Abstract: Compositions containing cyclophilin B, mutants of cyclophilin B or inhibitors of cyclophilin B and methods of using these compositions to modulate somatolactogenic function are provided.

Abstract: A particulate fiber composition containing at least one first dietary fiber, coated by an insoluble dietary fiber or a dietary fiber with low solubility, serving to prevent dissolution of the fiber composition in the oral cavity and during passage through the esophagus. The fiber composition has one or several inserted additional layers of at least one second dietary fiber between the at least one first dietary fiber and the coating of the insoluble dietary fiber/dietary fiber of low solubility. The different properties of solubility and fermentability of the fibers are utilized for the production of multilayer particles. The dietary fiber composition can be used as a supplement applied in pharmaceuticals and food products where high fiber content and small calorie content is given a high priority. Furthermore, the dietary fiber supplement can be applied for replacement of part of the sugar in sugar coatings of generally known cereals.

Abstract: Synthetic peptides containing an ankyrin repeat-like motif or portion thereof and mimetics thereof which interact with synuclein-gamma (SNCG) and reduce SNCG-mediated resistance of SNCG-expressing cancer cells to treatment with anticancer drugs or inhibit tumorigenesis and cancer cell proliferation are provided. Compositions containing these peptides, portions thereof or mimetics thereof are also provided. Methods for use of these peptides or portions thereof, compositions, and mimetics thereof in potentiating efficacy of anticancer drugs, in particular microtubule inhibitors and hormonal cancer therapies, and in treating cancer are also provided.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences of streptococcal matrix adhesion (Ema) polypeptides. The invention provides nucleic acids encoding Group B streptococcal Ema polypeptides EmaA, EmaB, EmaC, EmaD and EmaE. The present invention provides isolated polypeptides comprising amino acid sequences of Group B streptococcal polypeptides EmaA, EmaB, EmaC, EmaD and EmaE, including analogs, variants, mutants, derivatives and fragments thereof. Ema homologous polypeptides from additional bacterial species, including S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, E. faecalis and C. diptheriae are also provided. Antibodies to the Ema polypeptides and immunogenic fragments thereof are also provided. The present invention relates to the identification and prevention of infections by virulent forms of streptococci.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and an apparatuses for determining protease activity. The compositions of the invention contain a reporter protein fused to at least one protease cleavage sequence, and a linker for attaching the protease cleavage sequence to a solid support. Methods for determining protease activity and characterizing proteases are also provided.

Abstract: A method for purifying PrPc, a purified preparation of PrPc and methods and kits for identifying the presence of PrPc are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new method for detecting, diagnosing, monitoring, staging, prognosticating, imaging and treating prostate cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates to vaccine compositions composed of at least one Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) antigen, or attenuated or killed MAP for use in methods of immunizing a human against a MAP infection, preventing or treating a MAP infection, and preventing a human disease associated with a MAP infection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing neuroendocrine cancers via detecting the presence of N-methyl D-asparate-associated (NMDA) glutamate receptors type 1 and/or type 2. Methods for preventing and treating neuroendocrine cancers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell permeable peptide to specifically inhibit tyrosine phosphorylation and/or subsequent activation of STAT-6. This peptide is composed of a protein transduction moiety operably linked to a portion of STAT-6 which contains tyrosine residue 641 (Tyr-641) of STAT-6, wherein Tyr-641 is phosphorylated. The chimeric STAT-6 peptide enters cells and binds to the SH2 domain of wild-type STAT-6, and subsequently inhibits dimerization and nuclear translocation of the wild-type STAT-6 protein. Administration of this chimeric peptide inhibits allergen-induced airway inflammation, cytokine production and airway hyperresponsiveness and is useful in methods for preventing or treating diseases or conditions associated with STAT-6 activation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for isolating infrequently-dividing, slow-cycling cells, a feature which is typical of stem cells in their niche. The methods of the present invention are advantageously used as classical stem cells can be isolated. Further provided are methods for generating clonal populations and inhibiting the differentiation of these cells. In addition markers for distinguishing these cells from progenitor cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for rapidly and efficiently purifying proteasomes using fusion proteins having homology to ubiquitin. Also disclosed are methods for assessing aberrant cell growth utilizing fusion proteins have homology to ubiquitin and a signal producing moiety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antibodies that differentially recognize multi-dimensional conformations of A?-derived diffusible ligands, also known as ADDLs. The antibodies of the invention can distinguish between Alzheimer's Disease and control human brain extracts and are useful in methods of detecting ADDLs and diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease. The present antibodies also block binding of ADDLs to neurons, assembly of ADDLs, and tauphosphorylation and are there useful in methods for the preventing and treating diseases associated with soluble oligomers of amyloid ? 1-42.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of functional neurons from adult human mesenchymal stem cells using a retinoid. A retinoid, when used in the absence of a growth factor, transdifferentiates mesenchymal stem cells into functional neurons that exhibit synaptic transmission. Moreover, polarization of the functional neurons can be achieved using selected growth factors. Functional neurons produced in accordance with the method of the invention find use in the treatment or amelioration of diseases or conditions associated with neurodegeneration or nerve damage.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the local treatment of tracheal, bronchial or alveolar bleeding or hemoptysis and/or reducing unwanted effects associated with systemic administration of thrombotic agents to a subject via intratracheal, intrabronchial or intraalveolar administration of a blood coagulation factor to the subject. Methods of the present invention are useful in treating diffuse alveolar hemorrhage secondary to blast lung injury, HIV infection and AIDS.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant Toxoplasma gondii which exhibits enhanced homologous recombination. The mutant of the present invention is a knockout in the KU80-dependent nonhomologous end-joining pathway which finds application in generating T. gondii gene knockouts and gene replacements for use in vaccine and drug development.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for identifying agents that modulate the GTPase activity of AS160. In the instant assay, AS160 or the GAP domain thereof is contacted with a test agent, in the presence of GTP-bound Rab (2A, 8A, 8B, 10, or 14), and the AS160 GAP domain-mediated hydrolysis of GTP to GDP is monitored.

Abstract: A glial precursor cell population from mammalian central nervous system has been isolated. These A2B5+ E-NCAM? glial-restricted precursor (GRP) cells are capable of differentiating into oligodendrocytes, A2B5+ process-bearing astrocytes, and A2B5? fibroblast-like astrocytes, but not into neurons. GRP cells can be maintained by regeneration in culture. GRP cells differ from oligodendrocyte-type-2 astrocyte (O-2A) progenitor cells in growth factor requirements, morphology, and progeny. Methods of use of GRP cells are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions containing a calbindin-D28k therapeutic element, which is involved in the regulation of apoptosis, and may be administered for the prevention of an abnormal apoptosis response in cells. In particular the compositions and methods of the present invention may be used for the prevention or induction of apoptosis in such cells types as osteoblasts and osteocytes. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention are useful for the prevention of diseases associated with glucocorticoid induced cell death. Specifically, the compositions and methods of the present invention may be useful in the prevention of glucocorticoid induced cell death in osteoblasts and the treatment of such conditions as glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis.