provided. The composition is substantially free of cellulose and comprises between about 5% and about 9% of benzyl isothiocyanate, between about 1% and about 3% of Lepidium sterol component, between about 20% and about 30% of Lepidium fatty acid component, and about 10% or more of macamide component. The composition is prepared by a process which comprises contacting Lepidium meyenii roots with a first aqueous solvent of about 90% vol-% or more water, then separating the residual Lepidium meyenii root material from the first contacted aqueous solvent, then contacting the residual Lepidium meyenii root material with a second aqueous solvent which comprises a mixture of an alcohol and water having about 90 vol-% alcohol or more to form a liquor, and then finally concentrating the liquor to obtain the composition. The composition can be used for treating cancer and sexual dysfunction.

Abstract: A processed food excellent for activating superoxidase dismutase is disclosed. The food contains 30 to 70% by weight of barley, wheat, rye or oats; 1 to 50% by weight of water soluble dietary fibers; 1 to 10% by weight of oligosaccharides; 0.5 to 5% by weight of powdered lactic acid bacteria and 5 to 15% by weight of powdered green tea. A method of making the food and a method for activating superoxide dismutase using the food is also disclosed.

Abstract: General methods for monitoring the activity of MurG, a GlcNAc transferase involved in bacterial cell wall biosynthesis, is disclosed. More particularly, the synthesis of simplified substrate analogs of Lipid I (the natural substrate for MurG), which function as acceptors for UDP-GlcNAc in an enzymatic reaction catalyzed by MurG, is described. Assays using the substrate analogs of the invention are further disclosed, which are useful for identifying a variety of other substrates, including inhibitors of MurG activity, for facilitating mechanistic and/or structural studies of the enzyme and for other uses. High throughput assays are also described.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical formulation is provided which is useful as a leukotrine synthesis and IL4 inhibitor and as a Th1 immunomodulator. The formulation comprises an effective amount of a combination of extracts and lyophilized extracts of Piper betel and Murrya koeniggi. The formulation can be formulated with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. The formulation can be used in a method of treating humans for respiratory conditions.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition comprising an antibiotic and cow urine distillate in an amount effective to enhance antimicrobial effect of the antibiotic is disclosed. The antibiotic can be an antifungal agent. The antibiotic can be a quinolone or a fluoroquinolone. The antifungal agent can be azoles, clotrimazole, mystatin or amphotericin.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition containing plant extracts is disclosed. The composition has anti-free radical action, anti-aging and stimulates reduced glutathione auto-synthesis. The plant extracts are solvent extracts from Spondias mombin, Maprounea guianesis, Waltheria indica, Gouania blanchetiana, Cordia schmoburgkii, Randia armata and Hibiscus furcellatus.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for reducing oxysterol buildup in the blood and normalizing cholesterol and blood pressure, in a mammal. The compositions comprise Morinda citrifolia extract, red wine extract, prune extract, blueberry extract, pomegranate extract, apple extract, and an enzyme mixture.

Abstract: A crystalline form of mammalian TRAP (tartrate-resistant and purple acid phosphatase) is described. The enzyme is activated by cleavage prior to crystallization with a protease and the crystalline form of the mammalian TRAP is capable of being used for X-ray studies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crystallization process wherein a starting temperature is selected such that a desirable crystal morphology (e.g., square) is obtained. A temperature shift is then introduced, providing that the shift is not enough to induce further nucleation, where the crystals continue to grow in the desirable fashion, but with different kinetics, e.g., a higher rate of crystallization. As a result, the process gives a crystalline product with desirable morphology at a higher crystallization rate. The starting temperature of the process can be between about 4° C. and 20° C. for no more than about 5 hours and the temperature shift of the process can be between about 22° C. and 60° C. for no more than about 20 hours.

Abstract: The invention provides the use of a hair benefit agent as an ingredient in a topical hair treatment composition for the purpose of targeting an active endogenous hair fiber enzyme when the composition is applied to the hair, thereby delivering a hair benefit via the interaction of the hair benefit agent with the enzyme.

Abstract: A composition used to treat diabetes is disclosed. The composition is made by first, mixing an isolated embryo bud and isolated seed coat from rice with a fruit body of Ganoderma lucidum to form a mixture. Next, the mixture is fermented with an Aspergillus oryzae strain to produce a resulting fermentate. Then, the resulting fermentate is dried to produce a dried fermentate. Next, the dried fermentate is crushed into a fine powder and lastly, the powder is mixed with vitamin B to form the composition.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the baseline separation of the &agr; and &bgr; variants of antithrombin III AT-III. The process involves subjecting a sample comprising AT III to cyclodextrin-modified micellar electrokinetic chromatography (CD-MEKC). The CD-MEKC is performed with a buffer comprising boric acid, an anionic tensid, &bgr;-cyclodextrin, and an aliphatic diamine at a basic pH. The CD-MEKC results in the separation of the AT III into AT III &agr; and ATIII &bgr;. The anionic tensid can be sodium dodecyl sulfate and the aliphatic diamine can be 1, 5-diaminopentane.

Abstract: A process is provided for delaying the deactivation of glutaryl amidase during catalysis. The amidase is, after maximum conversion of a substrate, separated off by filtration and can be reused in a subsequent reaction batch. In each reaction cycle, the amidase loses activity. The inactivation of the amidase can be delayed by bringing it into contact with a thiol during the reaction. The thiol is preferably 2-mercaptoethanol or cysteine.

Abstract: A method of purifying antithrombin III (AT III) from a starting material containing an AT III/heparin complex or an AT III/heparinoid complex is disclosed. First, the method comprises adsorbing the AT III/heparin complex or the AT III/heparinoid complex on an anion exchanger material. Second, the method involves separating the AT III from the adsorbed AT III/heparin complex or an AT III/heparinoid complex by elution with a buffer having a pH ranging from 8.5 to 10.5 and a conductivity between 10 and 60 mS.

Abstract: A cryoprotectant solution used for preserving biological material comprising cells is disclosed. The solution comprises dimethyl sulfoxide, an amide such as formamide, urea, acetamide, hydroxyurea, N-methyl formamide, and ethylene glycol or ethylene glycol in combination with propylene glycol wherein the propylene glycol replaces less than 8% w/v of the ethylene glycol.