Abstract: Fluorescent proteins comprising the following internal amino acid sequence (SEQ?ID?NO:?47) Gly?Tyr?Xaa?Xaa?Xaa?Gln?Tyr?Leu?Pro?Xaa?Pro 1???????????????5???????????????????10 wherein Xaa in position 3 is Ala or Gly, Xaa in position 4 is Phe, His or Tyr, Xaa in position 5 is His, Tyr or Asn, or Xaa in position 10 is Phe or Tyr are disclosed. Such proteins are e.g. isolated or recombinant fluorescent proteins from a Cephalochordata, such as Branchiostoma floridae or Branchiostoma lanceolatum, or isolated mutants or recombinant proteins that have at least 80% amino acid sequence identity with the fluorescent proteins. Isolated and purified structural genes encoding such fluorescent proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fluorescent proteins comprising the following internal amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 47) Gly Tyr Xaa Xaa Xaa Gln Tyr Leu Pro Xaa Pro 1???????????????5???????????????????10 wherein Xaa in position 3 is Ala or Gly, Xaa in position 4 is Phe, His or Tyr, Xaa in position 5 is His, Tyr or Asn, or Xaa in position 10 is Phe or Tyr are disclosed. Such proteins are e.g. isolated or recombinant fluorescent proteins from a Cephalochordata, such as Branchiostoma floridae or Branchiostoma lanceolatum, or isolated mutants or recombinant proteins that have at least 80% amino acid sequence identity with the fluorescent proteins. Isolated and purified structural genes encoding such fluorescent proteins are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition for treatment of a localized bacterial infection and bacterial related disease comprising at least one CSF or fragment or derivative thereof. Also provided is the use of at least one colony stimulating factor (CSF) or fragment or derivative thereof having essentially the biological functionality and activity of the CSF for preparing a medicament for the treatment of a localized bacterial infection and bacterial related disease. The CSF is selected from granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and multi-colony stimulating factor. A method of treatment of a mammal suffering from a localized bacterial infection and bacterial related disease is provided. The localized bacterial infection and bacterial related disease may be a periodontal disease or sinusitis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially pure biologically active consecutive anti-angiogenic polypeptide comprising the central region of human Histidine Rich Glycoprotein (HRGP). Said polypeptide is shown to comprise a potential endogenous, naturally occurring subfragment of human HRGP, comprising similar anti-angiogenic activities as the mature protein. The present invention also relates to one or more new biologically active subfragments of human HRGP, derived from said central region. Said subfragments are all characterized by having anti-angiogenic activity. One of the active subfragments is referred to as Pep2. Enscoped by the present invention are also anti-angiogenic subfragments derived from Pep2, one of them comprising a newly identified presently minimal functional entity.

Abstract: The invention relates to histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRGP) polypeptides and the use of these polypeptides. The invention includes methods for the inhibition of angiogenesis by administering an HRGP polypeptide. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture comprising HRGP polypeptides, antibodies and receptors that bind to an HRGP polypeptide, HRGP-depleted plasma and polynucleotides, vectors and host cells that encode HRGP polypeptides.

Abstract: A catheter includes a tubular body, a ring member, and at least one elongate member. The tubular body has a distal region. The ring member encircles at least a portion of the circumference of the tubular member. The one elongate member has a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the elongate member being coupled to the distal region of the tubular body and the proximal end being attached to the ring member. Forming a loop in a distal end of a catheter includes pulling a ring that encircles at least a portion of the circumference of the catheter. The ring is attached to a proximal end of an elongate member, a distal end of the elongate member is attached to a distal end of the catheter, and the elongate member is positioned along the outside surface of the catheter.

Abstract: The invention relates to histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRGP) polypeptides and the use of these polypeptides. The invention includes methods for the inhibition of angiogenesis by administering an HRGP polypeptide. The invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture comprising HRGP polypeptides, antibodies and receptors that bind to an HRGP polypeptide, HRGP-depleted plasma and polynucleotides, vectors and host cells that encode HRGP polypeptides.

Abstract: Mucosal, particularly oral, microparticle conjugate vaccines against certain pathogenic microorganisms, especially intracellular pathogenic microorganisms, are disclosed. An immunizing component of such a vaccine comprises protection-generating antigens derived from a certain pathogenic microorganism, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Salmonella enteritidis, conjugated, possibly via a linker, to biodegradable microparticles, particularly starch microparticles, such as cross-linked starch microparticles, e.g. polyacryl starch microparticles. Further, a method of inducing protective immunity against a certain pathogenic microorganism in a mammal, and the use of protection-generating antigens derived from a certain pathogenic microorganism conjugated, possibly via a linker to biodegradable microparticles for the production of a mucosal microparticle conjugate vaccine are described.

Abstract: A method of treatment of mast cell mediated inflammatory disorders in mammals comprising regulating the longevity and activity of activated mast cells by inhibiting the expression and/or function of the anti-apoptotic A-1/bfl-1 gene or gene product. The invention also provides the development and use of a compound capable of inhibiting the expression and/or function of the anti-apoptotic A-1/bfl-1 gene or gene product for the manufacture of a medicament for treating mast cell mediated inflammation in human tissues by regulating the longevity and activity of activated mast cells.