Abstract: The present invention relates to the general field of therapy of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and/or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Thus, the invention relates to a molecule selected from the trappin-2 protein or an active fraction thereof, a member of the WAP family proteins or an active fraction thereof or a member of the Serpin family proteins or an active fraction thereof for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The invention also relates to a recombinant food-grade bacterium comprising a gene selected from a gene coding for the trappin-2 protein or an active fraction thereof, a gene coding for a member of the WAP family proteins or an active fraction thereof, or a gene coding for a member of the Serpin family proteins or an active fraction thereof.

Abstract: A polypeptide with a predominantly hydrophobic sequence long enough to span a membrane lipid bilayer as a transmembrane helix (TM) and comprising one or more dissociable groups inserts across a membrane spontaneously in a pH-dependant fashion placing one terminus inside cell. The polypeptide conjugated with various functional moieties delivers and accumulates them at cell membrane with low extracellular pH. The functional moiety conjugated with polypeptide terminus placed inside cell are translocated through the cell membrane in cytosol. The peptide and its variants or non-peptide analogs can be used to deliver therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic, imaging, gene regulation, cell regulation, or immunologic agents to or inside of cells in vitro or in vivo in tissue at low extracellular pH.

Abstract: The present invention includes a novel class of highly specific protease inhibitors. In one embodiment, the inhibitors of the invention are ?-helical in structure. In another embodiment, the present invention represents the first demonstration of a highly specific cysteine protease inhibitor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to synthetic promoter constructs for enhanced transgene expression in plants and to expression cassettes comprising the synthetic promoter constructs. The expression cassettes may include various elements for improved expression, stability of the expressed protein or efficient purification of the expressed protein, including signal sequences, protease cleavage sites for release of the target protein, trafficking peptides for trafficking of the expressed protein to various plant compartments, and/or various tags. The invention further relates to methods of expression of transgenic proteins in plants with the use of the synthetic promoter constructs and expression cassettes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borrelia, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plants with increased levels of water soluble carbohydrates, particularly fructan, in the stem and leaf sheath. The present invention also provides methods of identifying and/or producing these plants. In particular, the present invention relates to a novel class of polypeptides designated MYB13 which upregulate the expression of enzymes involved in fructan synthesis. The present invention further relates to a novel promoter element that can be used to express genes predominantly in the stem and leaf sheath during the early reproductive stage of a plant.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide methods for preventing or treating a steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent inflammatory bowel disease. The object can be achieved by a method for preventing or treating a steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent inflammatory bowel disease in a patient in need of the prevention or treatment of the inflammatory bowel disease, comprises administering an effective amount of adrenomedullin, a modified product thereof having an activity of suppressing steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent inflammation, or a salt thereof having an activity of suppressing steroid-resistant or steroid-dependent inflammation, to the patient.

Abstract: Modified Protein A, Protein G, Protein L, or Protein A/G that lacks antibody binding activity, and methods of the modified protein's use for purifying antibodies is provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides mutant cereal plants and mature grain thereof, characterised by enhanced levels of the enzyme phytase in the grain, and methods for inducing, detecting and selecting the mutant cereal plants. The invention further relates to animal feed comprising said grain having enhanced amounts of phytase.

Abstract: Subject of the present invention is an in vitro method for therapy follow-up in septic patients wherein the concentration of mature ADM 1-52 and/or mature ADM 1-52-Gly in a sample of bodily fluid of said septic patient is determined using an assay comprising two binders that bind to two different regions within the region of mature adrenomedullin and/or adrenomedullin-Gly that is aminoacid 21-52-amid SEQ ID No. 1 or aminoacid 21-52-Gly SEQ ID No. 2 wherein each of said regions comprises at least 4 or 5 amino acids. Subject of the present invention are further assays and calibration methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery that relaxin is associated with the development or maturation of body tissues. Knockouts of the gene encoding relaxin result in various abnormalities in the development of various tissues. The present invention provides methods of modulating apoptosis by administering a relaxin agonist or antagonist to a subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are fusion proteins that include albumin fused to a polypeptide that has insulin activity. The fusion proteins may include albumin fused to insulin or an insulin analog. In particular, the fusions proteins may include albumin fused to a single chain insulin analog. The fusion proteins may exhibit extended insulin activity in vivo or in vitro relative to insulin that is not fused to albumin. The fusion proteins may be formulated as aerosol compositions.

