Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of neurological disorders. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for the treatment or prevention of skin pathologies. The invention further discloses compositions and methods for the modulation of acetylcholine receptor activity. Antibodies generated against SLURP-1 and related proteins are also included.

Abstract: The present invention discloses open reading frames (ORFS) in human genome encoding for novel fibrillin-like polypeptides, and reagents related thereto including variants, mutants and fragments of said polypeptides, as well as ligands and antagonists directed against them. The invention provides methods for identifying and making these molecules, for preparing pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and for using them in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving homogeneity and/or secretion of a recombinant protein of interest expressed in mammalian cells by replacing the endogenous signal peptide sequence of the DNA encoding the protein of interest with that of human hGH. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method wherein the protein of interest is a subunit of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The invention also relates to DNA expression vectors containing the sequence encoding such proteins of interest fused to the signal peptide sequence of the hGH and to cells harbouring such vectors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses open reading frames (ORFs) in human genome encoding for novel fibulin-like polypeptides, and reagents related thereto including variants, mutants and fragments of said polypeptides, as well as ligands and antagonists directed against them. The invention provides methods for identifying and making these molecules, for preparing pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and for using them in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel pyrrolidine derivative of formula (I), its geometrical isomers, its optically active forms as enantiomers, diastereomers, mixtures of these and its racemate forms, as well as salts thereof, wherein R1 is selected from the group comprising or consisting of H and C1–C6-alkyl, for the prevention and/or treatment of preterm labor, premature birth or dysmenorrhea

Abstract: The present invention is related to pyrrolidine oxadiazole and thiadiazole derivatives for use as pharmaceutically active compounds, as well as pharmaceutical formulations containing such pyrrolidine oxadiazole derivatives. Said pyrrolidine derivatives are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of preterm labor, premature birth and dysmenorrhea. In particular, the present invention is related to pyrrolidine derivatives displaying a substantial modulatory, notably an antagonist activity of the oxytocin receptor. More preferably, said compounds are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of disease states mediated by oxytocin, including preterm labor, premature birth and dysmenorrhea. The present invention is furthermore related to novel pyrrolidine derivatives as well as to methods of their preparation.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a use of a MHC class II ligand, such as CD4 and LAG-3, for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating pathological conditions involving an antigen specific immune response, as well as the use of LAG-3 in cancer-immunotherapy. The invention also concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of an antigen able to induce an antigen-specific immune response together with an effective amount of a MHC class II ligand wherein said MHC class II ligand is present as an adjuvant-like agent.

Abstract: A method for identification of gene transcripts comprises the steps of: generating a set of raw sequences by sequencing of biological material; isolating ditags from the set of raw sequences; isolating tags from the ditags; determining abundance of the tags; and identifying the tags, the method providing a step of reducing the amount of sequencing errors by using a statistical model for sequencing errors.

Abstract: A device for reconstituting liquid for medical use by bringing together a first liquid medium contained in a first vessel in the form of a cartridge (3) and a second medium, such as a drug in solid form, contained in a second vessel in the form of a vial (7), the device (19) comprising means (41) for supporting the first and second vessels, and a movable operating member (50) for applying a force to cause the first liquid medium to be delivered at a controlled rate from the first vessel into the second vessel. The first and second vessels may be provided in a pack (70) having liquid transfer means in the form of a needle (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of inducing ovulation in a female host comprising the administration of a non-polypeptide cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level modulator to the female host. In another aspect, the invention provides for specific administration of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor prior to the luteal phase of the host's ovulatory cycle. Preferred non-polypeptide cAMP level modulators include phosphodiesterase inhibitors, particularly inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 isoforms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses open reading frames (ORFs) in human genome encoding for novel Preadipocyte factor-1-like polypeptides, and reagents related thereto including variants, mutants and fragments of said polypeptides, as well as ligands and antagonists directed against them. The invention provides methods for identifying and making these molecules, for preparing pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and for using them in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing 21-hydroxy-6,19-oxidopro-gesterone (21OH-6OP) and/or its 21-acetate, 21-propionate, 21-hemisuccinate, 21-phosphate, 21-oleate derivatives. 21OH-6OP and its ester derivatives are antiglucocorticoids for the treatment or prophyl axis of diseases associated to an excess of glucocorticoids, in particular for treating Cushing's syndrome, iatrogenic hypercortisolism or depression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a TNF Receptor together with a steroid hormone to produce a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of lethal bacterial and viral infections as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It also relates to said pharmaceutical compositions for the simultaneous separate or sequential use of its active ingredients for the above specified treatment. In particular, it relates to the use of TBP-1, together with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or its metabolites to produce a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The present invention discloses open reading frames (ORFs) in human genome encoding for novel notch-like polypeptides, and reagents related thereto including variants, mutants and fragments of said polypeptides, as well as ligands and antagonists directed against them. The invention provides methods for identifying and making these molecules, for preparing pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and for using them in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: A process for the purification of recombinant human Luteinizing Hormone (LH) from a sample of crude recombinant LH in the supernatant of CHO cells comprises the combined use of the ion-exchange chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. The ion-exchange chromatography and the reverse phase HPLC are performed twice and the final use of a gel permeation column allows the purification from any residual traces of contaminants. The specific bioactivity of the highly purified LH obtained from the process is particularly high, amounting to 25,000 IU/mg.

Abstract: The present invention is related to novel 21-hydroxy-6,19-oxidoprogesterone (21OH-6OP) analogues, their use as antiglucocorticoids for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of disease associated to an excess of glucocorticoids. In particular, the invention relates to the use of novel 21-hydroxy-6,19-oxidoprogesterone (21OH-6OP) analogues for treating Cushing's syndrome, iatrogenic hypercortisolism or depression. Also the present invention is related to methods of preparing the novel 21-hydroxy-6,19-oxidoprogesterone (21OH-6OP) analogues.

Abstract: The present invention discloses open reading frames (ORFs) in human genome encoding for novel chemokines-like polypeptides, and reagents related thereto including variants, mutants and fragments of said polypeptides, as well as ligands and antagonists directed against them. The invention provides methods for identifying and making these molecules, for preparing pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and for using them in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases.

Abstract: The present invention is related to new substituted pyrrolidine derivatives of formula (I). Said compounds are preferably for use as pharmaceutically active compounds. Specifically, pyrrolidine derivatives of formula (I) are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of neurodegenerative disorders, diseases associated with polygultamine tracts, epilepsy, ischemia, infertility, cardiovascular disorders renal hypoxia, hepatitis and AIDS. Said pyrrolidine derivatives display a modulatory and most notably a down-regulating-up to an inhibitory-activity with respect to the cellular death agonist Bax and/or the activation pathways leading to Bax and allows therefore to block the release of cytochrome (c).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a TNF Receptor together with a steroid hormone to produce a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of lethal bacterial and viral infections as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. It also relates to said pharmaceutical compositions for the simultaneous, separate or sequential use of its active ingredients for the above specified treatment. In particular, it relates to the use of TBP-1 together with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or its metabolites to produce a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of septic shock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of recombinant IFN-beta for the production of a medicament for the treatment of HCV infection by subcutaneous administration to patients of Asian race, which failed to respond to a previous treatment with interferon-alpha, is herein reported. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this treatment can be better and further focused to those patients which after at least 4 weeks of initial treatment with IFN-beta show HCV RNA clearance.