Abstract: A motivational alarm having a timekeeping device; alarm programming means to produce an alarm signal at a programmed alarm time, the alarm programming means being operatively connected to the timekeeping device; a digital storage device operatively connected to the timekeeping device; a plurality of recorded messages recorded on the digital storage device; and playback means for converting at least a portion of the plurality of recorded messages into an audible signal upon receipt of the alarm signal. The recorded messages preferably have a topic related to exercise, spirituality, religion, religious text, esteem-building, health and wellness, encouragement for women, invigoration for long-term caretakers, wealth-building, or tragedy/loss recovery.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to the field of protein modification, and, more specifically, the attachment of water soluble polymers to novel erythropoietin stimulating protein (NESP).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for pulmonary delivery of chemically modified G-CSF, and pegylated proteins are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the development of pharmaceutical compositions which provide for sustained release of biologically active polypeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of thermosensitive, biodegradable hydrogels, consisting of a block copolymer of poly(d,l- or l-lactic acid)(PLA) or poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), for the sustained delivery of biologically active agents, such as leptin.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the development of pharmaceutical compositions which provide for sustained release of biologically active polypeptides. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of pH/thermosensitive biodegradable hydrogels, consisting of a A-B di block or A-B-A tri block copolymer of poly(d,l- or l-lactic acid) (PLA) or poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) (block A) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) (block B), with ionizable functional groups on one or both ends of the polymer chains, for the sustained delivery of biologically active agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sustained-release formulations using biodegradable alginate delayed gels or particles and methods thereof.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to chemical modification of biologically active proteins or analogs thereof. More specifically, the present invention describes novel methods for site-specific chemical modification of various proteins, and resultant compositions having improved biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the chemical modification of biologically active agents. More, specifically, the invention relates to a novel approach to engineer, through mutagenesis and site-directed chemical conjugation, specific, well-defined dualPEGylated-protein bioconjugates, consisting of two polyethylene glycol (PEG) macromolecules chemically conjugated to the protein at two specifically defined amino acid residues. The described dualPEGylated-protein bioconjugates show substantially improved bioefficacy and biocompatibility.

Abstract: An improved flow field-flow fractionation (flow FFF) process has been developed which permits the high-resolution separation of analytes without stopping or reversing the axial flow, introducing additional axial flow streams, or further splitting the axial flow stream. The improved procedure speeds up, streamlines, and simplifies the apparatus and the procedure without unduly concentrating the sample, permits the use of flow-sensitive detection technologies in a manner which has previously been difficult or impossible, and avoids the artifactual aggregation which is known to result from other relaxation procedures. The process also permits the calculation of the channel width w without reference to system or void peaks in the fractogram. These capabilities render the improved flow FFF procedure more accurate as well as more practical, and permit automated flow FFF separations to be routinely performed on commercially-available HPLC systems with only minor modifications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of polyol/thickened oil suspensions containing a biologically active agent, for the sustained delivery of the biologically active agent. The described protein/glycerol/oil suspensions show sustained release of protein, e.g., G-CSF, of up to at least one week.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to chemical modification of biologically active proteins or analogs thereof. More specifically, the present invention describes novel methods for site-specific chemical modification of various proteins, and resultant compositions having improved biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Abstract: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder which is pathologically characterized by the presence of intracytoplasmic Lewy bodies, the major component of which are filaments consisting of &agr;-synuclein. The present invention provides &agr;-synuclein mutations which accelerate &agr;-synuclein aggregation and can thus be utilized for transgenic animal production and generation of the first progressive PD model. Also provided is an in vitro aggregation assay which can be utilized to identify &agr;-synuclein nucleation inhibitors for the treatment of PD.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to recombinant methods and materials for effecting the microbial production of useful polypeptides. More particularly, the invention relates to expression vector systems which utilize a translational repressor system, and transcriptional control proteins to provide a highly efficient, tightly regulated, staged inducible promoter system capable of expressing exogenous genes, including toxic genes, in E. coli.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutants of the green fluorescent protein having improved fluorescent properties at 37.degree. C. The mutants provide for improved methods of monitoring gene expression, e.g., for use as cell markers or protein expression indicators in prokaryotic and, especially, eucaryotic systems where the standard physiological temperature is 37.degree. C.

Abstract: Formulations useful in improving non-viral in vivo transfection of DNA in the lungs are provided. Formulations which comprise DNA with various additives are prepared and delivered to the lungs resulting in production of a transcription product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of making polymeric microparticles containing a variety of active ingredients, e.g. protein drugs. In addition, the present invention relates to using the above active protein containing polymeric microparticles to prepare compositions for the sustained delivery of the therapeutics.

Abstract: The present invention broadly relates to chemical modification of biologically active proteins or analogs thereof. More specifically, the present invention describes novel methods for site-specific chemical modification of various proteins, and resultant compositions having improved biocompatibility and bioactivity.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods for preventing and treating multiple sclerosis by administering to patients in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of IFN-con in combination with IL-1ra.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions relating to the attachment of water soluble polymers to proteins. Provided are novel methods for N-terminally modifying proteins or analogs thereof, and resultant compositions, including novel chemically modified G-CSF compositions and related methods of preparation. Also provided is chemically modified consensus interferon.