Abstract: The present invention is directed to polynucleotides encoding polypeptides associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis and homologs thereof. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for utilizing these polynucleotides and polypeptides in the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of rheumatoid arthritis and related disease states. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention, and compounds identified thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel polynucleotides encoding BGS-2, 3, and 4 polypeptides, fragments and homologues thereof. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing said polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for applying these novel BGS-2, 3, and 4 polypeptides to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various diseases and/or disorders related to these polypeptides. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention describes a newly discovered polynucleotide encoding a protein involved in the cell signaling cascade, called RET16, cloned, isolated and identified from TNF-alpha stimulated human microvascular endothelial cells, as well as mouse and rat RET16 orthologs thereof. Also described are the RET16 polypeptide sequence, expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antagonists, antisense molecules, and antibodies related to the polynucleotide and/or polypeptide of the present invention. Methods for screening for modulators, particularly inhibitors, of the human RET16 protein, and use of the RET16 polynucleotide and polypeptide for therapeutics and diagnostics are described.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of pullulan as a slowly digested carbohydrate and to its incorporation into food products, especially beverages and meal replacement products.

Abstract: The two carbohydrate mixture of this invention utilizes a source of fructose in combination with at least one readily digestible glucose polymer source. The addition of the fructose significantly decreases the glycemic response when compared to the digestible glucose polymer alone. Additional components may be added to the simple two component carbohydrate mixture to form a carbohydrate system suitable for incorporation into an enteral nutritional. This carbohydrate system optionally incorporates nonabsorbent carbohydrates, dietary fiber and indigestible oligosaccharides. The present invention is also directed to an enteral nutritional which incorporates the two component carbohydrate mixture and less than 37% of calories from fat. Additionally, the invention is directed to a method of delivering nutrients to a person with diabetes by feeding the enteral nutritional.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable food stuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a low pH nutritional formula that contains high levels of macronutrients, vitamins and minerals. The pH of the enteral formula is from about 3.0-4.6 and delivers at least 25% of the RDI for selected vitamins and minerals in a 237 ml. serving. The enteral formula uses a stabilizing system comprising high methoxy pectin to stabilize the protein and a unique process to produce the formula.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powdered human milk fortifier comprising a protein component typically present in an amount of from about 24 wt/wt % to about 55 wt/wt % of the fortifier powder, and a fat component typically present in an amount of from about 1 wt/wt % to about 30 wt/wt % of the fortifier powder and a carbohydrate component present in a quantity of from about 15 wt/wt % to about 75 wt/wt % of the fortifier powder. Preferably, the powdered human milk fortifier is provided in a unit dose container which holds from about 0.5 gm to about 10 gm of powder. The instant invention also relates to a method of providing nutrition to preterm infants by adding a fortifier powder to human milk and administering the fortified human milk to a premature infant. The invention further provides a method of promoting growth of a premature infant by administering fortified human milk to a premature infant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elemental liquid nutritional product useful for providing nutrition to a patient having a malabsorption condition by enterally feeding to the patient a nutritionally effective amount of the liquid nutritional products of the present invention. One nutritional product of the present invention includes a protein system in which at least 65 w/w % of said proteins have a molecular weight of less than 5,000 daltons. The proteins system includes soy protein hydrolysate, and partially hydrolyzed caseinate. The preferred products further include a structured lipid formed from marine oil and medium chain triglyceride oil. Palatability of elemental nutritional products has been improved by keeping caloric density in a range from 0.60 kcal/ml to about 1.05 kcal/ml and incorporating sufficient amounts of selected palatability enhancers.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable foodstuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising notochord and extracts thereof in therapeutic amounts. The invention more specifically relates to a method of treating arthritis in mammals, more particularly rheumatoid arthritis in humans through the enteral administration of notochord, notochord extracts or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, collagen obtained from sturgeon is enterally administered to a human at from 1.0 &mgr;g to 1.05 gms per day.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a complete nutritional product that provides soy protein and enhanced levels of isoflavones. Preferably, the soy protein comprises at least 0.7 mg isoflavones/gm soy protein and at least 0.5 mg genistein/gm soy protein. The product is fortified at 35% of the RDI for calcium and contains an antioxidant package. The invention also describes the method to produce a heat stable isoflavone-enriched soy protein complete nutritional.

