Abstract: The substitution of the L-Pro at the 7-position with D-Phe or D-Tic and substitution of the L-Phe at the 8-position with hydroxyproline ethers and thioethers of the peptide hormone bradykinin and other additional substituted analogs of bradykinin converts bradykinin agonists into bradykinin antagonists. The invention further includes additional modifications at other positions within the novel 7- and 8-position modified bradykinin antagonists, which increase enzyme resistance, antagonist potency, and/or specificity of the new bradykinin antagonists. The analogs produced are useful in treating conditions and diseases of a mammal and human in which an excess of bradykinin or related kinins are produced or injected as by insect bites.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: X-Ser-Asp-Ala-Ala-Val-Asp-Thr-Ser-  (I) Ser-Glu-Ile-Thr-Thr-Lys-Asp-Leu-Z wherein X is an acetyl or pyroglutamyl group and Z is —NH2, -Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn-Pro-NH2, -Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn-Gly-NH2, or -Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn with the proviso that when X is a pyroglutamyl group, Z is -Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn, and when X is an acetyl group, Z is other than -Lys-Glu-Lys-Lys-Glu-Val-Val-Glu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Asn and methods for the production thereof. The compounds are thymosin &agr;1-related compounds having uses including treatment of endotoxicity in animals.

Abstract: It has been discovered that one can predict the likelihood a child will outgrow an allergy, especially a food allergy, by screening for IgE antibodies immunoreactivities with linear versus conformational epitopes. The child is first screened using standard techniques to determine what antigens the child is allergic to. The immunoglobulins in the sample from the patient are then characterized either using the natural purified antigen, recombinant antigen, reduced and alkylated antigen, proteolytic fragments of the antigen or synthetic peptides of between four and 40 amino acids in length, preferably six to ten amino acids, which can be immobilized for rapid and accurate screening. The antibodies from the patient, typically present in a serum or plasma sample, are reacted with the protein or peptides to determine which peptides are bound by the antibodies. These antibodies are then characterized to determine if the epitopes they bind are linear or conformational.

Abstract: A method of affinity cross-linking a peptide to an antibody by photo-chemically activating an azido compound in a peptide including said azido compound; adding an antibody to the photochemically activated peptide; and allowing the photochemically activated peptide and the antibody to react. The azido compound has an affinity for a hydrophobic structure in the variable domain of the antibody which binds to nucleotides or nucleosides, binding the peptide into a native binding pocket of the immunoglobulin (Ig) structure of an antibody. The site of cross-linking is located away from the antigen binding site in the Fv domain avoiding the compromise of antigen recognition. A composition of a peptide cross-linked to an antibody is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to mechanisms of gene expression in plants and more specifically to regulation of expression of genes in plants in a “tissue-preferred” manner. A method for isolation of transcriptional regulatory elements that contribute to tissue-preferred gene expression is disclosed. Transcriptional regulatory elements isolated using the methods of this invention are demonstrated to direct tissue-preferred gene expression of genes within certain tissues of a plant. DNA molecules representing tissue-preferred transcriptional regulatory elements, vectors containing said DNA molecules and plants transformed with said vectors are demonstrated. Said transcriptional regulatory units are utilized to drive tissue-preferred expression of a gene that confers a selective advantage upon a plant.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the detection, determination, and quantitation of certain ions and small molecules involving the quenching of a fluorescent label attached to a macromolecule, often due to fluorescence energy transfer to a colored inhibitor or certain metal ions bound to the macromolecule.

Abstract: A peptide of formula (I) (H2N—X1—Thr—X2—CO)n—R  (I) where X1 and X2, different one another, are an amino acid residue of arginine or tyrosine in configuration L or D, wherein the hydroxy group of threonine and tyrosine and the guanidine moiety of arginine may be protected by a compound conventionally used in peptide chemistry for protecting the hydroxy group and the guanidine moiety, respectively, n is 1,2, 3 or 4, and R, when n is 2,3 or 4, is a group suitable for forming a dimer, trimer or tetramer, while, when n is 1, R is OH, a single amino acid residue, or a peptide chain containing up to 7 amino acid residues.

Abstract: The invention relates to lipopeptides with very homologous amino-acid sequences but different fatty acid residues (lipid portion) which are synthesized by Actinoplanes sp. during fermentation and are released into the culture medium, to a process for isolating the lipopeptides from the culture medium and purifying them, to the use of the lipopeptides as pharmacologically active substances, in particular against Gram-positive bacteria, and to Actinoplanes sp. DSM 7358 for producing the abovementioned lipopeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel classes of compounds which are inhibitors of interleukin-1.beta. converting enzyme. The ICE inhibitors of this invention are characterized by specific structural and physicochemical features. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of this invention are particularly well suited for inhibiting ICE activity and consequently, may be advantageously used as agents against interleukin-1 mediated diseases, including inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases. This invention also relates to methods for inhibiting ICE activity and methods for treating interleukin-1 mediated diseases using the compounds and compositions of this invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for peptides or protein fragments displayed on scaffolds and libraries of sequences encoding peptides or protein fragments displayed on scaffolds that permit the properties of the library to be easily and quantitatively monitored are disclosed. The scaffold is a protein that is capable of emitting light. Thus, analysis of the expression of individual members of the library when they are expressed in cells may be carried out using instruments that can analyze the emitted light, such as flow sorter (FACS), a spectrophotometer, a microtitre plate reader, a CCD, a fluorescence microscope, or other similar device. This permits screening of the expression library in host cells on a cell-by-cell basis, and enrichment of the library for sequences that have predetermined characteristics.

