Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide consisting of two methionine residues as the first and second N-terminal amino acid residues linked via a peptide bond to a mature eukaryotic histone. The present invention furthermore relates to a vector containing said nucleic acid molecule, a host transformed with said vector, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecule and pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions. The present invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecule, vectors, hosts and the polypeptide of the invention for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of testing for the presence of the nucleic acid molecule or the polypeptide in a sample and to a kit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide consisting of two methionine residues as the first and second N-terminal amino acid residues linked via a peptide bond to a mature eukaryotic histone. The present invention furthermore relates to a vector containing said nucleic acid molecule, a host transformed with said vector, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecule and pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions. The present invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecule, vectors, hosts and the polypeptide of the invention for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of testing for the presence of the nucleic acid molecule or the polypeptide in a sample and to a kit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide consisting of two methionine residues as the first and second N-terminal amino acid residues linked via a peptide bond to a mature eukaryotic histone. The present invention furthermore relates to a vector containing said nucleic acid molecule, a host transformed with said vector, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecule and pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions. The present invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecule, vectors, hosts and the polypeptide of the invention for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of testing for the presence of the nucleic acid molecule or the polypeptide in a sample and to a kit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide consisting of two methionine residues as the first and second N-terminal amino acid residues linked via a peptide bond to a mature eukaryotic histone. The present invention furthermore relates to a vector containing said nucleic acid molecule, a host transformed with said vector, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecule and pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions. The present invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecule, vectors, hosts and the polypeptide of the invention for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of testing for the presence of the nucleic acid molecule or the polypeptide in a sample and to a kit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide consisting of two methionine residues as the first and second N-terminal amino acid residues linked via a peptide bond to a mature eukaryotic histone. The present invention furthermore relates to a vector containing said nucleic acid molecule, a host transformed with said vector, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecule and pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions. The present invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecule, vectors, hosts and the polypeptide of the invention for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of testing for the presence of the nucleic acid molecule or the polypeptide in a sample and to a kit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nucleic acid molecule which encodes a polypeptide consisting of two methionine residues as the first and second N-terminal amino acid residues linked via a peptide bond to a mature eukaryotic histone. The present invention furthermore relates to a vector containing said nucleic acid molecule, a host transformed with said vector, polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acid molecule and pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions. The present invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecule, vectors, hosts and the polypeptide of the invention for the preparation of a composition for the treatment of diseases. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of testing for the presence of the nucleic acid molecule or the polypeptide in a sample and to a kit.

Abstract: The invention features compositions comprising insulin and C-peptide and methods for treating diabetes, using such compositions. The invention further features compositions comprising insulin analogues and C-peptide and the uses thereof for treating diabetes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for capturing charged molecules of interest traveling in an electrolyte flow stream through an electrically non-conductive channel, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode individually separated from said channel, but in electrical contact with said flow stream, by a conductive ion selective semi-permeable membrane. Said membrane interferes with the normal migration of ions towards its respective electrode, generating at least two zones of different electric field. Balance between hydrodynamic and electrical forces captures certain ions into the flow stream. it also relates to a device for performing the method.

Abstract: The present invention concerns the use of azurocidin in the manufacture of a medicament for treating conditions associated with hepatic insulin resistance. Further provided is the use of a modulator of the interaction between azurocidin and IGFBP-1 in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a condition which is associated with IGFBP-1 and/or IGF level and/or activity. Methods of treatment, an octopeptide modulator of amino acid sequence WDAISTYD, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the modulators of azurocidin and IGFBP-1 and uses thereof in the treatment of conditions associated with IGFBP-1 and/or IGF level and/or activity are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to peptides being the N-terminal fragment of human proinsulin C-peptide and having the sequence EAEDLQVGQVEL (SEQ ID No: 2) or a fragment or peptide derivative thereof retaining the functional ability of the N-terminal fragment to contribute to C-peptide activity, wherein said fragment or peptide derivative comprises two acidic amino acid residues and is capable of adopting a conformation where said two acidic amino acid residues are spatially separated from one another by a distance of 9-14 ? between the ?-carbons thereof; and wherein said peptide derivative does not include native C-peptide of any species nor human C-peptide 1-15, 1-24 or 1-26 or rat C-peptide 1-26. The invention also relates to peptides having an amino acid sequence comprising (i) the N-terminal fragment of human insulin C-peptide having the sequence EAEDLQVGQVEL (SEQ ID NO. 2) or (ii) a fragment or peptide derivative of amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO.