Abstract: There is presently provided a probe comprising an isolated sphingolipid binding domain (SBD) polypeptide, wherein the isolated SBD polypeptide is capable of binding to a sphingolipid, and methods and uses relating to such a probe.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting neoplastic, cancer, and/or tumorgenic cell proliferation, cell growth and motility in a subject includes administering to a cancer cell expressing Pro-PrP and FLNa a therapeutically effective amount of a Pro-PrP regulating agent.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to peptides having anti-inflammatory activity, compositions containing one or more of the peptides, and use of the peptides to treat conditions associated with excessive inflammation in animals, particularly humans and other mammals.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel synthetic lytic peptide fragments of full-length peptides with the capacity to modulate angiogenic activity in mammals. The invention also relates to the use of such peptides in pharmaceutical compositions and in methods for treating diseases or disorders that are associated with angiogenic activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melanoma antigen peptide comprising the amino acids sequence selected in the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14 or SEQ ID NO: 15 or a function-conservative variant thereof. Moreover the invention also relates to a melanoma antigen peptide according to the invention for use in the prevention or the treatment of melanoma in patient.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to obtain an expression score to evaluate gene expression in a tissue specimen obtained from a person having or suspected of having cancer.

Abstract: A modified protein of an extracellular domain of protein A, which has the reduced ability to bind to immunoglobulin in an acidic region, compared with the wild-type extracellular domain of protein A, without impairing a selective antibody-binding activity in a neutral region. On the basis of three-dimensional structure coordinate data on a complex of the extracellular domain of protein A bound with the Fc region of immunoglobulin G, the modified protein is obtained by the substitution of amino acid residues that are located within the range of 10 angstroms from the Fc region and have a 20% or more ratio of exposed surface area, by histidine residues. Preferably, the modified protein is obtained by the substitution of amino acid residues at sites identified from the analysis of sequences selected from a library constituted by the protein group, by histidine residues. These substitutions may be combined.

Abstract: Novel polypeptides which have an excellent angiogenesis-inducing activity and an excellent antibacterial activity and medical uses thereof are disclosed. The amino acid sequences of the novel polypeptides are shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs:1 to 6. These polypeptides have angiogenesis-inducing and antibacterial activities. Such polypeptides are useful for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of skin wounds caused by a cut wound, surgical wound, erosion, burn, decubitus, intractable wound, skin ulcer, leg ulcer, diabetic ulcer, occlusive arterial disease or arteriosclerosis obliteran, and for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of bacterial infection in such skin wounds, and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for cyclization of polymers such as peptides.

Abstract: A cell-penetrating peptide is described. Also described is a pro-apoptotic agent including the cell-penetrating peptide and a pro-apoptotic peptide linked thereto. The pro-apoptotic agent is useful for inhibition of in vitro cell proliferation and for treatment of tumors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a production method of a protected amino acid, protected peptide or peptide, including precipitation and solid-liquid separation of C-protected amino acid or C-protected peptide in a solvent containing water-containing acetonitrile, after removing the N-terminal protecting group from N-protected C-protected amino acid or N-protected C-protected peptide wherein the C-terminal carboxy group is protected by an anchor group.

Abstract: An HLA-binding peptide binding to a HLA-A type molecule, the HLA-binding peptide includes at least one type of amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 80, and consists of not less than 8 and not more than 11 amino acid residues. All of these amino acid sequences herein mentioned are the predicted amino acid sequences binding to a human HLA-A type molecule with the prediction program using the certain active learning method.

Abstract: The invention relates to polypeptides comprising an N-terminal portion and a C-terminal portion, wherein said N-terminal portion comprises the signature sequence QGP[P or L] and the amino acid sequence of said C-terminal portion is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1, and uses thereof.

Abstract: This invention is a selective A? oligomer kit and immunoassay method capable of reliably and sensitively detecting A? oligomers in a biological sample of a patient. In one embodiment the inventive assay uses a pair of anti-A? oligomer antibodies, as capture and detection antibodies, to detect and quantify A? oligomers. The method can be used to differentiate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients from non-AD patients and/or to stratify AD patients according to the severity of their disease.

Abstract: Provided herein are peptides that have activity as mast cell activating proteins (MCAP), as well as compositions, adjuvant compositions, vaccines, and pharmaceutical formulations that include the peptides. Also provided are methods of using the peptides, including methods for eliciting an immune response to an immunogen in a mammal upon administration.