Abstract: The invention concerns activated amphetamine derivatives, a process for their production as well as their use for producing immunogens or detection conjugates carrying amphetamine groups. A further subject matter of the invention are new conjugates carrying amphetamine groups, a process for the production thereof as well as their use for the production of antibodies or for the determination of amphetamine or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combination preparation containing electrolyte-enriched plant embryos and essential, semi-essential and/or non-essential micro-nutrients, in particular for the treatment of immune-suppressed persons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing antimicrobial effect by contacting a subject susceptible to microbial invasion or contamination, with antimicrobial amount of XPF and PGLa polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention deals with LHRH analogues which contain cytotoxic moieties and have influence on the release of gonadotropins from the pituitary gland of mammals, including humans. The compounds of this invention are represented by the formula:X--R.sup.1 --R.sup.2 --R.sup.3 -Ser-R.sup.5 --R.sup.6 (Q)-Leu-Arg-Pro-R.sup.10 --NH.sub.2whereinR.sup.1 is pGlu, Pro, D-Nal(2), or D-Phe(4Cl),R.sup.2 is His or D-Phe(4Cl),R.sup.3 is Trp, D-Trp or D-Pal(3),R.sup.5 is Tyr or Arg,R.sup.6 is D-Phe or R*.sup.6, where R*.sup.6 is D-Orn, D-Lys or D-Phe(NH.sub.2),R.sup.10 is Gly or D-Ala,X is hydrogen, a lower alkanoyl group of 2-5 carbon atoms or carbamyl,Q is bis-(2-chloroethyl)amino group provided that R.sup.6 is D-Phe,where R.sup.6 is R*.sup.6,Q is a complexed metal-containing acyl group having the formula: ##STR1## wherein Q' is Pt(Y).sub.

Abstract: A method of determining collagen degradation in vivo, including quantitating the concentration of a peptide in a body fluid, the peptide being a C-terminal type II collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link or a type III collagen telopeptide containing a hydroxylysyl pyridinoline cross-link. The method includes immunometric assays, fluorometric assays, and electrochemical titrations for quantitation. The structures of specific peptides having cross-links and kits for quantitating these peptides in a body fluid are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides having adenylate cyclase stimulating activity. The peptides all have at least the sequence His-Ser-Asp-Gly-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asp-Ser-Tyr-Ser-Arg-Tyr- Arg-Lys-Gln-Met-Ala-Val-Lys-Lys-Tyr-Leu-Ala-Ala-Val-Leu-.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide having essentially the amino acid sequence of pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI). The present invention also relates to variants of such peptide wherein one or more of the amino acids in the original sequence are replaced by other amino acids. These peptides show an advantageously modified specificity in their inhibotory action. A method of preparation of the peptides and their pharmaceutical use is also described.

Abstract: Cyclic peptides are produced by the controlled aerobic fermentation of Streptomyces silvensis, ATTCC No. 53525 or ATCC No. 53526. These compounds are antagonists of oxytocin and are useful in the treatment of preterm labor and vasopressin and are thus useful in the treatment and prevention of disease states wherein vasopressin may be involved, for example congestive heart failure, hypertension, edema and hyponatremia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of peptide hormone analogues as inhibitors of their respective naturally occurring peptide hormone. The structure of the peptide hormone analogues is exemplified by parathyroid hormone (PTH), wherein Lys.sup.13 is substituted to increase the biological activity of the PTH analogues. Thus, there are disclosed peptides having the formulae:PTH(7-34)NH.sub.2 ;[Tyr.sup.34 ]PTH(7-34)NH.sub.2 ;[D-Trp.sup.12, Tyr.sup.34 ]PTH(7-34)NH.sub.2 ;[Nle.sup.8,18, D-Trp.sup.12, Tyr.sup.34 ]PTH(7-34)NH.sub.2 ;[Nle.sup.8,18, Tyr.sup.34 ]PTH(7-34)NH.sub.2 ;desamino[Nle.sup.8,18, D-Trp.sup.12, Tyr.sup.34 ]PTH(7-34)NH.sub.2 ; and,desamino[Nle.sup.8,18, D-Trp.sup.12, Tyr.sup.34 ]PTH(8-34)NH.sub.2wherein Lys.sup.13 is modified in the epsilon-amino acid group by N,N-diisobutyl or 3-phenylpropanoyl.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of peptide analogues as inhibitors of their respective naturally occurring peptides. The structure of the peptide hormone analogues is exemplified by human humoral hypercalcemic factor (hHCF), wherein Lys.sup.13 or Lys.sup.11 is modified on the epsilon-amino group by biotin so as to produce HCF analogues which can inhibit the action of HCF.