Abstract: The invention relates to an assay to select a candidate drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease due to cytokine production. The assay comprises: a) exposing said candidate drug to intestinal cells; and b) analysing the effect of the said candidate drug selected from the group consisting of the variation of nuclear export or import of transcription factors from the NF-?B family the disruption of transcriptional activity of transcription factors from the NF-?B family, the differential histone acetylation of p65 (RelA); the variation of the amount of PPAR?/RelA complexes in the cytosol of the cells; and a combination thereof. The invention further relates to methods for the treatment of inflammatory cytokine production associated diseases and to the use of a therapeutically effective dose of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron or a component thereof.

Abstract: There is described a method of isolating nucleotide sequences encoding target peptides from DNA libraries using DNA binding proteins to link the peptide to the sequence which encodes it. DNA libraries are prepared from cells encoding the protein of interest, or from synthetic DNA, and inserted into, or adjacent to, a DNA binding protein in an expression vector to create a chimeric fusion protein. Incorporation of the vector DNA into a carrier package, during expression of the chimeric fusion protein, results in the production of a peptide display carrier package (PDCP) displaying the DNA-bound fusion protein on the external surface of the carrier package. Employment of affinity purification techniques results in the PDCP particles containing sequences encoding the desired peptide to be selected and the desired nucleotide sequences obtained therefrom.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds and chemical compositions that can be used in the method. The method involves contacting a biological compound with one of: a) a bound or bindable derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, followed by exposure to a detectable molecule which forms a complex with the reaction product; or b) a derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, followed by exposure to a bound binding agent specific to the biological compound in the reaction product; or c) a binding agent specific to the biological compound, followed by exposure to a derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, and determining the amount of bound biological compound. There is also provided a method of preparing an antigen.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds and chemical compositions that can be used in the method. The method involves contacting a biological compound with one of: a) a bound or bindable derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, followed by exposure to a detectable molecule which forms a complex with the reaction product; or b) a derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, followed by exposure to a bound binding agent specific to the biological compound in the reaction product; or c) a binding agent specific to the biological compound, followed by exposure to a derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, and determining the amount of bound biological compound. There is also provided a method of preparing an antigen.

Abstract: Anti-bacterial composition comprising an admixture of an organic acid (excluding acetate, propionate and butyrate) together with a coumarin or coumarin glycoside. Preferred organic acids include lactate, citrate and benzoate, especially L-lactate. Preferred coumarins are esculetin, scopoletin, imbelliferone and Coumarin (1,2-benzopyrone). The composition, which is effective against E. coli 0157, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter and MRSA, can be used to disinfect buildings or instruments and in food preparation, e.g., as a vegetable wash.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds and chemical compositions that can be used in the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds and chemical compositions that can be used in the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of assaying pyrrole-containing biological compounds and chemical compositions that can be used in the method. The method involves contacting a biological compound with one of: a) a bound or bindable derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, followed by exposure to a detectable molecule which forms a complex with the reaction product; or b) a derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, followed by exposure to a bound binding agent specific to the biological compound in the reaction product; or c) a binding agent specific to the biological compound, followed by exposure to a derivatizing agent which forms a reaction product with the biological compound, and determining the amount of bound biological compound. There is also provided a method of preparing an antigen.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assay to select a candidate drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease due to cytokine production. The assay comprises: a) exposing said candidate drug to intestinal cells; and b) analysing the effect of the said candidate drug selected from the group consisting of the variation of nuclear export or import of transcription factors from the NF-&kgr;B family the disruption of transcriptional activity of transcription factors from the NF-&kgr;B family, the differential histone acetylation of p65 (RelA); the variation of the amount of PPAR&ggr;/RelA complexes in the cytosol of the cells; and a combination thereof. The invention further relates to methods for the treatment of inflammatory cytokine production associated diseases and to the use of a therapeutically effective dose of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron or a component thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide growth factor derived from colostrum (CDGF) having defined chemical and biological characteristics. The factor may be prepared from porcine or bovine colostrum and pharmaceutical uses thereof may include combatting invasion of the body by pathogens, wound healing, promoting organ growth and development and promoting adaption of the gastrointestinal tract to diet change.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to assess connective tissue, especially bone, metabolism in disease or to monitor therapy, which method comprises assessing the levels of native free collagen-derived crosslinks in biological fluids, especially urine. The method can be enhanced by concomitantly determining the levels of an indicator of bone formation in biological fluids of the same individual and assessing the differences between the degradation marker and the formation indicator. Antibodies which are specifically immunoreactive with forms of crosslinks which occur free in biological fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to assess connective tissue, especially bone, metabolism in disease or to monitor therapy, which method comprises assessing the levels of native free collagen-derived crosslinks in biological fluids, especially urine. The method can be enhanced by concomitantly determining the levels of an indicator of bone formation in biological fluids of the same individual and assessing the differences between the degradation marker and the formation indicator. Antibodies which are specifically immunoreactive with forms of crosslinks which occur free in biological fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods to assess connective tissue, especially bone, metabolism in disease or to monitor therapy, which method comprises assessing the levels of native free collagen-derived crosslinks in biological fluids, especially urine. The method can be enhanced by concomitantly determining the levels of an indicator of bone formation in biological fluids of the same individual and assessing the differences between the degradation marker and the formation indicator. Antibodies which are specifically immunoreactive with forms of crosslinks which occur free in biological fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic uses of clenbuterol in humans and animals. The uses include retarding or reversing muscular atrophy of denervated muscle, alleviating or reversing loss of function arising from surgical or accidental muscular trauma, and alleviating or reversing the loss of muscle function arising from a humorally mediated catabolic state or from temporary disuse of the muscle. Clenbuterol can be mixed with a beta-adrenergic antagonist to obviate or mitigate unwanted side effects without excessively inhibiting the desired therapeutic effects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic uses of beta-adrenergic antagonists other than clenbuterol in humans and animals. The uses include retarding or reversing muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy, alleviating or reversing peripheral nervous system disease, alleviating or reversing central nervous system disease, retarding or reversing muscular atrophy of denervated muscle, alleviating or reversing loss of function arising from surgical or accidental muscular trauma, and alleviating or reversing the loss of muscle function arising from a humorally mediated catabolic state or from temporary disuse of the muscle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to therapeutic uses of clenbuterol in humans and animals. The uses include retarding or reversing muscle disease such as muscular dystrophy, alleviating or reversing peripheral nervous system disease, and alleviating or reversing central nervous system disease.

Abstract: A method of monitoring collagen degradation, comprising assaying a biological fluid sample which contains a fragment of collagen including lysyl pyridinoline or hydroxylysyl pyridinoline or a substituted form thereof, a method of determining the tissue origin or degraded collagen thereby.