Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating and preventing non-degenerative neurological diseases and disorders associated with elevated sPLA2 activity as well as cardiovascular diseases using a CHEC peptide to inhibit sPLA2 activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new drug to treat malignant glioma, which is the most prevalent type of primary tumor of the central nervous system (CNS). The present invention indeed shows that the isolated NFL-TBS40-63 peptide is highly specific for glioma cells, in which it triggers apoptosis. It is therefore presented here for use in a method for treating malignant glioma. The present invention further relates to the use of the NFL-TBS40-63 peptide for detecting specifically glioma cells either in vivo, or in vitro, or for addressing chemical compounds to said tumor cells.

Abstract: This document provides methods and materials related to natriuretic polypeptides and the use of natriuretic polypeptides to treat cardiovascular and/or renal conditions. For example, chimeric polypeptides having at least one amino acid segment (e.g., N-terminus tail, ring structure, C-terminus tail, or a combination thereof) of a natriuretic peptide (e.g., ANP, BNP, CNP, URO, or DNP) and an amino acid segment of an angiotensin polypeptide (e.g., Ang-(1-7)) are provided.

Abstract: Electrospun nanofibrils and methods of preparing the same are provided. The electrospun nanofibrils comprise at least one polypeptide. A polypeptide can be dissolved in a solution, and the solution can be electrospun into a nanofibril. The solution can be added to a syringe or syringe pump, and an electric field can be applied to electrospin the at least one polypeptide.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of improving one or more symptoms of a dermatological condition in a patient. The methods comprise topically administering a topical composition to the patient comprising a branched chain amino acid, and an enzyme activator. Also provided are kits comprising the topical composition and optionally a topical steroid.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods and materials for diagnosing, monitoring the progress, and/or providing a prognosis for multiple myeloma and other conditions associated with antibody production in a person or animal. The methods of the invention utilize mass spectrometry for quantitative monitoring and detection of antibody produced by the plasma cells. The methods of the invention can be utilized for diagnosis, monitoring, and/or prognosis of multiple myeloma, monoclonal gammopathy, and other immunological or hematological conditions and disorders. In addition to detecting and quantifying antibody in a sample, other biological markers, such as serum albumin and/or beta-2-microglobulin, can also be detected and quantified using the present invention, and in combination with detection and quantification of antibody.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating injection site pain associated with rapid acting injectable insulin formulations have been developed for subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a zinc chelator such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”), a dissolution/stabilization agent such as citric acid, a magnesium salt, and, optionally, additional excipients. New presentations include rapid acting concentrated insulin formulations and a way to enhance the absorption of commercially available rapid acting analog formulations by mixing them with a vial containing dry powder excipients that accelerate their absorption. Devices for mixing excipient and insulin together at the time of administration, while minimizing residence time of the mixture, are also described.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for controlling pests are provided. The methods involve transforming organisms with a nucleic acid sequence encoding an insecticidal protein. In particular, the nucleic acid sequences are useful for preparing plants and microorganisms that possess insecticidal activity. Thus, transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, plant tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions are insecticidal nucleic acids and proteins of bacterial species. The sequences find use in the construction of expression vectors for subsequent transformation into organisms of interest, as probes for the isolation of other homologous (or partially homologous) genes. The insecticidal proteins find use in controlling, inhibiting growth or killing lepidopteran, coleopteran, dipteran, fungal, hemipteran, and nematode pest populations and for producing compositions with insecticidal activity.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for modulating injection site pain associated with rapid acting injectable insulin formulations have been developed for subcutaneous injection. The formulations contain insulin in combination with a zinc chelator such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (“EDTA”), a dissolution/stabilization agent such as citric acid, a magnesium salt, and, optionally, additional excipients. New presentations include rapid acting concentrated insulin formulations and a way to enhance the absorption of commercially available rapid acting analog formulations by mixing them with a vial containing dry powder excipients that accelerate their absorption. Devices for mixing excipient and insulin together at the time of administration, while minimizing residence time of the mixture, are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides, defined through a consensus sequence, having a length from 10 to 80 amino-acid residues, and whose polypeptidic sequence comprises or consists of the consensus sequence P1(Xa)P3(Xb)P5(Xc)P6(Xd)P7 (SEQ ID NO: 1), presenting specific patterns. The polypeptides of the invention target glycosylated Muc2 proteins. The invention also relates to methods of synthesis of such polypeptides, to their nucleic acids and uses thereof. The polypeptidic sequence of the polypeptides of the invention can be part of the N-terminal sequence of a mucus-binding (MUB) domain, especially a mucus-binding (MUB) domain of several species. The invention also relates to chimeric molecule(s) comprising such polypeptides, which are labelled, and vectors, especially plasmids and population of cells or composition comprising polypeptides of the invention. Synthesis methods encompass biotechnological or chemical production.