Abstract: The invention relates to a powdered human milk fortifier comprising a protein component typically present in an amount of from about 24 wt/wt % to about 55 wt/wt % of the fortifier powder, and a fat component typically present in an amount of from about 1 wt/wt % to about 30 wt/wt % of the fortifier powder and a carbohydrate component present in a quantity of from about 15 wt/wt % to about 75 wt/wt % of the fortifier powder. Preferably, the powdered human milk fortifier is provided in a unit dose container which holds from about 0.5 gm to about 10 gm of powder. The instant invention also relates to a method of providing nutrition to preterm infants by adding a fortifier powder to human milk and administering the fortified human milk to a premature infant. The invention further provides a method of promoting growth of a premature infant by administering fortified human milk to a premature infant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to solid matrix nutritionals designed for the person with diabetes. The carbohydrate system of this invention utilizes a source of fructose in combination with at least one nonabsorbent carbohydrate to achieve the same effect of prior art complex multi-component carbohydrate systems. This carbohydrate system has the added benefits of tasting good and can be incorporated into solid matrix nutritionals. The solid matrix nutritionals may also include a source of dietary fiber and a source of indigestible oligosaccharides. The solid matrix nutritionals may be administered to a diabetic in the form of cereal, bread, cookies, muffins, bagels, biscuits, crackers and bars. Particularly, the present invention is directed to a nutritional bar designed for the person with diabetes which incorporates the carbohydrate system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a rice flour extract (RFE) which can be used in the prophylaxis and treatment of bacterial infections, particularly bacterial infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae and to a method of preparing and using such an antibacterial rice flour extract. The anti-Haemophilus influenzae rice flour extract of the present invention can be prepared from commercial food grade rice flours or non-commercial food grade rice flours.

Abstract: This invention relates to a palatable elemental nutritional formula that is nutritionally complete for humans with specialized dietary needs. The nutritional of the present invention uses specific free amino acids to provide the source of amino nitrogen (protein equivalents) and a special blend of fats that provides 38 to 50% of the total Calories in a pleasant tasting formula. The nutritionally complete formula of this invention is useful for children having multiple protein allergies, short gut syndrome, sick gut, diarrhea and the like. More specifically, the nutritional product, in accordance with this invention, utilizes L-asparagine monohydrochloride and L-glutamine in place of L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid, respectively. In addition, the source of fat comprises soy, fractionated coconut oil (medium chain triglycerides), high oleic safflower oil and esterified glycerol emulsifiers.

Abstract: In general this invention relates to a powder composition that provides a low fat vitamin and mineral fortified coffee drink when reconstituted with water. The nutritional composition being in the form of a soluble powder containing an instant coffee component, a protein component, a vitamin/mineral component providing at least 25% of U.S. RDI per 8 oz serving, and a carbohydrate component in about 140 Cal per 8 oz serving.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a complete nutritional product that provides soy protein and enhanced levels of isoflavones. Preferably, the soy protein comprises at least 0.7 mg isoflavones / gm soy protein and at least 0.5 mg genistein / gm soy protein. The product is fortified at 35% of the RDI for calcium and contains an antioxidant package. The invention also describes the method to produce a heat stable isoflavone-enriched soy protein complete nutritional.

Abstract: This invention provides a composition comprising notochord and extracts thereof in therapeutic amounts. The invention more specifically relates to a method of treating arthritis in mammals, more particularly rheumatoid arthritis in humans through the enteral administration of notochord, notochord extracts or mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, collagen obtained from sturgeon is enterally administered to a human at from 1.0 .mu.g to 1.05 gms per day.

Abstract: The use of fiber to control infantile colic and diarrhea and adult constipation and diarrhea is well accepted. This invention is specifically directed to liquid nutritional formulas which contain hydrolyzed protein and/or amino acids and dietary fiber. This invention overcomes the problems of product physical stability and high viscosities through the use of soluble/non-fermentable fibers in combination with a blend of insoluble/non-fermentable and soluble/fermentable fibers. The invention is also directed to the use of physiologically effective levels of fibers in nutritional products that use hydrolyzed protein and/or free amino acids for the source of amino nitrogen to treat colic, diarrhea, short gut syndrome and other gastrointestinal maladies.