Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 --C--X.sub.2 --C--R--X.sub.3 --C--X.sub.4 --E--X.sub.5 --C--X.sub.6 --C--C--X.sub.7whereinX.sub.1 is 3 to 9 amino acids;X.sub.2 is one amino acid, preferably Y, H or R;X.sub.3 is 2 or 3 amino acids;X.sub.4 is three amino acids;X.sub.5 is five amino acids;X.sub.6 is 6 to 10 amino acids; andX.sub.7 is 0 to 9 amino acids.The invention also provides a substantially purified mouse cryptdin having a consensus amino acid sequence:X.sub.1 --L--X.sub.2 --C--Y--C--R--X.sub.3 --C--K--X.sub.4 --E--X.sub.5 --G--T--C--X.sub.6 --C--C--X.sub.7whereinX.sub.1 is 3 or 4 amino acids, preferably LRD, LSKK (SEQ ID NO: 1) or LRG;X.sub.2 is 1 amino acid, preferably V, L or I;X.sub.3 is 3 amino acids, preferably KGH or *RG, where * is S, T, K, I or A;X.sub.4 is 2 amino acids, preferably GR, RR or RG;X.sub.5 is 3 amino acids, preferably RMN, RVR, RVF HMN or HIN;X.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of skin regeneration of a wound or burn in an animal or human. This method comprises the steps of initially covering the wound with a collagen glycosaminoglycan matrix, allowing infiltration of the grafted GC matrix by mesenchymal cells and blood vessels from healthy underlying tissue and applying a cultured epithelial autograft sheet grown from epidermal cells taken from the animal or human at a wound free site on the animal's or human's body surface. The resulting graft has excellent take rates and has the appearance, growth, maturation and differentiation of normal skin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of skin regeneration of a wound or burn in an animal or human. This method comprises the steps of initially covering the wound with a collagen glycosaminoglycan matrix, allowing infiltration of the grafted GC matrix by mesenchymal cells and blood vessels from healthy underlying tissue and applying a cultured epithelial autograft sheet grown from epidermal cells taken from the animal or human at a wound free site on the animal's or human's body surface. The resulting graft has excellent take rates and has the appearance, growth, maturation and differentiation of normal skin.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns novel materials and methods for the detection, treatment, and prevention of human osteoarthritis. Specifically, the cleavage site where aggrecanase cleaves aggrecan has been identified. Identification of this site, as well as the nature of the enzyme, facilitates specific treatments which block or diminish the activity of the enzyme. A further aspect of the invention concerns methods for detecting evidence of osteoarthritis.

Abstract: The present invention provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence as follows:X.sub.1 -C-X.sub.2 -C-R-X.sub.3 -C-X.sub.4 -E-X.sub.5 -G-X.sub.6 -C-X.sub.7 -C-C-X.sub.8wherein X.sub.1 is 3-6 amino acids; X.sub.2 is one amino acid; X.sub.3 is 2 or 3 amino acids; X.sub.4 is three amino acids; X.sub.5 is three amino acids; X.sub.6 is one amino acid; X.sub.7 is 6 to 10 amino acids; and X.sub.8 is 0 to 7 amino acids.The invention further provides substantially purified cryptdin peptides having a consensus amino acid sequence as follows:X.sub.1 -L-X.sub.2 -C-Y-C-R-X.sub.3 -C-K-X.sub.4 -E-R-X.sub.5 -G-T-C-X.sub.6 -C-C-X.sub.7wherein X.sub.1 is one to four amino acids; X.sub.2 is one amino acid; X.sub.3 is three amino acids; X.sub.4 is two amino acids; X.sub.5 is two amino acids; and X.sub.6 is six to nine amino acids; and X.sub.7 is zero to seven amino acids.

Abstract: A composition and method of treating a traumatic injury by improving immunologic response and reducing a hypermetabolic response associated with those suffering from a traumatic injury such as a substantial burn, trauma, major surgery and the like and more particularly to those suffering from a substantial thermal burn injury to the skin or other areas through the administration of the composition of the invention to those suffering from the traumatic injury are disclosed. The composition comprises an intact protein, arginine, carbohydrate, lipid comprising the omega-3 fatty acids of fish oil, including eicosapentaenoic acid, and with linoleic acid limited to the amount necessary to prevent an essential fatty acid deficiency thereof and nutritionally necessary vitamins and minerals.

Abstract: A monospecific antibody prepared in response to cathepsin B proteinase by homogenizing purified cathepsin B proteinase upon dialyzing to remove ampholines, injecting a proteinase emulsion intramuscularly into an animal, reinjecting the animal with the proteinase emulsion, with drawing blood of the animal after sufficient time elapse for antibody production and isolating the monospecific antiserum from the blood.