Abstract: The présent invention relates to cell-penetrating peptides char-acterized in that it comprises an amino acid séquence selected in the group consisting of X1LX2RALWX9LX3X9X4LWX9LX5X6X7X8, X1LX2LARWX9LX3X9X4LWX9LX5X6X7X8 and X1LX2ARLWX9LX3X9X4LWX9LX5X6X7X8, wherein X1 is beta-A or S, X2 is F or W, X3 is L, W, C or I, X4 is S, A, N or T, Xs is L or W, X6 is W or R, X7 is K or R, X8 is A or none, and X9 is R or S. Thèse peptides exhibit high efficiency, low toxicity and a natural tropism for lung tissues, and can be used either in simple complex with the cargo to be vectorised, or in nanoparticles comprising two layers of cell-penetrating peptides around the cargo.

Abstract: Methods for the treatment of sepsis with complement inhibitors are disclosed. In particular, C3 inhibitors, such as Compstatin and Compstatin analogs, are administered at various times following the onset of sepsis to alleviate tissue damage and organ failure, which are hallmarks of the second, extravascular stage of sepsis. Combination therapies for comprehensive treatment of sepsis are also disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and kits for use in the methods are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a virus-free protein drug, comprising (a) a filtration step of filtering a virus-containing protein solution through a small-pore size virus removal membrane to obtain a virus-free protein solution, the filtration step (a) comprising (q) a low-pressure filtration step of filtering the solution through the small-pore size virus removal membrane at a filtration pressure of 0.30 kgf/cm2 or lower to obtain the virus-free protein solution, wherein the solution prior to filtration in the low-pressure filtration step (q) has a pH (X) and a salt ionic strength (Y (mM)) that satisfy the following equations 1 and 5: 0?Y?150X?590 (Equation 1) and 3.5?X?8.0 (Equation 5) or the following equations 4 and 5: Y=0 (Equation 4) and 3.5?X?8.0 (Equation 5).

Abstract: A DPP-4 inhibitor comprising a peptide represented by the formula (1): Xe-Pro/Ala/Hyp-Xa-Xb-Xc-Xd (SEQ ID NO: 16) (wherein Xe is an amino acid residue with an isoelectric point of 5.9 to 6.3; Pro/Ala/Hyp represents Pro, Ala, or Hyp; Xa is an amino acid residue other than Hyp, Pro, and Arg, or deletion; 5 Xb is Gly, Pro, or deletion; Xc is Pro, Ala, or deletion; and Xd is an amino acid residue or deletion) as an active component. The inhibitor can be expected to bring out an effect of lowering blood glucose levels by enhancing effects of incretins; and the inhibitor may be used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes and, in addition, can act on the immune system or the like to be thus used in 10 treatment for skin diseases or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self assembly molecule having an affinity for one or more target molecules, for use in formation of a heptameric complex, comprising: a) a monomer comprising a multimerization domain of Archaeal Sm1 (AF-Sm1) protein or SM-like ribonucleoprotein from other organisms, able to interact with other molecules of the same monomer comprising a multimerization domain of AF-Sm1 protein or SM-like ribonucleoprotein to self-assemble into a heptamer; and b) a target binding domain or peptide attached directly or via a linker to the monomer of (a). Also provided are heptamers comprising these self assembly molecules and methods for their use in therapy, imaging and diagnostics.

Abstract: A compound can destabilize a binding interaction between an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and a sodium/glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT 1). In one embodiment, the compound is a peptide derived from the interacting domain of EGFR. In another embodiment, the peptide is administered to a patient to treat cancer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intermediate, as represented by formula (I), for synthesizing caspofungin, and a preparation method thereof. The intermediate enables efficient preparation of caspofungin.

Abstract: Provided is a bacteriocin that is capable of being easily mass-produced, has high antimicrobial activity even at low concentration, has a wide antimicrobial spectrum, and is less likely to produce resistant microorganisms. The bacteriocin has the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 in SEQUENCE LISTING, or has the same amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 in SEQUENCE LISTING except that one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted, inserted and/or added, wherein the amino acid sequence provides antimicrobial activity and the isoelectric point is not less than 12.

Abstract: The invention relates to carrier complexes and methods for delivering molecules to cells. The carrier complexes comprises a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide in accordance with the invention. In one embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a carrier complex. In another embodiment, the method for delivering a molecule to a cell comprises contacting the cell with a molecule and an aromatic cationic peptide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating or preventing a disease or disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) in a patient comprising administering transcranially, for example, directly to the skull, an effective amount of an anti-inflammatory agent to the patient. Examples of the anti-inflammatory agent include glutathione and inhibitors of purinergic receptors such as P2X4, P2X7, P2Y6, and P2Y12 receptors. Examples of disease or disorder of the CNS include brain injury, particularly traumatic brain injury, inflammation, infection, degeneration of brain cells, stroke, brain edema, tumor, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Also disclosed is a kit comprising at least one anti-inflammatory agent and printed materials containing instructions for transcranially administering the anti-inflammatory agent to the patient having a disease or disorder of the CNS, disorder of the CNS.