Abstract: Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) is used as a method to deliver a direct infusion of therapeutic agents to the central nervous center thus circumventing the blood-blood barrier. A non-PEGylated liposomal composition comprising at least one saturated neutral phospholipid and at least one saturated anionic phospholipid and a therapeutic or diagnostic agent encapsulated therein is used to overcome toxicity associated with high peak drug concentration delivered locally CED as well as to increase tissue distribution volume for an improved sustained drug release. In one embodiment, the liposome composition comprises a molar ratio of DSPC:DSPG:CHOL of 7:2:1 and the therapeutic or diagnostic agent is selected from topotecan, conotoxin, gadodiamide or rhodamine, and is used in the treatment of epilepsy.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions designed for treating a subject suffering from skin conditions, disorders or diseases. The compositions include fetal skin cell proteins obtained from fetal skin cells after induced cell lysis.

Abstract: Compositions, recombinant vaccines and live attenuated pathogens comprising one or more isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode an immunogen in combination with an isolated nucleic acid molecule that encodes IL-15Ra or a functional fragment thereof are disclosed. Methods of inducing an immune response in an individual against an immunogen, using such compositions are disclosed.

Abstract: Engineered peptides that bind with high affinity (low equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd)) to the cell surface receptors of fibronectin (?5?1) or vitronectin (?v?3 and ?v?5 integrins) are disclosed as useful as imaging tissue. These peptides are based on a molecular scaffold into which a subsequence containing the RGD integrin-binding motif has been inserted. The subsequence (RGD mimic) comprises about 9-13 amino acids, and the RGD contained within the subsequence can be flanked by a variety of amino acids, the sequence of which was determined by sequential rounds of selection (in vitro evolution). The molecular scaffold is preferably based on a knottin, e.g., EETI (Trypsin inhibitor 2 (Trypsin inhibitor II) (EETI-II) [Ecballium elaterium (Jumping cucumber)], AgRP (Agouti-related protein), and Agatoxin IVB, which peptides have a rigidly defined three-dimensional conformation. It is demonstrated that EETI tolerates mutations in other loops and that the present peptides may be used as imaging agents.

Abstract: The genes the expression of which is reduced or disappeared in immortal cells including cancer cells are isolated, their DNA sequences are determined, the genes are expressed to produce cell proliferation inhibitory proteins, and the genes and the proteins are utilized as agents for diagnosis or treatment, including the genetic diagnosis of or the gene therapy of diseases such as cancer.

Abstract: Method for assembling proteins from peptide fragments. It allows the production of proteins in a manner that is simple, reliable and applicable on an industrial scale. This method allows the production of proteins of therapeutic or diagnostic interest. The invention also relates to kits for applying this synthesis method as well as test and/or diagnostic kits.

Abstract: The invention provides a platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGF-R?) binding polypeptide, comprising a platelet derived growth factor receptor beta binding motif, PBM, which motif consists of an amino acid sequence as defined herein, wherein the PDGF-R?-binding polypeptide binds to PDGF-R? such that the KD value of the interaction is at most 1×10?6 M. Also provided are methods and uses of said polypeptide in treatment and diagnosis of PDGF-R?-related conditions.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a novel undifferentiated state-control agent that maintains and/or improves an undifferentiated state of undifferentiated cells. CCL2 or a protein containing a functional domain thereof is used as the undifferentiated state-control agent. By culturing undifferentiated cells in the presence of the control agent, it is possible to maintain and/or improve an undifferentiated state of the undifferentiated cells. Examples of the undifferentiated cells include embryonic stem cells (ES cells) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells). The origin of the cells is not particularly limited, and may be a human, mouse, or the like, for example.

Abstract: GLP-2 analogues are disclosed which comprise one of more substitutions as compared to [hGly2]GLP-2 and which improved biological activity in vivo and/or improved chemical stability, e.g., as assessed in in vitro stability assays. More particularly, preferred GLP-2 analogues disclosed herein comprise substitutions at one or more of positions 8, 16, 24 and/or 28 of the wild-type GLP-2 sequence, optionally in combination with further substitutions at position 2 (as mentioned in the introduction) and one or more of positions 3, 5, 7, 10 and 11, and/or a deletion of one or more of amino acids 31 to 33 and/or the addition of a N-terminal or C-terminal stabilizing peptide sequence. The analogues are particularly useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of stomach and bowel-related disorders and for ameliorating side effects of chemotherapy. Also disclosed are methods and kits for selecting a patient from populations suited for treatment with GLP-2 analogues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA sequences encoding Vmp-like polypeptides of pathogenic Borrelia, the use of the DNA sequences in recombinant vectors to express polypeptides, the encoded amino acid sequences, application of the DNA and amino acid sequences to the production of polypeptides as antigens for immunoprophylaxis, immunotherapy, and immunodiagnosis. Also disclosed are the use of the nucleic acid sequences as probes or primers for the detection of organisms causing Lyme disease, relapsing fever, or related disorders, and kits designed to facilitate methods of using the described polypeptides, DNA segments and antibodies.

