Abstract: A sanitary towel for physiological liquids includes as topsheet layer a layer of nonwoven cotton (10) having density which varies transversely and provided with a first plurality of longitudinal lines (1) along which the textile has a higher density of fibres with respect to the rest of the textile, each of the longitudinal lines (1) of the first plurality of lines being alternated with a respective longitudinal line (2) of a second plurality of longitudinal lines (2) along which the textile has a lower density of fibres with respect to the longitudinal lines (1).

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for promoting myelination, neuronal survival, and oligodendrocyte differentiation and treating demyelination and dysmyelination disease by the administration of a TrkA antagonist. The invention also relates to methods of inhibiting or decreasing Sp35 expression by the use of a TrkA antagonist. Additionally, the invention relates generally to methods for blocking Sp35 and TrkA interaction and inhibiting or decreasing TrkA phosphorylation by the administration of a Sp35 antagonist.

Abstract: The following class of molecule is disclosed: a dimer containing a first neublastin polypeptide and a second neublastin polypeptide, wherein: (a) at least one of the polypeptides is glycosylated; (b) at least one of the polypeptides is conjugated at its N-terminus to a water-soluble synthetic polymer; and (c) neither of the polypeptides is conjugated to a water-soluble synthetic polymer at a position other than the N-terminus. Such dimers possess the biological activity of wild-type neublastin while displaying enhanced serum half-life and enhanced potency relative to wild-type neublastin.

Abstract: The invention pertains to humanized forms of an anti-CRIPTO antibody and portions thereof and their use in treating disorders, such as cancer either alone or in combination with other agents.

Abstract: A production efficiency improving apparatus includes a first communicating means for communicating information with a plurality of processing apparatuses that process objects, and a second communicating means for communicating conveyance control information, with a conveyance system comprising conveyance apparatuses for conveying the objects between the plurality of processing apparatuses. A means for predicting, on the basis of information communicated by the first communicating means, the conveying timing at which the processing apparatus needs to send out processed objects, and the conveying timing at which the processing apparatus needs to bring in unprocessed objects. A generating means generates the control information such that the conveyance apparatus will arrive at the processing apparatus that is the destination of the communication of information at the predicted timing predicted by the means for predicting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Death Receptor-6 (DR6) proteins which are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, and have now been shown to be important for regulating apoptosis in cells of the nervous system. In addition, it has been discovered that p75 is a ligand for DR6. As a result, this invention relates to methods for inhibiting the interaction of DR6 and p75 using DR6 and/or p75 antagonists. In addition, the methods described herein include methods of promoting survival of cells of the nervous system using DR6 antagonists, optionally in combination with p75 antagonists, and methods of treating neurodegenerative conditions by the administration of a DR6 antagonists, optionally in combination with a p75 antagonist.

Abstract: A remote initiator breaching system for initiating breaching charges over a short range requiring no physical link between the breacher and the demolition charge. The remote initiator breaching system has at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, at least one shock tube connectable to a breaching charge and a power source for each of the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is able to generate and transmit a coded signal. The transmitter has an input for inputting operational commands into the transmitter for generating the coded signal, The transmitter has a plurality of channels representing different frequency bands, and multiple addresses for each channel such that transmission of the coded signal from the transmitter to the receiver is possible per individual addresses or all addresses simultaneously.

Abstract: Binding molecules are described.

Abstract: BAFF plays a central role in acquired immunity. The disclosure identifies BAFF-responsive genes that are substantially upregulated by administration of BAFF and substantially downregulated by treatment with a BAFF antagonist. Specific genes are: NF-?B2, CD23, H2-M? (the beta chain of H2-DM), Fig-1, and OBF-1. The disclosure provides methods and compositions for: monitoring the activity of a BAFF antagonist in a mammal; monitoring BAFF activity in a mammal; identifying a mammal to be treated with a BAFF antagonist; and related uses. Such methods include detecting one or more molecules selected from the group consisting of Fig-1 molecule, OBF-1 molecule, and H2-M? molecule in a biological sample of the mammal, and optionally further detecting NF-?B2 molecule and/or CD23 molecule in the biological sample.

