Abstract: The invention is directed to a pharmacologically active peptide conjugate having a reduced tendency towards enzymatic cleavage comprising a pharmacologically active peptide sequence (X) and a stabilising peptide sequence (Z) of 4-20 amino acid residues covalently bound to X.

Abstract: The present invention provide PCSK9 polypeptides, fragments thereof and methods of modulating PCSK9 phosphorylation and low density lipoprotein degradation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to benzimidazole compounds having dual nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitory activity and agonist activity at the mu-opioid receptor, to pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions containing them, and to their medical use, particularly as compounds for the treatment or prevention of chronic pain, acute pain, migraine, and neuropathic pain.

Abstract: The method represents a further development of a cell-colonization process, in which biological cells are colonized on a synthetic or natural tissue matrix in order to obtain a tissue implant or tissue transplant. The growth of the cells, which in general come from the designated recipient of the transplant of implant, may be promoted by the addition of mediators, factors or co-factors. The factors or mediators are supplied by co-cultivating cells, which are particularly suitable for producing the factors, with the tissue.

Abstract: The invention features pharmaceutical compositions that include dipyridamole and a corticosteroid.

Abstract: Connective tissue, including neo-tendons and ligaments, has been constructed using biodegradable synthetic scaffolds seeded with tenocytes. The scaffolds are preferably formed from biodegradable fibers formed of a polymer such as polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid copolymers, and seeded with cells isolated from autologous tendon or ligament by means of enzymatic digestion or direct seeding into tissue culture dishes from explants. The cell polymer constructs are then surgically transplanted to replace missing segments of functioning tendon or ligament.

Abstract: The invention herein provides isolated antibodies that bind to VEGF. The invention further provides methods of making anti-VEGF antibodies, and polynucleotides encoding anti-VEGF antibodies.

Abstract: An apparatus for wet granulating a powder material comprises: —a barrel having a granulation chamber and being provided with a first inlet (1) for receiving said powder material and for supplying it to said granulation chamber and with a second inlet (2) for receiving a granulating liquid and for supplying it to said granulation chamber, said granulation having an aperture (9) for discharge of granules from said barrel, and —a transporting means (S) for advancing said powder material toward the end of said granulation chamber while granulating it with the aid of said granulating liquid, said transporting means (S) comprising a first transport zone (4) at its rear end, an agglomeration zone (5) downstream from the first transport zone (4) and a second transport zone (8) at its front end, said first inlet (1) and said second inlet (2) being positioned above the first transport zone (4), wherein said aperture (9) has a shape tightly fitting the terminal portion of the transporting means (S) for directly discharg

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of screening for compounds which affect the processing of EphA4 by ?-secretase, which includes the following steps: (i) contacting a first biological composition containing ?-secretase or a biologically active fragment thereof with a second biological composition containing EphA4 in the presence and absence of a candidate compound; (ii) measuring the cleavage of the EphA4 in the presence and absence of the candidate compound; (iii) selecting those candidate compounds which affect the cleavage of the EphA4 by ?-secretase; and (iv) identifying the candidate compounds selected in step (iii) as compounds which affect the processing of EphA4 by ?-secretase.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of haematopoietic growth factors, in particular erythropoietin (EPO) and thrombopoietin (TPO), or derivatives, analogues or parts thereof, for promoting structural tissue regeneration.

Abstract: The invention provides novel P1R polypeptide antagonists. These antagonists contain amino acid substitutions at selected positions in truncated PTH and PRHrP polypeptides and function by binding selectively to the juxtamembrane (“J”) domain of the receptor. The J domain is the region of the receptor that spans the seven transmembrane domain and the extracellular loops.

Abstract: A method for treating cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions of the skin by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a polyphenol to a patient as well as to the production of a medicament thereto is described herein.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and compositions for preventing, reducing, or treating a traumatic, metabolic or toxic peripheral nerve lesion or pain including, for example, neuropathic pain, inflammatory and nociceptive pain by administering to a mammal in need thereof a compound that reduces the expression or activity of BH4. According to this invention, this reduction may be achieved by reducing the enzyme activity of any of the BH4 synthetic enzymes, such as GTP cyclohydrolase (GTPCH), sepiapterin reductase (SPR), or dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR); by antagonizing the cofactor function of BH4 on BH4-dependent enzymes; or by blocking BH4 binding to membrane bound receptors. The compounds of the invention may be administered alone or in combination with a second therapeutic agent.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for treating transplant rejection in a mammalian transplant recipient are provided. The method involves administering a therapeutically effective amount of Serp-1, its analogs, and biologically active fragments thereof in combination with an anti-rejection agent, such as cyclosporin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier to a subject in need of such treatment. The compositions and methods are useful for treating acute and chronic allograft and xenograft transplant rejection in mammals.

Abstract: The invention features methods for the treatment of vaginal atrophy by administering a parathyroid hormone peptide or peptide analog and formulations thereof.

Abstract: A system for acquiring an ultrasound signal comprises a signal processing unit adapted for acquiring a received ultrasound signal from an ultrasound transducer having a plurality of elements. The system is adapted to receive ultrasound signals having a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz) with a transducer having a field of view of at least 5.0 millimeters (mm) at a frame rate of at least 20 frames per second (fps). The signal processing can further produce an ultrasound image from the acquired ultrasound signal. The transducer can be a linear array transducer, a phased array transducer, a two-dimensional (2-D) array transducer, or a curved array transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the field of drug delivery. More particularly, the invention relates to polypeptides derived from aprotinin and from aprotinin analogs as well as conjugates and pharmaceutical compositions comprising these polypeptides or conjugates. The present invention also relates to the use of these polypeptide for transporting a compound or drug across the blood-brain barrier of a mammal and in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological diseases.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of benzo[c]quinolizinium derivatives for treating diseases that are linked to smooth muscle cell constriction, such as hypertension and asthma.

Abstract: Active contour models and active shape models were developed for the detection of the kinematics landmarks on sequential back surface measurements. The anatomical landmarks correspond with the spinous process, the dimples of the posterior superior iliac spines (PSIS), the margo mediales and the elbow. Back surface curvatures are used as a basis to guide the ACM and ASM's towards interesting landmark features on the back surface. Geometrical bending and torsion costs, and the main modes of variation of the landmark points are added to the models in order to avoid unrealistic curve shapes from a biomechanical point of view. Reconstruction of the underlying skeletal structures is performed using the surface normals as approximations for skeletal rotations (e.g. axial vertebrae rotations, pelvic torsion, etc.) and anatomical formulas to estimate skeletal dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides EphA4 polypeptides which encode EphA4 fragments cleaved by ?-secretase, especially intracellular fragments of such cleaved fragments, polynucleotides which encode such polypeptides, and antibodies specific to such polypeptides. Also disclosed is a method of screening for compounds which affect the processing of EphA4 by ?-secretase; a method of screening for compounds which affect dendritic spine formation by EphA4 processed by ?-secretase (?-secretase-processed EphA4); and a method of screening for compounds which affect Rac activity mediated by ?-secretase-processed EphA4.