Abstract: There are provided mutants prepared by changing a DNA base sequence and an amino acid sequence of an epidermal growth factor (EGF), in which a mutant EGF protein has excellent thermal stability and stability even in the state of an aqueous solution, and a gene encoding the protein are provided; a recombinant vector including the gene and a microorganism transformed by the recombinant vector are provided; a method of preparing the mutant EGF protein is provided; a cosmetic composition for accelerating the growth of skin cell and skin regeneration, including the protein, the gene, or the recombinant vector, is provided; and by preparing a product using the EGF mutant according to the present invention, it is possible to produce functional cosmetics, in which the activity thereof is maintained even during a distribution and storage process unlike the conventional wild-type EGF product.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lamellae tissue layer, comprising a grooved silk fibroin substrate comprising tissue-specific cells. The silk fibroin substrates provides an excellent means of controlling and culturing cell and extracellular matrix development. A multitude of lamellae tissue layers can be used to create a tissue-engineered organ, such as a tissue-engineered cornea. The tissue-engineered organ is non-immunogenic and biocompatible.

Abstract: The present application describes compounds, compositions and methods for incorporating chemoselective and bio-orthogonal complementary functional groups into liposomes. The present application also describes various uses of these modified liposomes including for tethering the chemoselective and bio-orthogonal complementary functional groups from cell surfaces by liposome delivery toward the goal of rewiring the cell surface.

Abstract: Methods of making and using bacterial display polypeptide libraries using circularly permuted OmpX (CPX) variants are disclosed. The invention further relates to methods for enhancing the display of proteins and peptides at the surface of bacteria by optimizing linkers and incorporating mutations at positions 165 and 166 of CPX.

Abstract: Inflammation or damage associated with myocardial events is treated or prevented by administration of an angiogenesis-inducing, anti-inflammatory peptide such as Thymosin ?4, an isoform of Thymosin ?4 or oxidized Thymosin ?4.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a nucleic acid sequence from Nicotiana megalosiphon encoding for an anti-pathogenic protein. The invention comprises the use of this nucleic acid molecule in transgenic plants of agricultural interest to confer resistance to pathogens. The invention also includes a bioproduct that comprises this anti-pathogenic protein to control plant pathogen agents.

Abstract: The invention provides crystalline forms of the peptide Gly-Gly-Val-Leu-Val-Gln-Pro-Gly (SEQ ID NO 1), and salts of the peptide, which may further have associated water molecules. These salts and hydrated salts of the peptide and compositions comprising these materials have advantageous pharmaceutical properties.

Abstract: An isolated protein or peptide selected from the group consisting of Bordetella colonization factor A (BcfA) protein and antigenic fragments thereof is described, along with an isolated nucleic acid encoding the same, antibodies that bind to the same, methods of producing an immune response in a mammalian subject in need thereof by administering the proteins, peptides or antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical agents and compositions useful for the treatment and prevention of amyloid disease in a subject. The invention further relates to isolated antibodies that recognize a common conformational epitope of amyloidogenic proteins or peptides that are useful for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of amyloid disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of diagnosing, treating, and preventing prion and neurodegenerative disorders including vaccines against prion diseases and neurodegenerative disorders.

Abstract: This document relates to conjugates of a biologically active molecule or a derivative thereof and functionalized (e.g., mono- or bi-functional) polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol and related polymers) as well as methods and materials for making and using such conjugates.

Abstract: Provided are a support for affinity chromatography which has excellent alkali resistance, and a method for isolating immunoglobulin. A support for affinity chromatography, containing an immobilized protein ligand represented by the following formula (1): R—R2??(1) wherein R represents a polypeptide consisting of 4 to 30 amino acid residues that contains an amino acid sequence represented by ATK or ASK; and R2 represents a polypeptide consisting of 50 to 500 amino acid residues containing an immunoglobulin-binding domain consisting of an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, the partial sequence thereof, or an amino acid sequence having 70% or more identity to these sequences; with the proviso that a terminus at which R2 binds to R is C-terminus or N-terminus of the immunoglobulin-binding domain.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel use of Pancreatic Polypeptides as well as novel Pancreatic Polypeptides and compositions thereof. Such peptides can be used in treating or preventing conditions responsive to Y4 and/or Y5 receptor activation, such as cachexia.