Abstract: The compositions and methods of the present invention are based, in part, on our discovery that an effector function mediated by an Fc-containing polypeptide can be altered by modifying one or more amino acid residues within the polypeptide (by, for example, electrostatic optimization). The polypeptides that can be generated according to the methods of the invention are highly variable, and they can include antibodies and fusion proteins that contain an Fc region or a biologically active portion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides compounds useful as inhibitors of Tec family kinases, compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of monitoring the change of the alpha-4 integrin activities in an individual by correlating with the soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM) and/or soluble mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule (sMAd-CAM) levels. Particularly, this method can be used, for example, to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of an alpha-4 integrin inhibitor used to treat a disease associated with pathological or chronic inflammation.

Abstract: Endogenous Sp35 is a negative regulator for neuronal survival, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination (Negative Regulator). Molecules that block endogenous Sp35 function, such anti-Sp35 antibodies can be used as therapeutics for the treatment of neuron and oligodendrocyte dysfunction. The present invention provides antibodies specific for Sp35, and methods of using such antibodies as antagonists of endogenous Sp35 function. The invention further provides specific hybridoma and phage library-derived monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, and vectors and host cells comprising these antibodies.

Abstract: Endogenous Sp35 is a negative regulator for neuronal survival, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Molecules that block endogenous Sp35 function, such anti-Sp35 antibodies can be used as therapeutics for the treatment of neuron and oligodendrocyte dysfunction. The present invention provides antibodies specific for Sp35, and methods of using such antibodies as antagonists of endogenous Sp35 function. The invention further provides specific hybridoma and phage library-derived monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, and vectors and host cells comprising these antibodies. The invention further provides methods of promoting oligodendrocyte survival and myelination in a vertebrate, comprising administering to a vertebrate in need of such treatment an effective amount of an anti-Sp35 antibody.

Abstract: The instant invention describes methods of separating or preferentially synthesizing dimers which are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage from dimers which are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage from a mixture comprising the two types of polypeptide dimers. These forms can be separated from each other using hydrophobic interaction chromatography. In addition, the invention pertains to connecting peptides that result in the preferential biosynthesis of dimers that are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage or that are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage. The invention also pertains to compositions in which a majority of the dimers are linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage or are not linked via at least one interchain disulfide linkage. The invention still further pertains to novel binding molecules, e.g., comprising connecting peptides of the invention.

Abstract: Endogenous LINGO-1 is a negative regulator for neuronal survival, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. Molecules that block endogenous LINGO-1 function, such anti-LINGO-1 antibodies can be used as therapeutics for the treatment of neuron and oligodendrocyte dysfunction. The present invention provides antibodies specific for LINGO-1, and methods of using such antibodies as antagonists of endogenous LINGO-1 function. The invention further provides specific hybridoma and phage library-derived monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, and vectors and host cells comprising these antibodies.

Abstract: Provided are certain methods of screening, identifying, and evaluating neuroprotective compounds useful for treatment of neurological diseases, such as, e.g., multiple sclerosis (MS). The compounds described upregulate the cellular cytoprotective pathway regulated by Nrf2. Also provided are certain methods of utilizing such compounds in therapy for neurological disease, particularly, for slowing or reducing demyelination, axonal loss, or neuronal and oligodendrocyte death.

Abstract: The invention relates to an implant for the human or animal body, which on its outer surface comprises at least one calcium salt that is soluble in a polar liquid. The invention also refers to various methods for the preparation of the preceding implant. The calcium ions contained on the surface of the implant provide said surface with four chemically and biologically advantageous properties: hydrophilicity, protection against atmospheric contamination, a pro-coagulant property and a pro-mineralising property.

Abstract: The present invention provides automated systems and methods for monitoring column performance in process chromatography, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, column performance is monitored by generating a plurality of process values such as, for example, conductivity values or pH values with a detector during a chromatography step transition between a first mobile phase liquid and a second mobile phase liquid. The process values are transformed to form transformed process values in which noise present in the process values is suppressed. Column performance parameters are calculated based on the transformed process values and displayed during movement of the second mobile phase liquid through the chromatography column.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of cell biology, immunology and oncology. The invention relates to the discovery that there is a relationship between the expression levels of the tumor suppressor gene smad4 (also known as dpc4) and integrin ???6, and the responsiveness of patient populations to ???6-active compounds and compositions (e.g., antibodies and other ligands that bind ???6), particularly in cancer cells from such patient populations, more particularly on carcinomas such as pancreatic carcinomas.