Abstract: Scyllo-Inositol derivatives represented by structural formula II are described, wherein at least one and not more than five of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is hydroxyl and the other of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylene, alkenylene, alkoxy, alkenyloxy, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, arylalkoxy, aroyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, acyl, acyloxy, sulfoxide, sulfate, sulfonyl, sulfenyl, sulfonate, sulfinyl, ammo, lmmo, azido, thiol, thioalkyl, thioaryl, mtro, cyano, halo, seleno, silyl, silyloxy, silylthio, carboxyl, carbonyl, carbamoyl or carbamide, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Said derivatives and compositions comprising the same are useful in the prevention and/or treatment of diseases characterized by abnormal protein folding or aggregation or amyloid formation, deposition, accumulation or persistence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating ocular diseases in a subject by administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of one or more cyclohexanehexyl derivatives, or salts thereof, or a medicament comprising a cyclohexanehexol derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. More specifically, the invention provides a medicament comprising at least one cyclohexanehexyl derivative of formula (III) or (IV) useful in preventing or treating ocular diseases, by modulating the folding, oligomerization or aggregation of amyloid ? in ocular cells. Methods of administration of these medicaments include systemic, transpleural, oral, intravenously, intraarterial, intramuscular, topical, via inhalation, transdermal, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, gastrointestinal, and directly to the eye or tissues surrounding the eyes. Formulae (III), (IV).

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a gastrin compound having an extended activity upon administration to a subject in comparison with native gastrin. Methods are provided of conjugating portions of the amino acid sequence of gastrin having functional ability to bind to the gastrin/CCK receptor, to various carrier moieties, including the use of amino acid spacer regions, and use of bifunctional cross-linking reagents. Methods of treating a diabetes patient with the compositions are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for islet neogenesis therapy comprising an EGF and a gastrin in combination with immune suppression, and for treating or preventing early stage diabetes with a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an immunosuppressant are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for islet neogenesis therapy comprising an EGF and a gastrin in combination with immune suppression, and for treating or preventing early stage diabetes with a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an immunosuppressant are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for islet neogenesis therapy comprising a member of a group of factors that complement a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, with formulations, devices and methods for sustained release delivery and for local delivery to target organs.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for achieving in vivo islet cell regeneration in subjects with preexisting diabetes. The methods comprise short term treatment with a composition having a gastrin/cholecystokinin receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand. Treatment with such a composition for a short term resulted in a prolonged period of increased insulin release, decreased fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance, the prolonged efficacy, the period being considered from the time of cessation of treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to novel compositions and methods comprising a gastrin compound. The compositions and methods provide beneficial effects, in particular sustained beneficial effects, in the treatment of diabetes.

Abstract: Forms of epidermal growth factor that are resistant to proteolysis, and gene sequences encoding these forms and having codons optimized for usage by an industrial production organism, are provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for achieving in vivo islet cell regeneration in subjects with preexisting diabetes. The methods comprise short term treatment with a composition having a gastrin/cholecystokinin receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand. Treatment with such a composition for a short term resulted in a prolonged period of increased insulin release, decreased fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance, the prolonged efficacy, the period being considered from the time of cessation of treatment.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for treating diabetes mellitus in a patient in need thereof are provided. The methods include administering to a patient a composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g., a gastrin, and/or an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor ligand, e.g., TGF-&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g., a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g., a TGF-&agr; gene. The methods also include transplanting into a patient cultured pancreatic islets in which mature insulin-secreting beta cells are proliferated by exposure to a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand and an EGF receptor ligand.

Abstract: A method for treating diabetes mellitus by administering composition providing a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand, e.g. a gastrin, and an EGF receptor ligand, e.g. TGF&agr;, in an amount sufficient to effect differentiation of pancreatic islet precursor cells to mature insulin-secreting cells. The composition can be administered systemically or expressed in situ by cells transgenically supplemented with one or both of a gastrin/CCK receptor ligand gene, e.g. a preprogastrin peptide precursor gene and an EGF receptor ligand gene, e.g. a TGF&agr; gene.