Abstract: SP-C analogue artificial peptides having surface activity are disclosed and their use for preparing artificial surfactants useful in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and other diseases related to surfactant deficiency or dysfunction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for capturing charged molecules of interest traveling in an electrolyte flow stream through an electrically non-conductive channel, comprising at least one anode and at least one cathode individually separated from said channel, but in electrical contact with said flow stream, by a conductive ion selective semi-permeable membrane. Said membrane interferes with the normal migration of ions towards its respective electrode, generating at least two zones of different electric field. Balance between hydrodynamic and electrical forces captures certain ions into the flow stream. it also relates to a device for performing the method.

Abstract: The invention features peptides that are fragments of the human insulin C-peptide, which peptides include the sequence ELGGGPGAG or a fragment thereof, or the sequence EGSLQ or a fragment thereof. The peptides have the ability to stimulate Na+K+ATPase activity. Also provided are biomimetic organic compounds exhibiting activation of Na+K+ATPase activity and/or cellular binding to renal tubule cells and fibroblasts. Such peptides and compounds are useful in combating diabetes and diabetic complications, or for stimulating Na+K+ATPase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a peptide being a fragment of the human insulin C-peptide, said peptide comprising the sequence ELGGGPGAG or a fragment thereof, or the sequence EGSLQ or a fragment thereof, and having the ability to stimulate Na+K+ATPase activity.

Abstract: A 78 residue polypeptide comprising the following amino acid sequenceGYFCESCRKIIQKLEDMVGPQPNEDTVTQAASQVCDKLKILRGLCKKIMRSFLRRISWDILTGKK PQAICVDIKICKE [SEQ ID NO:1]:and functional derivatives and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, said sequence comprising intra-linked half-cysteines; pharmaceutical composition containing such polypeptide as an active ingredient; a method for inhibiting microbial growth and cancer cell growth in animals including man; and nucleotide sequence corresponding to such polypeptide.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising the following amino acid sequence: Arg-Arg-Arg-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro-Tyr-Leu-Pro-Arg-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro-Pro-Phe-Phe-Pr o-Pro-Arg-Leu-Pro-Pro-Arg-Ile-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Pro-Pro-Arg-Phe-Pro-Pro-Arg-P he-Pro; pharmaceutical compositions containing such polypeptides; and a method of inhibiting bacterial growth using such polypeptides.

Abstract: A lipoprotein possessing pulmonary surfactant activity comprising an alveolar polypeptide or protein and, covalently bound thereto, one or two fatty acid residue(s);a pharmaceutical composition comprising such lipoprotein and a phospholipid type of material; anda method of facilitating respiration in mammals including man, comprising administering an effective amount of such a lipoprotein or pharmaceutical composition to the respiratory tract of a patient subject to respiratory disorder so as to reduce surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the patient's alveoli.

Abstract: A lipoprotein possessing pulmonary surfactant activity comprising an alveolar polypeptide or protein and, covalently bound thereto, one or two fatty acid residue(s);a pharmaceutical composition comprising such lipoprotein and a phospholipid type of material; anda method of facilitating respiration in mammals including man, comprising administering an effective amount of such a lipoprotein or pharmaceutical composition to the respiratory tract of a patient subject to respiratory disorder so as to reduce surface tension at the air-liquid interface of the patient's alveoli.

Abstract: A polypeptide having bactericidal activity, particularly against gram-negative bacteria, has been isolated from pig intestine. The porcine cecropin has the amino acid sequence: H.sub.2 N-Ser-Trp-Leu-Ser-Lys-Thr-Ala-Lys-Lys-Leu-Glu-Asn-Ser-AlaLys-Lys-Arg-Ile-S er-Glu-Gly-Ile-Ala-Ile-Ala-Ile-Gln-Gly-Gly-Pro-Arg-COOh. Pharmaceutical compositions containing such poypeptides, or functional derivatives thereof, are useful in therapeutic and prophylactic methods for inhibiting bacterial growth.

Abstract: Biologically active substance with standardizable hormonal activity, containing in a physiological medium at least one histone, particularly at least one histone H2 or an active area of said histone with immune system immunostimulating and/or endocrinological properties. Utilization of histones and/or segments of histones for producing such a preparation for medical purposes. Said histones may be extracted from biological starting materials, for example calf thymus. Since H2A and H2B histones of oxen and humans are identical, ox histones may also be used for such a preparation for human medical purposes. The preparation according to the present invention may also contain only the variable evolution segments or part of at least one H2 histone. The invention is based on the fact that the biologically active area of an immunostimulating or endocrinologically active histone is located in the variable evolution histone segment. The preparation according to the present invention may be used in immunotherapy.